The Leading Authority of the NFL Draft

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

In what was one of the top offensive performances by a FCS quarterback in a long time, Sam Houston State QB RHETT BOMAR (6022, 212) was lights out in his team’s 49-33 win over Gardner-Webb last Saturday. Bomar threw for 340 yards and five touchdowns while completing 22 of 29 passes and added 20 yards and a touchdown on four carries as well. He left the game with two and a half minutes left in the third quarter with a 49-10 lead after leading the Bearkats to scoring drives on each of their first five possessions. Obviously, he earned Southland Offensive Player of the Week plaudits and has earned some national attention as well by earning Offensive Player of the Week by a couple media outlets.

Another quarterback who is impressing early in the season is Central Arkansas QB NATHAN BROWN (6012, 210) who passed for 342 yards and three scores on 24 of 33 passing. Brown also rushed for 17 yards as well.

Idaho State CB D.J. CLARK (6012, 198) had a solid game in their loss to Eastern Washington on Saturday with six tackles, one pass breakup, and a fumble recovery on the night. Clark is one of the top small school cornerback prospects due to his size/speed combo and ability to make big plays. Expect him to get a solid look in the late rounds if he continues to play well.

The Buck Buchanan Award Battle watch list should have a new name on it when updates are made and that name is Howard ILB ENDOR COOPER (6012, 253) who has been stellar so far this year. He recorded nine tackles, a sack, two pass breakups, and forced and recovered the same fumble in Howard’s win over Savannah State. Cooper now has 56 tackles, eight for loss, one sack, a pass breakup, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on the year. He is averaging a MEAC leading 14.0 tackles per game on the year. I have moved Cooper from free agent status to apriority free agent grade.

Wofford ILB SETH GOLDWIRE (5104, 215) was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week after tallying 11 tackles and three turnovers on the day. He returned a first quarter interception 61 yards for a score and added another pick and a fumble recovery. Goldwire also recorded 1.5 sacks as well.

Liberty RB RASHAD JENNINGS (6010, 230), Walter Payton Award Candidate, ran for 220 yards and three scores on just 29 carries in their upset win over #23 Youngstown State on Saturday. Jennings averaged a whopping 7.6 yards per carry and had a long run of 55 yards. The game showed why many scouts love Jennings style of play and the fact that he can be counted on to carry the bulk of the load. He also caught one pass for six yards in the game. Jennings earned Big South and The Sports Network Offensive Player of the Week honors this standout performance.

Even though he did not earn Missouri Valley Offensive Player of the Week honors, Northern Iowa RB COREY LEWIS (5113, 193) put on a show in their heartbreaking 27-24 loss to Southern Illinois with a season-high 190 yards rushing on 35 attempts. Lewis also scored a rushing touchdown on the night to just add to the already impressive season. His draft stock will heavily depend on whether he can improve his 4.5 40 time from the spring but his production this year is showing that his previous two seasons were no fluke and he is indeed one of the premier backs in the FCS.

Abilene Christian QB BILLY MALONE (6022, 236) was pulled early in the game after throwing for 237 yards and two scores on 14 of 21 passing with no picks. Malone became the first quarterback in LSC and ACU history to throw for 10,000 career passing yards. His longest pass of the night was a 74-yard score to future NFL prospect, sophomore, Edmund Gates in the third quarter to give them a 35-11 lead.

West Texas A&M WR CHARLY MARTIN (6011, 205) has been considered a priority free agent by most teams as they have labeled him as a possession guy who lacks elite speed but Martin showed very good speed on a 97-yard touchdown Saturday and showed that he may be faster than scouts think. He finished the game with 10 catches for 263 yards and two scores. Martin is very impressive all around and could be a sleeper for a combine invite if he keeps this up.

The PSAC office named California PA QB KEVIN MCCABE (6021, 207) the West Division Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 239 yards and three scores in their 21-19 win over No. 12 IUP. He completed 20 of 35 passes with no picks and came up with big fourth-down conversions throughout the game. Two of his conversions were in the first half on quarterback keepers to keep drives going.

