Pro Day Rewind: A Look At Who's Doing What

Monday
Wake Forest: The biggest draws here were of course top linebacker pick, Aaron Curry, and cornerback prospect, Alphonso Smith. Both players stood on their numbers from the Combine but what the 41 scouts, coaches, and various personnel representing all 32 teams wanted to see was position drills. They were not disappointed.
• Reports state that Curry started his drills slowly, but once he got going he showed the athleticism and skills that have analysts slotting him as a top three pick. One of the biggest draws for Curry is his game to game consistency, his ability to play at a high level every down, every week. You can’t see that in a Combine or Pro Day—it’s only on film. But seeing the athleticism and ability on the ground, up close, only confirmed the skills we saw on film.
• Smith looked rock solid in his defensive drills, continuing to show the skills everyone expects from him when he gets on the field. The biggest questions for Smith involve his height (5’9”) and what it might mean against taller wide receivers. Smith had offered to do special teams drills, but was not asked to do any at the workout. Still, I always like to see that willingness in a player, it shows hunger and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get on the team.

Iowa: Twenty-nine teams were present at the Hawkeyes’ workout. They watched running back Shonn Greene run a 4.59 on his first 40 on an indoor track. That’s better than his Combine time by .06 of a second and could have a positive effect on his draft stock. He also increased his bench press by four reps, to 23. While many athletes have been increasing their numbers from the Combine, it certainly will help Greene that he took such a large stride forward. While scouts were also impressed with his positional workout, Greene isn’t resting on his laurels. He told one reporter that he looks at the guys ranked ahead of him and still feels he’s the top back in the Draft. His desire to prove himself showed in his drills and will serve him well in the NFL.

Rutgers: For many prospects, a Pro Day might be their one time to shine, their shot to show teams (including Bears OC Ron Turner) what they could do. For wide receiver Kenny Britt, it was just another stop on the world tour. Britt has already worked out for the Dolphins and has scheduled workouts for five other teams. Still, he didn’t lose focus, running the 40-yard dash with times of 4.47 and 4.48 as well as running positional drills. Britt, who could go anywhere between the second and third rounds, looked good in both aspects of his workout and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in any number of uniforms this coming summer.
• Others who stood out: WR Tiquan Underwood, who ran a 4.36 and a 4.40 in the 40, a 4.16 in the shuttle and worked position drills. S Courtney Greene stood on most of his Combine numbers save his broad jump, which he recorded a 9’11” in, as well as running position drills.

Tuesday
Clemson: Twenty-five scouts attended Clemson’s workout on Tuesday and one of the focal points was defensive tackle Dorrell Scott. Scott is tracking at about a third round pick and while he stood on most of his Combine numbers, he didn’t do anything to hurt–or really improve–his stock. Another player who isn’t being talked about all that much is quarterback Cullen Harper. Harper, coming off a shoulder injury, threw efficiently and accurately in his position workouts and it probably helped him regain some of the ground he lost due to the lackluster season the Tigers had in 2008. After a great junior year, Harper’s stats and production declined, but he showed on Tuesday he could still sling a ball to different players running a ton of different routes. And finally, with no Combine invite, defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson hadn’t had a chance to show scouts anything and is battling back from an injury that took him out for the early part of his 2008 season. While Jackson is unlikely to be a draft day pick, he played well prior to his injury and looked good enough on Pro Day to garner interest as a street free agent.

Hofstra: A total of 18 teams were represented at Hofstra, where players from multiple schools worked out for scouts. The most impressive players were actually athletes from Monmouth (NJ), Maine, and Stony Brook. Monmouth tight end John Nalbone (who then worked out a few days later at Monmouth State’s own Pro Day) ran a 4.75 and a 4.81 40, a 4.22 shuttle, 6.97 three cone, jumped a 9’3” broad jump and lifted 22 in the bench press. He increased all these numbers at Monmouth’s Pro Day. Maine defensive end Jovan Belcher had a 30” vert, a 9’ broad jump and ran a 4.88 and a 4.90 40. Also, James Harris, a defensive end from Stony Brook, ran 5.15 and 519 in the 40, a 4.72 shuttle and a 8.33 three cone.

Wednesday
UCONN: Twenty-one teams sent representatives to see the Huskies' workout, including Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Chargers GM A. J. Smith. Even super-agent Drew Rosenhaus was present, eying up potential clients. Of course, the biggest player of interest was running back Donald Brown. While Brown stayed with most of his numbers from the Combine, he looked lights out in his position drills, doing everything well and looking exceptional while catching the ball. Many teams have expressed interest in Brown and he certainly did nothing to dissuade them on Wednesday.
• Cornerback Darius Butler also put on quite a display by running a 4.38 in the 40, then going out and crushing his position drills. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock was quoted as saying Butler is now in the conversation to be among the top corners in the Draft along with guys like Malcolm Jenkins and Vontae Davis. Mayock also said that Butler looked fluid and very quick in his change of direction drills.
• The biggest story to come out of UCONN’s Pro Day was quarterback Tyler Lorenzen, though not in terms of his quarterback potential. Lorenzen worked out as both a wide receiver and a defensive back. Coach Belichick specifically requested that Lorenzen work out as a safety and paid very close attention to the drills once they began. Lorenzen threw for several teams as well, including the Bengals, Chargers, Seahawks and again, the Patriots. But a lot more teams watched him work out as a defensive back and a receiver. Lorenzen might find himself a roster spot somewhere on the strength of his willingness to change positions and do more than one thing, as well as his overall athleticism.

