PURDUE
#11 David Blough – QB – 6’1/205
Fifth year senior. Over 35 career starts. Excellent leader, the kind of guy you want in a QB room. Has multiple physical limitations, namely arm strength and size. Great anticiapation thrower that can read defenses like a book. There is a lot of “pro” in his game when it comes to footwork and throwing mechanics. I’ve been up and down on Blough this year with one of those high points being him labeled as a top notch sleeper. I would spend a late round pick on him and be confident I have at least a solid backup. Playing in Shrine Game.
#1 DJ Knox – RB – 5’7/210
Fifth year senior. Has fought his way from the bottom and ended up having a very solid year in 2018. Ended up gaining 1,048 yards from scrimmage with a standout performance against Ohio State (154 yards / 3 TDs). A very short limbed, but stocky tough guy that runs harder than you would think. He is a quick-acceleration type that lacks some wiggle, thus don’t view him as a Sproles or a Cohen, but a guy that can break tackles and create. Late rounder but someone I would like to see in a specific NFL role.
Other Notables:
#88 Cole Herdman – TE – 6’4/246
#53 Kirk Barron – OC - 6’2/300
#41 Jacob Theineman – S – 6’1/215
AUBURN
*#8 Jarrett Stidham – QB - 6’3/215
Fourth year junior that has already declared for the draft. Began his career at Baylor and had a pit-stop at junior college before ending up at Auburn. Newcomer of the Year in the SEC in 2017. Coming from a simple run-first offense. When he was forced to sit in the pocket and work through progressions, he looked very erratic and unnatural. Has a very sound throwing motion from the ground up when he is in rhythm, but gets very erratic when having to make off-schedule throws. A top notch kid when it comes to intangibles, some coaches will see a high ceiling here. Not enough to be a first rounder but I see a day 2 pick by a team that can stash him on the bench for multiple years.
*#81 Darius Slayton – WR - 6’2/190
Fourth year junior. A high school state track champ as a sprinter. Has been a big play threat for the Tigers all three years. Not a big volume guy, but he has turned heads multiple times with his size/speed combination. Really good burst and enough speed to burn by most SEC defensive backs. His ball skills have vastly improved over the years. A huge upside here, someone that can have a far more productive career in the pros than he did in college. Early day 2 pick if he comes out.
#23 Ryan Davis – WR – 5’9/185
Fourth year senior. The all time leading pass-catcher in Auburn history. Will be playing at the East-West Shrine game. A shifty, sure-handed slot prospect that can also help a team in the return game. Reliable receiver when it comes to getting separation underneath and consistently catching the ball on the move. The size will limit him to specific roles, but there will be a spot in the league for him. 5th/6th rounder.
*#5 Derrick Brown – DT - 6’5/325
Junior that hasn’t declared yet, but I fully expect him to. Two year starter that finished 2nd Team all SEC this year but I think he may be one of the most dominant DTs in the nation. Carries his size with ease and it translates into elite power. Consistently creates a new line of scrimmage post-snap. Maybe not a top tier pass rusher so it may hurt his grade a tad, but this guy will be a factor right away. Potential elite prospect. I see some Albert Haynesworth (pre-issues).
#95 Dontavious Russell – DT – 6’3/320
Fifth year senior. Four year starter that has quietly been one of the most important players on the Auburn defense for years. Won’t jump off the stat sheet and he won’t catch a lot of attention in workouts, but Russell is a player. He is a big body that occupies a lot of real estate and demands attention. Very aggressive and physical. Day 2 or early day 3 guy that will play right away.
#57 Deshaun Davis – LB – 5’11/233
Fifth year senior. Three year starter that led the team in tackles each of the past two seasons. First Team all SEC. Emotional and physical leader. A true difference maker against the run that will get to a lot of action and make his presence felt. He shows up in big games and in big moments. Just a knack for being at the right place at the right time and finishing. There are some limitations in coverage and his size is a negative, but this kid will be a player. Playing in Senior Bowl.
Other Notables:
#27 Chandler Cox – FB – 6’1/242
#49 Darrell Williams – 6’2/240
#48 Montavious Atkinson – 6’1/219
WEST VIRGINIA
*QB Will Grier, OT Yodny Cajuste, and WR Gary Jennings are skipping the bowl to prepare for the Draft
#13 David Sills – WR - 6’4/204
Interesting story behind Sills. Was a top flight QB prospect throughout high school that committed to USC as a 7th grader. He was put in to the WR rotation for the Trojans in 2015 but still wanted to play QB, so he transferred to a junior college. At that point he realized his pro potential did not exist at QB. He then made the full time move to WR when he transferred to West Virginia and went on to earn All American honors. Touchdown machine, with 33 over the past 2 years. Looks a little thin but Sills plays strong and will win most 50/50 situations. Plus-route runner that has shown some good long stride speed downfield. Reliable hands catcher with plus body control and balance. If he finds the right QB, his production will be high in the NFL. Can be an early day 2 pick with a good workout.
#88 Trevon Wesco – TE - 6’4/274
Fifth year senior. Transferred to West Virginia in 2016. His primary role with the team has been as a blocker. Really good size for that role as he carries a lot of power behind his contact with long arms and a lot of desire. Gets a lot of movement off the line. Little stiff in the lower body. Won’t scare anyone as a route runner but he can come down with the ball in traffic. Late rounder but someone will scoop him up, as he may be the best blocking TE in the class.Playing in Senior Bowl.