While most outside of D2 don’t know the name of QB KEITH NULL (6031, 222) they should. Null has been terrific this season and was again stellar on Saturday with 545 yards and four scores on 35 of 49 passing and just one pick. A 97-yard strike to Charly Martin was his longest pass of the day and of the season. Null showed great passing skills but does lack the mobility that teams look for when drafting a small school quarterback.

West Liberty State RB BRANDEN ORE (5110, 205) continued his impressive play with three rushing touchdowns on 23 carries to finish with 77 yards on the ground. While his average yards per carry (3.3) were not high, he is putting the ball in the end zone and showing why he has the talent to get drafted next spring. Ore also finished with one catch for nine yards, respectively.

One player not on the NFL radar who is impressing thus far is Eastern Washington DE GREG PEACH (6022, 244) and he had another standout game Saturday with eight tackles, three and a half for los, and three sacks against Idaho State.

Brown upset Harvard in a come from behind victory last Saturday but not without QB CHRIS PIZZOTTI (6053, 224) putting up his usually impressive numbers for Harvard with 320 yards and two touchdowns on 25 of 45 passing while rushing for 31 yards on five attempts. While he is just a junior, Pizzotti’s top target, WR Matt Luft caught 10 passes for 148 yards and two scores and is a potential late round or priority free agent type prospect for next year.

In what was almost the biggest upset for a D2 program over a FCS power in recent memory, Central Washington QB MIKE REILLY (6026, 211) was very impressive with 280 yards and three scores on 21 of 35 passing as WCU almost pulled off an upset in a 38-35 loss on the road at nationally ranked Montana. While CWU is ranked in D2 it was still impressive that they were able to play with a FCS national powerhouse and top four ranked team in Montana on the road. Reilly showed why NFL scouts have been flocking to Central Washington and could position him to be taken in the mid-late rounds if he continues to impress against quality competition such as Montana.

Sometimes great performances are overlooked and that was the case this past weekend as Northern Colorado LB CRISTIAN SARMENTO (6005, 226) has been overlooked despite posting 19 tackles, half of one for loss, a sack, one forced fumble, and a pass breakup. His performance was a game-high in tackles and one of the better all around games for a Big Sky linebacker so far.

In a 56-11 route or ENMU, ACU was led by star running back BERNARD SCOTT (5104, 197) with 147 yards and three scores while showing why he is considered the top small school running back in the nation. Scott’s play on the ground has made it easier on senior leader Billy Malone to run this offense.

Running backs are often looked at how good they are by the records they break and Colgate tailback JORDAN SCOTT (5091, 206) certainly should be considered one of the best backs to ever grace the FCS ranks based on his. This past week Scott rushed for a career-high 272 yards and four scores on 43 carries to become Colgate’s all-time leading rusher with 5,287 yards in their victory over Fordham. He is now the leading active rusher in the FCS and broke the FCS record for career carries with 1,153. He just needs 62 more to break the all-time Division record and 118 to break the all-division mark held by Buffalo Bills 6th round pick Xavier Omon. Scott has proven to be a workhorse type back who is durable and capable of the big play.

Portland State Head Coach Jerry Glanville has said that ILB ANDY SCHANTZ (6011, 225) has a shot to go in the 2nd or 3rd round due to one AFC team really taking a liking to his star linebacker and it looks as if that prediction could come true as weeks go by. Schantz had a great first half before his shoulder injury last week against Washington State and finished with 10 tackles, two and a half for loss, and one forced fumble in their win against Sacramento State. Some teams are concerned about the fact that he has endured a couple injuries over the last two years and lacks top end speed. Others point to his fearless style of play, toughness, and sideline to sideline ability. Some in the media have Schantz in the 7th round or priority free agent range but don’t be surprised if he lands in the 4th to 6th round range on draft day. Regardless of where he lands a NFL team will get a tough, hard hitting, and productive linebacker who has a shot to be one of the best to come through the FCS ranks in a long time.