Texas: As expected, defensive end Brian Orakpo knocked it out of the park on Wednesday. Over 50 members of various teams were present, including Miami defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, Bengals tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes, and Packers GM Ted Thompson. Orakpo started the day with workout drills, posting a 10’10” broad jump, a 4.45 shuttle and a 7.26 three-cone (he kept the rest of his numbers from the Combine). Orakpo then schooled his positional drills, likely securing a high slot (possibly top ten) in April’s Draft.
• Receiver Quan Cosby also had an outstanding day, dropping his shuttle time down to a 4.2. He also put on a solid display in positional drills, flashing good hands and speed in his workout. Cosby jumped a 34 ½ inch vertical, ran a 4.34 shuttle and lifted the 225 pound bar 28 times. Overall, Cosby had a great day and certainly helped himself quite a bit.
• A few others of note were G Cedric Dockery (who ran a 5.40 in the 40-yard dash before he pulled his hamstring, but still finished the day with a 4.97 shuttle after jumping a 28 vert and a 8’4” broad jump), DB Ryan Palmer (who ran a 4.62 and a 4.58 in the 40, a 4.20 shuttle, a 7.00 three cone and posted a 10’4” broad jump) and DE Henry Melton (4.64/4.66 40, 34 ½ vert, 10’1” broad jump).
• As one might expect in Texas, the day ended with a big BBQ meal—the sort of thing that must make this one of the favorite stops on the tour.

Thursday
Louisville: Twenty representatives of NFL teams came out to see the Louisville athletes put on a display. Quarterback Hunter Cantwell, wide receiver Chris Vaughn, cornerback Woodny Turenne and center Eric Wood were among those who participated. Vaughn (4.35) and Turenne (4.46) had the swiftest 40 times on the day, while Cantwell threw the ball very well in position drills. Wood has been high on many people’s list of the top centers and continued to impress the scouts in his position drills. Overall, the day went well and all of the players performed admirably.

Mississippi: All 32 NFL teams were represented by 65 coaches and staff as offensive tackle Michael Oher improved his 40 time to 5.24 and 5.16, jumped 31” in the vertical and lifted 23 reps on the bench press. He also knocked scouts out with his position drills, showing very good footwork and outstanding athleticism, among other skills.
• While Oher was the main attraction, others stood out at the Ole Miss workout. Fullback Jason Cook ran a 4.72 and a 4.71 in the 40, a 4.38 shuttle, a 7.20 three cone, benched 225 a total of 22 times and then added a 33 ½ vert as well as running positional drills. Defensive tackle Peria Jerry continued to make his case to be the #2 DT prospect behind B. J. Raji, with a 4.98-40, a 4.64 shuttle, a 7.30 three-cone, a 31” vertical, and a 9’6” broad jump. Jerry also looked good in his positional drills.

Friday
Houston: Twelve players worked out for 17 teams. One player who gained some notice was offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer, who grew up in Germany. Vollmer missed the 2006 season with a back injury but is very athletic and could very well go late on the second day and still contribute very quickly. Vollmer had 5.13 and 5.16 in the 40, jumped a 36 ½ inch vert, and a 9’3” broad jump and benched 32 reps. He also had a 4.50 short shuttle and a 7.51 three cone. Two other players worth noting were defensive end Phillip Hunt (4.75/4.76 40, good positional drills) and offensive lineman SirVincent Rogers (4.75 shuttle and 7.39 three cone).

Northern Illinois: Defensive end/linebacker Larry English was the one to watch here, running a 4.70 and a 4.74 40 while working out as a defensive end and showing he can drop back into coverage. Among those watching were Panthers GM Marty Hurney and director of player personnel for the 49ers, Trent Baalke.

Other players of note:
On Saturday, Washington State wide receiver Brandon Gibson held a private workout in front of 15 NFL teams including Chargers senior executive Randy Mueller and 49ers director of player personnel Trent Baalke. Gibson, who was unable to run at either the Combine or Washington State’s Pro Day, worked out in less-than-ideal weather including wind and slight rain. Despite that, Gibson ran his 40 three times, scoring a 4.63 against the wind and a 4.58 and a 4.60 with it. He had a 34” vert, jumped a 9’5” broad jump, ran a 4.54 in the shuttle and a 6.94 in the three cone. He also did position drills, catching balls thrown by Jeff Rowe, a former quarterback who has been with the Bengals and Seahawks.

We enter the last week of Pro Days with one of the bigger days still to come. While UCLA, Hawaii, Mississippi State and Kent State still have days coming, all eyes will be focused on Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. Among the closely-watched prospects will be the linebacking trio of Clay Matthews, Rey Maualuga, and Brian Cushing, wide receiver Patrick Turner, defensive tackle Fili Moala as well as the less-talked about linebacker, Kevin Ellison. And, oh yeah, some quarterback prospect named Mark Sanchez.

Not only will we review this Pro Day and the others, but I will be down on the ground at USC’s Pro Day on Wednesday giving a firsthand account of how everyone is faring throughout the day.

