Senior Bowl 2020 Accepted Player Invitations

https://www.seniorbowl.com/the-game/accepted-invites/

 Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions Named Coaching Staffs Head 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl

 The Reese’s Senior Bowl is less than two weeks away and the rosters are filling quickly.

They announced earlier that the NFL League Office has assigned the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions as the coaching staffs for the 71st annual Reese’s Senior Bowl to be played on January 25, 2020 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.  The Bengals and Lions own the Nos. 1 and 3 picks respectively in the 2020 NFL Draft.

 For the Complete All-star Game Schedule go to NFL 2020 Calendar and Dates under NFL News

 The Reese’s Senior Bowl is the nation’s most prestigious college all-star game because it is the only one coached by entire staffs from two National Football League clubs.  The participating teams are prioritized based on the NFL draft order with the main caveat being that teams must have a full staff in place, which generally precludes teams with coaching turnover to participate, as was the case this year with the Washington Redskins, who own the No. 2

The last time the Bengals coached the Reese’s Senior Bowl was 2011 under Marvin Lewis and the Lions last participated in 2013 when Jim Schwartz was the head coach.

Coaching in the Reese’s Senior Bowl gives each staff a unique behind-the-scenes look at the players, not only on the field but also in the meeting rooms. This access is invaluable in the evaluation process and it has helped shape many draft classes over the years.  The most recent example is this year’s Oakland Raiders, who had eight Reese’s Senior Bowl alums on the active roster or practice squad this season.

 Last year, the Reese’s Senior Bowl produced 93 total draft picks, including 40 in the first three rounds and 10 first-round selections.  That roster included rookie standouts QB Daniel Jones (Giants), QB Drew Lock (Broncos), QB Gardner Minshew (Jaguars), WR Terry McLaurin (Redskins), WR Deebo Samuel (49ers), OL Elgton Jenkins (Packers), OL Erik McCoy (Saints), DL Montez Sweat (Redskins), DB Darnell Savage (Packers).

 Draft Insiders’ will have extensive scouting evaluation from the Senior Bowl and in the early February Newsletter and Yearbook.

 Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Rookie Wide Receiver DK Metcalf Shines in Big Games
Draft Insiders’ Yearbook Scouting Report – NFL Draft 2019

Rookie receiver DK Metcalf has been a major difference maker for the Seahawks after being taken as the last player chosen in Round Two last April, #64 overall. Frank Coyle of Draft Insiders’ ranked him the #1 receiver in the NFL Draft 2019 class. Incredibly, Metcalf was the 9^th receiver taken off the NFL Draft 2019 board and arguably the best value in the entire draft class. He faces the Packers in Green Bay Sunday in the NFC Divisional round.

Wide Receiver Class
Draft Insiders’ 2019 Yearbook Scouting Report – March 2019

 1 * DK Metcalf #14           6-3        225  –  Mississippi  – Sp. 4.35
Player Comparison: David Boston                        Rating 90

Smooth sure handed redshirt sophomore has shown elite receiving skills during his abbreviated career at Ole Miss. Blue chip prospect and a specimen that defines the position. He has rare physical talent in the mold of Calvin Johnson, Terrell Owens or Julio Jones. Unfortunately, he struggled through a few major injuries during his time in the SEC and though he was productive, did not live up to his unique athleticism. Consensus Freshman 1st-Team All-American. Deceptively fast on deeper routes and has the fluidity as a route-runner to separate from coverage at the route stem. Long arms with good lean muscle development and fine functional strength. Big play presence which backs up his workout warrior numbers. On the field, he looks like a chiseled strong forward and plays up to his all-around wide receiver talent. His field speed is even more impressive than his track speed where his long stride is deceiving. He runs crisp and precise routes and is outstanding at creating separation coming out of his breaks. He does extremely well at using nuanced body language, as well as ability to change speed, to set up defensive backs. His hands are soft, strong, and natural. He can seamlessly pluck the ball at full extension, whether using one or two hands. He makes the acrobatic or contested catch with regularity, but also the routine ones to move the chains. In the clutch situations on 3rd down or in the red zone, he rarely drops passes.  Shows explosiveness and elusiveness after the catch with quick footwork to create space. With the ball, he is tough after the catch with the speed to run away from or the power to overrun defenders. Outstanding hand-eye coordination and able to elevate and high point the ball. Reads zone coverage well and knows how to find and settle in the soft spots. Able to maintain concentration on making the catch and tapping his toes in bounds at the sidelines. Very alert to work his way back to the passer. High character individual who is well respected and liked. Committed to the program and willing to sacrifice for the team. Honest effort as a blocker both in the run game and in the secondary for his fellow receivers.

