05-08-2014, 08:53 AM
The draft has FINALLY arrived....time to see where our beloved NIU and related MAC players end up...
Quote:Jimmie Ward
OVERVIEW
Has a child. Prepped in Alabama. As a true freshman in 2010, he logged 21 tackles, one pass breakup and zero interceptions with one forced fumble and a school-record three blocked punts. Returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a touchdown. Played in all 14 games, seeing extensive action as a backup free safety and on special teams. Registered 100-4-1 with 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one blocked punt (against Army) in 14 games (12 starts at cornerback) in '11. Led the Huskies in tackles in '12 after posting 104-11-3 with one tackle for loss and one forced fumble in 13 starts at free safety. Missed the UMass game with sprained A/C joint in his right shoulder. In '13, logged 95-10-7 with 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in 14 starts. Had a 62-yard touchdown return for a score against Purdue. Did not work out at the combine because of a foot injury (medical exclusion).
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Intense, active and energetic. Zooms around the field and stands out on tape. Aggressive run supporter -- triggers quickly, flies downhill and chops down ball carriers. Breaks on throws and shows short-area burst to close. Has quick hands to snatch interceptions. Confident and energetic. Experienced and productive. Has a 38-inch vertical jump.
WEAKNESSES Size is just adequate -- lacks ideal bulk and is built more like a cornerback than a safety. Bench-pressed 225 pounds just nine times at the combine, second fewest among DBs. Gets snagged on blocks and struggles to disengage. Can be a tick late diagnosing pass, gaining depth and digesting route combos. Lacks elite top-end speed. Inconsistent downfield ball reactions with his back to the throw. Shows lower-body stiffness in space. Could rub some people the wrong way. Has some maturing to do and needs to learn what it means to prepare like a pro.
DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 2-3
BOTTOM LINE Wiry, active, aggressive strong safety at his best playing downhill and reacting to plays in front him, yet possesses the cover skill to range over the top or lock down defenders in the slot. Ability to stay healthy in the future given lack of size and durability is the biggest concern. A very talented football player who could slide a round or two based on size, medical evaluations and attitude. Can contribute immediately at any safety position and positively affect the game if healthy and focused.
-Nolan Nawrocki
Quote:Jordan Lynch
OVERVIEW
Also played safety as an Illinois prep at Chicago-area Mount Carmel. Redshirted in 2009. Saw action in nine games in 2010 as a backup to Colts 2012 seventh-rounder Chandler Harnish, completing 4 of 6 passes for 13 yards (66.7 percent) with one touchdown and no interceptions and rushing 31 times for 362 yards (11.7-yard average) and three touchdowns. Spent 2011 campaign as Harnish's backup, appearing in 13 games and going 15-of-20 for 166 yards with one TD and no INTs and rushing 45 times for 246 yards and three TDs. Had a breakout season in 2012, going 237-of-394 (60.2) for 3,138 yards with 25 TDs and six INTs and rushing 294 times for 1,815 yards and 19 TDs in 14 starts and finished seventh in the Heisman balloting. Became the first player in FBS history to rush for more than 1,500 yards and throw for 3,000 yards in the same season. Was a Heisman Trophy finalist and named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2013 after going 253-of-404 (62.6) for 2,892 yards with 24 TDs and eight INTs and rushing 292 times for 1,920 yards (6.6) and 23 TDs in 14 games. Rushed for 316 yards at Central Michigan and 321 yards vs. Western Michigan, an FBS record by a QB. Had a 24-4 career record in 28 starts.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Exceptional competitor. Tough, physical runner who drops his shoulder and barrels through contact with determination. Very good competitive speed. Rare agility and change of direction m-- recorded a combine-best 6.55-second three-cone shuttle time and showed outstanding agility in RB drills at his pro day. Exceptional overall production. Outstanding work habits. Carried the offense and willed the team to victory.
WEAKNESSES
Is short and operates heavily in the gun in an offense that features rolling pockets that allow him to see the field more clearly. Many of his throws involve simplified, one-look reads to stationary targets. Tends to bird-dog his primary target. Is jittery and quick to tuck and run in the pocket. Accuracy is sporadic at each layer, short to deep. Must improve timing and anticipation. Recorded a 29 1/2-inch vertical jump.
DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 6-7
BOTTOM LINE
A gritty competitor, Lynch ran to set up the pass and was feared more as an option runner than as a pocket-moving passer. Could contend for a job as a No. 3 quarterback if he learns to refine his passing instincts. Developmental project with immediate value as a practice-squad, read-option quarterback. Toughness and competitiveness could translate well as a box safety or hybrid running back, though odds could be long unless he fully embraces a position change.
-Nolan Nawrocki
Quote:Khalil Mack
OVERVIEW
Prepped in Florida, where he was primarily a basketball player until his senior year -- Buffalo was only FBS offer. Tore his patellar tendon as an underclassman. Redshirted in 2009. Played outside linebacker in a 3-4 for the Bulls, and started all 48 games he played. In '10, played 12 games and recorded 68 tackles, 14.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks with 10 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. In '11, tallied 65-20.5-5.5 with two pass breakups, an interception and five forced fumbles. Was suspended for the '12 season opener against Georgia after he got into a fight with a teammate. On the season, totaled 94-21-8 with two pass breakups and four forced fumbles in 12 games. Was a Butkus Award finalist in '13 when he led the Bulls in tackling for the second year in a row -- registered 100-19-10.5 with seven pass breakups, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and five forced fumbles in 13 games. Team captain. Three-time first-team All-MAC.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Disruptive first-step quickness -- immediately re-creates the line of scrimmage and plays in the backfield (record tackle-for-loss production). Outstanding instincts -- locates the ball quickly and is around the ball a lot. Very good body control, bend and balance -- plays on his feet and is seldom on the ground. Developed pass-rush moves (rip, dip and inside counter). Very explosive -- broad jumped 10 feet, 8 inches and boasts a rare 40-inch vertical. Excellent pursuit -- tracks down ball carriers from behind. Sacrifices his body and sells out around piles. Strikes with authority -- hits on the rise, violently jars ball carriers backward on impact and has a knack for dislodging the ball. Highly motivated. Played big vs. better competition (see Ohio State). Can zone drop and buzz to the flat with ease. Highly competitive and energetic. Regularly was the focus of defensive game plans and still produced despite facing multiple blockers and extra protection consistently rolled his way.
WEAKNESSES Produced nondescript performance with a MAC title game berth on the line vs. Bowling Green and regularly faced inferior MAC competion. Plays a bit too recklessly and out of control. Can learn to run the arc with better lean.
DRAFT PROJECTION Round 1 (top 10)
BOTTOM LINE
A havoc-wreaking rush linebacker with the burst and acceleration to excel as a right defensive end in a "40" front, Mack has demonstrated the instincts, toughness, athletic ability and explosive power to line up at any linebacker position in an even or odd front and factor readily. Is a four-year starter who made an immediate impact upon his arrival and is well primed for the NFL game. Looks every bit the part, comes from a humble, grounded family and offers the full package to become an impact performer in the pros.
-Nolan Nawrocki