2009 NFP scouting series: San Jose State

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.

In our weekend edition of the scouting series, we turn to the ever improving Western Athletic Conference and break down the best of the San Jose State Spartans.

Offense

Kyle Reed: No. 7, QB, 6-3, 215

A good athlete who exhibits the ability to buy time in the pocket and create a play with his legs. Has a quick, high delivery and looks confident snapping the ball out in the underneath pass game. However, he’s very limited going through his progressions and struggles deciphering defenses. Has a tendency to lock on to his primary target and consistently reads only half the field. Lacks arm strength and doesn’t throw a real tight spiral. Passes will sputter on him a bit outside the numbers and he has a tendency to miss high and wide.

Impression: Isn’t a natural passer and lacks the ability to scan the entire field and go through his progressions quickly.

Kevin Jurovich: No. 6, WR, 6-0, 183

APWide receiver Kevin Jurovich

A savvy receiver who lacks mass and is particularly thin in the lower half. Knows how to find soft spots in zone coverage and does a great job working the middle of the field. Lacks strength and struggles dealing with physical corners off the line. Can be re-routed easily vs. press-man and consistently gets pushed toward the sideline. Looks the most dangerous from the slot where he has a consistent two-way go. Displays a high football IQ, runs crisp routes and does a nice job working his way back toward the QB. Exhibits some wiggle in the open field and possesses the vision and quickness to make a play after the catch.

Impression: A natural receiver with a slight second gear to his game, but lacks the quickness and strength to play on the outside. A potential slot man only.

Isaac Leatiota: No. 72, OG, 6-4, 295

Struggles sitting into his stance and lacks the flexibility to fire off the ball. Displays better bend in the run game, but still gets too high and doesn’t possess the lower body strength to win at the point of attack. Does a nice job extending his arms on contact and locking out, but struggles turning defenders away from the play. Lacks the necessary footwork and body control to mirror defenders in pass protection and is very limited in space. Needs to do a better job staying on blocks; lacks heavy hands and is quickly shed on contact.

Impression: Isn’t a real gifted athlete and lacks the power to drive defenders off the ball and/or stay on blocks.

Defense

Carl Ihenacho: No. 95, DE/OLB, 6-3, 248

An undersized defensive end who does a nice job timing the snap count and can deliver a decent punch on contact. However, he lacks the bulk to hold the point of attack and is consistently washed out of plays.

Displays a good first step off the ball and does a great job taking offensive tackles up the field and breaking off an inside pivot. However, he gets too high when changing directions and lacks the strength to consistently fight through the block. Exhibits the flexibility to drop his pad level on contact and dip under opposing linemen off the edge. Showcases impressive body control and balance when turning the corner and has a good closing burst toward the ball.

Impression: Displays a quick first step, but it’s his change-of-direction skills and flexibility that make him such a gifted pass rusher. Looks like an ideal 3-4 OLB at the next level.

Justin Cole: No. 93, LB/DE, 6-3, 240

LB/DE Justin Cole

A big, physical-looking linebacker who does a nice job using his long arms to keep linemen off his frame and sort his way through traffic. Showcases good patience and great instincts inside. Is consistently able to sniff out the ball and always puts himself in position to make plays. Lacks great burst or explosion out of his breaks, but exhibits average straight-line speed for a guy his size. Doesn’t play as physical as his frame would indicate and looks content to control linemen with his length and use his suddenness to slip blocks rather than take them on at the point.

Impression: Lacks ideal burst when redirecting, but the guy knows how to make his way through traffic and sniff out the ball. He has a chance to find a home at ILB in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

Duke Ihenacho: No. 2, SS, 6-1, 205

A tough, downhill safety who looks comfortable inside the box and does a great job closing on the ball carrier. Consistently breaks down in space and possesses good pop on contact. However, he doesn’t always display the willingness to stick his head into the play and will get lazy at times. Isn’t a real gifted athlete, plays at one speed and lacks a second gear in the open field. Gets too leggy out of his breaks and struggles redirecting in space. But is physical in the pass game and has a real nose for the ball. Reads and reacts quickly to plays and possesses good ball skills for a DB.

Impression: A physical in-the-box safety who’s a bit limited athletically but makes up for it with his instincts and ball skills in the pass game.
 

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