Check in with NFLDraftbible.com all day long—we’ll make sure you’re kept up to date on the latest and greatest at USC, as well as all the rest of the action every week on the Pro Day Rewind.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Louisville, Houston, Clemson, Wake Forest), Steve Slade (UConn Division of Athletics)

Smith Not Short On Confidence

Alphonso Smith, corner back from Wake Forest, stated he is the number one defensive back in the draft. To help develop his game, Smith has squared off against a pair of Super Bowl wide outs in Anquan Boldin of the Arizona Cardinals and Santonio Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers thanks to personal connections. He didn't give up a touchdown his entire senior year (and quoted the last time he did was his junior year against Florida State), but states that holding the all-time ACC interception mark (21 career) is most important to him.

Toughest receivers he's faced? Former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions, as well as Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey, and North Carolina’s Hakeem Nicks.

His confidence goes beyond himself, as Smith proclaimed that former teammate and linebacker Aaron Curry is the best defensive player in the draft because of his knowledge of the game.

"By far. It's not even close...a lot of people don't know this but he is probably the smartest person in the draft," Smith said of Curry. He also referred to Curry as a "humble beast" because of his polite, yet misleading demeanor.

Stay tuned for more from the NFL combine.

Senior Bowl: South - Practice Notes

Quarterbacks: Pat White had a solid week throwing the football, displaying good zip on his sideline passes. On one play in 11-on-11 Alphonso Smith – hands down the best cover corner – thought he could jump White’s pass, but did not get there in time. White also showed the ability throw on the move, rolling both to his right and left. It’s hard to say how much NFL personnel people were turned off by White’s reluctance to play another position during the week--if he holds firm on that stance, he could hurt his stock. However, if he agrees to play a slash role, White may have opened some eyes in terms of being a viable option as a number two quarterback. He could be very valuable, saving an extra roster spot or two.

John Parker Wilson had his moments – both good and bad. His arm is solid and he made some sharp throws, but also was off target on several occasions. Wilson does seem to have the intangibles teams look for and commands the huddle, making him a solid candidate as a number two quarterback.

The least impressive quarterback on the South squad in practice was Cullen Harper. Many of his passes were short or behind his intended target. He also didn’t exude confidence with his body language. Harper did not have the bounce back week he desperately needed after a down senior season.

Running Backs: NC State product Andre Brown showed good burst running the football throughout the week, particularly for a man of his size. After the underclassmen are selected, Brown could be the first senior running back off the board. Durability is his biggest question mark.

James Davis couldn’t have been more disappointing in passing situations. He struggled trying to block linebackers and he completely missed Rey Maualuga…didn’t even get a hand on him. He wasn’t any better coming out of the backfield as a receiver, allowing passes to go through his hands coughing the ball up after he was hit by a defender in the Thursday scrimmage.

Small school runner Rashad Jennings looks as good as any of the backs in the blocking drills. More importantly, he looks like he belongs among the big boys…for my money he’s the best FCS prospect heading into the 2009 Draft. A big back who runs with power between the tackles and has more than enough speed.

Arian Foster did a solid job on Rey Maualuga. Considering Foster will likely make a living as a number two back and a pass catcher, the ability to protect in pass coverage is critical to his evaluation.

LSU fullback Quinn Johnson was not stellar in pass blocking drills, but he has the look of a very good lead blocker in the running game – he’s at his best in the eye-formation. He’s shown enough this week to earn a draftable grade.

Wide Receivers: Mohamed Massaquoi looked very smooth coming in and out of his routes – he’s a natural athlete. He made a nice catch on Alphonso Smith. We saw the good and the bad from this Georgia product on one play: Massaquoi beat Derek Pegues with crisp move at the line of scrimmage…but dropped the ball, which has always been the knock on him. A hamstring injury cut his week short, which was too bad…he looked like he had a chance to help himself this week.

Quan Cosby made several great catches and held on to the football after taking a big hit from Corey Francies. No one can question his hands.

The same can’t be said for former Seminole Greg Carr, a late injury addition, who had several passes bounce off his hands. Way too many balls end up on the ground after touching his hands.

Mike Wallace had a good week, showing the ability to run crisp routes and blowing by most of the defensive backs he was matched up against. He did have a bad drop, but I think he made an impression on scouts this week. He could be one of those guys who turn out to be a better pro than he was a collegian. Wallace has nice tools.

Patrick Turner flashed some nice moves to shake free from coverage. Not many receivers can go up and get the football like this former Trojan – he catches the ball with his hands. He’s a big kid, with good athleticism making him a very intriguing prospect. Turner looks comfortable running slant patterns, which is how he can make a living at the next level – as a West Coast Offense wide receiver. With his size, he could be a real red zone weapon.

Tight Ends: Shawn Nelson surprised with his ability as an in-line blocker, particularly when he man-handled Rey Maualuga, throwing him down to the ground in a one-on-one blocking drill. Nelson really helped himself this week–everyone knew he could catch the football and if he continues to show this type of ability as a blocker, his stock will only continue to rise.

Travis McCall had his issues blocking linebackers. First Darry Beckweth blew by him, then Ashlee Palmer used a spin move to evade him. Pass catching isn’t McCall’s calling card so his stock may be slipping, especially when you consider that neither one of these linebackers are considered pass rushers.

