Early in the season there have been a number of superb performances from undersized wide receivers who project to the slot at the next level. T.Y. Hilton (Florida International), Kendall Wright (Baylor) and Marquis Maze (Alabama) have all produced some dynamic plays, as returners as well as receivers. Could Ryan Broyles step up after he was largely shutdown by Florida State?
Oklahoma’s Travis Lewis is one of three top linebacker prospects in this game. He had just returned from injury in the Florida State game, so the Texas game offered a chance to see him again now that he is 100% healthy.
New Texas defensive co-ordinator Manny Diaz sent two linebackers to the NFL last year (Mississippi State’s K.J. Wright and Chris White), so he already has a pedigree with pro scouts. Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho are blitzing more often this year in a very aggressive scheme. Would the Oklahoma game give them the springboard to a high slot in the draft?
Oklahoma
Ryan Broyles – wide receiver – Broyles started the game with a big play and went on to make nine catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. The Longhorns didn’t use press coverage against him as Florida State did and they paid the price. The Seminoles had a linebacker over him at times, but Acho and Robinson were kept inside and indeed for much of the game he was against off man coverage. When faced with press he showed good quickness off the line and was still able to make plays.
Broyles looks quicker in short areas than fast over long distances. He showed that quickness on his first reception, turning inside after the catch to leave his man tackling air. He also showed after a 30 yard catch down the seam, that he could break tackles. He literally bounced off the tackler to get 10 yards after the catch. He had one drop on the day when hit by a safety. At times he does let the ball get into his body too much and when hit the ball is more likely to bounce out. Overall, this was a big game for Broyles and he managed to keep pace with Hilton, Wright and Maze.
Frank Alexander – defensive end – Alexander came into the season with a late round grade, but is fast moving up my board. I was very impressed with him against Florida State’s Andrew Datko and he dominated this game. His stat line says it all, three sacks, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, forced fumble, six tackles and even a pass breakup! Alexander is listed at 252 lbs and was used at times standing up off the edge and he projects to that position as a pro. He showed enough speed to trouble the Texas left tackle off the edge. His best play of the day, though, was actually from a defensive tackle spot. He literally threw off Texas guard David Snow, sacked the quarterback and forced a fumble. He showed the ability to set the edge in the run game, forcing plays back into pursuit. It’s time Alexander started getting some mentions as a mid round pick.
Travis Lewis – linebacker – Lewis is a very active linebacker and had eight tackles on the day. He lines up in several different positions, including over the slot receiver at times. He looks very comfortable in coverage and indeed is able to read the game very well. On a screen play he wasn’t fooled and was in perfect position and the Texas quarterback had to throw the ball away. He shows good closing speed and many of his plays are when he’s able to read, react and beat his blocker to the play.
The negative with him is that when a blocker does get onto him, he struggles more to make plays. He’s listed at 232 lbs, so is a little light for a pro 3-4 system. He projects best as a 4-3 linebacker and will be perfect for a team that has a big defensive line which is able to keep their linebackers clean.
Jamell Fleming – cornerback – Fleming mostly plays off man or zone coverage. He’s able to keep everything in front of him. He did have a number of shorter receptions caught in front of him, but he was able to come up quickly and stop them turning into big gains. He had some big plays in this game, his highlight being a forced fumble, recovery and return for a touchdown. He was also very active in the run game, not always the case for a cornerback. In the first half he did lose outside contain, allowing a big gain. However, he clearly wasn’t going to make that mistake twice and in blitzing twice off the edge in the second half he was under control and set the edge first before making tackles.
Texas
Kheeston Randall – defensive tackle – Randall came into the season with a high grade, but unlike Alexander his stock is descending. He made just the one tackle in this game. He had two quarterback pressures, but otherwise was kept quiet as a pass rusher. He’s playing either right over the center (when Texas use three man fronts) or in the gap between center and guard (the one technique position), which is the same as last years system. For some reason he looks far less explosive this year. Perhaps he has been asked to add weight and it’s not suiting him. He will need to work things out fairly quickly before he slips further down boards.
Keenan Robinson – linebacker – Robinson has a fantastic frame and indeed one gravitates to him even when trying to watch fellow linebacker Emmanuel Acho. He’s used in coverage a little more than Acho, looking very comfortable. He had responsibility for the running back or tight end and he had no problem athletically, moving very well. He had a problem only one time when a play action fake and throw back to the running back slowed him down.
However, he showed nice recovery speed to prevent a big gain (seven yards). He showed good laterally movement and his range is impressive. With Acho blitzing quite a lot, he is used to clean up behind and does this very well. He can also mix it up inside, although Oklahoma isn't a real power running team. He looks like he will be a very high draft pick if this level of play continues.
Emmanuel Acho – linebacker – Acho is actually listed as one pound heavier than Robinson (240 lbs), but looks 10 pounds lighter. He attack a little more than Robinson and he flies around making tackles. Like Lewis he’s very active and had eight tackles. He is used in coverage a little less than Robinson, but when asked to do so he looked very comfortable. He flashed the ability to get off blocks, but did get caught up in traffic a little too much. He doesn’t look quite the prospect Robinson does, but he still looks like a high pick.
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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