The Numbers:  As a sophomore, he caught just 26 passes for 569 yards for a 21.9 average and 5 TDs while starting 7 games. As a freshman, he started 12 games and had 39 catches for 646 yards with a 16.8 yard average and 7 TDs. For his career, he totaled 67 catches for 1228 yards and 14 scores. At the NFL Combine, he came in at over 6’3” and 228 lbs. with 34 7/8” arms and 9 7/8” hands. He did 27 reps and ran 4.33 time and had a 40.5” VL and 11’2” BJ with a 4.50 short shuttle and 7.38 three cone. It was an excellent workout. Similar to former #1 pick David Boston in physique, athleticism and limited production. Also similar to wideout Julio Jones in size, speed, body type and AA. Son of former NFL guard Terrace Metcalf and grandson of for Pro Bowl runner Terry Metcalf.

The Skinny:  Highly developed young receiver with rare playmaking ability to be a weapon both outside and inside. Tough athlete will go over the middle. Top 20 prospect and could go earlier in the round with the demand at the position. Huge ceiling as an NFL wideout, but also a low floor and more a chiseled athlete then a refined receiver. Injury prone blue-chip prospect will have to prove durable in the pro game. Prior neck and foot injuries. Talent to start as a rookie in the right situation. Big playmaker with the skills to bring it all together and have a Pro Bowl career, if committed to the rigors of NFL life and the finer points of the position.

Draft Projection: 1st Round

Draft Insiders’ & Coaches Top 25 Teams

Draft Insiders’ and Coaches Top 25 Teams – Dec. 2nd
LSU & Georgia Square Up in SEC Championship
Ohio St Dominates Michigan to Win Key Conference Matchup

Players of Week
Offense – Joe Burrow – LSU
Defense – DE A.J. Epenesa – Iowa

Team of the Week – Ohio St beats Michigan, 56-27
Upset of the Week – Auburn beats Alabama, 48-45

Game of Week – Dec. 7th
LSU (12-0) vs Georgia (11-1) at Atlanta for SEC title

Top 25 Teams
Draft Insiders’ – Frank Coyle

Rank/ Team/ Record
1 LSU – 12-0
2 Ohio St – 12-0
3 Clemson – 12-0
4 Georgia – 11-1
5 Oklahoma – 11-1
6 Utah – 11-1
7 Oregon – 10-2
8 Baylor – 11-1
9 Florida – 10-2
10 Alabama – 10-2
11 Notre Dame – 10-2
12 Wisconsin – 10-2
13 Penn State – 10-2
14 Auburn – 9-3
15 Boise State – 11-1
16 Memphis – 11-1
17 Minnesota – 10-3
18 Michigan – 9-3
19 Cincinnati – 10-2
20 Iowa – 9-3
21 Appalachian State – 11-1
22 Virginia – 9-3
23 Navy – 9-2
24 USC – 8-4
25 Air Force – 10-2

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/ Team / Record / Points
1          LSU (43)           12-0      1577
2          Ohio State (17)  12-0      1548
3          Clemson (4)      12-0      1482
4          Georgia 11-1      1394
5          Utah     11-1      1326
6          Oklahoma         11-1      1294
7          Florida  10-2      1135
8          Baylor   11-1      1117
9          Alabama           10-2      1068
10         Wisconsin         10-2      952
11         Penn State        10-2      946
12         Auburn  9-3        897
13         Oregon 10-2      878
14         Notre Dame      10-2      776
15         Minnesota         10-2      688
16         Memphis           11-1      630
17         Boise State       11-1      558
18         Michigan           9-3        542
19         Iowa     9-3        502
20         Appalachian State         11-1      331
21         Cincinnati          10-2      283
22         Virginia 9-3        192
23         Navy     9-2        188
24         USC     8-4        171
25         Air Force           10-2      129