Anthony Hill impressed as a blocker, a role which wasn’t considered his forte coming into the Senior Bowl. He constantly drove back linebackers and did an excellent overall job run blocking.

Offensive Tackles: Troy Kropog disappointed as he was bull-rushed way too easily and was even knocked on his rear end. While he has a solid frame, Kropog needs to put on some weight. It will take some time for him to develop before he sees regular action on Sundays. He is a bit of a project – boom or bust.

Michael Oher had an uneven week – at times he was dominant, flashing the potential we’ve seen over his four years at ‘Ole Miss. He owns a heck of a punch--once he gets his hands on a defender, consider his man blocked. Oher showed a nasty side and I mean that strictly in good way. However, he was beaten more often than one would expect from a potential top-10 pick. He is not a lock franchise left tackle and may have fallen behind fellow seniors Eugene Monroe and Jason Smith, who interestingly chose not to attend the Senior Bowl.

Florida’s Jason Watkins had trouble with speed and quickness throughout the week, which doesn’t bode well for a tackle.

Centers: Eric Wood is a physical interior lineman. He may have helped himself even though he wasn’t always winning the one-on-one battles. He’s not very athletic, but may be the most powerful center. Wood isn’t for everyone, but if you like your centers big, strong, and nasty, this Louisville man is for you.

Not a great week for Jonathan Luigs who too often was moving back, not of his own volition. Luigs can get overpowered at the point of attack by bigger linemen.

Antoine Caldwell battled well all week. The Alabama product is at his best holding his ground and going power against power.

Guards: Herman Johnson was overmatched at times, particularly when asked to block fellow SEC product Peria Jerry, who had him backpedaling and stumbling on several occasions. The big man was overpowered at times, and while some like his potential as a tackle, I’m not sure the lateral quickness is there and believe he should remain at guard.

Tyrone Green made a name for himself this week and in a year that is not deep at the guard position, Green is creeping up the charts. He struggled on the first day, but bounced back well and finished very strong.

Defensive Ends: Kyle Moore looked very good this week and should be moving up draft boards. His long arms allow him to keep linemen away from his body. He was beating interior linemen all week – at times overpowering them – and you could see him shifting to the inside in pass rushing situations in the NFL.

Robert Ayers did it all this week, showing he is stout at the point of the attack and that he possesses the athleticism to get into the backfield off the edge. He put an impressive spin move on Jonathan Luigs, blowing by him almost untouched. Not many players helped their cause in Mobile as much as this Volunteer.

Lawrence Sidbury may not have come to the Senior Bowl with a recognizable name, but certainly made an impact as a pass rusher, something no team can have too much of. Another small school product who looks like he will make a smooth transition to the big leagues.

Did David Veikune just whiz by Michael Oher? Yes he did, displaying good speed and quickness. The second time this duo matched up, Oher dominated Veikune – once he was able to get his hands on the defensive end, Veikune wasn’t going anywhere. Veikune continued to flash potential throughout the week, showing quickness and the ability to get leverage.

Defensive Tackles: Peria Jerry beat Herman Johnson pretty easy with his quickness, then got around Eric Wood – he's a pure 3-technique type disrupter from the interior of the line. On the next rep, he pushed Wood off his heels. In 11-on-11, Jerry bested his man for what would have been a sack on John Parker Wilson. He could easily be the defensive player of the week for the South squad. His stock has risen all season and continues to do so.

Fili Moala flew under the radar, overshadowed by the performances of Peria Jerry and B.J. Raji, but he had a solid week in his own right. He went around Tyrone Green using his quickness on one play and on the next rep, he just bulldozed the Auburn product right into the pocket. Moala also beat Eric Wood, Jonathan Luigs and Herman Johnson, who he overpowered on one play, then followed it up by making the guard move his feet as Moala beat him with his quicks. I think Moala is underrated for two reasons –he’s overshadowed by bigger name players at USC, and he was hurt by playing so much nose tackle in USC’s 3-4 system. I could see him as a potential 5-technique 3-4 end at the next level, not a noseman.

Corvey Irvin doesn't always win the battle, but boy does he battle--it’s collision time when he's in there. Matching up with a fellow SEC product, Irvin got low and pushed Tyrone Green back. Irvin knocked John Parker Wilson down in 11-on-11s, he just couldn't help himself after making a nice move to break through the offensive line. You gotta love it! On the next play he got penetration against the run, beating Eric Wood. Irvin beat Jonathan Luigs with speed then pushed him back into the pocket. In the Thursday scrimmage he displayed good instincts reading a screen play.

Linebackers: After a mediocre Tuesday, Rey Maualuga came out like a man on fire on Wednesday, tossing James Davis aside like a rag doll in blocking drill. He then flashed his shoulder and got around Quinn Johnson, exploded by Arian Foster and used a swim move to burst by Davis again. He looked a different player, more like someone who will be off the board among the top 10 picks come April. In the scrimmage he proved he can cover and no one hits like this Man of Troy.

Brian Cushing showed the ability to shed blockers and was tough to contain as an edge pass rusher. He can do it all and is worthy of being a top ten pick.

He’s not quite as explosive as teammates Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, but no one can doubt that Clay Matthews is going to be a player at the next level. He looks like such a natural pass rusher, who showed he can overpower blockers using leverage in addition to his ability to get off the edge.

