The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles went into Legion Field in Birmingham, AL without their star, record-setting running back (groin) and emerged a surprised and disappointed loser to underdog U.A.B. The Blazers predictable offense--QB Joe Webb right, left, and up the middle--was effective, even though everyone in the building new what was coming. Webb is turning out to be one of the premier running QBs in the college game, and he showed he could throw just enough (highlighted by a 4th Q TD pass of 21-yards to TE Jeffery Anderson) to keep 8-9 men out of the box and pull the upset. This was a hard-fought, hard-hitting affair throughout. The game was tied 10-10 at the half, and just 20-17 U.A.B. late, until they recovered a muffed punt with 2:34 remaining at the So. Miss 20 to essentially ice the win.
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
College: Alabama-Birmingham Conference: Conference USA Columnist: Erik Sandelin
Game Notes
Joseph Webb 5 6' 4.0" 220 4.67 QB 2010: Elite running QB who runs with confidence and power. Very good athlete with an amazing VJ. Physical, upright runner, who would get killed playing like this at QB in the NFL, but is a great weapon to design a collegiate offense around. Good kid and team leader with huge hands and a strong, but somewhat erratic arm. Will need to be a WR or SS at the next level, and has the tools to warrant a camp invitation for one of those positions. Does not appear to have NFL passing prowess, but could develop into a Wildcat type. Ran all over the Eagles today. GRADE: Positive
Jake Seitz 53 6' 2.0" 290 5.00 C 2010: Average college center, who is seasoned and tough. Former wrestler who often wins due to his understanding of leverage. Seals well. Rumbles to the second level. 41 starts in a row. Good hand usage. Nice shotgun snapper. Misses on 2nd level and when pulling occasionally. Smallish with limited growth potential. Toughness and experience may gain him a camp look. GRADE: Neutral
College: Southern Mississippi Conference: Conference USA Columnist: Erik Sandelin
Game Notes
Damion Fletcher 25 5' 10.0" 178 4.55 HB 2010: DNP. Groin.
Calvin Wilson 72 6' 6.0" 353 5.00 OT 2011: DNP. Don't know why. Erik?
Eddie Hicks 18 6' 2.0" 183 4.65 S 2010: Sticks his nose in, but is light and tackles and hits like a small guy. Decent coverage safety who gets to the spot pretty quickly. Need to see him again to see if there is really any "there" there. But based on what I saw today, I wouldn't waste my time on him. GRADE: Slightly negative
DeAndre Brown 5 6' 6.0" 228 4.60 WR 2012: Had no impact today. I hear he's had some good games though...INC.
OTHER NOTES:
U.A.B.: Junior TE Jeffery Anderson (#86) is a bump blocker with decent hands. Sr. CB Brandon Carlisle (#4) is a little tentative in coverage but runs OK, is decent in run support and mirrors the receiver well at the LOS. Plays on ST coverage units as well. They say he may be a PP. What sayest thou, Erik?
So. Miss: Junior OLB Martez Smith (#32) looks like a draftable guy for the '11 draft. Best defensive player on the squad. Had 3 TFLs and 8 tackles. CB C.J. Bailey (another junior, #20) looks OK. LOG Micah Brown, a senior (#69) should probably be in the database, Erik. He has decent balance despite appearing somewhat top heavy. They ran behind his hole all day, and you could see why. Pulls OK. No wasted motion in pass pro. Punches but misses at times, and can be bounced back by bigger DTs, but he has some tech and some ability. Sr. RB Tory Harrison (#11) filled in for Fletcher and did pretty well (10-62-0). Shows he can catch well with his hands. Runs upright and w/o much power. Will stiff arm you and fight for yardage. Hands give him a shot at a camp look. QB Austin Davis (#12) has been lighting it up, and started off like 10-for-10 in this one. Deadly short-range, WCO QB. DT D'Anthony Gray (#95) can beat the double team on a consistent basis, and may be one to watch next year.