Troy went to FAU and took control of the Sunbelt with a big win. The battle was physical and featured the last two Sunbelt Champions vying for the 2008 crown.

College: Florida Atlantic Conference: Sunbelt Columnist: Brett Walker
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
William Rose 46 6' 0.0" 230 4.65 FB 2010
6/42 Rushing and was 2/6 receiving. Rose has a nice cut move for a FB and has sure hands out of the backfield. Had a nice blitz pickup. Rose is in the mold of a West Coast Offense FB who can do a little bit of everything well and doesn't mind doing the dirty work. Is not a feature back but can bust runs at times. Had some nice lead blocks for the I. Grade: Slightly Positive

Rusty Smith 11 6' 4.0" 212 5.00 QB 2010
Once again our Howdy Dowdy look alike laid an egg. 21/41 for 283 one TD and 2 INT. Looked very inaccurate on several throws. Ball has a tendency to sail on him and has a shoulder issue at this time. Rolled the pocket several times but that's really not his suit. Throws a nice ball when he has time and steps into his throws. Has a tendency to not follow through and throw off his back leg when he doesn't need to. Also had a fumble. After looking like a QB on the rise last year, he's a QB in freefall. Grade: Negative

Jason Harmon 88 6' 2.0" 210 0.00 TE 2009
Did not play DNP

Frantz Joseph 56 6' 2.0" 235 4.70 LB 2009
Big tackle for loss in the red zone. Had 11 tackles on the night and at times was dominant. Will pack a lunch and give a full effort. Doesn't mind mixing it up and taking on run play after run play. Had a nice pressure on the QB but is not a pass rusher and would fit best in the middle. Has the skills to play OLB but is not a pass rush specialist. Can be overagressive and over run on misdirection or broken plays. At times takes a false step but overall is very skilled in the middle. Fills gaps well. Looks good in zone pass drops. Has a strong upper body and nice developed lower body to help him power through tackles. Could be more explosive and make more bigger plays. A draftable player who could go in the later to mid rounds. Grade: Positive

John Rizzo 71 6' 3.0" 300 5.20 OG 2009
Had trouble with the speed of the Troy DEs. Has a weak punch. Looks good at times in pass coverage but is probably not nimble enough for the next level. Needs to show more if he wants to get a camp invite. Showed some skill setting the edge on various runs. Grade: Slightly Negative

Jervonte Jackson 92 6' 4.0" 300 5.20 DT 2009
7 tackles on the evening and a pass defensed. Neutral zone infraction. Does an excellent job of scraping down the line and pursuing the ball. Had a few strong tackles and a QB pressure. Did his best work out in space which is unusual for a big man. Still gave a good effort into the 4th QTR. Looked much better than earlier in the year. May work himself into a late round pick if he continues strong play like this. Solid in the run game but needs to anchor better. Grade: Positive

College: Troy State Conference: Sunbelt Columnist: Brett Walker
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Sherrod Martin 6 6' 1.0" 187 4.66 CB 2009
Granted a red shirt year and is coming back for his final year. Had excellent coverage on a half back option but didn't fall for it. 5 tackles on the evening and has played safety in the past. Excellent coverage on the evening and wasn't really challenged through the air. Grade: Slightly Positive

Boris Lee 2 6' 1.0" 225 4.75 LB 2010
Last year Lee was one of the most dominant LBs in the Sunbelt. Had a very quiet night. 2 tackles but came up with red zone interception. Was asked to cover more and did a nice job. Does a nice job in his zone drops. Grade: Neutral

Dion Small 74 6' 2.0" 280 5.20 OT 2009
Pulls and hits but could be more forceful when he makes contact. Needs to stick his blocks better as well as sustain them longer. Has a bigger upper body but lacks bulk in his legs and thighs, he's pear shaped. Had some big blocks that sprang the RB but I'm thinking he needs to show more to get get drafted. Average to below average punch. Should get a camp invite IMO. Grade: Slightly Positive

Kenny Mainor 51 6' 3.0" 235 0.00 DE 2009
DNP

Terence Moore 20 6' 1.0" 218 4.60 S 2009
Good strong legal hit on the QB. Interception in the RZ. Got beat on a drag route but was trailing and helped make the tackle. 3 tackles on the evening. Dropped a for sure pick 6. Showed good coverage skills and wasn't beat deep and showed an ability to get over the top when in zone to help the corner. Grade: Slightly Positive

Game Notes: JR LB Bear Woods Troy had 6 tackles....JR DE Troy Brandon Lang had a sack and 2 TFL...SO WR Jerrel Jerrigan is a multipurpose threat and was 6/63 receiving and was 7/50 rushing and showed good speed throughout the game. Troy now has a good chance to win the Sunbelt and advance to the New Orleans Bowl with this win.

Joseph impressed me earlier this year also. He has the size and the game, now it remains to be seen if he has the weightroom and the forty to be mid rounder.

If Moore is a true 4.60 at that size, he will get consideration too. Is he an enforcer type?...haven't looked in on Troy yet. And if Martin is truly only 4.66, that's a shame. Ideal CB size and you say he has some coverage skills, Brett?

I think Martin will probably run faster. He's had a lot of injuries. I need to get another look at Moore to answer that question Steve. The whole Troy secondary did a fine job overall in pass protection and they were playing a lot of man coverage.

Joseph needs to run well and he'll be 5/6 rounder. I think he should run well and the Sunbelt has a track record of their best LBs going in that area.

Don't let us fall asleep on any of these three, Brett.

TIA...

No worries. I'm trying now to get a good look at my lower level conferences and get a good feel about those particular prospects. Mainly who's progressed in their play and developed or if they are coming back off injury how are they looking.