2011 NFL Draft Watch #43: Mark Barron

The countdown continues and our number forty-three prospect in college football is…

Strong Safety Mark Barron, Alabama (Junior):

The Skinny: Once Nick Saban got his hands on Barron, who played offense in high school, he immediately began sculpting the un-molded clay into what would become one of the most feared safeties in the nation for the eventual SEC and BCS Champions. The Mobile native earned his way onto the field by cutting his teeth as a special teams enforcer. It was there that he displayed his uncanny timing, sound tackling technique, and willingness to play violent. In 2009 as a sophomore he finally got on the field as a starting strong safety and immediately proved how versatile and valuable he could be to any

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Q&A: Ben Bojicic, Bowling Green

Getting To Know…Bowling Green’s Ben Bojicic: Bojicic is a junior offensive lineman for the Bowling Green Falcons. Last season, Bojicic played in and started 10 games, helping the Falcons lead the MAC in passing yards per game with 316.2. He was a key member of the BGSU O-Line that allowed just 27 sacks, despite leading the league in total passing attempts. Bojicic, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., also started all 12 games as a freshman, helping the Falcons ground game average 134 yards per game.

What are your goals for this season?

My goals are to help my team to have a successful season and to become an All-MAC player.

How did you get started playing football?

It was just something my family did. I followed my brother who played football before I did.

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Q&A: Ben Bojicic, Bowling Green

Getting To Know…Bowling Green’s Ben Bojicic: Bojicic is a junior offensive lineman for the Bowling Green Falcons. Last season, Bojicic played in and started 10 games, helping the Falcons lead the MAC in passing yards per game with 316.2. He was a key member of the BGSU O-Line that allowed just 27 sacks, despite leading the league in total passing attempts. Bojicic, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., also started all 12 games as a freshman, helping the Falcons ground game average 134 yards per game.

What are your goals for this season?

My goals are to help my team to have a successful season and to become an All-MAC player.

How did you get started playing football?

It was just something my family did. I followed my brother who played football before I did.

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Amari Spievey Sizzles in Motown

Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com reports that CB Amari Spievey could “eventually” earn himself a starting role in Detroit’s secondary. Currently, the former Hawkeye is listed as a backup to Chris Houston and Jonathan Wade.

Mancini’s Take: While another Amari has been making headlines in New York, Detroit’s version has given coaches reason to stand up and take notice of his instincts and athleticism during recent team drills. The fact that the third-round pick previously missed his offseason workouts doesn’t bode well for him in terms of immediately claiming a spot in the starting lineup. Spievey’s primary competition will come from fourth-year veteran Jonathan Wade, who ended up in coach Steve Spagnuolo’s dog house last year with the Rams after only four starts. The 26-year-old was undisciplined in the Blue and Gold and just simply didn’t make enough plays. But the 5-10 corner seems to have turned over a new leaf

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Amari Spievey Sizzles in Motown

Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com reports that CB Amari Spievey could “eventually” earn himself a starting role in Detroit’s secondary. Currently, the former Hawkeye is listed as a backup to Chris Houston and Jonathan Wade.

Mancini’s Take: While another Amari has been making headlines in New York, Detroit’s version has given coaches reason to stand up and take notice of his instincts and athleticism during recent team drills. The fact that the third-round pick previously missed his offseason workouts doesn’t bode well for him in terms of immediately claiming a spot in the starting lineup. Spievey’s primary competition will come from fourth-year veteran Jonathan Wade, who ended up in coach Steve Spagnuolo’s dog house last year with the Rams after only four starts. The 26-year-old was undisciplined in the Blue and Gold and just simply didn’t make enough plays. But the 5-10 corner seems to have turned over a new leaf

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Q&A: Mitch Zajac, Western Michigan

Getting To Know…Western Michigan’s Mitch Zajac: Zajac is a junior linebacker for the Western Michigan Broncos. Last season, Zajac set career highs for tackles (51) and tackles for loss (4.5) in a season. He made a career-high 10 tackles against Ball State on Nov. 24 and had his first career interception against Kent State on Oct. 31. As a freshman, Zajac appeared in 13 games and made five starts while recording 29 tackles (11 solo) and four pass break-ups. Zajac is a native of Holt, Mich. and is majoring in engineering. Below is a closer look at the WMU linebacker…

Why did you choose Western Michigan University?

I chose WMU based off of the idea that this was one of the best schools that offered a great balance between competitive athletics and renowned academics.

How did you

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Q&A: Mitch Zajac, Western Michigan

Getting To Know…Western Michigan’s Mitch Zajac: Zajac is a junior linebacker for the Western Michigan Broncos. Last season, Zajac set career highs for tackles (51) and tackles for loss (4.5) in a season. He made a career-high 10 tackles against Ball State on Nov. 24 and had his first career interception against Kent State on Oct. 31. As a freshman, Zajac appeared in 13 games and made five starts while recording 29 tackles (11 solo) and four pass break-ups. Zajac is a native of Holt, Mich. and is majoring in engineering. Below is a closer look at the WMU linebacker…

Why did you choose Western Michigan University?

I chose WMU based off of the idea that this was one of the best schools that offered a great balance between competitive athletics and renowned academics.

How did you

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2011 NFL Draft Watch #42: Kyle Rudolph

The countdown continues and our number forty-two prospect in college football is…

Tight End Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame (Junior):

The Skinny: The Notre Dame product might be the most pro-ready junior tight end the NFL has seen in years. Standing at 6’6” and tipping the scales at 265 pounds Rudolph is the absolute prototype for a three-down, inline tight end—if teams were to build a tight end from scratch, those would be the measurements they would input. Combine that with his unique athleticism, superb instincts, great motor, natural gigantic hands, his ability to process information, and the fact that he is a great teammate and it’s easy to see why this young man has been on the radar of pro scouts since his freshman year in South Bend. From a

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LSU/NFF On-Campus Salute for Jerry Stovall

DALLAS, July 6, 2010 – LSU and The National Football Foundation (NFF) College Hall of Fame announced today that they will jointly honor Jerry Stovall with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute Nov. 6, 2010 as the Tigers host Alabama in Baton Rouge. <br <br "This is a great and important recognition for one of the legendary figures in LSU athletics history," LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva said. "This honor is long overdue for someone who had such a tremendous impact on the game of football. Jerry played an important role in our football history and LSU congratulates him on this well-deserved honor." <br <br On May 27, the NFF announced that Stovall, who played halfback at LSU from 1960-62 and earned unanimous All-America honors in '62 will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

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LSU/NFF On-Campus Salute for Jerry Stovall

DALLAS, July 6, 2010 – LSU and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that they will jointly honor Jerry Stovall with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute Nov. 6, 2010 as the Tigers host Alabama in Baton Rouge. <br <br "This is a great and important recognition for one of the legendary figures in LSU athletics history," LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva said. "This honor is long overdue for someone who had such a tremendous impact on the game of football. Jerry played an important role in our football history and LSU congratulates him on this well-deserved honor." <br <br On May 27, the NFF announced that Stovall, who played halfback at LSU from 1960-62 and earned unanimous All-America honors in '62 will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

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