Syracuse Orangemen
On offense the player with great athletic potential, and a
prospect that could make a major jump up scouting sheets if he pulls it together
on the football field, is receiver Johnnie Morant. Only a junior, Morant
has tremendous size/speed numbers for his position and plays to them on
occasion. Morant takes his large frame down the field, beating defenders deep,
stretching out to make the seemingly impossible reception but is also strong
enough to out-muscle opponents for the difficult catch in a crowd. He averaged
almost 23-yards per reception last season; not bad for someone who measures in
at 6-4/215. The problem is Morant only caught 18 passes in ‘01 and has yet to
fully live up to expectations. Having the chance to step into the spotlight this
season as a number one wide out, Morant can start to build the momentum and
become a very early draft choice in ’03 or ’04. Another who’ll have a shot
to show his stuff this season and move up draft boards is senior fullback Chris
Davis; an athletic lead blocker that does a fine job in short yardage
situations and catches the ball nicely out of the backfield. Davis shared time
with Kyle Johnson last year but the job is all his come September. Senior
receiver David Tyree could get noticed this season if he displays more
consistency while junior tight end Lenny Cusumano is a player with a high
upside.
The defense will miss Dwight Freeney as well as a pair of
solid defensive backs, both of whom are
presently in NFL camps. The top defensive prospect is Clifton Smith, a
middle linebacker that can be a one man wrecking crew defending the run and
displays great force moving up the field. He easily defeats blocks even when
pitted against bigger linemen, easily bringing ball carriers down on initial
contact. Smith displays a good head in run defense and mans the middle well but
has limited lateral range, skills defending the pass and has difficulty making
plays in reverse, which may knock him out of the top 40 selections. Junior Josh
Thomas is a hard-working lineman that can be used at left defensive end and
possibly tackle in the future. Athletic, relentless and a defender that makes
plays both up the field or out to the flanks, Thomas could stand to add both
bulk and strength to his frame. Safety Keon Walker is also very athletic
and explodes onto the scene the few times he is around the ball. Walker needs to
get more involved in the action and really step up his game if he’s going to
be selected in the draft next April. Latroy Oliver displays solid cover
skills and will get free agent consideration as a dime back.
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