Missouri - Big 12 - Adam Bendiksen
TE - Chase Coffman, 45, 6' 6.0", 230, 0.00, 2009 - Star player missed his second straight game with a turf toe injury, but is expected back for their next game. GRADE: Incomplete
QB - Chase Daniel, 10, 6' 0.0", 225, 4.75, 2009 - Opened 16 for 16 before he went on an erratic streak, which has been the knock on Daniel. When he’s in a groove, he’s a near clone of Drew Brees, delivering the ball quickly, accurately and in rhythm, but when he’s off, he tends to throw the ball high and behind receivers, which leads to picks. He rebounded from his poor stretch to finish the game very strongly, and will be an NFLer despite his less than ideal height. GRADE: Positive
S - William Moore, 1, 6' 0.8", 230, 4.60, 2009 - Sensational prospect has been bothered by an ankle injury almost the whole season and has not played up to his 2007 standards, but this is a testament to his toughness that he’s stayed on the field and has still played better than almost any DB in the country. Though his range is somewhat limited he still had an INT returned for a TD, which was the most pivotal play of the game, and his leadership is invaluable. When healthy he’s the complete physical package capable of playing deep centerfield, in man coverage or up in the box. GRADE: Very Positive
WR - Jeremy Maclin, 9, 6' 0.6", 200, 4.40, 2011 - Super sophomore has already declared that he will make the jump to the NFL should he receive feedback that he’ll be a first round pick. Suffice it to say he’ll be playing on Sundays next fall. The complete package, taking a backseat at WR in the Big-12 only to Michael Crabtree. Not as big or strong as Crabtree, but much faster and more explosive. May be the quickest receiver in and out of his breaks in the country, and makes cuts at full speed. Rumored to run 4.3. Fine kick returner, fearless over the middle, has no holes in his game. GRADE: Very Positive
LB - Sean Weatherspoon, 12, 6' 0.5", 235, 4.65, 2010 - Fine athlete ideally suited to the weakside in a 4-3 defense. Excellent instincts in both the running and passing game, and the wheels to get him there. Doesn’t have the bulk to take on blocks but usually doesn’t have to, as he reacts so quickly he beats blockers to the point. Very good in man pass coverage. Despite the attacking nature of his game, he honors his responsibilities and rarely gets caught out of position. Good open field tackler. GRADE: Very Positive
WR - Jared Perry, 4, 6' 0.5", 180, 4.40, 2010 - Developing deep threat has excellent speed, quickness and acceleration. Smooth athlete who adjusts very well to the ball in the air, but is only used on deep routes and must work to develop his game. Very lean and needs much work in the weight room, but has another year with the Tigers. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
S - Justin Garrett, 8, 6' 1.0", 200, 4.60, 2009 - Takes a back seat to William Moore, but is a pretty good safety in his own right. Smart player who doesn’t make mistakes. Solid size and a strong physique. Can blitz, cover slot receivers, backs and TE’s, and fills hard versus the run. Decent speed, takes good angles and is a solid tackler. Could surprise. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
CB - Castine Bridges, 2, 6' 1.0" , 210, 4.50, 2009 - Big corner really coming on in his senior season. Was the defensive MVP of this game, recording double-digit tackles, multiple pass breakups and a number of big hits. Good tackler who comes up hard in run support and crushes receivers. Plays on special teams. Plays in a cover-2 scheme and is built for that role in the NFL, but is showing signs that his athleticism might allow him to do more. GRADE: Positive
LB - Brock Christopher, 34 , 6' 1.0", 235, 4.70, 2009 - Overachieving linebacker who understands the game and makes a lot of plays. Not the biggest player and must be shielded from blockers, but tends to negotiate schemes and end up where he’s supposed to be. Tough guy who likes to hit and is a solid tackler. Does his best work against the pass, reading the QB’s eyes and getting great depth in his pass drops. Sometimes plays too cautiously. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
DE - Stryker Sulak, 38, 6' 4.0", 250, 4.70, 2009 - Teams leading sacker plays with tremendous intensity. Hustles all the time and pursues very hard. Continuously slanting and stunting as he doesn’t have the bulk to take on OT’s, but has deceptive strength and sheds blocks pretty well. Displays decent agility and is being used more and more in zone drops, which bodes well for him as his future in the NFL is at OLB in a 3-4. GRADE: Somewhat Positive.