*#11 David Long – LB – 5’11/225
Fourth year junior. Hasn’t declared yet, I think there is a good chance he does. Has been the team’s Defensive Player of the Year two years in a row. Plays a multi-hat role for the defense that has him defending the inside run as well as rush the edge. The stats may inflate his outlook to some. He is a mid round prospect that could benefit from another year in college.
Other Notables:
#40 Kenny Bigelow – DT – 6’4/307
#6 Dravon Askew-Henry – S – 6’0/202
#3 Toyous Avery – S – 5’11/202
SYRACUSE
#2 Eric Dungey – QB – 6’4/228
Four year starter that has missed multiple games every year of his career via a variety of injuries, most notable a few concussions. He actually missed the final 3 games of this season but should be back for this one. Dungey is a record setting QB for the program that has had a fair share of big moments. There is a lot of talent here. Strong arm paired with a quick release and plus-athletic ability are ideal traits for the NFL. His consistency and injury history will be glaring negatives on the report though. Day three pick that someone will take a chance on.
#17 Jamal Custis – WR – 6’5/217
Fifth year senior. Second Team All ACC in his first year of consistent playing time. One of the biggest breakout players in the nation. Second Team All ACC. He had 142 career yards entering this season and after 12 games, he currently sits at 826 for the year. When it comes to height, length, and speed, Custis is one of the best in this class. He is still rough around the edges but this is a guy that could enter the league as an overlooked day 3 pick and be molded into a Mike Evans-caliber weapon. He will be featured at the Shrine Game.
#95 Chris Slayton – DT – 6’4/309
Fifth year senior. Four year starter that has been the stalwart of that defensive line from 2015. He didn’t quite reach the level some were expecting after a strong 2015, but he is a consistent every down player. Lacks a special trait but can do everything well. Likely a 3rd or 4th round pick. Will be at the Shrine Game.
Other Notables:
#6 Ravian Pierce – TE - 6’3/244
#78 Koda Martin – OT – 6’6/310
#60 Cody Conway – OT – 6’6/305
#41 Ryan Guthrie – LB – 6’2/224
IOWA STATE
*#32 David Montgomery – RB – 5’11/218
Junior that hasn’t declared yet but I expect him to. All American back that has the ideal blend of strength, balance, and quickness. He runs really low to the ground and will pounce on the smallest of creases to sneak his way through traffic. The top end speed isn’t anything to write home about, but he is a very reliable ball carrier that doesn’t fumble and consistently falls forward. Wasn’t much of a factor in the passing game as a receiver or blocker. Round 2 or 3 is where I expect him to go.
*#18 Hakeem Butler – WR – 6’6/225
Junior that hasn’t declared yet. The size/speed combination along with his huge 51/1,126/9 breakout year may push him into strong consideration. I don’t think he can vault himself into 1st round talks, but Butler has the skill set that can simply take over games. At the same time, however, he has had way too many drops to be considered a top tier prospect. High risk, high reward prospect that I expect to go day 2 if he comes out.
#10 Brian Peavy – CB – 5’9/194
Fifth year senior. One of my favorite undersized corners that can be a difference maker against the slot. Exceptional quickness and ball skills. Has been All Big 12 every year of his career. A gamer that reads the action and reacts as well as anyone. Small kid but plays physical and tough. A 4th or 5th rounder that will play early.
Other Notables:
#17 Kyle Kempt – QB – 6’5/224
#23 Matthew Eaton – WR – 6’4/211
#2 Willie Harvey – LB – 6’0/224
#1 D’Andre Payne – CB – 5’10/188
WASHINGTON STATE
CB Sean Harper will miss the game with injury
#16 Gardner Minshew II – 6’2/220
Graduate transfer from East Carolina that really took off in the Mike Leach system. Actually had a short run of Heisman talk during the middle of the year. Pac 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Minshew’s production shouldn’t put him into top tier QB talk, but he showed more than what we saw out of Luke Falk at this time a year ago. He has a better arm and more sturdiness against contact in the pocket. Has some swagger to his game that I like. The Senior Bowl week will be very telling and it could put him into day 2 talk.
#60 Andre Dillard – OT – 6’5/310
Fifth year senior. Has started every game since the start of 2016. First Team All Pac 12. Has the tools from top to bottom. Light feet, heavy hands, and knows how to keep himself under control. Doesn’t have a lot of experience holding onto blocks for more than a couple seconds because of the WSU scheme. Senior Bowl week will be huge for him. He has an outside shot at being a 1st rounder if it goes well in Mobile.
#45 Logan Tago – OLB – 6’3/250
Rotational player until 2018 where they gave him more edge duties and thrived. A breakout year landed him on the Second Team All Pac 12. High energy player that makes a lot of hustle plays but he is more than just a try-hard player. He shows fast, violent hands and enough ability to turn the edge. He can be developed intp a solid special teamer and package defender. Day three pick.
Other Notables:
#17 Kyle Sweet – WR – 6’0/190
#47 Peyton Pellur – LB – 6’0/230
#3 Darrien Molton – CB – 5’10/190