Dropped from rankings: Oklahoma State 21, Virginia Tech 23

Others receiving votes: SMU 65, Oklahoma State 40, Kansas State 24, Louisiana 21, Indiana 14, Hawai’i 7, UCF 7, Arizona State 6, San Diego State 3, Iowa State 3, Tennessee 3, Virginia Tech 2, Temple 1

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

Draft Insiders’ & Coaches Top 25 Teams

– Nov. 26th

Ohio St Wind Key Big Ten Conference Matchup
Minnesota & Baylor Rebound with Wins

Players of Week
Offense – RB J.K. Dobbins – Ohio St
Defense – DE Chase Young – Ohio St.

Team of the Week – Ohio St beats Penn St, 28-17
Upset of the Week – Arizona St beats Oregon, 31-28

Game of Week – Nov. 3oth
Ohio St (11-0) at Michigan (9-2)  Big Ten East title at stake in Classic rivalry

Top 25 Teams
Draft Insiders’ – Frank Coyle

Rank/ Team/ Record
1 LSU – 11-0
2 Ohio St – 11-0
3 Clemson – 11-0
4 Georgia – 10-1
5 Alabama – 10-1
6 Oklahoma – 10-1
7 Utah – 10-1
8 Oregon – 9-2
9 Penn State – 9-2
10 Minnesota – 10-1
11 Baylor – 10-1
12 Florida – 9-2
13 Notre Dame – 9-2
14 Wisconsin – 9-2
15 Michigan – 9-2
16 Auburn – 8-3
17 Cincinnati – 10-1
18 Memphis – 10-1
19 Iowa – 8-3
20 Boise State – 10-1
21 Oklahoma State – 8-3
22 Appalachian State – 10-1
23 SMU – 9-2
24 Virginia Tech – 8-3
25 Navy – 8-2

Coaches Top 25 Poll
Rank/  Team  / Record  /  Points
1          LSU (52)           11-0      1561
2          Ohio State (7)    11-0      1510
3          Clemson (4)      11-0      1464
4          Georgia             10-1      1351
5          Alabama           10-1      1325
6          Utah                 10-1      1252
7          Oklahoma         10-1      1223
8          Florida              9-2        1074
9          Minnesota         10-1      1014
10         Baylor               10-1      924
11         Michigan           9-2        893
12         Penn State        9-2        857
13         Oregon             9-2        816
14         Wisconsin         9-2        799
15         Notre Dame      9-2        737
16         Auburn              8-3        652
17         Cincinnati          10-1      535
18         Memphis           10-1      528
19         Boise State       10-1      493
20         Iowa                 8-3        434
21         Oklahoma St     8-3        256
22         Appalachian St  10-1      232
23         Virginia Tech     8-3        123
24         Navy                 8-2        110
25         USC                 8-4        75

Dropped from rankings: SMU 21, Texas A&M 24, San Diego State 25

Others receiving votes: Air Force 74, Iowa State 55, Virginia 32, Texas A&M 26, SMU 18, Louisiana 18, Wake Forest 5, San Diego State 4, Hawai’i 2, Indiana 2, Temple 1

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

FWAA Announces 2019 Outland Trophy Watch List

83 Players Listed for Nation’s Top Interior Lineman

The Football Writers Association of America has announced the preseason watch list for the 2019 Outland Trophy presented by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. This season’s list presents a rare wide-open field following the departure of all eight Outland Trophy semifinalists from a year ago and the return of only one FWAA All-American, offensive tackle Calvin Throckmorton of Oregon. The Ducks, along with Michigan, top the list with four selections among the 83 standout interior linemen representing all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents.

Throckmorton, a senior from Bellevue, Wash., was a second-team FWAA All-American and is the lone member of the 2018 FWAA All-America Team on either interior line to return this season. He is joined by three teammates, center Jake Hanson, guard Shane Lemieux and defensive tackle Jordon Scott. Michigan has four members of its offensive front on the list – center Cesar Ruiz, guards Michael Onwenu and Ben Bredeson, and tackle Jon Runyan. Georgia has three players and 15 other schools have two representatives on the list of standouts.

