NFL's Future

Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Teddy Bridgewater – Louisville

Height: 6030

Weight: 218

Age when drafted: 21

Hometown: Miami, FL

Position: QB

Collegiate Number: 5

Combine notables: N/A

Games Viewed: 2012 – North Carolina, South Florida, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Florida 2011 – West Virginia

BACKGROUND:

Teddy Bridgewater played his high school football at famed Miami Northwestern High School, which has churned out NFL players for over a decade. Bridgewater took the QB reigns as a sophomore from Jacory Harris. He was the 6^th rated dual-threat QB in the 2011 recruiting class and had offers from most major schools.

After initially committing to the Miami Hurricanes, Bridgewater switched to Charlie Strong and Louisville shortly after Randy Shannon was let go from Miami.

Bridgewater would take over as starter for Louisville in the fourth game of his true freshman season. He would not look back in a season in which he was named Big East Freshman of the Year after throwing for over 2,000 yards and 14 TD’s. As expected, Bridgewater struggled some with decision-making in his freshman season which led to 12 picks.

Bridgewater was officially on the national map following a freshman season that had many buzzing about his future potential. As an encore, Bridgewater would improve on his numbers and overall game as a sophomore.

Bridgewater was a spread quarterback at Miami Northwestern that primarily played out of the shotgun. He would transition to a more pro-style offense at Louisville where he played under center most of the time. It was clear in Bridgewater’s sophomore campaign that he was much more comfortable in the offense and under center running play action and throwing on the move and from traditional drops.

Bridgewater would lead the Cardinals to a Sugar Bowl win over Florida in this sophomore campaign. A season that would see him throw for 3,718 yards, 27 touchdowns, and throw just 8 interceptions. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft: Teddy Bridgewater preseason scouting report»

Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports

David Fales – San Jose State

Height: 6030

Weight: 221

Age when drafted: 23

Hometown: Salinas, CA

Position: QB

Collegiate Number: 10

Combine notables: N/A

Games Viewed: 2012 – Stanford, Utah State, BYU, Bowling Green

BACKGROUND:

David Fales played his high school football at Palma High School in Salinas, California. Fales was a two-time all-league selection but drew very little attention from colleges. The University of Nevada came calling for Fales and he accepted a scholarship to play there after the 2008 season.

Fales would see no game action in 2009 at Nevada sitting behind Colin Kaepernick. Fales would transfer from Nevada after he realized he was going to be asked to be much more of a running quarterback. Fales would leave Nevada following the 2009 season for Monterey Peninsula College. In two seasons at Monterey Fales threw for over 4,500 yards and 37 TD’s. After a summer at the University of Wyoming, Fales went back to Monterey for the fall of 2011.

San Jose State found themselves in a predicament following Tate Forcier leaving the program in 2011. In December 2011, Fales signed a letter of intent to play at San Jose State for the 2012 season.

Fales won the starting job in 2012 and went on to have a phenomenal junior season which included a Military Bowl game win over Bowling Green. Read the rest of this entry » «2014 NFL Draft: David Fales preseason scouting report»

Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Leon McFadden – San Diego State

Height: 5095

Weight: 193

Age when drafted: 23

Hometown: Inglewood, CA

Position: CB

Collegiate Number: 2

Combine notables: 4.54 40 with 1.53 split, 34.5” vertical, 9’11” broad, 6.81 3-cone, 4.27 short shuttle

Games Viewed: 2012 – San Jose State, BYU, Boise State 2011 – TCU

BACKGROUND:

Leon McFadden played his high school ball at St. John Bosco Prep in Inglewood, California.

Leon committed to San Diego State over schools like BYU, Washington, and Utah State due to a promise to play wide receiver. McFadden was moved to the defensive backfield after a rash of injuries. McFadden never looked back as he played in 12 games that season. McFadden would go on to earn All-Mountain West honors the next three seasons, including First-Team All-Mountain West as a senior.