DE - Tommy Chavis, 48, 6' 1.0", 255, 4.80, 2009 - Rugged player who does his best work against the run, but gets some push as a pass rusher and uses his hands well to disengage from blocks. Looks bigger than his listed size and plays a power game. Didn’t have many stats in this game but his role seems to be that of a traffic cop which allows Sulak and Hood to freelance and make plays. Very smart and disciplined. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
WR - Danario Alexander, 81, 6' 4.0", 210, 4.50, 2010 - Still recovering from a twice-injured knee, but appears to be gaining back his fluidity. Used exclusively as an underneath target in this game, and acquitted himself well. Big and strong with long arms and good hands, and a willingness to go over the middle. Excels on slants. Still maturing but has a chance to be special next year. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
WR - Tommy Saunders, 84, 5' 11.5", 210, 4.50, 2009 - Not flashy, but effective. Runs the crosses, drags and short comebacks that nobody enjoys, but does a good job of it. Blocks very well, has fine hands and can jump. Team leader. Kind of guy that ends up in a camp and is too good to cut. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
DT - Evander Hood, 94, 6' 3.0", 295, 5.10, 2009 - “Ziggy” really improving his draft status this season as he gets better every game. Smart player who understands what offenses are trying to do and reacts very quickly to it. Excellent athlete who’s quick off the ball and almost impossible to knock off his feet. One-gap player who gets penetration, disrupts running plays and pushes the pocket. Has fine spin move and is excellent on stunts. Can be mauled occasionally by huge power players, but generally wins his matchups. Absolutely will play in the NFL. GRADE: Very Positive
Iowa State - Big 12 - Adam Bendiksen
WR - R.J. Sumrall, 5, 6' 0.5", 200, 4.50, 2009 - Team leader lacks speed and explosion and has a difficult time getting separation, but makes plays. Thick, strong build with very long arms and excellent hands. Makes tough catches and fights hard for yardage after the catch. Willingly goes over the middle and plays on special teams. GRADE: Somewhat Negative
HB - Jason Scales, 6, 5' 8.5", 217, 4.60, 2009 - Senior no longer a starter, but an effective spot player . Has a thick, strong build and runs with power and good body lean between the tackles. Solid blocker. Hampered by being stuck in a spread offense; would be better with a running team. GRADE: Neutral
CB - Chris Singleton, 11, 5' 9.5", 194, 4.50, 2009 - Solid corner used as a slot safety against Missouri’s spread formation, and wasn’t much of a factor in this game, though he wasn’t picked on. Much better when used in bump coverage, where his physicality is much more of an asset. Worth watching. GRADE: Neutral
DE - Kurtis Taylor, 47, 6' 1.0", 252, 4.80, 2009 - Smart, disciplined player who must be an OLB if he’s to make the jump to the NFL. Not overly quick or fast but has good instincts and hustles all the time. Strong for his size. Good spin move. Doesn’t stand out but makes a lot of plays. GRADE: Neutral
WR - Marquis Hamilton, 82, 6' 2.5", 221, 4.60, 2010 - Big, strong receiver should be Arnaud’s primary target in 2009. Not overly fast or explosive, he uses his large frame to box out defenders and makes every catch. Very good on slants. Tough blocker. Improving. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
TE - Derrick Catlett, 84, 6' 2.5", 246, 4.70, 2010 - Used in the slot so difficult to grade as a blocker, but a very good receiver who can take a shot and still hang onto the ball. Not the fastest but is quick off the ball and has a feel for coverages. Excellent on seam routes. Should combine with Hamilton and WR Houston Jones to give the Cyclones a fine trio of receiving threats in 2009. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
OG – Reggie Stephens, 73, 6’2.0”, 330, 5.4, 2010 - Huge, powerful lineman who can crush his man in a phone booth but struggles in space and needs much work on his techniques, particularly as a run blocker. Very strong anchor in pass protection but occasionally overextends and gets beaten. Doesn’t sell screens or play-action well. Physical tools are absolutely there but needs to stay in school and become a better football player. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Other Game Notes: Missouri kicker Jeff Wolfert continues to impress, accounting for another perfect game and consistently getting good depth on his kickoffs. He’s the NCAA’s alltime leader in combined kick (PAT-FG) percentage. RG Ryan Madison is the leader of a fine offensive line and appears to have the overall game to make it into an NFL camp. Sophomore TB Derrick Washington continues to impress, bringing his total TD mark for this season to 18! He’ll be on the elite list of prospects for the 2010 draft. DT Jeron Baston continues to impress.
Cyclone’s sophomore RB Alexander Robinson is a dynamic playmaker who needs to add size and strength but has two more years to do it, and fellow sophomore QB Austen Arnaud has made tremendous strides this season. WR Houston Jones tends to be erratic, but demonstrates athleticism and big-play ability and has a chance to develop. LB Michael Bibbs made a few eye-popping hits and is solid in coverage. Freshman CB Leonard Johnson joins a short list comprised of the super elite players in the conference in terms of pure excitement. He was one of the best players on the field, blanketing receivers, intercepting a pass and breaking up several others, and making a number of big hits and hard tackles despite his small stature (Antoine Winfield with ball skills). This is the same kid who set the all-time KR yardage record with 319 yards in a single game – easy to see why the Cyclones see better days ahead.