University of Pittsburgh All-American Mark May, the 1980 Outland Trophy winner, will serve as the Outland Trophy #FightFlu ambassador for the upcoming season. May will make media appearances on behalf of the #FightFlu public awareness campaign to remind people to get their annual flu shots.

The recipient of the 74th Outland Trophy will be announced during ESPN’s The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12, live from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the NFID Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee on Jan. 15, 2020. Up to eight semifinalists will be named on Nov. 20 in Omaha and three finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 25.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He has published draftinsiders.com for 29 years including a 250 page Yearbook with 300 in-depth scouting reports. Long-time scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game and member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 27 years.

Candidates may be added or removed during the season. The distribution of watch list candidates is spread well among the conferences, with the Big Ten and SEC leading the way with 13 each. The Big 12 and Pac-12 are just behind with 12 apiece, followed by the ACC with 10 as well as the American Athletic (6), Independents and Mountain West (4 each), and Conference USA, Mid-American and Sun Belt (3 each). The list includes 32 offensive tackles, 19 defensive tackles, 18 guards and 14 centers.

2019 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List (83)

OT Trey Adams, Washington                             OG Shane Lemieux, Oregon
OT Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas                              DT Ray Lima, Iowa State
OL Tremayne Anchrum, Clemson                    OT Walker Little, Stanford
OG Jack Anderson, Texas Tech                        OT Abraham Lucas, Washington State
OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville                             DL James Lynch, Baylor
C Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin                                DT Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
DT Ross Blacklock, TCU                                     DT Garrett Marino, UAB
DT Quinton Bohanna, Kentucky                       OT Colton McKivitz, West Virginia
OG Parker Braun, Texas                                     OG John Molchon, Boise State
OG Ben Bredeson, Michigan                             C Jimmy Morrissey, Pitt
DT Derrick Brown, Auburn                               OT Thayer Munford, Ohio State
OL Jake Brown, UCF                                          DT Larrell Murchison, N.C. State
C Levi Brown, Marshall                                      DT Lorenzo Neal, Purdue
C Cohl Cabral, Arizona State                             OT Jake Nelson, Nevada
OT Brady Christensen, BYU                              OT Lucas Niang, TCU
OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State                         OT Marcus Norman, USF
DT Doug Costin, Miami                                      OG Michael Onwenu, Michigan
OT Coy Cronk, Indiana                                       OT Miles Pate, WKU
OG Navaughn Donaldson, Miami                     DT John Penisini, Utah
OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame                   OT Benjamin Petrula, Boston College
OG Jovahn Fair, Temple                                     C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
DT Leki Fotu, Utah                                              OT Jon Runyan, Michigan
DT Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma                      DT Jordon Scott, Oregon
C Jake Hanson, Oregon                                       C Zach Shackelford, Texas
C Bryce Harris, Toledo                                         OL Josh Sills, West Virginia
C Nick Harris, Washington                                 OG John Simpson, Clemson
OT Charlie Heck, North Carolina                      OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
OT Justin Herron, Wake Forest                         OG Logan Stenberg, Kentucky
C Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma                          OT Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
OT Robert Hunt, Louisiana                                OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
OL Keith Ismael, San Diego State                     OT Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon
OT Alaric Jackson, Iowa                                     DT Khyiris Tonga, BYU
C Jordan Johnson, UCF                                     OG Tre’Vour Wallace-Sims, Missouri
OT Victor Johnson, Appalachian State           C Darryl Williams, Mississippi State
OT Josh Jones, Houston                                    DT Raequan Williams, Michigan State
OG Luke Juriga, Western Michigan                OT Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
OG Kirk  Kelley, Troy                                         OL Isaiah Wilson, Georgia
OL Solomon Kindley, Georgia                          DT Marvin Wilson, Florida State
DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina                   DT Robert Windsor, Penn State
OG Tommy Kraemer, Notre Dame                 OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
OG Gus Lavaka, Oregon State                         C Dustin Woodard, Memphis
OG Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

By conference: Big Ten 13, SEC 13, Big 12 12, Pac-12 12, ACC 10, American Athletic 6, Independents 4, Mountain West 4, Conference USA 3, Mid-American 3, Sun Belt 3.

By position: Offensive Tackles 32, Defensive Tackles 19, Offensive Guards 18, Centers 14.

