Buckeyes vs. Trojans an NFL bonanza [Archive]

bk3030

09-09-2008, 07:41 PM

Buckeyes vs. Trojans an NFL bonanza

http://assets.espn.go.com/i/columnists/McShay_Todd_55.jpg (http://x.go.com/cgi/x.pl?goto=http://search.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=todd_mcshay&name=SEARCH_m_archive&srvc=sz) By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.

Saturday night's colossal showdown between No. 5 Ohio State and No. 1 USC is an NFL scout's dream. By my count, 17 senior prospects in this game carry draft-worthy grades, including four potential first-round selections. That's not even counting the 19 eligible underclassmen who already appear draftable.
Simply put, at no point during college football's regular season will more NFL-caliber talent play on one field. The following is a breakdown of the potential pros on each team that scouts will be monitoring Saturday night in Los Angeles. Included in each player's listing is his height, weight and 40-yard dash time. Ohio State Buckeyes (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=194)
What to expect?
So what will happen when all these future NFL players step on the field? Scouts Inc. has examined every angle in the OSU-USC matchup and has your answer.

• Scouts: Defensive battle? (http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/features/take2?gameId=282570030) http://assets.espn.go.com/i/in.gif
1. ILB James Laurinaitis (6-2, 240, 4.75) | Projection: first round
Laurinaitis would have been a first-round pick had he declared for the 2008 draft. He has the size, instincts and range to make an immediate impact in the NFL, and a strong senior season should make him one of the first linebackers off the board in 2009.
2. CB Malcolm Jenkins (6-0, 195, 4.45) | Projection: first round
Jenkins doesn't have elite change-of-direction skills for a corner, and he has lined up at safety only occasionally, but he's a first-round talent at both positions. He has great speed for his size and is a playmaker in coverage and an excellent tackler. If his footwork and short-area man-to-man cover skills improve this year, he could very well be the first defensive back to come off the board in 2009.
3. WR Brian Robiskie (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=174003) (6-2, 190, 4.52) | Projection: second round
Robiskie doesn't have elite natural ability, but he's a crisp route-runner who has adequate speed and strong hands. In addition, he's coming off a breakout junior season, and his stock should rise if he can build on that this year.
4. OLB Marcus Freeman (6-1, 240, 4.60) | Projection: second or third round
Freeman isn't exceptional in any one area, but he has enough size, athletic ability and speed to emerge as a first-day pick if he has a strong senior campaign.
5. OT Alex Boone (6-7, 315, 5.30) | Projection: second or third round
Boone has the size, quick feet and upper-body strength of an NFL left tackle. But his footwork needs to be more consistent, and he needs to show more power at the point of attack before he can be considered a viable option in the first round.
6. QB Todd Boeckman (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=156811) (6-3⅝, 230, 4.90) | Projection: middle rounds
Boeckman took over as Ohio State's starter last season, and his inexperience still shows at times, as he is still learning how to read coverage and take what the defense is giving him. However, he flashed potential to contribute in the NFL, showing a strong arm and above-average accuracy when he set his feet. He also has prototypical size for an NFL quarterback.
7. G Steve Rehring (6-6¾, 328, 5.30) | Projection: mid-to-late rounds
Rehring can engulf undersized defenders as a drive-blocker, and his wide frame makes it harder for pass-rushers to get past him. However, he still has a lot of work to do in terms of footwork and developing a violent punch. At this point he projects as a middle-to-late round pick.
8. RB Maurice Wells (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=174017) (5-9, 185, 4.55) | Projection: late rounds or free agent
Wells' versatility gives him a chance to contribute in the NFL. The biggest knock on him heading into his senior season is his inability to consistently pick up yards after contact, but he still projects as a possible late-round pick. Other OSU seniors
DT Nader Abdallah (6-4, 300, 5.20) | Free agent
