The Harvard Crimsom, perennial title contenders in the Ivy League, bounced back very nicely from an unexpected loss to Brown last week with a pasting of upstart Cornell, who came into the game undefeaed at 3-0. I know some of you guys are going to think I'm nuts, but there are as many as 5 guys in this game that could very well make an NFL roster. I am not saying the Ivy League is going to challenge the Big Sky, CAA or the Southern Conference for FCS supremacy any time real soon, but there is no doubt that the play is improving, and that the top handful of players on most Ivy League squads could play for most of those other top teams. The story in this one was the crisp, errorless passing of Harvard's senior QB (and arguably best PP) Chris Pissotti, who threw 3 TDs against no interceptions, and just repeatedly deflated the Cornell sidelines with his deep sideline accuracy.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Harvard Conference: Ivy League Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Eric Schultz 52 5' 11.0" 220 4.75 LB 2009: Eric is not one of those 5 guys I was talking about. He's a good LB in this conference, but nothing more. Is where he is supposed to be, and knows how to tackle correctly. Lacks elite range, size, explosiveness, etc. GRADE: Slightly negative

Peter Ajayi 50 6' 3.0" 245 4.60 DE 2009: Peter is an interesting guy. Decent pass rusher. Might be brought to someone's camp with the idea of looking at him as a utility LB if he truly is 4.60. Needs to learn to protect his legs. Needs to learn some more moves. Doesn't have the quick spin you would expect from a guy with his build. Doesn't finish enough. GRADE: Neutral

Chris Pizzotti 19 6' 5.0" 217 4.80 QB 2009: This guy is intriguing. I see some Matt Ryan in his game. A cool cuke. Throws catchable balls. Accuracy is good short to medium, especially on 20-30 yard sideline patterns. He floats those in at this level, can't do that next year. Classic pocket passer with a classic delivery. Questionable arm strength...not that it isn't good, I just didn't get to evaluate it enough. Doesn't feel back side pressure. Tall, and throws tall. You know he's smart. Upside. Doesn't have Ryan's magic rolling out. Needs to find the weightroom and go 235. Remember how skinny Brady was when he came to the Pats? GRADE: Positive

Desmond Bryant 90 6' 5.0" 280 4.85 DT 2009: Eh...He was there. Made a play or two. End of story. GRADE: Slightly negative

Ryan Pilconis 73 6' 6.0" 290 5.10 OT 2009: Has size and size potential. Keeps playing. Herky jerky back pedal. Nothing looks very fluid. Seals well to the inside. Is not worth more than a phone call. No"wow" in any phase. GRADE: Neutral

Andrew Berry 4 6' 0.0" 175 4.55 CB 2009: Arguably Harvard's best prospect. Incredible athlete for this level, and an incredible person for anyone's level. I'd vote for him. Does it all. Very active run supporter, and looks like he is tough to beat in the passing game too. Need to see him against BCS WRs...But, he has enough tools and enough smarts and enough versatility to be a high priority UDFA or even 7th rounder. Needs to bulk up. Leadership skills are off the charts. GRADE: Positive

Matt Curtis 91 6' 1.8" 255 4.65 DT 2009: Reportedly he benches 450 and runs 4.60. I don't doubt the 450, but I'd have to see the 4.60. Gets a lot done as an Ivy DT, but could do more as a DE. Quick enough off the ball to make you think he could be a solid 3-4 DE at any college. In any pro scheme?? Now, that's debatable. Productivity, measurables and motor give him a shot at a camp look. GRADE: Slightly positive

College: Cornell Conference: Ivy League Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Jesse Baker 2 6' 2.0" 198 4.65 WR 2009: One of the better possession guys in the Ivy League. Good to very good hands. Tough enough to take it over the middle. 4.65 sounds about right, so there is no camp in his future, unfortunately. Elusive and persistent. GRADE: Positive

Tim Bax 7 6' 3.0" 196 4.70 S 2009: The heart and soul of the Cornellian defense. Really QBs the whole defense. Is everywhere. Plays a bit like the rover (who they also have) but does a lot more than just tackle. Breaks up passes, harrasses the receivers. Sticks people. If he turns out to be a 4.50 guy, AND if he can add 20 pounds....(neither is likely) he'll be a pro. He is the John Lynch of the Ivy league for sure. GRADE: Very positive

Babak Motamedi 78 6' 3.3" 334 5.65 OT 2009 Amazing story. Didn't even start last year, and got his shot this spring and has never looked back. Listed as an OT, but is playing center now and really looks like he's been a front line starter in the FCS for years. Uses his considerable bulk to good advantage. Plows ahead and knocks people back. PULLS like an OG, and LEADS the back around the corner. He has got to be faster than the est. time we have on him. He has everything I am looking for in an interior linemen. Need to see the weightroom numbers to know if this is just an Ivy mirrage...GRADE: Positive

Steve Valenta 79 6' 5.7" 308 5.50 OT 2009: Valenta is the experienced guy, and he is every bit the PP that Motamedi, Berry or Pizzotti are. Really adjusts well. Recovers and recoils. Hunts and hits!! Gives impressive effort. Can probably be beaten by speed, and inside power moves, but not at this level he can't. Again, need to see him play boys his size, but he has the technique. A tad top heavy. Needs to add some bubble to his butt without losing any movement skills. Slides and mirrors OK. Not an elite lateral, but not bad. ROT if LOT doesn't pan out. Hope he has the weightroom numbers to match the on-field productivity. I'd draft him in the 6-7th if I needed a ROT. GRADE: Very positive

OTHER NOTES:

Cornell:

QB Nathan Ford looked very decent in the second half, and they have another QB (#12 Luiza (sp?)) who comes in and runs around a lot. Ford is a .352 hitter for the baseball team and has tons of options.

Harvard: Freshman WR Adam Chrissis (6'1, 195)was a revelation. Looks like a 4.50 guy. First collegiate catch was a 60-yard TD reception. Added another TD catch later in the game. Will he be 6'2", 215 and still running 4.50 in three years?

Sounds to me like Pizzotti may well turn out a little better than current Bengal and former Harvard QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Would that be a fair assessment in your opinion Steve? If so, shall we expect to hear his name called at some point on day two or will he potentially have to wait until after the draft to get his shot?

With the dearth of quality senior QBs this fall, I think Pizzotti has to be listed among the best at the position. After watching the debacle that is Vince Young (I warned people!), teams will have to start looking much more closely at what's inside the QB's helmet, and there's no doubt that Pizzotti has it all over most of the competition in that respect.

Check out his slotting in the Position Rankings. Does that seem about right, Jeff?