Oklahoma State
OSU was tough all season and have seemingly
taken to the system of coach Les Miles in just his second season. They
offer a lot of prospects that will be sprinkled throughout the draft next
April. Headlining could be receiver Rashaun
Woods, assuming he throws his
hat into the mix and runs well prior to the draft. Woods is a natural pass
catcher with great instincts but lacks the great size/speed numbers. An
official announcement on Woods future intentions is expected shortly after the
game. He carries an early second, possibly late first round grade
presently. The other prospect moving up boards and a player sometimes glossed
over by many is Kevin
Williams a collegiate defensive
tackle that could also project to
end.
Williams is quick, explosive and relentless but lacks the great size for the
interior and speed for end. Still, from what we hear as well as what we
feel, a top 50 selection is not out of the question. Elbert Craig is one
of our favorite underclassmen safety's and effective against both the run or
pass. Senior teammate Chris Massey also likes to throw his body around the
field against the run, though he does not make many plays when the ball is in
the air. LaWaylon Brown offers a run stuffing force in the
middle, though his ability to make plays in anything other than a straight line is limited
while Terrance Robinson is an undersized yet explosive linebacker that makes
plays sideline-to-sideline and runs well with backs or tight ends in pass
coverage. Receiver
John Lewis has gained attention with his play as a
senior while tackle Kyle Eaton will be given consideration at
guard and more
than likely is a free agent next April. Finally, Tatum Bell is a quick,
elusive runner with above average size but a ball carrier that must improve his
receiving skills. Only a junior he'll be highly ranked going into 2003.
Southern Mississippi
"The little program that
could" may be the best way to characterize USM. Playing in a small
conference and on the road more often then not, the Eagles are always
competitive and usually in the post season. Scouting
USM earlier this
season, they have several surprising prospects that could hear their names
called in the late part of the drafts first day. Unfortunately one of
those names will not be Derrick Nix as the talented and hard working running
back had a flare-up of the kidney ailment that kept him on the sidelines in 2001
and the situation may threaten his football career. After that USM has a
pair of linemen and an equal number of defenders that grade out nicely. Guard
Torrin
Tucker is big, dominant, wide body that moves surprisingly well.
Tucker's effective blocking for the run or pass and should he show well in the post
season and present himself in good condition a top 75 selection could be at
hand. Tackle Jeremy
Bridges does not get the same ink but has better fundamentals than Tucker,
abilities to play in space as well as a head for the game. What he lacks
is bulk and height, which makes a move inside a distinct possibility.
The first defender to watch would be Rod Davis, a tackling machine that flies
around the ball and constantly throws his pads into the action. Used mainly in the box,
Davis seems to have the athleticism for a successful
transition into coverage. Only a junior, Davis is seriously considering entering
the draft. Another junior on this side of
the ball thinking NFL is cornerback Greg Brooks, who'll be matched up against
Woods most of the day. Brooks offers solid man-to-man coverage and excels backed
off the line of scrimmage. Rayshun
Jones effectively mans the nose
while Joe Henley is adequate on the strong
side and also very good special teams player.
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