Game Notes:
Texas Tech -- Big 12 -- Adam Bendiksen
QB - Graham Harrell, 6, 6' 2.5", 203, 4.90, 2009 – Another great performance by a truly great college QB. Problem is, you can never project how a spread offense player will translate to the NFL (remember Andre Ware). Not the biggest guy nor does he have the strongest arm, but he throws with tremendous accuracy and might be the coolest customer under pressure in all of college football. Won’t be a high pick, but he has to get a shot based on his production. GRADE: Positive
WR - Michael Crabtree, 5, 6' 2.2", 208, 4.45, 2011 -- Not great numbers but another fine game by the best receiver in the nation. Still bothered by a sprained ankle, he nevertheless led the Red Raiders in receptions and scored yet again, extending his consecutive game streak to ten. Seemingly just for fun, he also threw a couple more haymaker blocks. Destined for greatness, eligible to declare this spring, and ready for the NFL even at his tender age. GRADE: Very Positive
WR - Edward Britton, 27, 5' 11.5", 183, 4.50, 2010 -- Had a much better game than the prior week, scoring on the game’s first possession and adding several more nice grabs the rest of the way. Strong build and plays to it, breaking tackles and gaining yards after the catch. Nice acceleration and hands. Hard to judge spread guys, but looks like he’ll be in a camp – in 2010. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
DE - Daniel Howard, 53, 6' 2.5", 240, 4.70, 2010 – Designated pass rusher plays inside and out. Energizer Bunny who plays like his hair’s on fire. Generates a lot of pressure, but way too small to play down in the NFL. Has another year in school and will have to move to LB if he hopes to play on Sundays. Very active player worth watching. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
OT - Marlon Winn, 67, 6' 5.0", 329, 5.30, 2010 – Had a much better game than the prior week when he faced Michael Bennett, but I still don’t see it. Huge and strong but lumbering and slow. Despite his size he can be driven into the QB. Still, you have to admire his effectiveness, as Harrell has only been sacked three times all season. Somehow gets it done, but probably not at the next level. GRADE: Somewhat Negative
S - Darcel McBath, 7, 6' 0.5, 197, 4.50, 2009 – Becoming a favorite of mine among all players in college football. Followed up a great game against Texas A&M with another sensational outing. Didn’t make as many big hits as last week but was rock solid against the run and intercepted three passes, all in the third quarter, in which Kansas ran only five plays. Not the biggest guy and doesn’t appear to have true sprinter’s speed, but this is splitting hairs; tremendous free safety prospect. GRADE: Very Positive
WR - Eric Morris, 12, 5' 7.5", 172, 4.40, 2009 – Little tough guy was relatively quiet in this game, but made difficult catches over the middle, his strength. Not afraid despite his stature and runs well after the catch. Probably not draftable, but deserves a shot as a slot receiver. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
DE - Jake Ratliff, 98, 6' 6.5", 249, 4.90, 2009 – Good athlete who uses his hands well to shield blockers and keeps his feet. Around the ball and plays to the whistle. Pretty strong at the point but doesn’t shed well. Not a playmaker and probably too big to play OLB. Rotational type, if that. GRADE: Neutral
S - L.A. Reed, 2, 6' 1.0", 201, 4.50, 2009 – Playing corner this season and for the second straight week shut down his man. Used in off/zone coverage, he basically was untested. Difficult to scout, but there must be something there which causes QB’s to look the other way. Looking forward to watching him play against the Longhorns this weekend. GRADE: Incomplete
CB - Jamar Wall, 3, 5' 9.5", 196, 4.50, 2010 – Physical corner who closes well on action in front of him and tackles well. Comes up hard in run support. Nice zone instincts, but a little stiff and not the fastest guy. Good kick returner. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
DE - Brandon Williams, 84, 6' 4.0", 253, 4.70, 2010 – Didn’t have the lights-out game of the prior week but turned in another fine performance, playing excellent run-D and notching yet another sack, his eighth on the season (second in the big twelve). Looks much bigger than he’s listed, and plays with tremendous power. Put a painful lick on Todd Reesing on an option play which showcased his tremendous leg drive/explosion. Could go to the NFL this April, but should he return to school he’ll be in consideration for first-team, All-American status and subsequent first round consideration. GRADE: Very Positive
LB - Marlon Williams, 39 5' 11.5”, 224, 4.60, 2010 – Not big, but very athletic and aggressive, and makes plays all over the field. More rugged than his size would indicate, he hits hard and negotiates trash. Good in coverage. Up-and-comer. GRADE: Positive
HB - Shannon Woods, 2 5' 10.5", 200, 4.60, 2009 – Much better game this week than last. Ran very hard and shows good leg drive and power. Runs low and punishes tacklers. Can move a pile. Surprising burst based on what I had seen prior. Very good in blitz pickup. Downhill, slasher type runner who can catch. Might not get drafted but should make a camp. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