Darry Beckwith has good athleticism, but can be overpowered if he gets engaged by blockers. Beckwith seems to try and go around blockers rather than beat them.

Cornerbacks: Alphonso Smith is what we thought he was…the best coverman in the 2009 Draft. He blanketed several receivers in one-on-one situations throughout the week of practice, and showed big play ability when he jumped a John Parker Wilson pass with nothing but green between him and the end zone. Smith dropped the pick, but his resume (21 interceptions) indicates ball skills aren’t an issue.

Ellis Lankster had a solid week and could be moving up the charts among his fellow cornerbacks. He had excellent coverage and showed the ability to cut and change direction quickly. The WVU product locked up several receivers and knocked a pass or two away.

Corey Francies is a very intriguing prospect because of his length, although he did not look great coming out of his pedal. He’s at his best in press coverage, but struggled some in off coverage.

Safeties: Defensive back Sherrod Martin is a little too aggressive, making him vulnerable to the double move. Martin’s tackling skills are in question, which limits his potential as a safety, but does he have the cover skills to play corner?

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, College Press Box, Chris McGuire (USC)

Eagle Bank Bowl Notes: Wake Forest 29, Navy 19

Redemption City:

The first time these teams met Riley Skinner threw four interceptions in a Wake Forest loss – arguably the worst performance of his career considering the junior signal caller had just seven interceptions total on the season. On Saturday he completed all 11 of his pass attempts for 166 yards (15.1 yards per pass attempt) and the game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Skinner played a smart conservative game. Several times with his receivers covered down field, Skinner tucked the ball and ran rather than forcing a pass into coverage. Punting isn’t always the worst thing.

Down 13-0 late in the second quarter, Skinner opened it up completing passes of 21 and 30 yards to senior wide out D.J. Boldin (four receptions, 66 yards) while leading the Deacs on a 98-yard drive to close out the half. With the score 13-7 early in the third quarter, Skinner connected on a 32-yard pass to tailback Kevin Harris coming out of the backfield after faking a hand-off to Alphonso Smith. This set up a Josh Adams touchdown and gave Wake its first lead of the day. Trailing again in the fourth quarter, the junior quarterback spotted a wide open Chip Brinkman 44 yards down the field to position the North Carolina school for the game-winning score. Three plays later Skinner found tight end Ben Wooster in the back of the end zone. Throughout the game, Skinner did an excellent job of moving his feet in the pocket and buying more time for his receivers to get down the field.

The Demon Deacons improved to 19-3 when Skinner does not throw an interception. They are just 7-8 when he throws an interception.

Aaron Curry Is A Beast:

Going up against the triple-option offense of Navy was not the ideal setting to scout Aaron Curry’s vast array of skills. Nevertheless, the senior stood out as the best football player on either squad. The Butkus Award winner did a great job of being disciplined and taking care of his responsibilities – if his duty was to take the pitchman, he took the pitchman, and if he was assigned the quarterback, he hit the quarterback.

Curry was unstoppable as a pass-rusher. Even though he didn’t record a sack, whenever the Midshipmen dropped back to pass (which wasn’t often), Curry was able to pressure the quarterback, often laying a lick. The strongside backer used his strength, speed and spin moves to overwhelm would-be blockers. Whenever a back was asked to block Curry, who was explosive running down ball carriers, it was game over. He even looked good when he put his hand down on the ground.

The future first round pick may have made just four tackles (one TFL), but no one had a bigger impact on the game.

Mismatch:

You don’t think football is a game of match-ups? The Demon Deacons went with a surprise starter at tailback in junior Harris. Harris entered the game with 40 yards on nine carries on the season and had accumulated just 100 yards over the last two seasons following his 393 yards as a freshman in 2006. The 230-pound back outweighed eight of Navy’s starting defenders, with only the three down linemen tipping the scales more than the Wake tailback. In fact, nose guard Nate Frazier is the only Navy starter that checks in at over 250 pounds.

Harris rumbled for 136 yards on 24 carries in all, although he was stuffed twice on third-and-one in the contest. Even against the undersized Navy line, the Wake Forest offensive line struggled in short yardage situations just as it had all season. Backup Adams did his best work in the red zone, twice crossing the goal line. The 2007 ACC Freshman of the Year suffered through an injury plagued sophomore campaign.

Alphonso Smith Sets Record:

When an errant Kaipo-Nao Keheaku-Enhada pass fell into the waiting arms of Alphonso Smith, the Bronko Nagurski finalist became the Atlantic Coast Conference’s all-time leading interceptor with his 21st career theft. Smith’s accomplishment on defense made up for his fumble on offense. Taking a reverse, the senior cornerback displayed his deft running skills, but did not protect the ball fumbling the pigskin into the hands of Navy defensive back Rashawn King, who scooped it up and strolled in from 50 yards out to give the Midshipmen a 10-0 first quarter lead. Smith (one tackle) had some trouble shedding blocks and one could imagine going up against a triple-option offense is not something the lockdown cover corner was looking forward to.

More Defensive Notes:

* Senior free safety Chip Vaughn (team-high eight tackles) made several plays particularly when he was allowed to roam free. He is a very good open field tackler, capable of delivering a solid blow with his 215-pound frame. However, whenever a blocker got his hands on Vaughn, the senior had major problems getting disengaged.