He might be tiny but the play of Glenville State RB JERRY SEYMOUR (5052, 216) has been anything but small as he earned WVIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors with his third straight 200-yard rushing effort with 220 yards on Saturday. He carried the ball 33 times and scored two rushing touchdowns in their 23-13 win over Fairmont State. Seymour is averaging 228.7 yards per game and 8.3 yards per rush in league play during this season.

It seems as if this was the first week of the year that Rod Jones did not earn Defensive Back of the Week honors from the CIAA. The player who did win it is Saint Paul’s College CB GREGORY TOLER (5112, 184) with seven tackles, one pick, two pass breakups, and a tackle for a loss of two yards. He leads the team in tackles, breakups, and interceptions.

SCOUTS BUZZ

Usually single blurbs on juniors are not included in the report, however University of the Cumberlands FS BRIAN “BUTCH” ABSHIRE (6001, 199) has burst onto the national scene with six interceptions and returned two for touchdowns to lead the nation (all divisions). He earned 1st team All-Mid South honors last year with 71 tackles, two and a half for loss, five picks, five breakups, and two fumble recoveries and is at it again this year. Abshire came close to landing in the SEC and is an impressive athlete worth a look next year. He runs hurdles for the track team at Cumberlands, has good range, and solid speed. Most expect he will run in the high 4.4s to mid 4.5s in the spring. Keep a close eye on the production of this definite 2008 NAIA All-American.

Central Oklahoma RB DEMETRIUS BIRMINGHAM (5104, 210) was receiving attention from several teams and even this past week a few had been through to check him out but it has just recently gotten around through NFL circles that he is out for the year. Birmingham suffered whiplash in a car accident last spring and missed most of the season. After attempting to play in the opener against Pitt State he has not played again and likely won’t. He could be back next season and should earn a solid priority free agent grade entering the season.

Sam Houston State QB RHETT BOMAR (6022, 212) has been very impressive thus far and has seen his stock boosted over the last couple weeks from the 5th-6th round range to possibly the late 3rd to late 4th round.

While placekickers usually don’t get much attention from the NFL early in the season there is one who has caught the eye of area scouts and is now on watch by most NFL clubs as a player to cross check in Eastern Washington K FELIPE MACIAS (5090, 220). Macias was not very impressive last year but has shown a strong leg so far and improved accuracy.

Northeastern TE BRIAN MANDEVILLE (6060, 258) has received mixed reviews from scouts early in the season with some giving him 3rd-4th round grades while some have had him as low as the 7th round. His probable draft day value will be 3rd round due to his size, hands, and ability to make plays in the passing game but his lack of blocking technique has been brought to the surface early on.

Over the last few weeks California PA WR MARCEL PESTANO (5114, 185), a former Pittsburgh transfer, has attracted the attention of several area scouts with his play. Leading the squad in receiving with 28 catches for 401 yards and six touchdowns in just five games, Pestano is now on the radar of just about every NFL team. His speed will heavily determine how much attention he draws on draft day but he will almost certainly earn an invite to training camp, at the very least.

After an All-America season last year, West Texas A&M DE BRANDON SWAIN (6025, 230) has been very average this season and seen his stock plummet from priority free agent status to perhaps a tryout player at best, if he does not turn it up a notch. Swain has just 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack so far. He has not been playing up to his very high standards and has off field issues. Don’t be surprised if many teams take him completely off their lists, unless he begins to play like he did last year.

Usually you don’t see two kickers written up in one report but this week that is the case with West Chester K/P ALEX WALSH (6032, 190) who has caught the attention of several area scouts and is now on watch by NFL clubs due to his leg strength on punts and ability to handle kickoff, punting and placekicking duties. Walsh is just 1 of 2 on field goals but is averaging an impressive 42.4 yards per punt with a long of 70 yards and three of 50 plus yards. He has also booted two touchbacks and averaged 60.2 yards per kickoff on the year. Expect to see Walsh in a training camp if he can continue his solid all around play.