2009 NFP scouting series: Cincinnati

This summer, the National Football Post is breaking down every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) to identify players who might warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats return a talented group of skill-position prospects on offense and look prepared to defend their 2008 Big East championship.

Offense

Tony Pike: No. 15, QB, 6-6, 212

A tall, lanky quarterback but, surprisingly, a decent athlete who can escape pressure and keep plays alive with his feet. Possesses a strong arm with a high release point and has the ability to make all the throws needed at the next level. Throws a tight spiral from the pocket and can spin the football and put it on receivers in a hurry.

APQuarterback Tony Pike

Does a good job buying time in the pocket and keeping his eyes down the field. Showcases decent awareness and exhibits the savvy to step up and avoid the rush. Has the arm strength and coordination to throw off balance and is accurate enough to hit receivers in stride on the move. Isn’t afraid to stare down the barrel of the shotgun and deliver a strike in the face of danger.

Overall, demonstrates good accuracy on all levels of the field and does a nice job consistently stepping into throws. However, he has a tendency to hang on to the ball too long and doesn’t always throw on time. Needs to do a better job going through his progressions quicker and scanning the entire field. Will get caught locking on to his primary target too much and forcing the ball into coverage.

Impression: All the physical tools are there, but for him to take his game to the next level, he needs to quicken the mental aspect of his game. If he does that, there’s no reason he can’t become one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation.

Mardy Gilyard: No. 1, WR, 6-0, 187

A natural receiver who showcases good concentration and consistently extends his arms and plucks the ball away from his frame. Does a nice job tracking the ball down the field and possesses the coordination to adjust to the throw. Lacks elite deep speed but has enough to threaten cornerbacks deep and get down the field. Displays good body control as a route runner and has the footwork to stop on a dime and work his way back toward the ball. Possesses the balance to get out of his breaks sharply and does a nice job sinking his hips when changing directions. Is slippery with the ball in his hands and exhibits the quickness to make a man miss and create after the catch.

Is very thin and certainly can be bullied in all areas of his game. Isn’t a real powerful route runner and is easily knocked off balance by arm jabs from corners. Struggles fighting through physical coverage down the field and can be easily boxed away from the ball. Isn’t asked to consistently beat press coverage and is allowed to cleanly get off the line and into routes, a luxury he wont have in the NFL.

Impression: A smooth, savvy route runner who displays the burst to cleanly separate out of his breaks. However, he lacks the size and strength to develop into that No. 1-type option at the next level and looks more like very capable No. 2.

Kazeem Alli: No. 83, TE/FB, 6-3, 258

A good-looking physical specimen who carries his weight well and is used in a variety of ways in the Cincinnati offense. Possesses a good first step off the ball and is able to quickly get to the second level. However, he isn’t much of a factor in the pass game and struggles sinking his hips and cleanly getting out of his routes.

APTight end Kazeem Alli

Isn’t a real coordinated blocker, plays too straight-legged and lacks flexibility in his lower half. Has a long reach and makes it difficult for defenders to get into his frame, but struggles with his hand placement and is easily shed at the point of attack. Gets too high out of his stance and lacks the fluidity to quickly redirect and mirror linemen in space. Struggles gaining initial leverage on contact and lacks the ability to consistently drive defenders off the ball.

Impression: A good-looking athlete, but he lacks bend in his lower half and struggles blocking with any kind of leverage.

Jeff Linkenbach: No. 71, OT, 6-6, 308

Lacks the flexibility to sit into his stance but displays a long wingspan and does a great job engulfing defenders at the point of attack. Has the power in his lower half to walk linemen down the field and create some movement in the run game. However, he isn’t real heavy-handed, and his inability to stay on blocks shows up in all areas of his game. Exhibits a quick initial first step out of his stance and does a nice job getting his feet around opposing linemen and sealing them on the edge. But lacks the body control to be a factor in space and consistently lunges into a blocks and is sidestepped before he can engage.

Possesses a decent kick-step on the outside, and when he extends his arms he’s tough to turn the corner on. However, he gets too high in pass protection and struggles with his lateral mobility. Allows defenders to easily counter him inside and doesn’t possess the footwork to mirror in space.

Impression: Lacks the flexibility, balance and footwork to man the offensive tackle spot in the NFL.

Defense

Ricardo Mathews: No. 90, DT, 6-2, 295

Coils up well into his stance and delivers a good jolt at the point of attack, but needs to do a better job keeping his head up and extending his arms on contact. Lacks proper hand placement inside, although he has a tendency to get too high when trying to disengage from blocks.

Has a quick first step off the ball and showcases the straight-line speed to make plays away from his frame. But he lacks the balance and technique to protect himself from blocks inside and consistently ends up on the ground.

Impression: Displays some natural athletic ability, but is very raw and struggles playing off blocks.

Brad Jones: No. 25, CB/FS, 6-1, 202

A tall, well-built defensive back with long arms. Exhibits some intriguing power as a tackler, but he gets too high with his footwork and struggles redirecting in space. Is slow to transition out of his drop and lacks the recovery speed to run with receivers down the field. Doesn’t display any type of a second gear to his game and struggles closing on the ball.

Impression: A tweener who lacks the speed to play corner in the NFL and hasn’t seen the field enough at Cincinnati to develop the instincts needed to play safety.

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