* The same could be said for senior middle linebacker Stanley Arnoux (seven tackles). He made some plays when the offensive line kept him untouched, but he can be blocked.

* One defender who seemed to flourish playing the triple-option was junior cornerback Brandon Ghee (six tackles, 1.5 TFLs) – he was beating blocks, getting penetration and making plays in the backfield.

Navy Notes:

* Fullback Eric Kettani, who didn’t have a big day as a runner, had trouble the couple of times he was asked to block Mr. Curry. Kettani ran for 50 yards on 14 carries (3.6 yards per carry) after busting loose for 175 yards versus the Demon Deacons in the regular season. He fell 18 yards short of 1,000-yard season. Shun White broke off a 39-yard run on Navy’s first offensive play, but was quiet after that (14 carries, 71 yards). Their most effective runner was Kaheaku-Enhada who ran for a season-high 83 yards on 15 carries (5.5 yards per carry) and had their lone offensive touchdown.

* Frazier was Navy’s best defender, displaying excellent quickness for a man of his size. The junior doesn’t have much closing speed if the play goes outside the tackles, but has the ability to disrupt a play from the interior. Also keep an eye on freshman Jabaree Tuani, an undersized but quick defensive end. He is likely better suited to play in a 4-3 defense rather than the 3-4 scheme the Midshipmen employed this season.

* Notable Service Assignments: Kaipo-Nao Keheaku-Enhada and Rashawn King will serve in the Marine Corps (Ground). Eric Kettani, Shun White and wide receiver Tyree Barnes will serve on Surface Warfare units.

Photo Credit: College Press Box, Brian Westerholt of Sports on Film

Senior Spotlight: Bowl Week - December 20-21

QB Willie Tuitama/WR Mike Thomas, Arizona - Las Vegas Bowl vs. BYU

The spread attack brought over from Texas Tech by Sonny Dykes last season has agreed with the Wildcats’ signal caller and top receiver. As a junior, Willie Tuitama saw a boost in his numbers, leading the Pac-10 in both touchdown passes and passing yards. While his touchdown passes (28 to 21) and yards (3,683 to 2,763) have dipped as a senior, the California native has been more efficient in his final campaign in the desert leading the ‘Cats to their first bowl appearance under Mike Stoops. His completion percentage is a career-high 64.6 percent and he is averaging 7.59 yards per pass, up from 7.03 last season. Tuitama has a strong arm and is a good athlete, but lacks ideal size and bulk. Mike Thomas was also a Pac-10 leader a year ago when he led the conference with his 83 receptions as a junior and racked up 1,038 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns (an Arizona single season record). Like his partner Tuitama, Thomas saw a drop in production in 2008 (70 receptions, 796 yards, four touchdowns), but should not be overlooked, as he is as dangerous as ever. The wide out has very reliable hands and is stronger than he appears, with quickness and speed being his biggest strengths. The Texas native has improved significantly since his freshman campaign, becoming a more polished receiver and a better route runner. His lack of length and bulk limit his potential, but he has the ideal skill set as a slot receiver. Thomas is also a dynamic return man and dangerous on reverses, end-arounds…or whenever he touches the pigskin.

CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest - Eagle Bank Bowl vs. Navy

A pure coverman, Smith has the type of speed, quickness and fluid hips that allow him to stay with even the best wide receivers. Smith gets a good read on the ball and his hands are receiver quality, as evidenced by his 20 career interceptions, which ties him with Dre’ Bly as the Atlantic Coast Conference’s all-time leader. Once he gets the ball in his hands Smith is dynamic – simply put, he’s a playmaker. He is also a sure tackler who can be aggressive against the run (23.5 career TFLs) and a solid blitzer (9 career sacks). He can even lay the wood despite his lack of ideal size. Smith is also durable – he hasn’t missed a game during his four years at Wake Forest and will put on the pads for the 50th time as a Demon Deacon. Smith has the swagger and cover skills to be a lockdown cover corner at the next level.

QB Tom Brandstater, Fresno St. - New Mexico Bowl vs. Colorado St.

The Bulldog has shown improvement throughout his career, which is not all that uncommon for quarterbacks at Fresno State. Brandstater’s development as a decision maker, in his accuracy and at throwing the ball down field, speaks to both his coachabilty and work ethic. He’s not a scrambler, but Brandstater has good speed and can move the chains or find the goal line with his legs if necessary. Brandstater is an impressive athlete for a man of his size, but could use some more bulk. In his lone bowl experience, which came last season, Brandstater earned the Humanitarian Bowl MVP Award in their 40-28 victory over Georgia Tech. The 6’5 signal caller completed 23-of-30 passes for 285 yards and a touchdown, adding another 40 yards on the ground, including a 24-yard scoring scamper. The 24-year old is also regarded as a leader and is very bright, as he was a Draddy Trophy semifinalist.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Wake Forest University)

