Luc leads UC Bearcats' list of NFL draft hopefuls
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 3:22 p.m. EDT April 29, 2015


Linebacker Jeff Luc says he would be willing to switch positions in the NFL.
(Photo: AP/Tom Uhlman)

Jeff Luc is rated a potential late-round pick for the 2015 National Football League draft, and the former University of Cincinnati linebacker is willing to switch positions if asked.

The 6-foot, 251-pound Luc generally is the highest rated UC product on this year's board, as the NFL begins its annual draft Thursday night. Drafttek.com sees Luc going to Carolina in the fifth round and WalterFootball.com has Luc going to the New York Jets in the seventh round. Luc is pegged a seventh-rounder/free agent by CBS Sports' NFLDraftScout.com and a free agent by ESPN.

Luc has been told that some NFL teams might want to try him at fullback, considering his size and power. Fullbacks are rare in football today, but some teams still use them occasionally as blocking backs.

"For the most part I'm sticking with linebacker, but if a team drafts me as a fullback that's fine," Luc said this week. "It's good that I'm versatile and can play multiple positions."

Luc, offensive tackle Eric Lefeld and defensive end Terrell Hartsfield are the draft-eligible UC seniors who earned first team All-American Athletic Conference honors last season.

Lefeld and Hartsfield generally are considered free agent hopefuls, but Draftsite.com projects Lefeld to be a fifth-round draftee by Carolina.

Luc, from Port St. Lucie, Florida, played two years at Florida State before transferring to UC. While in high school, Luc was rated the nation's No. 1 middle linebacker prospect by Scout.com and Rivals.com and the No. 1 inside linebacker by ESPN.

As a senior last year, Luc led UC with 134 tackles and was second on the team with 6 ½ sacks. During the regular season, Luc's six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries tied for the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision lead.

Luc said he has been contacted by all but about five NFL teams.

"I'm hearing anything from the fourth (round) on down," Luc said. "I've heard from a good amount of teams."

WAITING, HOPING: Along with the aforementioned players, UC had 10 other draft-eligible players signed up for the Bengals' annual workout for local players earlier this month: Linebacker Nick Temple, quarterback Munchie Legaux, offensive linemen Tyreek Burwell, Dominic Mainello and Kevin Schloemer, tight end Jake Golic, defensive linemen Camaron Beard, Jerrell Jordan and Brad Harrah and cornerback Howard Wilder.

RARE SHUTOUT: No UC players were drafted by the NFL in 2014, the first time since 2006 that no Bearcats were picked. Several former Bearcats did land free agent tryouts.

SUCCESS STORY: The last UC player drafted into the NFL was tight end Travis Kelce, a third-round pick by Kansas City in 2013. Kelce was the Chiefs' leading receiver in 2014, with 67 catches for 862 yards and five touchdowns.

2015 NFL DRAFT

Round 1: Thursday, 8 p.m. (ESPN, NFL Network)

Rounds 2-3: Friday, 7 p.m. (ESPN2, NFL Network)

Rounds 4-7: Saturday, noon (ESPN, NFL Network)

Location: Chicago (Auditorium Theatre)

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../26581719/

My prediction...undrafted because he is too slow.

Just my opinion.

Good luc to Jeff and the other Bearcat hopefuls. :)

(04-30-2015 08:25 AM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  My prediction...undrafted because he is too slow.

Just my opinion.

Kind of why I'm actually glad he didn't get a combine invite. His 40 will be faster by hand, and they'll only have tape on him instead of drill work.

The tape will show that he is very good a tackling a runner that comes to him. It will also show that he seldom runs down an opponent. Quick feet and decent lateral movement...slow foot speed.

(04-30-2015 10:15 AM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  The tape will show that he is very good a tackling a runner that comes to him. It will also show that he seldom runs down an opponent. Quick feet and decent lateral movement...slow foot speed.

In other words, a depth run stopper in the middle of a 3-4, which is what I've always kind of figured he'd end up being

(04-30-2015 11:39 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(04-30-2015 10:15 AM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  The tape will show that he is very good a tackling a runner that comes to him. It will also show that he seldom runs down an opponent. Quick feet and decent lateral movement...slow foot speed.

In other words, a depth run stopper in the middle of a 3-4, which is what I've always kind of figured he'd end up being

But probably not in the NFL.

UC blanked in NFL draft but Luc, others land tryouts
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 12:41 a.m. EDT May 3, 2015

The University of Cincinnati had no players taken in the 2015 National Football League draft, but several former Bearcats will get free agent looks.

Former Bearcats linebacker Jeff Luc, offensive linemen Tyreek Burwell and Eric Lefeld, and defensive ends Brad Harrah, Terrell Hartsfield, Jerrell Jordan and Camaron Beard are among those taking opportunities as undrafted free agents.

Luc said Saturday night that he agreed to a deal with the Miami Dolphins, and Burwell tweeted that he is heading to the San Diego Chargers. UC spokesman Ryan Koslen confirmed several other deals for former Bearcats, including Lefeld to the Atlanta Falcons, Harrah to the New York Giants and Hartsfield to the Indianapolis Colts. Also, Beard and Jordan will receive tryouts from the Cincinnati Bengals.

"Everything happens for a reason, and I'm just blessed to have the opportunity with the Dolphins," Luc told The Enquirer via telephone.

"Proud to be a San Diego Charger!!!" Burwell tweeted.

This year marked the first time in nearly 20 seasons that UC has been blanked in two consecutive NFL drafts. UC last was shut out in two straight NFL drafts in 1995 and '96, according to the Bearcats' media guide.