Tackles, guards and centers are eligible for consideration Candidates may be added or removed during the season

The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.

The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the NCFAA.

The Outland Trophy, now in its 74th year, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.

About the Football Writers Association of America
Founded in 1941, the non-profit Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) consists of more than 1,300 members, including journalists, broadcasters, publicists and key executives in all areas of college football. Led by current President Matt Fortuna of The Athletic, longtime Executive Director Steve Richardson, and a board of veteran journalists, the association continues to grow and work to help college football prosper at all levels. Visit footballwriters.com for more information about the FWAA and its award programs.

NFL Draft 2019 – Draft Insiders’ – Scouting Report
  Linebacker Chase Winovich – Michigan

   Frank Coyle/ Head scout

Here is Draft Insiders’ Yearbook scouting report on one of the fastest rising defensive prospects in this class, defensive end/ linebacker Chase Winovich of Michigan.  He is a prospect we have scouted since early in his career when he flashed impact in a few roles for the tough Wolverine defense. He is a three down defender who has the flexibility to play both with his hand in the dirt and up off the edge. He became a core defender on the highly ranked Michigan defense which will probably see four defensive prospects selected in the top 100 with three hearing their names in the top 40-50 selections. Winovich performed very well vs top Big Ten talent which supplies many offensive linemen annually to the NFL. He had an outstanding postseason concluding with a very impressive showing at his Pro Day and the NFL Combine.  He performed despite coming off ankle surgery during the early postseason prior to the NFL Combine and undergoing wrist surgery following his March 15th Pro Day. He performed outstanding at both events and was impressive at interviews.  He is ranked our #4 Outside Linebacker and a top 40-50 prospect.

 Order NFL Draft Yearbook on upper right – Over 300 In-depth Scouting Reports
Special Packages available now – Scouting Reports Posted on Web Site 

  NFL Team Report 2019 (40 pages) is available now   Update Report prior NFL Draft 2019

Draft Insiders’ – 2019 Yearbook Scouting Report

Outside Linebacker
 Chase Winovich #15               6-3        255       Michigan – Sp. 4.60
    Player Comparison: Rob Ninkovich                      Rating 86
High motor versatile senior defender had a fine career, earning Big Ten honors over his final two seasons. Earned first team honors in 2018 with his big play ability off the edge. Strong frame with good weight room strength that translates well to the field. Good height and arm length with a solid base to be a three-down defender at both the weak side end position in 4-3 set or up in the 3-4 scheme. Good burst off the edge and transfers to power with fine technique to win vs bigger athletes. Sound instincts with the versatility and toughness to play either outside spot in basic fronts. Skill set to be effective in run support and a quality pass rusher. After an impressive sophomore effort, he established himself as a developing prospect with good instincts, functional strength and speed. Displays strong quick hands to keep blockers off his body and separate to gain penetration. Shows strength and leverage to hold the point with the speed and flexibility to chase in pursuit and break down well in space. As an edge rusher, he has deceptive quickness and speed to rush the passer with the functional strength to win late on the down. Holds the point with sound leverage and hand usage, though struggles when facing combo blocks. Fluid flexible athlete who can stack vs big blockers when technically sound. Shows the quickness to move laterally and make plays with hand technique to disengage from blockers. Combines good functional strength with speed on the snap to also counter back inside. Shows a burst to the ball once he frees himself from blockers with the agility and flexibility to redirect and chase from the backside. Utilizes his hand punch to strike an opponent and separate to pursue the ball. As a pass rusher, he relies too much on his initial power move and needs more development on his swim maneuver to win. Average acceleration at the top of his arc. Good short area burst along the line in pursuit. Shows ability to counter and redirect to the inside when his initial move is contained. As a senior, he started 13 games and totaled 69 tackles with 17 TFL, 1 PBU and 5 sacks, earning 2nd team Big Ten. As a junior, he made 79 tackles with 18.5 TFL and 8 sacks starting 13 games, earning first team Big Ten. At the NFL Combine, he came in at just under 6’3” and 256 lbs. and did 18 reps with a wrist that required surgery soon after the event. He ran a 4.59 time with a 30.5” VL and 9’8” BJ with a 4.11 shuttle and a 6.94 three cone to complete a very good overall effort. Athlete with versatility to start at a few positions and both sets. Two postseason surgeries, an ankle injury early in postseason and a March wrist surgery after performing well at his Pro day. Probable early starter if he settles into the right scheme and learns the finer points of technique. Top 50 prospect with upside to start. Similar to Rob Ninkovich in many ways, including intangibles, power and schematic versatility. Savvy instinctive defender and capable of 40 snaps weekly. Good 2nd day value and gritty NFL starter.
                                                                          Draft Projection: 2nd Round

