2009 NFP scouting series: Oregon State

For the rest of the summer, the National Football Post will break 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.

After falling one game short of a Rose Bowl appearance last season, the Oregon State Beavers have a strong core of returning players who look poised to make another possible run at a Pac-10 championship.

Offense

Lyle Moevao: No. 3, QB, 5-11, 225

APQuarterback Lyle Moevao

Lacks ideal vision from the pocket and has a difficult time scanning the field and going through his progressions quickly. Is typically limited to reading only one half of the field and has a tendency to lock onto a man and force the ball into coverage. Has good mobility in the pocket and does a nice job moving around and buying time. Is a gutsy player who isn’t afraid to take off and lower his pad level in the run game.

Has a quick delivery underneath and allows his receivers to make plays after the catch. However, his throwing motion gets more elongated the farther he throws the ball down the field. Possesses only decent arm strength, but balls tend to sail on him when he’s asked to throw outside the numbers. His height is an obvious concern, as he consistently needs to work off play action or get outside the pocket in order to find clean throwing lanes.

Impression: A tough, gutsy QB who leaves it on the field, but his lacking physical skill set really hurts his chances.

James Rodgers: No. 8, WR, 5-7, 185

An undersized slot guy with some wiggle in the open field. Is tough to bring down after the catch as he does a nice job making himself small and ducking under tackles. Is shifty with the ball in his hands and gets up to full speed quickly. Catches and secures the ball well in traffic and looks comfortable working the middle of the field. Isn’t asked to run many NFL-type routes and is limited as an overall route runner. Lacks power to his game and gets tripped up and is dragged down too easily in the open field.

Impression: A potential slot guy at the next level who’s good, but not dynamic, after the catch.

Howard Croom: No. 88, TE, 6-3, 240

APTight End Howard Croom (#88)

Lacks the overall size for the position and isn’t much of a physical specimen. Is stiff in the hips and doesn’t possess the upper body strength to slide and handle defensive ends at the point of attack. However, he does display good technique and hand placement as a run blocker. He understands angles and has the body control to seal defenders away from the play. Lacks burst in the pass game and lumbers into his routes. Is a coordinated tight end, but will struggle separating at the next level. Possesses a soft set of hands and does a nice job extending his arms and plucking the football away from is frame.

Impression: An undersized TE prospect who lacks the necessary athleticism and strength to make up for his size.

Gregg Peat: No. 73, OG, 6-3, 296

Plays with a wide, flexible base but lacks burst off the snap and is slow to get out of his stance. Lumbers when asked to get into the open field and really struggles reaching a moving target or being a factor in space. Is heavy footed in pass protection and struggles sliding laterally and keeping linemen in front of him. Lacks length and consistently overextends, which causes him to easily lose his balance. Does a good job getting his hands inside, but lacks the power in his lower half to drive defenders off the ball and is consistently stacked at the point.

Impression: Doesn’t possess the strength or lateral mobility to play at an NFL level.

Alex Linnenkohl: No. 60, C, 6-2, 298

Is slow to recognize stunts and blitzes up front and needs to do a better job keeping his head on a swivel. Plays with a mean streak in the run game and does a nice job getting under defensive linemen and working his legs through the whistle. Isn’t overly strong, but understands how to play with leverage and can slowly walk defenders off the ball. Snaps and steps quickly and does a nice job getting around blocks and angling defenders away from the play. Possesses good coordination when picking up blocks at the second level and displays some short-area coordination. Can be bullied at the point of attack by the bull-rush and lacks the punch to stun defensive linemen on contact.

Impression: A developing center whom I can see maturing into a solid draftable prospect, but he needs to get stronger in his lower half.

Defense

Stephen Paea: No. 54, DT, 6-1, 288

APDefensive Tackle Stephen Paea

Possesses an explosive first step off the ball and does a nice job shooting gaps inside. Lacks upper body strength and struggles disengaging from linemen once they get their hands on him. Plays with natural leverage and has the ability to get an initial push inside, but doesn’t showcase the type of suddenness to slip a block and attack up field. Does a nice job playing off a lineman’s shoulder and exploding across their face and into the backfield. Displays a raw arm-over move and is still developing a pass rush arsenal. Possesses the athleticism to work up and down the line and make plays away from his frame. However, he doesn’t use his hands well and struggles getting cut down in traffic.

Impression: An explosive interior lineman who is still raw, but has the skill set to develop into an intriguing one-gap tackle.

Keaton Kristick: No. 32, OLB, 6-3, 230

Displays a powerful pop on contact and does a nice job taking on blockers vs. the run game. However, he needs to do a better job using his hands, as he has a tendency to lead with his shoulder. But exhibits a nose for the ball and seems to always be flowing toward the play. Possesses the lower body strength to drive through blocks on the outside and consistently work his way toward the football. Looks stiff when asked to redirect in space and lacks range in coverage. Is more of a straight-line athlete who possesses good closing speed attacking downhill toward the football. Has a passion for the game and isn’t afraid to do the dirty work inside.

Impression: Has some closing burst and power as a straight-line athlete, but isn’t real fluid in coverage and looks more like a special teams guy.

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