Keenan Reynolds (19) rushes for a first down during the fourth quarter of the 115th annual Army-Navy game against the Army Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium. Navy Midshipmen defeated Army Black Knights 17-10. Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For 28 NFL teams, the 2015 season is complete and attention has turned to the NFL Draft. And the first step of “draft season” is the all-star circuit, including the East-West Shrine Game, which kicks off here Monday.
The game is scheduled for Saturday at Tropicana Field, but most of the work and scouting will be done during the week at daily practices. This year’s Shrine Game is the 91st edition, the first and longest running all-star game in football.
More than 100 prospects from last year’s Shrine Game were either drafted or signed as free agents, including safety Jordan Richards (64th overall, New England Patriots), offensive guard John Miller (81st overall, Buffalo Bills) and linebacker Jake Ryan (129th overall, Green Bay Packers).
This year’s roster has several potential top 100 prospects and other players who will round out NFL rosters. A position-by-position look at the offensive prospects to watch this week:
QUARTERBACKS
This year’s senior crop of quarterbacks might not have a top 10 pick, but there is fantastic depth in the mid- to later rounds, and a few of those talented passers will be on display during Shrine week.
Western Kentucky’s Brandon Doughty (6-feet-3, 216 pounds) is the top quarterback prospect in St. Petersburg and I’ll be eager to see his transition from WKU’s up-tempo spread to a more pro-style scheme during practice. He has an adequate arm, but relies on touch and timing over velocity, struggling to speed up his process under pressure. Doughty is very impressive when in rhythm, evidence by his gaudy starting production, becoming the first FBS quarterback to tally 97 passing touchdowns over a two-year span.
Indiana’s Nate Sudfeld (6-6, 240) needs a lot of work, but he has the frame, arm strength and intangibles that will appeal to NFL teams as a developmental project.
Other quarterbacks: Jake Rudock, Michigan (6-2, 208); Blake Frohnapfel, Massachusetts (6-6, 230); Joel Stave, Wisconsin (6-4, 219); Vernon Adams, Oregon (5-11, 205).
RUNNING BACKS
The best pure running back in this all-star game is Illinois’ Josh Ferguson (5-9, 195), who battled injuries as a senior, but when healthy he was the Illini’s top offensive weapon. He runs decisive and anticipates blocks well to navigate through a crowd, giving defenders minimal time to react. Ferguson is a one-speed back and lacks a second gear, but he runs low to the ground with burst in and out of his cuts.
Arguably the most notable name participating in this all-star game, Navy’s Keenan Reynolds, will be making the transition from quarterback to running back in St. Pete. The move should come natural to him because his running ability is what made him so dynamic in Navy’s option offense, using his vision and shifty moves to create on his own. Scouts will be paying attention to Reynolds during practice when he doesn’t have the ball to see how he blocks, runs route and acclimates himself to the new position.
Other running backs/fullbacks: Devon Johnson, Marshall (6-1, 243); Storm Woods, Oregon State (5-11, 203); Daniel Lasco, California (6-0, 210); Derek Watt, Wisconsin (6-1, 236).
WIDE RECEIVERS
One of the deeper positions on the Shrine Game rosters, there are several wide receivers worth keeping tabs on. Massachusetts’ Tajae Sharpe (6-3, 200) is a tall, linear athlete with strong hands to pluck, adjusting well to off-target throws and showing a fearless attitude. He doesn’t show much burst in his breaks, struggling to consistently separate, which will be tested in one-on-one reps vs. cornerbacks during practice.
Tulsa’s Keyarris Garrett (6-3, 221) passes the eye test with a large catch radius and long strides to accelerate and gain a step vertically. He uses his frame to gain position in his routes, but doesn’t routinely play up to his size and his rhythm is too easily disrupted by physical defensive backs. Can he consistently sink and separate out of his breaks on short-to-intermediate routes?
The only Colorado receiver to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark twice, Nelson Spruce (6-1, 205) doesn’t have ideal size, but he’s not skinny and shows required toughness over the middle. He has quick eyes to snatch the ball and shows an understanding of how to create room to work at the top of routes with hesitation and body fakes. Unfortunately, Spruce is sidelined due to an injury and might not participate this week.
Other wide receivers: Devon Cajuste, Stanford (6-3, 227); Chris Brown, Notre Dame (6-2, 195); Cody Core, Ole Miss (6-2, 205); Rashawn Scott, Miami (6-2, 205); Robby Anderson, Temple (6-2, 190); Geronimo Allison, Illinois (6-3, 195); Hunter Sharp, Utah State (5-11, 200); Jared Dangerfield, Western Kentucky (6-2, 205).
TIGHT ENDS
Although not the most dynamic tight end prospect this draft has to offer, Virginia Tech’s Ryan Malleck (6-4, 245) is a competitive blocker, creating movement in the run game. He lacks the body control to easily adjust to off-target throws, but he has the smooth release off the line of scrimmage and runs physical after the catch, using his balance and powerful build to brush off tackle attempts.
Underutilized and stuck with poor quarterback play, Vanderbilt’s Steven Scheu (6-5, 245) finished with only 26 catches and 231 yards as a senior. However, he is a sound, detailed route runner with the flexibility to make tough catches look easy. Scheu needs to show more nastiness as a blocker, but he has the athleticism to break down and seal in space.
Other tight ends: David Morgan, UTSA (6-4, 250); Kyle Carter, Penn State (6-3, 242); Darrion Griswold, Arkansas State (6-5, 264); Kivon Cartwright, Colorado State (6-3, 245).
OFFENSIVE LINE
Nebraska left tackle Alex Lewis (6-6, 290) has the talent for the next level, but does he have the maturity and level head required for the NFL? Although he can get clunky in his kick slide, Lewis brings his feet with him and stays balanced. He is an assignment sound blocker who gets the job done, but his baggage – on and off the field – will take him off several draft boards around the league.
Although he played left tackle at Cincinnati, Parker Ehinger (6-6, 292) projects best inside at guard in the NFL and is expected to line up inside during Shrine practice. He anticipates well and uses his forceful hands and body angles to cut off speed, but his narrow base will push him inside at the next level and might keep him from being a starter.
Other offensive tackles: Fahn Cooper, Ole Miss (6-4, 311); Brandon Shell, South Carolina (6-5, 323); Stephane Nembolt, Colorado (6-7, 305); Tyler Johnstone, Oregon (6-6, 285); Taylor Fallin, Memphis (6-6, 300); Keith Lumpkin, Rutgers (6-7, 315); Lene Maiava, Arizona (6-5, 304).
Other offensive guards: Joe Thuney, NC State (6-5, 285); Vi Teofilo, Arizona State (6-3, 302P; Chase Farris, Ohio State (6-5, 308); Ted Karras, Illinois (6-4, 300); Alex Huettel, Bowling Green (6-3, 292); Charles Vaillancourt, Laval (6-4, 315); Donavon Clark, Michigan State (6-3, 310).
Other offensive centers: Jake Brendel, UCLA (6-3, 285); Sioasi Aiono, Utah (6-2, 305); Robert Kugler, Purdue (6-3, 298); Marcus Henry, Boise State (6-3, 294); Graham Glasgow, Michigan (6-5, 308); Sean McEwen, Calgary (6-3, 297).
Dane Brugler is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, a property of The Sports Xchange distributed in partnership with CBSSports.com.
