The Boise State versus Georgia matchup was a big one in terms of the national championship picture, but also a big stage for senior prospects to begin their road to the 2012 draft. Billy Winn and Cordy Glenn were the top-rated prospects in this game. Glenn faces a big challenge in moving outside to left tackle from guard where he starred in 2010.
Boise State
Kellen Moore – quarterback – Moore’s stats line was an impressive 28 out of 34 for 261 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. In terms of projection to an NFL system, there wasn’t much on show here to either prove or disprove his hopes of making the jump to the next level. Only ten of his passes were over ten yards and of those only three were over 20 yards, one being the interception which he just floated up into triple coverage. He was eight out of eight under ten yards to his left which was his strongest area. Two of his touchdowns were in the middle of the field, but again under ten yards. He didn’t make any of the twenty plus yard out routes which are a staple of NFL passing systems. His release is nice and quick plus he clearly was in command of the offense. However, when under pressure he did flinch somewhat and his interception was one of those plays. The projection to the NFL is very difficult to make from this offense and we may have to wait to the Senior Bowl All-Star game before we can see him make some NFL type throws and really judge him.
Doug Martin – running back – Martin didn’t have a great night statistically running for only 57 yards on 24 carries. However, he did run hard and showed a burst through the hole. He had most success when getting outside which was a little surprising against a fast Southeastern Conference defense. He was able to turn the corner a couple of times, including on his touchdown run. He showed the ability to stick his foot in the ground and make cuts at speed. When finishing his runs, he did a good job of getting low and driving to get all he could out of the run. His pass protection was questionable as he tended to go for the cut block, which NFL defenders would be able to hurdle most of the time. As a receiver he looked comfortable making three grabs. Overall he impressed more than his stat line would suggest.
Nate Potter – offensive tackle – Potter comes into the season as a very highly-rated offensive tackle prospect. He’s by no means a big mauler, but he looks to be fairly athletic and would suit a zone blocking scheme such as Mike Shanahan’s system. He only struggled one time with speed off the edge, having to dive to push his man upfield. Outside of this he looked smooth setting up in pass protection. He kept his balance nicely, sitting in his stance and then shooting his hands out to shove his man back. In the run game he did a very nice job of playing square and sealing the edge. Again, he’s not a mauler who you see driving his man way back, but in the right scheme he will be a fine fit.
Billy Winn – defensive tackle – Winn rotated heavily in this one and thus wasn’t in the game all of the time. However, he showed flashes of his ability. He got himself a sack on a play where he got under Cordy Glenn, driving him back and then came off the block to sack the quarterback. He comes off the ball very hard and got penetration on a few plays, including a very nice play where he was in the backfield to disrupt a running play. He got off blocks a couple of times, but more is needed in that respect. I’d like to have seen him on the field a little more and a few more bigger plays. As it is, his flashes are that of a high draft pick, but there needs to be more.
Georgia
Cordy Glenn – offensive tackle – Glenn moved outside to left tackle from his spot at left guard in 2010. He comes into the year rated as a very high draft pick, but in this one he had a rough game. He gave up three sacks and really struggled in pass protection. He looked very sluggish off the ball, often being the last offensive lineman to get out of his stance. His feet just weren’t moving and he had to bend at the waist to turn his man upfield, which left him off balance. Two of the sacks he gave up were just straight speed rushes, with the other when Winn got under him and out leveraged him. There were flashes of his power in the run game, but he looked very much out of position and if this play continues his stock will fall.
Ben Jones – center – Jones also had a rough game, particularly in the first half. He struggled against Boise’s nose tackle and looked overmatched strength-wise. In pass protection he didn’t sink his butt to anchor, so against power it was easy for the defensive tackles to get under him and walk him back to the quarterback. He gave up a sack on one such play and he really looked overmatched. He kept fighting though and recovered to play better in the second half. Overall though he didn’t look like the first round pick many have him down as being.
Brandon Boykin – cornerback – Boykin made some noise on Twitter before the game daring Boise State to kick to him. They did so and he nearly broke a 40 yard kickoff return. Outside of this he was bottled up though. He did make an appearance on offense though and showed he can pick a hole with a fantastic 80 yard reverse for a touchdown. On defense he was over the slot receiver. He wasn’t tested a great deal, but he did look quick to get involved in defending the run game which is a real positive for smaller player (5’10”, 184 lbs). He did a nice job breaking up one pass, getting his head turned around and knocking the ball away. Unfortunately he was beaten for a short touchdown, the receiver was slow off the ball then accelerated past him to get separation and the score. He is always going to be limited by his size (tough for him to match up against big NFL receivers), but he does have talent.
Blair Walsh – kicker – only had the one field goal attempt on the day, which he missed from 54 yards, not something to hold against him. His kickoffs had good depth and two made it into the end zone. There will be lots of better opportunities to show his talent this year.
Drew Butler – punter – Butler had to punt five times and did a nice job averaging 48 yards a punt. His long was a 56 yard effort, but he somewhat outkicked his coverage team as there was plenty of room for the returner and a big return ensued. Otherwise he got good height on his kicks and looked every bit the NFL punter.
Paul Emery - Paul Emery has been following the NFL Draft since the mid 80's and watches over 250 games a year in order to pick out the best ...
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