FLORIDA
*#25 Jordan Scarlett – RB – 5’11/206
Fourth year junior. Career got off to a hot start as he was the team’s top offensive player in 2016. He got arrested in 2017 and sat out the year. Came back this season and shared carries but stood out on multiple occasions. Tough runner between the tackles, brings some attitude and consistently gains yards after contact. 5th/6th rounder.
#73 Martez Ivey – OT - 6’5/305
Four year starter that has experience at tackle and guard. Second Team All SEC three years in a row. Maddening prospect that shows dominant traits and stretches of play but lacks the desired consistency. May have to make a permanent move inside, as his footwork may not be enough for NFL edge defenders. A guy that is too often playing catch up and doesn’t always show the balance to play like that. Day three prospect based on size and power.
#74 Fred Johnson – OG – 6’6/330
Three year starter that also has some experience inside and outside. In terms of upside, I think he has more than Ivey. He carries a lot of weight with ease and when he lines up his target, there is a significant push. Long limbed mover that doesn’t always play with enough knee bend. Can get caught off balance. Developmental day three guy with starter upside. Playing in Shrine Game.
#64 Tyler Jordan – OG – 6’4/310
Yet another senior with starts at multiple positons along the OL, even center. Probably the least talented when it comes to tools, but Jordan is a reliable try-hard blocker that stays on his man. Late rounder that will be attractive because of his versatility. Can back up a few spots.
*#99 Jachai Polite – DE – 6’2/242
Breakout, first team All SEC defender. Might be the most explosive edge rusher in the class and can rightfully be considered a top 15 overall prospect right now. The glaring negative is a lack of size and presence. He will need to spend some time in a pro-strength program but if he can add some mass and maintain his movement, his upside is as high as any edge defender. He has an array of moves already, he is more than just speed.
*#23 Chaucey Gardner-Johnson – CB – 6’0/207
Junior that has already declared. One of the more versatile defensive backs in the class. Has seen starts at safety, outside corner, and nickel corner. His skill set adheres to that label. He is a fierce run defender with enough quickness and speed to stick in man coverage and good enough instincts to make fast, accurate reads in zone coverage. The right defensive mind can do a lot with this kid. Borderline 1st rounder.
Other Notables:
#80 C’yontai Lewis – TE – 6’4/233
#96 Cece Jefferson – DE – 6’1/242
MICHIGAN
DE Rashan Gary, LB Devin Bush, OT Juwann Bushel-Beatty, and RB Karon Higdon are not playing in order to prepare for the NFL Draft
#83 Zach Gentry – TE – 6’8/262
Fifth year senior. Was a high school QB. Made the move to TE during his redshirt season and it worked out well for him. Honorable Mention All Big 10 in 2017 and third team this season. Big play threat from the TE spot with his plus size and plus speed. Still has a lot of untapped upside as his confidence at the position seemed to grow weekly. A potential matchup nightmare here as he moves better than almost everyone that stands this tall. Someone may fall in love with this kid and grab him round 3.
#15 Chase Winovich – DE – 6’3/253
Fifth year senior. Late bloomer that played so well over the past year and a half that he can rightfully be considered a potential 1st rounder. First Team All Big 10 two years in a row, All American in 2018. Very active and disruptive player on all three downs, constantly finds himself making plays behind the line. Plays really low and has some sneaky strength, although he really needs to add to his frame. Won’t ever be a blow-by-you edge guy but his motor and developed skill set will make a difference in the league. He will be a fan-favorite type. Will be fun to watch at the Senior Bowl.
*#24 Lavert Hill – CB – 5’11/177
Junior that hasn’t declared. I think odds are that he will come out. First Team All Big 10 and Third Team All American. A movement-based cover man that can run all over the field against speed and quickness. Excellent burst to the ball, closes a window as fast as anyone. Opportunities were slim for Hill, as teams rarely threw his way. I think he translates well to a starting NFL corner within a year or two.
#23 Tyree Kinnel – S – 5’11/213
Two year starter. Honorable Mention All Big 10 two years in a row. Steady presence as a tackler. No hesitation as a downhill defender and he will make the impact of a linebacker in the box. Good speed to the outside, has the range. Little stiff when asked to move with receivers in space, but if a scheme can limit his looks in that situation he can be an impactful player. 4th/5th rounder if he times out well.Playing in Shrine Game.
Other Notables:
#88 Grant Perry – WR – 6’0/195
#90 Bryan Mone – DT – 6’4/335
#59 Noah Furbush – LB – 6’5/237
SOUTH CAROLINA
WR Deebo Samuel will miss the game to prepare for the NFL Draft and OG Zack Bailey will miss the game because of injury
#4 Bryson Allen-Williams – OLB – 6’2/230
Fifth year senior. Has been an undersized edge player from the start of his career. Missed most of 2017 with a shoulder injury that ended up needing surgery. Missed the final 4 games of 2018 with an ankle injury but he should be back for this one. A really fast, overly aggressive player that can make things happen when given enough opportunties. His initial role in the NFL will be on special teams but if he can stay healthy and add some mass, he can be a package defender. Late rounder with upside.
