Oregon State Beavers
The offense losses a pair of consistent performers in
Jonathan Smith and Ken Simonton, after both had disappointing senior campaigns
knocking Simonton out of draft contention. Still; there is depth from the
underclassmen and a lot of future prospects. Senior tackle Lee Davis is
an athletic lineman that displays solid footwork and blocking range. Davis is
strong at the point and sustains blocks once engaged with opponents. To this
point he seems better blocking for the pass then the run but if he improves the
latter, Davis will move into the drafts first day. Tight end Tim Euhus is
another solid athlete and a nice pass catcher that also efficiently blocks in
pass protection. He is quick, agile and displays the ability to adjust for the
errant throw as a receiver or oncoming pass rusher when blocking. Euhus is not
large but has some growth potential, which if met, will improve the draft stock
of this junior. James Newsom is a tall angular wide out with decent size
and a tough pass catcher that lays out over the middle for the tough grab,
occasionally breaking the long one. His jumping ability and penchant to separate
from opponents really stands out, as does his eye-hand coordination. Another
underclassmen, Newsom needs to iron out the details of his game but is a good
long-term prospect. Speaking of improved consistency, senior receiver Seth
Trimmer is a big-body that controls the game on occasion but shows more
flashes than anything else. If he steps up his play he could move into the
middle rounds. Keep an eye on the development of sophomore quarterback Derek
Anderson, a big-armed pocket passer that may have a very bright future if he
takes control of the team and progresses over the next two-to-three seasons.
Defensively this team offers a ton of quality talent to the
draft over the next few seasons. Eric Manning has been high on our boards
the past three years. He’s an explosive interior plugger who’s lightning
quick off the snap, displaying the abilities to rush the passer or pursue the
ball carrier. Manning’s intensity has improved the past two seasons, as has
his overall ball awareness and he shows us a little of what Darrell Russell had
at USC. If a team is willing to overlook his lack of height, (he stands barely
6-0) Manning is a quality interior lineman, almost perfectly suited for the ever
popular "three-technique" in a front-four alignment, and worth a top
45 selection. OSU has a pair of linebackers that will get a lot of looks. Richard
Seigler is a game impacting middle linebacker terrific against the run and
adequate in pass defense. Pursuing from all angles of the field with speed,
Seigler is constantly around the action flying around the football. A force
since his freshman campaign he combines leadership with production but is yet
another undersized Beaver weighing in around the 220-pound range. He is highly
rated now and will be even higher should he stick around and enter the draft in
’04. Nick Barnett is a little faster and even more explosive as
compared to Seigler, playing with the same relentless style. Smaller, Barnett
may project to a safety position and at face value the senior looks to have the
speed necessary to make the switch, though we’d like to see him become a
little more decisive with his decision making. The man who’ll garner the
headlines next September and April is Dennis Weathersby, a shut-down
corner three seasons running. Weathersby has the size, attitude and instincts to
make it at the next level. Physically strong and aggressive, he easily
out-muscles opponents and defeats receivers battling to defend the pass, while
also displaying that same style of play against both screen-passes or stuffing
the run. Also impressive are the improved instincts and general awareness
Weathersby showed the past two years. Technically sound, he is not fleet of foot
and his forty-time prior to the draft will dictate how early in the first round
he’s selected. Terrell Roberts may get some consideration as he can
play safety or corner and we await the return of Calvin Carlyle. Coming
into the season last year Carlyle was rated as a top 15 safety by us as he is
effective against the run and pass, displaying top range, intelligence and
intensity. Unfortunately for Carlyle he’s had a shoulder problem that’s
dogged him throughout college, so much so that is sidelined him almost all of
2001 and will red-flag him in April of ’03.