Eagle Bank Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Navy

By JOHN GARRETT

December 20 * 11:00 AM * ESPN

This will mark the second meeting between the two squads this season – Navy won the first meeting 24-17. The key match-up is Wake Forest’s defensive front seven vs. the Navy ground attack. Wake Forest capitalizes on its ability to create turnovers, and have relied on their defense to win games. Linebacker Aaron Curry and cornerback Alphonso Smith lead the Demon Deacons’ defense, ranked 19th best in the country overall, allowing 300.33 yards per game; the unit is also allowing just 116.1 yards on the ground. Quarterback Riley Skinner and the offense have struggled in the red zone with only 20 touchdowns in 41 trips. Part of the problem has been the shaky play of the offensive line, which may have also been a factor in the lack of consistency in the running game. Navy will make its sixth straight bowl appearance, and hasn’t allowed a single point over its past eight quarters. In the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season, the Midshipmen were able to force six turnovers. Navy comes in winners in four of their last five, the last two being shutouts. With that being said, it is the running game, not the defense that is the strength of this Midshipmen squad. Tailback Shun White – who leads the nation in rushing with 298.33 yards per game – should be heavily utilized. Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who left the first meeting with a hamstring injury, is also expected to be completely healthy for the game.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch:

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-5, 4-4)
Pass: Riley Skinner – 2,181 yards, 12 TDs
Run: Brandon Pendergrass – 528 yards, 5 TDs
Catch: D.J. Boldin – 77-782-3 TDs

Navy Midshipmen (8-4)
Pass: Jarod Bryant – 275 yards, 2 TDs
Run: Shun White – 1021 yards, 9 TDs
Catch: Tyree Barnes – 18-368-2 TDs

Photo Courtesy: Brian Westerholt of Sports on Film (Wake Fores University)

FIVE FINALISTS NAMED FOR 2008 BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY

DALLAS (FWAA) - Five finalists for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy were announced on Wednesday by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Vying for the honor of the best defensive football player in college football are TCU end Jerry Hughes, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga, Texas end Brian Orakpo, Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith and Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes.

The winner will be announced on Dec. 7 and presented the Bronko Nagurski Trophy at a gala banquet at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C., where East Carolina coach Skip Holtz will give the keynote address.

In addition, the FWAA and Charlotte Touchdown Club will present the second Bronko Nagurski Legends Award presented by CSX Intermodal to Ted Hendricks, a standout end at the University of Miami (Fla.), who was a member of the 1967 FWAA All-America Team.

The FWAA award is named after Nagurski, who dominated college football at Minnesota as a bruising fullback and tackle from 1927-29. He could have been an All-America at any position, playing 60 minutes and was the best player wherever he lined up.

Sketches on the five 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists as selected by the FWAA All-America Committee:

Jerry Hughes, End, TCU, 6-2, 248, Junior (Sugar Land, Texas): He leads the nation with 14 sacks, is seventh in the nation with 17.5 tackles for loss, while tying for fifth with five forced fumbles. He also has three fumble recoveries. Hughes has two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He was the Walter Camp Football Foundation and FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week after his four sacks and two forced fumbles in a 32-7 win over previously unbeaten BYU. He is a three-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week this season. Hughes anchors a TCU defense that leads the nation in rushing defense (39.5 yards per game), sacks (40) and total defense (220.0 yards per game) and is third in scoring defense (11.0 points per game).

Rey Maualuga, Linebacker, USC, 6-2, 260, Senior (Eureka, Calif): He leads USC with 66 tackles and has also intercepted two passes (including a 48-yarder for a touchdown in a victory over Ohio State). He has 2.5 tackles for 11 yards in losses. He has broken up a pass and has registered a quarterback hurry. He spearheads a USC defense that is ranked second nationally in total defense, first in scoring defense, sixth in rushing defense, and first in pass defense and pass efficiency defense. The Trojans have allowed just 10 touchdowns in 2008 and 83 total points (only 19 points in second halves of games), and have posted three shutouts. Eight of USC's 10 opponents in 2008 have been limited to 100 or less rushing yards and under 250 total yards.

Brian Orakpo, End, Texas, 6-4, 260, Senior (Houston, Texas): He is the defensive leader for the Longhorns, who rank fourth nationally in rushing defense. He has 35 tackles (26 unassisted), a team-high nine sacks (which is tied for ninth nationally), 13.5 tackles for loss, 23 pressures and three forced fumbles this season. Facing Oklahoma pre-season All-America tackle Phil Loadholt, Orakpo posted seven tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures and a forced fumble in leading then No. 5 Texas to a 45-35 win over No. 1 Oklahoma. Orakpo's pressure and near sack in the end zone of Chase Daniel forced an interception that gave Texas the ball at the Missouri 15-yard line and set up a touchdown in No. 1 Texas' 56-31 win over No. 12 Missouri. Matching up with top NFL draft prospect Russell Okung, Orakpo registered six tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and two pressures in No. 1 Texas' 28-24 win over No. 7 Oklahoma State. Orakpo turned in two tackles, a tackle for loss and two pressures before going down with a knee injury early in the second half at No. 6 Texas Tech. He has missed the better part of 2 1/2 games with a knee injury.

Alphonso Smith, Cornerback, Wake Forest, 5-9, 190, Senior (Pahokee, Fla.): He leads the nation with 18 passes defended. He has five interceptions in 2008 with 28 yards in returns, tied for third in the ACC. He is one shy of tying for the ACC record for career interceptions (20) with former North Carolina star Dré Bly, who also was an FWAA All-American. Smith had an interception against Baylor and another against Florida State and returned it 18 yards. His interception against Clemson was returned nine yards. He had two interceptions vs. Duke, including one in the end zone that sealed a 33-30 victory over the Blue Devils. He has broken up 13 passes this season.