#16 Rashad Fenton – CB – 5’11/188
Two year starter that has been in and out of the lineup a bit. Will be playing at the Shrine Game. Really good speed with fluid hips. Understands angles and positions on the field. Knows how to use space to his advantage. A smart player that can move with most-anyone, but just didn’t make a ton of plays on the ball. He will be drafted in the 4th/5th round area based on upside and a high floor.
#9 Keisean Nixon – CB – 5’10/193
Senior that played his first two years at junior college. He broke out of his shell in 2018, leading the team with 9 pass breakups in addition to playing a really physical style against the run. Nixon plays bigger than his size and can handle outside receivers that stand far above him. I like the fight in this kid a lot. He will be playing at the Shrine Game and could be one of the winners of the week.
Other Notables:
#74 Dennis Daley – OT – 6’5/314
#40 Jacob August – TE – 6’6/252
#22 Steven Montac – S – 5’10/186
VIRGINIA
#1 Jordan Ellis – RB – 5’10/225
Fifth year senior and two year starter. Honorable Mention All ACC in 2018. Will be a participant at the Shrine Game. Low-to-the-ground runner with good balance and a shifty style. Carries some pop behind his pads, he can drive defenders back. Not a dynamic athlete but can do enough in traffic to make guys miss and pick up extra yards. He has the body and playing style to be a surprise back in the NFL. Returned kickoffs for TDs vs Ohio State and Michigan. 5th/6th rounder
#4 Olamide Zaccheaus – WR – 5’8/190
A former national standout sprinter in his pre-high school days. Some say he could have pursued the Olympics but he opted for football. He has been an impact player with a ceiling all four years. He is used on special teams, in the passing game, and even as a running back. Not quite the prospect Marquise Goodwin was coming out of Texas, but he has enough of a skill set to be viewed as an every down receiver prospect. He caught 80+ passes two years in a row and earned 1st Team All ACC honors as a senior. A guy to keep an eye on once workouts come into the picture, as he may run a sub 4.4 forty and that could put him into day 2 territory.
#5 Tim Harris – CB – 6’1/205
Sixth year senior. Has been put through the ringer when it comes to injuries over his career. He began his career as someone that everyone within the program was getting very excited about. An NFL body with good speed and ball skills. But shoulder injuries and a broken wrist marred him for 3 years in a row. He came back this year and played in every game, showing some of the promise we hear about from years ago. I’ve seen him make some high-level plays on balls in addition to physical downhill play. His question is long speed and durability but I still think he is a late day three pick.
#21 Juan Thornhill – 6’0/200
Three year starter that led the team in tackles and interceptions. First Team All ACC. Aggressive and smart player that misses too many tackles. He excels in coverage, however. Very fluid mover and seems to forecast well. Not sure he is fast enough to be considered a top tier cover man, but there is a lot he can do with the action in front of him. 3rd/4th rounder that has starter potential early in his career. Will be playing in the Senior Bowl.
Other Notables:
#46 Evan Butts – TE – 6’4/250
#13 Chris Peace – LB – 6’2/250
ARKANSAS STATE
#15 Justice Hansen – QB – 6’4/224
Fifth year senior. Began his career at Oklahoma before transferring to junior college in 2015. He then settled in at Arkansas State and won the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year award in 2017 and 2018. One of the hot names entering the pre-draft process. Showed significant progress over the past 2-3 years. He ended the year strong but the glaring weakness I have seen is poor play against his toughest competition. Always something I hate to see when scouting. I will have to spend more time on him in the coming months, and it starts today.
#70 Lanard Bonner – OT - 6’4/314
Two year starter after spending two years at junior college. First Team All Sun Belt two years in a row. I need to spend more time on Bonner, but I do know his outlook will be as a guard in the NFL. Big week for him at the Shrine Game, as he will be playing there. As of now he looks like a 5th/6th rounder but he could get a boost with a strong week down there.
Other Notables:
#18 Justin McInnis – WR – 6’6/206
#8 Ronheem Bingham – DE – 6’2/242
#10 Justin Clifton – S – 6’0/213
NEVADA
#90 Malik Reed – OLB – 6’2/235
Fifth year senior. Two time 1st Team All Mountain West. Led the team in TFL ths year with 15.5 and 8 sacks while finishing second in tackles. He is a coach’s favorite type with top tier intangibles and constant hustle. Nevada uses him in a variety of roles to take advnantage of his versatile skill set. I think his future in the NFL is on the edge and because of that, he will likely need a “redshirt” year to add bulk to his lanky, wiry frame. But when it comes to movement, bend, and knack for finding the ball, Reed has some big time potential. Late rounder that is most attractive to 3-4 fronts.
Other Notables:
#99 Korey Rush – DT – 6’0/270
#5 Dameon Baber – S – 5’10/200