TE Rory Nicol (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=156862) (6-4, 245, 4.85) | Free agent
S Jamario O'Neal (6-0, 206, 4.61) | Free agent
G Benjamin Person (6-3, 305, 5.30) | Free agent
OLB Curtis Terry (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=156877) (6-0½, 230, 4.70) | Free agent Draftable OSU underclassmen
RB Chris Wells (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183932) (6-0⅝, 237)
DE Lawrence Wilson (6-4⅛, 275)
C Jim Cordle (6-4⅛, 297)
CB Donald Washington (6-0⅛, 193)
WR Brian Hartline (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=173997) (6-2?, 187)
DE Doug Worthington (6-6⅛, 277)
S Anderson Russell (6-0⅛, 206)
WR Ray Small (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=188315) (5-11, 181)
S Kurt Coleman (5-11, 190)
PK Aaron Pettrey (6-1⅛, 197) USC Trojans (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=30)
1. ILB Rey Maualuga (6-1⅞, 260, 4.75) | Projection: first round
Maualuga possesses rare physical tools and above-average instincts. If he carries over the momentum he built late last season -- particularly his dominating showing in the Rose Bowl -- Maualuga will challenge to be the first linebacker selected in April's draft.
2. OLB Brian Cushing (6-2¾ 253, 4.75) | Projection: first or second round
Cushing is one of the top outside linebackers in the 2009 class thanks to a unique combination of size and agility. He also brings to the table an intense approach to the game. He currently grades out as a fringe first-rounder.
3. S Kevin Ellison (6-0¾, 226, 4.65) | Projection: third round
Ellison possesses outstanding size, above-average instincts and adequate straight-line speed. He supports the run hard and displays decent range in zone coverage. Ellison is slated to come of the board late on the first day of the 2009 draft.
4. DT Fili Moala (6-4⅜, 282, 5.15) | Projection: third round
Moala has the frame, quickness and athletic ability to be one of the first defensive linemen selected in 2009. However, his inability to hold his ground when teams run at him is clear on film and a reason for concern. He needs to play with more consistency and show better leverage in the run game in order to maximize his first-day potential.
5. CB Cary Harris (5-11¼, 183, 4.50) | Projection: mid-to-late rounds
Harris is smart, athletic and tough for his size, but his lack of a second gear and prototypical quickness puts a relatively low ceiling on his NFL draft stock.
6. G Jeffrey Byers (6-3, 288, 5.25) | Projections: late rounds
Byers is quick and instinctive, but he has only decent size and strength for the position. Durability is a major issue as well. As it stands now, Byers projects as a late-round pick or rookie free agent in 2009.
7. WR Patrick Turner (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=175345) (6-5¼, 223, 4.70) | Projection: Late rounds
Turner has elite size to go along with solid ball skills. However, he lacks separation speed and needs to be more consistent catching the ball this year. Turner projects as a late-round pick.
8. PK David Buehler (6-2, 225, 4.75) | Projection: Late rounds or free agent
Buehler has a strong leg to go along with good athleticism for the position.
9. DE Kyle Moore (6-5¼, 263, 4.95) | Projection: Late rounds or free agent
Moore is an interesting prospect at this point. He is versatile enough to play with his hand down in a 4-3 scheme or as a stand-up linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. That said, his production has never reached his talent level. Other USC seniors
OLB Clay Matthews (6-3¾, 238, 4.75) | Free agent
DB Josh Pinkard (6-1⅛, 207, 4.60) | Free agent
DE Gerald Washington (6-5½, 250, 5.00) | Free agent Draftable USC underclassmen
DB Taylor Mays (6-3⅛, 227)
QB Mark Sanchez (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=174154) (6-2½, 225)
RB Stafon Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183229) (5-11, 216)
WR Vidal Hazelton (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183226) (6-2¼, 212
WR Damian Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=189767) (6-1¼, 189)
OLB Luthur Brown (6-2, 233)
FB Allen Bradford (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183222) (5-11, 223)
TE Anthony McCoy (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183233) (6-4⅝, 253)
CB Shareece Wright (6-0, 183)
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.