The last UC player drafted into the NFL was tight end Travis Kelce, a third-round pick by Kansas City in 2013. Kelce was the Chiefs' leading receiver in 2014, with 67 catches for 862 yards and five touchdowns.

UC has gone 9-4 in each of the past two seasons and made two bowl appearances under coach Tommy Tuberville, still using many players from the Butch Jones era.

Jones was UC coach from 2010-12, with bowl appearances in Jones' final two seasons. Jones became coach at Tennessee beginning with the 2013 season.

Luc, Lefeld and Hartsfield all were named first team All-American Athletic Conference last season.

Lefeld made first team all-league in each of the past three seasons.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../26731435/

Crazy that we didn't have anyone drafted for the 2nd consecutive yr. Meanwhile UConn had a 1st rounder, Moo U had a 2nd rounder and UL had like 10 guys drafted.

(05-03-2015 09:02 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  Crazy that we didn't have anyone drafted for the 2nd consecutive yr. Meanwhile UConn had a 1st rounder, Moo U had a 2nd rounder and UL had like 10 guys drafted.

Does take some of the starch out of the sails of those who claimed this past season that we had superior talent, but poor coaching on Tuberville's part.

(05-03-2015 09:49 AM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:02 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  Crazy that we didn't have anyone drafted for the 2nd consecutive yr. Meanwhile UConn had a 1st rounder, Moo U had a 2nd rounder and UL had like 10 guys drafted.

Does take some of the starch out of the sails of those who claimed this past season that we had superior talent, but poor coaching on Tuberville's part.

And also shows you what good individuals can do on bad teams. UConn has consistently sent players in the top three rounds, and you've seen what that's been good for.

(05-03-2015 11:04 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:49 AM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:02 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  Crazy that we didn't have anyone drafted for the 2nd consecutive yr. Meanwhile UConn had a 1st rounder, Moo U had a 2nd rounder and UL had like 10 guys drafted.

Does take some of the starch out of the sails of those who claimed this past season that we had superior talent, but poor coaching on Tuberville's part.

And also shows you what good individuals can do on bad teams. UConn has consistently sent players in the top three rounds, and you've seen what that's been good for.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought it was said that the UConn player was the first defensive player from that school to be drafted in the 1st round in the modern era. That's not exactly a great record of generating NFL talent.

(05-03-2015 09:49 AM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:02 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  Crazy that we didn't have anyone drafted for the 2nd consecutive yr. Meanwhile UConn had a 1st rounder, Moo U had a 2nd rounder and UL had like 10 guys drafted.

Does take some of the starch out of the sails of those who claimed this past season that we had superior talent, but poor coaching on Tuberville's part.

Or that Lyle didn't leave the cabinet bare.

(05-03-2015 09:49 AM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:02 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  Crazy that we didn't have anyone drafted for the 2nd consecutive yr. Meanwhile UConn had a 1st rounder, Moo U had a 2nd rounder and UL had like 10 guys drafted.

Does take some of the starch out of the sails of those who claimed this past season that we had superior talent, but poor coaching on Tuberville's part.

I think that you are making a false premise. the fact that the team was poorly conditioned and could not tackle says a kit abiut coaching.

UCONN had 3 defensive players drafted in the 3rd round alone in 2013.

UConn has had 2 first round picks in the last 6 yrs. In 2009 they had 4 guys go in the first 2 rounds. For a team that is lucky to get more than a couple 3 stars in each class, they have produced quite a bit of high end talent recently.

As Tubs, among others, have pointed out CBJ kids weren't exactly up to snuff. I believe many were far too enamored in the rankings rather than the reality.

While I wouldn't say he left the cupboard bare, I think that despite the voices of many, we have been as understaffed...in terms of talent...as we've been since the rise of Bearcat football.




mc

(05-03-2015 12:14 PM)rosewater Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:49 AM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:02 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  Crazy that we didn't have anyone drafted for the 2nd consecutive yr. Meanwhile UConn had a 1st rounder, Moo U had a 2nd rounder and UL had like 10 guys drafted.

Does take some of the starch out of the sails of those who claimed this past season that we had superior talent, but poor coaching on Tuberville's part.

I think that you are making a false premise. the fact that the team was poorly conditioned and could not tackle says a kit abiut coaching.

The lack of drafted players over the last couple years bears out my premise better than yours.

(05-03-2015 02:13 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 12:14 PM)rosewater Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:49 AM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:02 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  Crazy that we didn't have anyone drafted for the 2nd consecutive yr. Meanwhile UConn had a 1st rounder, Moo U had a 2nd rounder and UL had like 10 guys drafted.

Does take some of the starch out of the sails of those who claimed this past season that we had superior talent, but poor coaching on Tuberville's part.

I think that you are making a false premise. the fact that the team was poorly conditioned and could not tackle says a kit abiut coaching.

The lack of drafted players over the last couple years bears out my premise better than yours.

I disagree. In that case, uconn would have a better record Than the bearcats, since they had picks over the last couple of years.

(05-03-2015 02:32 PM)rosewater Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 02:13 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 12:14 PM)rosewater Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:49 AM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-03-2015 09:02 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  Crazy that we didn't have anyone drafted for the 2nd consecutive yr. Meanwhile UConn had a 1st rounder, Moo U had a 2nd rounder and UL had like 10 guys drafted.

Does take some of the starch out of the sails of those who claimed this past season that we had superior talent, but poor coaching on Tuberville's part.

I think that you are making a false premise. the fact that the team was poorly conditioned and could not tackle says a kit abiut coaching.

The lack of drafted players over the last couple years bears out my premise better than yours.

I disagree. In that case, uconn would have a better record Than the bearcats, since they had picks over the last couple of years.

You need to go back and read the original comment. How about our coaching is just better than UConn's?