Despite the fact that these two teams would seem to be headed in opposite directions at the moment, the Wolfpack actually led Missouri for a good part of this game, and were still up 13-12 with 13 minutes to go in the third, before Danario Alexander and Blane Gabbert hooked up for the second of their two long TD combos. Alexander is a receiver who is rocketing up draft boards, and Gabbert is the best QB in the 2012 class at the moment. Despite the Tigers' heroics, Nevada had a chance to tie in the 4th quarter when workhorse Nevada backup RB (Taua went out early with a elbow injury) Luke Lipincott fumbled at the Missouri 3-yard line. This game has some very interesting players in it, and two of my favorite QBs to watch in Mizzou's Blaine Gabbert and Nevada's Colin Kaepernick--both tall guys who can run and throw with equal proficiency.
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
College: Missouri Conference: Big 12 Columnist: Adam Bendiksen
Game Notes
Sean Weatherspoon 12 6' 0.5" 235 4.75 LB 2010: I dunno what's wrong with me...I just don't see the hype here. I see a solid college LB with some explosion, but I certainly don't see first-round type anything here, despite what some are saying. In fact, I don't think Weatherspoon even got his first tackle until the second quarter. He played better in the second half and ended with around 6-7 stops, but I see only average measurables, average instincts, and average pro potential. I'd take him in the 5th personally...Yea, he is solid in all phases, but...Maybe I just need to keep looking...GRADE: Neutral
Jared Perry 4 6' 0.5" 180 4.40 WR 2010: Really filling the role Maclin use to play in the offense, and doing a pretty nice job. Seems to run good routes, and has reliable hands. Toe touches nicely and is aware of down and distance. Maturing into a decent late-round prospect. Don't know if he's a legit 4.4, but if he is, he could go higher. Doesn't block much, but he's only 180....GRADE: Positive
Danario Alexander 81 6' 4.0" 210 4.50 WR 2010: This guy is an absolute stud, and could wind up being a top 20 pick IF he does run 4.50 or below any time between now and the draft. Everything else, there is no question about. He has the hands, is big and tough, gets open well for a big man, breaks tackles. Of course, having played in a passing offense with solid college QBs doesn't hurt. He did take over this game, and the only thing I worry about is him beating the jam consistently at the next level. He looks more like Roy Williams than Mike Williams, fortunately....They say he has a 46" vertical too...Yikes. I had 9-170-2 on him before my 3-hours on the DVR ran out late in the 4th...GRADE: Very positive
Kurtis Gregory 78 6' 4.0" 305 5.30 OT 2010: Eh...Plays with his head over his toes too much and lacks balance anyway. Played ROG in this one and he is no OT prospect at all. Solid in a phone booth, but looks bad in space. Lumbers and looks slow. Will beat you one on one in a confined area though, and is a decent run blocker and tough to bull rush. GRADE: Slightly negative
Tim Barnes 62 6' 4.0" 305 0.00 C 2011: Looks like a solid technician. Didn't see him get beat much, but Nevada's rush doesn't come from inside, and they have no stud DTs. Still, Barnes is a decent shotgun snapper who is very seasoned in a passing offense and keeps his head on a swivel. Not nasty, but works pretty hard. I'd definitely take him late if I needed a backup center. Doesn't seem to redirect and recover all that smoothly though though when the rush comes from some place other than where he was expecting...GRADE: Slightly positive
Jaron Baston 96 6' 0.1" 305 5.20 NT 2010: Pretty active interior UT with limited upside and pro potential. Nice college tackle. Finds the ballcarrier and is productive. Nice NT body at this level, but lacks the frame to get bigger, and would have to to have any shot. Bull rusher, who bites on counter action and can be deaked. Played a little DE in certain situations in this one and, of course, holds the point fine. Not sure what he does if you bring him in. Average athlete who plays pretty well. Lacsk recovery quickness when fooled. GRADE: Neutral
College: Nevada Conference: Western Athletic Columnist: Jay Horn
Game Notes
Luke Lippincott 7 6' 1.0" 215 4.55 HB 2010: DNS, but took over when Taua went down early on. Leader and overcomer. Has dealt with two full seasons of being unable to play due to injury (and is thus overaged now) and both parents coming down with cancer. Loved by his teammates. Slasher who is tougher than he looks. Had at least half a dozen 8-12 yard runs in this one, before being dinged up himself late. Football player who does lots of things well, but probably nothing spectacularly enough to get drafted. Does hit people on coverage teams though, and that would seem to be his meal ticket, if it gets punched at all. Productive and tough. Blocks. 4.55 may be generous...but we'll see. GRADE: Positive
Colin Kaepernick 10 6' 5.0" 215 4.70 QB 201: I just love watching this guy. Reminds me of a stronger Timmy Chang, and runs better. He must be able to get out of the pocket and throw on the run, or run in general to be special though, and I am not sure he'll be able to do that at the next level. Has good enough leadership, instincts and arm to develop into more of a pocket passer, but I am not sure you'd want to do that with him. If I brought him in he'd be my change-of-pace, "wildcat" QB. Solid delivery and reasonably quick release, but he can panic when hemmed in. Made better decisions this week, but didn't do so well in that category in the 'Packs first two games. Some pro OCs will never tailor anything to a player, but this guy may just be special enough to do that for. If he comes out, he's probably a mid rounder, but he could be part of a winning offensive machine if used right, for sure. Needs to add 10 pounds of muscle, minimum....GRADE: Positive
Jonathon Amaya 49 6' 2.0" 190 4.50 CB 2010: Solid run support corner who was around the ball a lot and gives very good effort most of the time. I don't see the hips or recovery speed for him to be considered an NFL corner though, and Gabbard destroyed this secondary all day long. GRADE: Neutral
Kevin Basped 99 6' 6.0" 240 4.80 DE 2011: Nice height and wingspan. Holds up OK in the run game, but would probably have to be a 3rd-down pass rusher at the next level only. Wonder if he could hold the point as a pro. Fights through trash to the tackle, and generally gets good pressure on passing downs. I'd like to see him get up, if he doesn't get there though and try to bat down some passes. Needs more discipline in the run game, and can get trapped inside. I'm not sure he keeps his speed and explosion if he bulks up. A Tully Banta-Cain type, and might make a team if used the way TBC is used. GRADE: Neutral
Vai Taua 34 5' 10.0" 225 4.60 HB 2011: Injured his elbow on the first play from scrimmage and DNR.
OTHER NOTES:
Missouri: Jr. Derrick Washington (#24) is an OK college back who did have a big closeout run in the 4th quarter. Freshman DE Aldon Smith (#85, 6'5", 255) looks like an eventual first-round pick if he progresses well each year. Blaine Gabbert looks like a top 10 pick if he does the same for the 2012 draft...or maybe even 2011 if he comes out early. The guy is a physical freak. Strong, big and can run and throw with equal aplomb. The rush bothered him some today though, but he's still a baby experience-wise and once he has all that too, look out. Really rifles the ball and can throw anywhere. Had one 58-yard bomb that looked like he was only throwing at about 80% effort. Has all the tools, but throws high at times and is not all that accurate deep. Outstanding at keeping plays alive. Looks like a young Drew Bledsoe with pocket presence and wheels.
Nevada: Dante Moch #55 is a nice college DE who is only 6'1", 240. Good pass rusher. Jr. MLB Mike Bethea (#26, 6'2", 245) is a smart player who was around the ball quite a bit. He wants to coach some day, and that may be the way he gets to the NFL some day...