December 2010 – Page 13 – Priced Out of the Citi

2011 NFL Draft Stock Watch 12/02/10

It’s time for another edition of “Draft Stock Report”, a list of six players that are on their way up draft boards and six other players that are heading in the opposite direction as of this writing.

STOCK UP

DJ WILLIAMS TE ARKANSAS: Williams is one of the best tight ends in the nation and his case has certainly been helped by the injury to Greg Childs, the Razorback’s leading receiver, because the passing game now seems to run through Williams on most plays. He’s been consistently climbing the board at his position and while some of that has to do with players around him falling, such as seniors Luke Stocker and Weslye Saunders, it’s Williams’ receiving skills that has scouts captivated. Williams is the NCAA’s active career leader in receptions and receiving

Jerrod Johnson Receives Senior Bowl Invite

Despite struggling in the first six games of his senior season and eventually being benched in favor of Ryan Tannehill, quarterback Jerrod Johnson has been chosen to participate in the Senior Bowl, according to the Dallas News.

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For more on Jerrod Johnson, click here.

Senior Bowl: Texas A&M QB Jerrod Johnson Invited

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For more on Jerrod Johnson, click here.

Jim Plunkett Compares Luck To The Mannings

In an interview with sports radio station WFNZ 610 The Fan, via FoxCharlotte.com, former Stanford and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Plunkett sang the praise of Andrew Luck, something that has become a common theme around many NFL Draft site.

Like NFL stars Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning and New York Giants QB Eli Manning, Luck’s father is a former NFL quarterback; West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck.

“(Andrew) Luck reminds me a lot of the Manning boys, Peyton and Eli. The same kind of genes they got from their dad, Archie, he seems to have from his dad,” Plunkett said. The 1970 Heisman Trophy winner continued. “He throws extremely well off-balanced, which is very important in the NFL because of the pass rush.”

When asked, if he would build a team around Andrew Luck, Plunkett didn’t hesitate, “I don’t think there’s

Is Mikel LeShoure This Year’s Ryan Mathews?

Illinois running back Mikel LeShoure may have raised his NFL Draft stock more than any player in college football this season. Entering the year, the junior remained under the radar, coming off a modest sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 734 yards. This season, LeShoure has piled up 1,371 yards and 16 total touchdowns, including seven 100-yard rushing games. His descent up nfl draft boards is similar to Ryan Mathews of Fresno State from a year ago.

Suddenly, LeShoure is near the top of everyone’s list as one of the premier running back prospects in the nation, making his decision to return to Illinois or declare for the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft a hot topic of conversation on campus.

“The coaches told me it’s a definitely a decision to make, but right now the only thing to think about is finishing the

Senior Bowl Watch: Brian Fusco, Slippery Rock

Slippery Rock University senior offensive center Brandon Fusco was named Tuesday as a national finalist for the eighth annual Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award sponsored by the Manheim (Pa.) Touchdown Club.

Fusco has also been invited to play in the NFLPA Game and is on the “watch list” for the East/West Shrine, Senior Bowl and Cactus Bowl (Division II) all-star games.

The Upshaw Award national finalist honor is the latest addition to an impressive collection of awards received by the two-time Rock team captain and 2009 Offensive MVP.

“Brandon Fusco is an offensive lineman who can dominate a football game. He has the size, strength, and athleticism along with an intense work ethic that makes him the best center in Division 2 football and one of the top centers in all of college football. That’s why he is a legitimate NFL

Senior Bowl Watch: Brian Fusco, Slippery Rock

Fusco has also been invited to play in the NFLPA Game and is on the “watch list” for the East/West Shrine, Senior Bowl and Cactus Bowl (Division II) all-star games.

The Upshaw Award national finalist honor is the latest addition to an impressive collection of awards received by the two-time Rock team captain and 2009 Offensive MVP.

Scout’s Notebook: Florida @ Florida St.

SCOUT’S NOTEBOOK: FLORIDA FLORIDA ST.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen! The perennial powerhouse Florida Gators put another black mark on their season by falling to their in-state rivals from Florida State, 31-7, in a contest that was never close. While the Blue and Orange have a world of talent on defense, their offense is an absolute mess. Their lack of faith in quarterback John Brantley has forced the Gators to shuffle three signal callers in and out of games, which has prevented the team from developing any chemistry. Florida has a non-existent passing game and looks a lot worse than its 7-5 record.

Ponder pounds the Gators into submission

While the jury is out on quarterback Christian Ponder as far as where he’ll land in the upcoming NFL draft, there’s no denying that the senior field general put his best traits on display before the capacity crowd

Scout’s Notebook: Florida @ Florida St.

SCOUT’S NOTEBOOK: FLORIDA FLORIDA ST.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen! The perennial powerhouse Florida Gators put another black mark on their season by falling to their in-state rivals Florida State Seminoles 31-7 in a contest that was never close. While the Blue and Orange have a world of talent on defense, their offense is an absolute mess. Their lack of faith in quarterback John Brantley has forced the Gators to shuffle three signal callers in and out of games, which has prevented the team from developing any chemistry. Florida has a non-existent passing game and looks a lot worse than its 7-5 record.

Ponder pounds the Gators into submission

While the jury is out on quarterback Christian Ponder as far as where he’ll land in the upcoming NFL Draft, there’s no denying that the senior field general put his best traits on display before a capacity crowd in

Senior Bowl: Noel Devine Receives An Invite

Noel Devine spoke to the media Tuesday for the first time since the week of the LSU game, when he suffered the toe injury that kept him limited in subsequent games.

The majority of the questions he fielded in his return to the media room regarded his injuries throughout the season and how difficult it was for him to watch from the sidelines as other players took some of his production. However, there was one piece of news he imparted on the folks with microphones in his face.

The question was whether or not the time before the bowl game would give Devine time to heal and be 100 percent. His answer:

“You’ve got a great chance to see something this week and then definitely the Senior Bowl,” he said, before correcting himself and saying, “Not the Senior Bowl. I got invited to that, but