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Biletnikoff, Thorpe, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

NFL Draft Yearbook 2019 – Scouting Report
Safety Darnell Savage – Maryland

   Frank Coyle/ Head scout

   Here is our scouting report on one of the fastest rising defensive prospects in this class, safety Darnell Savage of Maryland.  He is a prospect we have scouted since his sophomore season when he flashed impact in a few roles in the Terps’ secondary. He is a three down defender who has the ability to play the slot or centerfield positions. He performed well vs top ACC talent and had an outstanding postseason concluding with a very impressive showing at the NFL Combine.  He is ranked as our #3 safety and a top 50 prospect. No other publication or web site ranked him in the top 10 safeties entering April.

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  NFL Team Report 2019 (35 pages) will be out this week.  Update Report prior NFL Draft

Draft Insiders’ – Yearbook Scouting Report

Darnell Savage #4                    5-11      195       Maryland – Sp. 4.45     
   Player Comparison: Tyrann Mathieu                  Rating 88
Hard-hitting dynamo safety has been the leader of the Terps’ secondary for the past three seasons. Rangy versatile defender developed into a ball hawk, lining up at free safety and also dropping into the nickel defender where he also excelled. Earned first team Big Ten honors along with 2nd team All-American by DraftInsiders.com in 2018. Stepped in as a full-time starter in 2016 as a true sophomore after time as a nickel corner during his true freshman season. Strong compact athlete combines excellent speed, quickness and fluid athleticism with keen instincts to be a three-down defender. Displays the versatility to lineup at a few spots in the sub packages. At times, he seeks to deliver big stops, but is not a violent hitter and his marginal size is a concern related to holding up to the physicality of the game. More a drag down tackler, though reliable especially in the open field where he breaks down well in space. Displays an awesome closing burst, arriving with good pad level to maintain leverage and breakup passes. He has outstanding read-react ability and attacks with an aggressive manner with a motor that knows only one speed. Drives through his target upon contact and able to finish. Lined up in a variety of ways, usually the high safety and slot corner in different alignments. Very effective single-high safety with excellent range to make up ground and get to the ball. Often lined up over a slot receiver, and shows the quick footwork to mirror off the line well with the closing speed to break up passes. Highly versatile with the range and instincts to play free in the deep middle and at times the toughness and run stopping ability to be the eighth man in the box. He has fine instincts for man-coverage with dependable hands to hang on to his interception opportunities. Keeps his head on a swivel in coverage and reacts to the ball quickly. Attacks the throw at the catch point as if he was the receiver. Average height and excellent leaping ability allow him to win jump-ball throws. Plays all facets of the game with a strong sense of urgency. He does however, lack ideal size, especially for a heavy diet of playing in the box. In 2018, started 12 games and had 52 tackles, 5.5 TFL, no sacks, 4 picks and 2 PBU. Earned first team Big Ten honors. In 2017, started 12 games and made 59 tackles, 3 picks and 8 PBU. For his career, totaled 182 tackles with 9 TFL, 8 picks and 14 PBU. Best suited for playing single high scheme. Fine athleticism to be a three-down defender. At the NFL Combine, he came in just under 5’11” and 198 lbs. with 31” arms. He ran a 4.45 time, 11 reps, a 39.5” VL and a 10’6“ BJ with 4.14 shuttle and 7.03 three cone. Excellent positional drills to complete a well-rounded workout. Similar to safety Tyrann Mathieu in natural talent and versatility. Also, for the old draftniks, he is similar to safety Bob Sanders, one of the best defenders in the league during his time with the Colts. He has the speed, quickness and ball skills to be an early starter and compares to Mathieu in size, AA and versatility. Shows flexible hips and quick footwork with the instincts to continue to improve in coverage. Talent to be a difference maker if coupled with a good box safety. High quality athlete and football player with experience to compete for time in different packages and an excellent addition. Probable early starting ability and in addition he could win the nickel role in camp. Valuable versatility with fast developing talent and a three-down defender. Rising marginal top 40 selection with impact talent. Teams like the Giants, Redskins, Cowboys and Chiefs have him on their short list in the early 2nd round.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Biletnikoff, Thorpe, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

