Wednesday January 30, 2008

NFL Talent-Part II

NFL Talent-Part II
Yesterday we talked about the potential NFL talent on offense so today let’s take a look at the defensive side of the football.

Defensive Ends
DaQuan Bowers-I know we are talking about a guy that has not played his first down of college football but I am telling you this is as close to a can’t miss guy as you can have at this stage. Bowers is that rare combination of size, speed and athleticism. He looks like a defensive end but runs like a linebacker. This should be a lot of fun watching this kid develop over the next three years.

Ricky Sapp-A player with this kind of speed gets the NFL’s attention but some may think Sapp is a ‘tweener. I think you could see Sapp play as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme because he can use his speed and athleticism and could be a terror as a pass rusher coming off of the edge. He will have to make a few adjustments like playing in space and dropping into pass coverage but I think he will be OK in the adjustments.

Kourtnei Brown-It is way too early to think about this rising sophomore at the next level but some of the ingredients are there. Brown has a wonderful frame to grow into and his long arms look like an NFL pass rusher. Obviously he will have to get much bigger and much stronger but some tools are there. Brown still has to adjust from playing in a small program in high school and he is not naturally instinctive but he is a great kid and will do what it takes to become a better overall player. I would think this spring will be very important in Brown’s development.

Defensive Linemen
Dorell Scott-The NFL is full of big, run stuffing defensive tackles and Scott looks a lot like many of those type players. He will be one of the top defensive tackles on some draft boards heading into the 2008 season but still has things he needs to improve upon to upgrade his draft status for April of 09.

Rashaad Jackson-This is a player that scouts will like when they see his workouts. Jackson won’t impress scouts with his tangibles like height and weight but his motor never stops. I think Jackson will impress the NFL with his pass rushing abilities as an interior defensive lineman. Effort separates some prospects and you won’t find anyone who will play or practice any harder than Jackson.

Jamie Cumbie-I had not viewed Cumbie as a long-time NFL talent until he came on this past season after the move to the defensive tackle spot. Remember he has never red-shirted and is still growing into his body. Cumbie was an above average athlete at defensive end but is a terrific athlete as a defensive tackle. It is hard to say what his body will look like in two years but Cumbie might be able to play inside in a 4-3 scheme or defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

Jarvis Jenkins-When Jenkins arrived on campus last summer the coaches raved about his overall skill set. One coach told me, “This is the kind of defensive linemen Clemson used to have back in the 1980s.” Jenkins will have to work hard in his conditioning but everything is there for him to exceed the upperclassmen at this position in terms of potential. No one can predict if he will work like he will need to top be a great one but I am sure that the raw ability is there and the potential is there. Jenkins has great feet. He is very light on his feet for a 300-pounder and scouts will like that in a few years.

Rennie Moore-Like Cumbie, if and when Moore moves inside he will become a much more marketable prospect because he would be considered a very athletic defensive tackle. Like many of the players we have talked about over the last two days, it is extremely early to think about Moore and the NFL. However, his skill set makes us think he has a chance with continued development.

Linebackers
Brandon Maye-Linebacker U. is not the rally cry around Clemson these days and the NFL might not be crazy about 200-215 pound linebackers like Scotty Cooper and Stanley Hunter. I think both will be extremely productive college players but the NFL is full of 250-pound linebackers. Maye is a player that might could grow into that kind of body but he is one that we will have to see more of before we are ready to think in that direction.

Safeties
Michael Hamlin-He might have been able to be a fairly high draft pick if he would have decided to come out after his junior season but Hamlin did the right thing in coming back. Now he has to be considered one of the top safeties in the country and his draft status could be on the rise. Scouts will want to see him become more physical but I think Hamlin posses the intelligence and range the pros are looking for.

DeAndre McDaniel-The athleticism is there. I think we are talking about a very advanced athlete in McDaniel but he will have to become more productive and more consistent as his career unfolds. Many of the players are so young so we have to be careful but McDaniel is another player that could really benefit if he does everything Joey Batson and his staff ask.

Cornerbacks
Byron Maxwell, Chris Chancellor , Crezdon Butler and Marcus Gilchrest-All four have potential but all four also have issues they need to work hard to overcome. The good news on all four is they have at least two more years to continue to improve and impress.

In summary, I believe the 2008 football team will have as much talent as any Clemson team since 1991. If the individuals continue to buy into Coach Batson’s program many could see big pay days in the near future.

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