Brandon Spikes, Linebacker, Florida, 6-3, 245, Junior (Shelby, N.C.): One of only three linebackers in the nation with two interception returns for touchdowns this season. He leads the team with 70 tackles on the season, including 8.0 for a losses of 27 yards. He intercepted a pass in the first quarter against South Carolina and returned it 12 yards for his second touchdown of the year. Spikes led the Gators with seven tackles against Vanderbilt, including two for a loss of eight yards and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against LSU, where he had his first career interception in the first quarter. On the first play of the fourth quarter, he added his second interception, which he returned 52 yards for his first career touchdown. He had a streak of 11 consecutive games with a tackle for loss end against LSU. Against Ole Miss, he had eight tackles in the first half for the second game in a row on his way to a season-high 13 tackles. He made his season debut against Miami and recorded a game-high 11 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of three yards. He is a starter at middle linebacker who missed the first game due to a foot injury. Spikes has 37 unassisted tackles and 33 assisted tackles.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C. region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. For more information, contact John Rocco (704-347-2918 or jrocco@touchdownclub.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is www.touchdownclub.com.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of nearly 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.

CFI RANKINGS: #21 WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS

2007 RECORD: 9-4; ACC: 5-3
Won Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. Connecticut 24-10
LOCATION: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
STADIUM: BB & T Field (31,500)
HEAD COACH: Jim Grobe
OVERALL: 46-39 (7 seasons)
AT WAKE FOREST: 79-72-1 (13 seasons)

The Demon Deacons won nine games (including their bowl) last season, which was actually a step back for the ACC school—now that’s progress. They won 11 games in 2006 on their way to an ACC title and their 20 wins over the past two seasons are six more than their previous two-year best. If QB Riley Skinner can stay healthy, they could reach double digits in wins and challenge for the ACC Title.

WHEN THE DEACS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Steed Lobotzke (6th Season/8th at Wake Forest)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
KEY LOSSES: Kenny Moore, Steve Justice, Micah Andrews, John Tereshinski, Luis Frazier, Chris DeGeare (INELIGIBLE)

The two-year run the Deacons are on has come with Skinner under center. He stepped in seamlessly for the injured Ben Mauk in ’06 and when Skinner was out of the lineup in the early part of last season, it showed. While he is not overly impressive in terms of his measurables, Skinner gets the job done. While he will miss his favorite target (Kenny Moore), there are high hopes for the receiving corps. The passing attack would benefit from spreading the football around a little more. The running game is solidified with sophomore RB Josh Adams as the primary ball carrier and red-shirt freshman Brandon Pendergrass expected to push for playing time. The offensive line should be fine with three players returning with starting experience.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) RB Josh Adams (SO), 2) OT Joe Birdsong (JR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Brad Lambert (1st Season/8th at Wake Forest)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
KEY LOSSES: Jeremy Thompson

When most people think of Wake Forest, a speedy playmaking defense doesn’t necessarily come to mind…but that is exactly what they had in 2007, and the Deacs return nine starters in 2008. Linebacker Aaron Curry led the team in tackles for a loss using his speed to knife into the offensive backfield. He also had four interceptions—returning three for scores--proving he is indeed a three-down linebacker. Not to be outdone, All-ACC corner Alphonso Smith returned three of his record-setting eight interceptions to paydirt as well. How many teams can say they had a pair of defenders do that? Smith is a lockdown coverman, but opposing teams don’t have the luxury of picking on the other guy—junior CB Brandon Ghee is a solid coverman in his own right. The only missing piece going into the season is a premier pass rusher.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) LB Aaron Curry (SR), 2) CB Alphonso Smith (SR)

THE SCHEDULE

Wake Forest’s out of conference games should not pose a great threat—after opening up at Baylor, they play host to Ole Miss, Navy and Vanderbilt (regular season finale). In conference play, they take on Atlantic Division foe FSU before the ‘Noles are back to 100 percent (suspensions), while division favorite Clemson comes to Winston-Salem. They also play Virginia and Boston College at home, where the Deacs will have a chance to avenge two of their four defeats from ’07. They do play Maryland and Miami on the road following their contest against Clemson—easily their toughest three-game stretch of the season.

PIVOTAL POINT

The Offensive Line: Wake returns three players with starting experience—LT Joe Birdsong, RT Jeff Griffin and RG Barrett McMillin. The trio combined to make 20 starts last season. There are high hopes for junior C Trey Bailey, but he is replacing an All-American in Steve Justice. How this group performs will dictate how explosive the rushing attack of Adams/Pendergrass will be. More importantly, they are charged with protecting Skinner. The signal caller was injured in the ’07 opener versus BC and missed the following games against Nebraska, both losses.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

For those of you that simply refuse to believe the Clemson Tigers will finally win an ACC title, the Demon Deacons give you a team to hang your hat on. The pieces are in place for Wake to make a run at a second conference championship in three seasons—the quarterback plays mistake-free winning football, they have a balanced offense and a difference-making defense. What is there not to like? Making another BCS game may be too tall an order, but Jim Grobe is proving he has built a program with staying power.

Credit: Collegiate Images