To my knowledge this is the first writeup at CDS from the oft-neglected and disrespected Northeast Conference. To be fair, watching the lower level teams in this conference (as opposed to the upper level teams like Central Connecticut, Albany and Monmouth) is like watching quality DII schools from the nation's best DII conferences, but still there are a couple guys worth keeping an eye on from these two schools. The game itself was quite entertaining. RMU has a shifty edge-rusher named Myles Russ who put up 37-246-2, and Duquesne has a big-school transfer at QB in Soph. Connor Dixon and he has a nice target in 6'2", 205 senior wideout Alex Roberson, so there was plenty of up and down the field, back and forth action in this one. It seemed the last team to hold the ball would win, and that's how it turned out, with the Colonials' Russ rushing for the final two+ minutes and running out the clock on the Dukes.


SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Robert Morris Conference: Northeast Columnist: Steve Martin
Name

Sherrod Evers 84 6' 2.2" 200 4.55 WR 2009: I don't know where he was. Didn't see him.

Erik Cwalinski 7 6' 2.6" 220 4.95 QB 2009: Steady senior who is a 3rd-year starter and as obviously gained much from longevity as a starter. Doesn't make dumb mistakes. Nice pro size and delivery. Good enough arm. I like his overall package. Reminds me of a former Memphis QB by the name of Danny Wimprine (but he didn't make it either. ) Not saying he'll get a camp look, but he deserves one. Good accuracy. Can rumble for a 1st down when he has nothing down field. Tends to throw off his back foot. Makes the throws he should. I'm not kidding, this guy could surprise and make a practice squad IF he gets a camp invitation (which he probably won't due to anti-small school bias.) GRADE: Positive

Joe Setticase 76 6' 4.2" 295 5.45 OT 2009: Solid OG prospect with NO chance to play LOT where he is stationed now. Rugged guy who drive blocks well. Would really struggle with speed if left outside, and must be looked at inside only where he may be effective because he is a very good straigh-ahead run blocker. Seems to wear down late in the game though, and does not have good feet at all. GRADE: Neutral


College: Duquesne Conference: Northeast Columnist: Steve Martin

Conrad Carter 8 6' 1.4" 210 4.58 WR 2009: OK hands. Nothing special. No YAC moves. Too easy to tackle for his size. Dependable DII-level WR. GRADE: Slightly negative.

Ronnie Garvin 97 5' 11.8" 295 5.30 DT 2009: Looks like a man among boys in the Northeast Conference. Really blows away lower-level FCS interior linemen and makes plays continually in the backfield, especially in the running game. Hard to judge because of the LOC, but he looks like he could be a UDFA 4-3 DT candidate at the next level. Strong and relentless. Stays low and wins hand fights. Tackles. Was out for a long stretch when his team needed him though, but that could be purely the coach's fault. Does not have good lateral pursuit. Will not play to the sidelines. Short area performer. On ground too much. May need to turn some baby fat to muscle still. GRADE: Slightly positive

Alex Roberson 80 6' 2.0" 205 4.58 WR 2009: Nice receiver at this level. Seems to be a bit of a prima donna though, and needs to keep the yapping to himself. Angular, lean wideout who can go up and get it. OK, but not great hands. Has some physical tools to develop. Need to see that 40, but our estimate looks about right. I get the feeling he is used to being the top dog in a small forest. When he gets to the Amazon Jungle of the NFL, I fear he would collapse. GRADE: Neutral

Aaron Strader 13 6' 2.4" 200 4.63 CB 2009: Best pro prospect in the game. Plays CB now, but is definitely a FS. Needs some tech refinement and some weightroom, but he has everything else you want a FS to have. Good instincts. Gets to the ball first and wants it. Has elite coverage skills for this level. Not as sudden as you'd want. Relies too much on his natural gifts and doesn't work anywhere near as hard (yet) as he'll have to. Priority UDFA. GRADE: Positive


OTHER NOTES:

Robert Morris: Keep an eye on Temple transfer (his brother is the Owl's starting QB) soph. LB Alex DeMichele. He has some tools, no question.

James O'Quinn a freshman WR/KR will be a name you will hear more about as well.

Duquesne: Soph. LB Nathan Totino leads the FCS in tackles per game (15.0) and looks like a player.

#31 HB Cleo Williams is decent.

QB #10 Connor Dixon could easily develop into something.