NFL Draft Yearbook 2019 – Scouting Report
Defensive Tackle Khalen Saunders – Western Illinois

   Frank Coyle/ Head scout

   Here is our scouting report on our highest rated small college prospect, DT Khalen Saunders of Western Illinois. He is a prospect we have scouted since his sophomore season when he flashed impact from the inside. He is a three down defender who has the burst to rush the passer and can win with both speed and power. At the Senior Bowl in January, he performed well vs the top talent once again assembled at the premier All-Star event. He followed the Senior Bowl fine performance with another impressive showing at the NFL Combine.  

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Scouting Report – Defensive Tackle

Khalen Saunders #99   6-1        325       Western Illinois – Sp. 5.0         
    Player Comparison: Brandon Mebane                    Rating 82
Explosive mobile interior senior has been a disruptive force at the FCS level over his three starting seasons. Three-time MVFC honors with his final season as the DPY honors. His talent did not go unnoticed and earned invitations to both the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. A prospect that I have scouted extensively since early in his junior season. Dominant tackle in the MVFC which has produced many NFL players. Excellent athlete with natural power and fine short area quickness.  Quick penetrator excelled despite double team blocks regularly. Thick low based defender brings a well-rounded skill set and NFL ability to the table. Legitimate NFL starter in a zero or one-technique role with development. Despite his short arms, he has strong quick hands to explode through gaps and get into the backfield consistently. Finishes with strong tackling, including on the perimeter. Uses his lack of ideal height to his advantage with natural leverage to get under blockers, penetrate and separate. Shows very good initial quickness to threaten gaps and use his powerful punch to jolt blockers. Able to use his strong hands to counter and push off big blockers with his initial thrust. As a pass rusher, he wins on his initial charge and totaled 18 career sacks with 14 over his final two seasons. At times, gets wired to blockers when his initial burst is contained and he can struggle to get sacks late in the down. Displays fine flexibility and the ability to stay low, use leverage and strike and move an opponent off the line. Understands hand usage and capable of controlling an opponent when he uses sound inside placement. Very light on his feet and is able to adjust and redirect to finish. At the Senior Bowl, he performed very well including doing back flips a la JPP. Sure wrap up tackler and capable of exploding to the ball with the range to make plays outside the box. After extensive playing time and facing much double blocking, he has developed sound instincts and awareness for draws, misdirection and screens. Good sense of timing to peel off blockers to get to the ball. Relies on his initial quickness and natural leverage to defeat blocks. Works hard to rush the passer, but needs additional moves. Best suited to play nose tackle in the zero or one-technique role. As a senior, he started 11 games and had 72 tackles with 13 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR, 5 QB hurries and 6.5 sacks. Earned 1st team FCS All-American honors. As a junior, he started 12 games and registered 57 tackles along with 12 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 3 FF and 1 FR, earning first team MVFC honors. Over his career, he totaled 204 tackles, 34.5 TFLs, 4 FF, 3 FR and 18 sacks. Rare production for a nose tackle. At the NFL Combine, he came in under 6’1”, 324 lbs. with 32 1/4” arms and 9 1/8” hands. He ran a 5.01 time and did 27 reps. Added a 30.5” VL, 8’5” BJ, 4.62 shuttle and 7.57 three cone. Similar to Brandon Mebane in size, AA and quickness to also play tackle in a 4-3 scheme. Contributes early in a line rotation and can a key factor as a situational tackle. Early rotational tackle presents a fine change of pace for starters. Good early 3rd day selection with upside to surprise and be a quality starter in time. Top 100 prospect here and may be drafted in the 3rd round. One of the emerging defenders in this entire draft with a huge ceiling to start and provide an athletic anchor in the middle.
Draft Projection: 3rd-4th Round