Ashland U's Billy Cundiff (CDS D-II Pre-season First Team QB pick) drew the interest of scouts from the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets this week.

Cundiff and the Eagles started camp back on August 5. The team has had a couple injury set-backs already with soph LB Cory Skoczen (head injury) and senior OG Justin Magruder (broken ankle). It is doubtful either starter will play this season. Magruder was a D-II Pre-season Second Team pick - both will probably get medical redshirts for 2009.

Eagle WR/KR junior Joe Horn (CDS D-II Pre-season HM pick) turned some heads with 4 consecutive KO returns for TDs; earlier in the day, Horn had several consecutive deep catches for TDs - later in the day he reported on Facebook that he "was in the zone that day" - to say the least!

Ashland travels to PSAC East favorite Bloomsburg (11-1 in 2008) on August 27 for the season opener. BU beat the Eagles 49-42 last year after trailing by 21 at the half.

Thanks for the report, Jay.

Does Ashland use any pick plays in the passing game?

I suspect Bloomsburg will do everything and anything to stop the Cundiff-to-Horn air show, and I am hoping they've got some "tricks" in the tool bag to get Joe open...if necessary...

Sounds like Billy and Joe are in mid-season form already, as far as timing, etc., is concerned!

Tell me more about the prospects, where could you see them going, NFL,UFL, CFL? Who was most impressive and did you see anyone who reminded you of a current or past pro player?

Eagle Head Coach Lee Owens reported QB Cundiff (SR 6'2, 218) was 'projected in rounds 3-5' by the NFL when he submitted exploratory papers as a junior last year. As GLIAC Offensive POY last year and a Harlon Hill candidate, he is recognized by many as the best QB in D-2. He was originally recruited by Randy Edsall at UConn, but transferred to AU after his redshirt freshman year (where he was expected to compete for the starting job) to be closer to home. He compares favorably to Kurt Warner in terms of physical size, accuracy, character and leadership - he has completed 65.3% of his passes since become the regular starter as a sophomore (415 for 636 for 6054 yards with 53 TDs and 12 INTs). He has a very strong arm, and added about 10 pounds of muscle to his frame since last year. He is very mobile, although AU does not regularly use him as a runner, he is always capable of picking-up yards on roll-outs or when scrambling. He has had the benefit of some excellent QB coaches (who were all top QBs as players) while at AU - Matt Lafluer, now on the Texans coaching staff, Joey Lynch, back at Ball State, and Mike Bath, who just arrived at AU from Miami (OH). Bath has said he is impressed with the maturity and ability of Cundiff and his receivers and he is putting more choice routes/plays in the offense to capitalize on that.

Of course the 'knock' will be can Cundiff produce against pro defenses? If Ashland can have another strong year (and Cundiff continues to produce against top teams like Grand Valley), I would expect there to be interest in him in the 5-6th round in 2010 (there are a number of good QBs out there, this year). I would expect he could easily contribute in the CFL. If questions about his viability persist, the UFL (the 'QB development league') would be a great option.

In the intra-squad scrimmage yesterday, Cundiff threw very well, completing probably 70% of his 30+ passes - junior WR Joe Horn had about 7 catches for 120 yards including a nice skinny-post for 33 yard TD. A second TD eluded Horn as he made a diving grab on a wheel where the official ruled his toes came down just outside the endzone. Horn also had another KO return, this time a 90+ yard effort. Last year's O-Co Joey Lynch said Horn compares very much to Lance Moore of the Saints - very quick with great acceleration and the ability to make tacklers miss. If he has another great year (he had over 1000 yards and 9 TDs last year as a regular starter and set a school single-game return record) he will position himself for some attention from the NFL in 2011.

Former Illinois DB Brian Gamble has transferred to AU as a sophomore this season - he was quite impressive in coverage and will be a player to watch over the next couple years - at 6'1 212 he is a formidable tackler with great speed and the talent to play at the next level.

Chargers and Philly Eagle scouts at camp Thursday for the last AU scrimmage (AU opens at Bloomsburg on Thursday, Aug 27). Coaches working ALOT of running game, but Cundiff did connect with Horn on a 17-yard curl on the end-line to show a little of his passing ability. Regular practice starts for AU today, team departs for Bloomsburg on Wednesday.