Athletics comes natural to Leon as his father played professional baseball for the Houston Astros organization. Read the rest of this entry » «Leon McFadden Scouting Report»

Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Marcus Lattimore – South Carolina

Height: 5112

Weight: 221

Age when drafted: 21

Hometown: Duncan, SC

Position: RB

Collegiate Number: 21

Combine notables: DNP

Games Viewed: 2012 – Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Missouri, Georgia 2011 – Georgia 2010 – Alabama, Auburn

BACKGROUND:

Marcus Lattimore attended Byrnes High School and was ranked as a five star recruit by all scouting services. He was one of the most highly decorated players in country and chose South Carolina over Auburn on national signing day.

Lattimore would make his presence felt from day one as a true freshman. He burst onto the national stage when he rushed for almost 1,200 yards, which included over 100 yards in three contests. Lattimore would continue his success through the first seven and a half games of his sophomore season before a knee injury ended his season prematurely. Lattimore finished with 818 yards on 163 carries as a sophomore.

Lattimore’s junior season would be a season to prove he could play at 100% following a serious knee injury. As the season wore on, Lattimore progressed as he rushed for 662 yards through nine contests. Lattimore would be unable to complete his junior season following a devastating knee injury that would have some questioning whether he would play at all in 2013.

Lattimore’s recovery has been newsworthy as he’s believed to be on track with playing this coming season. A remarkable recovery given the seriousness of the injury. The only concerns with Lattimore is the durability question following two serious knee injuries that ended his seasons in consecutive seasons. Read the rest of this entry » «Marcus Lattimore Scouting Report»

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Matt Elam – Florida

Height: 5097

Weight: 208

Age when drafted: 21

Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Position: SS

Collegiate Number: 22

Combine notables: 4.54 40 with 1.57 split, 17 bench reps, 35.5” vertical, 9’10” broad jump

Games Viewed: 2012 – Texas A&M, LSU, South Carolina, Florida State, Louisville 2011 – Auburn, Florida State, Ohio State

BACKGROUND:

Matt Elam attended William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Elam was a highly recruited prospect that won the Gatorade Player of the Year and Florida Mr. Football as a senior. Elam was rated as the 14^th overall prospect in the 2010 recruiting class and joined a vaunted class of prospects for Urban Meyer.

Elam made an immediate impact at Florida as a true freshman in his only season playing under Urban Meyer. Elam finished his freshman season with 22 tackles and a sack, playing in all 13 games for the Gators.

Elam would take over as a full-time starter in 2011. Elam would make his presence felt with his physical style of play as he became one of the most feared hitters in college football as a sophomore. He finished the season with 78 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions.

Elam’s final season in Gainesville he was voted as a First-Team All American for his 76 tackle, 2 sack, and 4 interception season.

Elam has NFL bloodlines as his brother Abe has played seven seasons in the NFL after going undrafted in 2005. Read the rest of this entry » «Matt Elam Scouting Report»

Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

Zach Ertz – Stanford University

Height: 6050

Weight: 249

Age when drafted: 22

Hometown: Orange, CA

Position: TE

Collegiate Number: 86

Combine notables: 4.76 40, 30.5” vertical, 9’3” vertical, 24 bench reps

Games Viewed: 2012 – Notre Dame, Washington, Oregon, USC 2011 – Oklahoma St.

BACKGROUND:

Zach Ertz was a standout football and basketball player at Monte Vista High School in Danville, California.

Ertz redshirted in 2009 but came on strong in 2010 as a redshirt freshman. Ertz would play in all 13 games that season and finish with 16 receptions for 160 yards and 5 TD’s. In 2011, Ertz played second fiddle to Coby Fleener but managed to finish the season with 27 receptions, 343 yards, and 4 TD’s. Ertz missed three games that season due to a knee injury. Ertz came on strong in his junior season with 69 catches for 898 yards and 6 TD’s.

Ertz’s father played for Lehigh from 1981-1984. Read the rest of this entry » «Zach Ertz Scouting Report»

Eileen Blass-USA TODAY Sports

Eddie Lacy – Alabama

Height: 5110

Weight: 231

Age when drafted: 22

Hometown: Geismar, LA

Position: RB

Collegiate Number: 42

Combine notables: DNP

Games Viewed: 2012 – LSU, Texas A&M, Georgia, Missouri, Michigan, Arkansas, Auburn, Notre Dame 2011 – Arkansas, LSU

BACKGROUND:

Eddie Lacy graduated from Dutchtown High School in Geismar, LA where he was a standout running back garnering a four star ranking from Rivals.com. Lacy was rated as the 13^th best back and 116^th overall prospect in the 2009 recruiting class by Rivals.

