SMALL SCHOOL PATROL

By: John Murphy

Appalachian State senior offensive guard Kerry Brown (#76) may have gone un-noticed to the average college football fan during their monumental upset victory against the Michigan Wolverines. However, pro scouts certainly took notice as the 6-foot-6, 312-pound left guard recorded a total of 21 knockdown blocks while facing off against junior defensive tackle Will Johnson and junior defensive end Tim Jamison. He was constantly able to read their stunts and twists all day long and was never beaten by what many would consider some of the top talent he has faced to date; also played well against LSU a year ago. Brown has very good size, flashes the type of nasty streak to finish his blocks and can get out of his stance move well down field against his own level of competition. He still plays high at times on passing downs and does not show the same on-field strength as his size would indicate. Continued development in those areas could allow him to be a 5-to-7th round choice by next year’s NFL Draft.

Delaware senior running back Omar Cuff rushed 30 times for 244 yards and six touchdowns, he added a seventh touchdown, which tied an NCAA record for total touchdowns and points in a game at his level, on one of his four receptions out of the backfield. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior back is trying to regain the form that led him to gaining over 1,200 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. His eye-opening results against William & Mary could result in teams evaluating the fact that besides averaging 4.7 yards per carry over his career that he also has averaged three catches per game over that same period of time, which could increase his value as a possible third-down back at the next level.

Grambling State senior wide receiver/return man Reginald Jackson, may have earned the title of being the SWAC’s Mr. September, after catching six passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Alcorn State. His 198-yard effort in Week 1 was more yards than he gained throughout his entire junior campaign. According to the staff, the smallish vertical threat could be in for many big afternoons since most opponents are paying extra attention to pre-season All-SWAC senior wide receiver Clyde Edwards, who himself caught two touchdowns on just three receptions.