OG - Louis Vasquez, 65 6’5.0", 335, 5.30, 2009 – Best player on a very good offensive line. Very big and strong, but light on his feet. Great hands, and decent movement. Will need much technique work in the NFL as the spread offense doesn’t feature deep drops or power runs, but he seems to have the tools, and the demeanor, to succeed. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Kansas -- Big 12 -- Adam Bendiksen
QB - Todd Reesing, 5, 5' 11.0", 195, 4.70, 2010 – Like Harrell, another spread offense QB who might be a product of the system. Not very big, he’ll need good players around him. Makes quick decisions and throws a catchable ball. Decent arm. Very poised in the pocket and displays good escapability. His team really got shellacked but he hung in there and kept working. Fine leader. Needs to play his senior year. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
LB - Joe Mortensen, 8, 6' 0.5", 250, 4.70, 2009 -- Big MLB kind of a fish out of water in this game with Harrell flinging the ball all over the field. Downhill-type hitter with good instincts. Solid speed, but not great in pass coverage. Most likely a two-down linebacker in the NFL, and might be a good fit inside in a 3-4. Not great, but good enough to play on Sundays. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
C - Ryan Cantrell, 50, 6' 2.0", 295, 5.10, 2009 – Smart, quick undersized player who gets bulled around a bit but hangs in there well. Good in combination blocks. Technician who lacks pop. Tech’s defense basically teed off on the whole Jayhawk offense from the second quarter on , but he made solid reads and kept his head while the ship was sinking. Need to watch more tape. GRADE: Incomplete
HB - Jake Sharp, 1, 5' 9.5", 190, 4.50, 2010 – Small, tough slasher back who runs hard. Nice quickness and acceleration and surprisingly good leg drive. Changed their blocking scheme from zone to man in order to suit him, and he appears comfortable despite limited time running it. Nice vision and feel for blocks. Has another year to mature, but looks like he might make a nice change-of-pace back. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
LB - James Holt, 12, 6' 2.0", 222, 4.60, 2009 – Thinly-built LB isn’t rugged and must be shielded from blockers. Good athlete with nice speed, range and quickness. Reads plays well, attacks running plays and has a nice feel for the passing game. Not a big hitter but a solid wrap-up tackler. Must be 4-3 weakside guy. GRADE: Neutral
LB - Mike Rivera, 40, 6' 2.0", 255, 4.70, 2009 -- Big, rugged physical LB lacks tremendous speed and range, but makes plays all over the field anyway. Plays outside for Jayhawks but ideally suited for the 3-4, ILB role. Strong at the point and sheds well. Hard hitter with excellent instincts. Really can stack up the run game. GRADE: Positive
OG - Chet Hartley, 79, 6' 3.0", 310, 5.20, 2009 – Good technique player who doesn’t stand out in any way, but isn’t bad. Not quick or explosive but moves pretty well. Position and seal type blocker who can get to the second level. Good base and recovers well. Mirrors and slides effectively. Not special, but can play. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
S - Darrell Stuckey, 25, 6' 0.5", 205, 4.50, 2010 – High character player has an ideal NFL physique, but didn’t do much in this game. Closes well on plays in front of him but doesn’t display much agility or range. Sticks nose in versus the run, and hits pretty hard. Need to see more. GRADE: Neutral
S - Justin Thornton, 46, 6' 0.5", 202, 4.60, 2010 – Not as rugged or physical as Stuckey, but a better player. Used in man coverage in the slot quite a bit in this game, and acquitted himself well. Can turn his hips and run, and has decent ball awareness. Not a big hitter but a reliable wrap-up tackler. Should stay in school, but has a nice overall skill set. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
DE - Jon Larson, 87, 6' 2.0", 250, 4.70, 2009 – Undersized player used in a rotation and didn’t distinguish himself. Lean build with long arms. Has OK speed and pursues well. Must be on the move to be effective. Must be OLB at next level. GRADE: Somewhat Negative
WR - Dexton Fields, 88, 5' 11.5", 204, 4.50, 2009 – Starter was a virtual no-show in this game with no catches and no targets. Obviously, need to see more. GRADE: Incomplete
OG - Adrian Mays, 66 6’2.0” 305, 5.3 2009 -- Basically a clone of Hartley; solid but not special. Has more power and explosion than Hartley, but is a little more stiff and can be beaten by quickness. Strong player with a good base. Won’t be a high pick but should be in a camp. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Other Game Notes: Games like this one that get out of hand put players in compromising positions and makes it hard to effectively scout, so I’ll be looking forward to watching more Kansas tape. They’re a good team that ran into a buzz saw that I think may be just warming up. While Texas/Oklahoma was great, the matchup of Tech and Texas may be one for the ages.
As previously stated Tech’s line has given up only three sacks on the season, so I must mention LT Rylan Reed. He’s a high-cut lineman who gets driven back into the QB but consistently does his job. Dude is under 300 lbs. but can benchpress 625 lbs., believe it or not. Kansas features an intriguing duo of wideouts in sophomore Dezmon Briscoe and junior Kerry Meir, a former QB. Briscoe is big, fast and athletic and has all the tools, and Meier is a rugged athlete who is surprisingly advanced for a guy who’s only played the position for eight games. Has excellent hands and is big enough to maybe play H-back down the road. Both appear to have NFL tools.
