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DraftInsiders.com and ProFootballDraftNetwork.com
will be collaborating on a weekly article (posted every Wednesday during the college football regular season) to review the prior weeks most notable performances from a 2010 NFL Draft perspective.

Pro Prospects - Week 7 Performances
Photo - QB Case Keenum - Houston

Frank Coyle - www.draftinsiders.com
Draft Insiders’ Digest –19th Season

QB Case Keenum – Junior - Houston
Talented junior passer has played brilliantly this season in the high powered Cougar offense. Case has lite up marginal C-USA defenses weekly, displaying the talent to make all the throws with fine accuracy and timing. This kid has the package NFL coaches look for in a premier starting QB, though there are certainly questions related to his readiness for the pro game. He is accurate in the intermediate game and picks up secondary receivers well for a young prospect. Currently, he will be tempted to consider entering the NFL Draft, though his overall level of development is questionable at this critical position.

TE Garrett Graham – Senior - Wisconsin
Tough mobile senior tight end has been one of the premier performers in the Big Ten again this fall. He combines natural receiving skills with fine size for the position to become a well rounded complete pro starter. He has enough speed to stretch the field and the power to run after the catch ability that pressures a defense. He has very good size to become a solid inline blocker, and is developed as both an inline blocker and a move H back blocker. He has caught 29 passes for 331 yards and 4 TDs and is one of the more developed prospects at the position.

OT Ciron Black - Senior - LSU
Powerful agile tackle has excelled on the LSU line starting on the leftside the past three seasons. He combines massive size with fine quickness and power that displays the physical blocking style to be a top pro lineman. He will have to prove he has the footwork to be best suited for the left side at the NFL level. He has the package to become another top flight Tiger tackle to start as a pro and definitely a premier right tackle. He combines a great wingspan and strong hands to physically overwhelm an opponent. He has the agility that combined with his physical skills and overall power that ranks him as one of the blue chip tackles in this draft class. He is well

DE Ryan Kerrigan – Junior - Purdue
Aggressive junior defender had a dominant performance vs Ohio St that was instrumental in the Purdue huge upset victory. Against OSU, he registered a team high 9 tackles with 4 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FF and 1 FR. He is an emerging defender with a quick first step and the power to gain a fast advantage to defeat blocking angles. He showed the speed and quickness to make plays as a pass rusher. His ability to rush the passer and also play the run makes him an every down defender in a 4-3 front. With the frame to carry more than the current 255 lbs., he has the physical package to be an every down starter in the basic pro scheme. He has been added to the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.

TE Cody Slate - Senior - Marshall
Mobile senior tight end is having another fine season and has become one of the nation’s best performers. He has the package to be a fine pro H back performer with a high level of development as a receiver. He combines excellent pass catching skills that has allowed him to become a go to receiver in this offense. He gets open consistently and displays fine speed and soft hands to make all the catches. He has only marginal technique and physical talent as an inline blocker and needs further technique and strength development to start inline. His natural pass catching ability and run after the catch will allow him to fill the H-back role immediately as a pro.

Denis Krusos - Editor
Pro Football Draft Network
www.profootballdraftnetwork.com

G Mike Johnson, Senior, Alabama
The Crimson Tide ran over South Carolina in a 20-6 victory. Alabama gained 264 yards on the day (6.9 yards per rush) and controlled the game with their ground attack and defense. Mike Johnson and the Alabama offensive line opened holes for RB Mark Ingram (24 carries for 246 yards (10.2 per)) to help him enjoy a career day. Johnson also pass-protected well against a solid South Carolina defensive front and Alabama surrendered only a single sack. Johnson was a tenacious blocker against the Gamecocks. He used his long arms to his advantage and coiled his hips to win far more battles in the trenches than he lost. Johnson will bring some versatility to an NFL team, as he is a smart player with a good wingspan. He has the frame to be an offensive tackle and has a significant amount of experience at guard.

TE Anthony McCoy, Senior, USC
McCoy led the Trojans with 5 receptions for 153 yards (30.6 per) in USC’s 34-27 win at Notre Dame. He hurt the Irish with big gains that included a 60-yard catch and run ramble through the Notre Dame defense. McCoy displayed the ability to extend high and use his long arms and soft hands to snatch passes. The USC tight end is a nice combination of speed and size. Notre Dame did not have the linebackers to match-up against McCoy and paid the price. McCoy was effective as a blocker against the Irish, but has to become more physical in this department at the next level.

S Earl Thomas, Sophomore (3rd year), Texas
The Texas defense was largely responsible for the team’s 16-13 victory over Oklahoma. Thomas led the team in tackles with 7 (2 for losses) and broke up 3 passes and forced a fumble. His interception late in the 4th quarter sealed the win. Thomas does an excellent job of locating the football and then breaking on it. He leads the nation in pass break-ups (14) and interceptions (5). Thomas made life difficult for the Oklahoma offense by being a factor in run support (the Sooners ran for –16 yards and that is not a typo) and showing range and instincts in pass coverage. Quarterbacks that believe they can squeeze a ball into an area where Thomas is lurking are simply asking for trouble. The 3rd year sophomore may decide not to enter the 2010 NFL Draft, but he is a playmaker in the secondary.

CB Joe Haden, Junior, Florida
The Florida defense has been a consistent force this year and CB Joe Haden is a big part of the unit. Haden had 6 tackles (2 tackles for losses), 1 sack, 2 quarterback pressures and a pass break-up in the Gators’ hard-fought 23-20 win over Arkansas. Haden is not big (5’ 11” and maybe 190 lbs), but he is a really physical player who wants to mix it up. He is an asset in run support and can be sent on blitzes (as Arkansas discovered first-hand). The true junior may not enter the 2010 NFL Draft, but he is a smart, tough, quick and fast cornerback.

QB Colt McCoy, Senior, Texas
The Longhorns beat Oklahoma, but Colt McCoy did not help his draft stock with a shaky performance. McCoy completed 21 passes in 39 attempts (54%) for 127 yards (3.3 yards per attempt) with 1 touchdown pass and 1 interception and 2 fumbles. He also rushed for 33 yards on 14 carries (2.4 per). Oklahoma was able to hang in the game partly because of McCoy’s miscues. The Texas senior did not manage the game well as he allowed himself to be sacked for 15 yards on one play to take his team out of field goal range. You cannot take a sack in that situation. The Oklahoma defense confused and pressured McCoy into mistakes. McCoy only threw one pick, but there were several opportunities for more interceptions that the Sooners did not convert. Colt McCoy is tough and hurt his thumb early in the game and kept competing. However, he did not look like a wise early round draft choice against Oklahoma.