Lacy redshirted in 2009 and emerged as the third string back behind Heisman winner Mark Ingram and 2012 No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson. Despite being third on the depth chart, Lacy gained 406 yards on 56 carries and 6 TD’s during his redshirt freshman season.

Lacy would move up one spot with Ingram heading to the NFL but was still stuck behind Trent Richardson in 2011. Even so, he managed to carry the ball 95 times for 674 yards and 7 TD’s.

2012 would be Lacy’s year to carry the load but the talented Alabama squad had true freshman T.J. Yeldon to spell him. Lacy toted the ball 204 times for 1,322 yards and 17 TD’s.  Read the rest of this entry » «Eddie Lacy Scouting Report»

Richard Mackson-US PRESSWIRE

Johnathan Franklin – UCLA

Height: 5100

Weight: 205

Age when drafted: 23

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Position: RB

Collegiate Number: 23

Combine notables: 4.49 40, 1.54 10 split, 31.5” vertical, 4.31 short shuttle, 6.89 3-cone, 18 bench reps

Games Viewed: 2012 – Rice, Nebraska, Stanford, Baylor 2011 – Houston, Stanford, USC

BACKGROUND:

Johnathan Franklin was a three-year letter winner at Dorsey High School. Franklin was a standout at running back and earned four stars from Rivals.com.

Franklin redshirted in 2008 but was a standout on scout team earning recognition for his efforts. In 2009, Franklin started eight games and played in all thirteen. He led the team in rushing with 566 yards and 5 TD’s. In 2010, Franklin emerged winning team MVP when he totaled 1,127 yards and 8 TD’s on the ground. Franklin lost some steam as junior in 2011 despite averaging 5.9 yards per carry. His senior season served as a breakout season when he rushed for 1,734 yards and 13 TD’s. Most importantly, Franklin showed that he could be a factor in the passing game as he caught 33 passes for 323 yards and 2 TD’s. Read the rest of this entry » «Johnathan Franklin Scouting Report»

Thomas Campbell

Sam Montgomery – LSU

Height: 6032

Weight: 262

Age when drafted: 23

Hometown: Greenwood, SC

Position: DE

Collegiate Number: 99

Combine notables: 4.81 40 with 1.64 split, 34.5” vertical, 7.18 3-cone, 4.51 short shuttle

Games Viewed: 2012 – Washington, Auburn, Florida, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Alabama, Clemson 2011 – Alabama, Georgia

BACKGROUND:

Sam Montgomery was a standout defensive end at Greenwood High School in Greenwood South Carolina. He was a standout basketball player at Greenwood as well and teammate of South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger. Montgomery racked up 26 sacks over the course of his final two years in high school and was a four-star recruit that chose LSU over in state schools such as South Carolina and Clemson.

Montgomery redshirted in 2009 and ended his redshirt freshman season (2010) with 18 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Montgomery burst onto the national scene as a sophomore with 49 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks. Montgomery’s final season in Baton Rouge ended with 8 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Read the rest of this entry » «Sam Montgomery Scouting Report»

Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Logan Ryan – Rutgers

Height: 5111

Weight: 191

Age when drafted: 22

Hometown: Berlin, NJ

Position: CB

Collegiate Number: 11

Combine notables: 4.56 40 with 1.50 split, 32.5” vertical, 9’8” broad, 6.69 3-cone, 4.06 short shuttle

Games Viewed: 2012 – Arkansas, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Connecticut 2011 – Iowa State

BACKGROUND:

Logan Ryan attended Eastern High School in Voorhees, New Jersey. At Eastern HS, Ryan earned All-State honors at quarterback and cornerback. He was a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.

Ryan redshirted in 2009 as a true freshman. He saw action in all 11 games as a redshirt sophomore making 9 tackles and 1 pass broken up. As a redshirt sophomore, Ryan emerged as one of the top corners in college football. He made 67 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and 14 pass break ups. Ryan continued his phenomenal play in 2012. He notched 94 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 17 pass break ups. Read the rest of this entry » «Logan Ryan Scouting Report»