2009 NFP Scouting Series: Arkansas

FROM WES BUNTING:

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 could warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.

The Arkansas Razorbacks have a plethora of young talent on both sides of the football. The question is, can they mature quickly enough to be factors in the 2009 season? 

Click HERE to check out the rest of the NFP’s college breakdowns.

Offense

Michael Smith: No. 21, RB, 5-7, 176

An absolute pocket rocket who has an electric first step and the second gear to run away from anyone in the secondary. Displays impressive lateral quickness and makes his cuts look effortless as he instantly gets back to full speed. Does a nice job being patient at the line of scrimmage and lets his blockers set up in front of him, then jets into the open field. Runs with natural pad level and consistently makes himself small through the hole. There are concerns about his size; he isn’t going to push the pile or grind out many tough yards inside, but he looks natural in the pass game and can make plays flexed out as well.

Impression: A natural runner with great burst and quickness in the open field. Has big-play potential at the next level.

D.J. Williams: No. 45, TE/FB, 6-2, 250

Demonstrates natural strength in his upper body and has the athleticism to get his feet around and angle defenders away from the play as an in-line run blocker. However, he gets too upright, struggles getting his hands inside and doesn’t stay on blocks for an extended period of time. Lacks body control in the open field and struggles breaking down and hitting a moving target.

A natural route runner underneath who catches the ball well and exhibits some agility in the open field. Is a good straight-line athlete for the position and displays the speed to get down the field. Does a nice job adjusting to the ball and has the ball skills and coordination to go up and pluck the ball away from his frame. Built like a brick and is a load to bring down after the catch.

Impression: A natural athlete who possesses good ball skills and has a future at either FB or H-back at the next level.

Mitch Petrus: No. 66, OG, 6-4, 315

A coordinated athlete who pivots out of his stance well and is very natural pulling around the line of scrimmage and reaching the second level. Possesses great body control and does a nice job breaking down in space and eliminating a moving target. Showcases natural balance on slide-down blocks and makes it difficult for opposing defensive linemen to disengage. Displays the flexibility to drop his pad level in pass protection and gain initial leverage on contact. Relies on his technique and quickness in all areas of his game as he lacks the overall girth and base strength to simply overpower defenders on contact.

Impression: If he can regain his 2007 form, he looks like an ideal starting guard in a zone-blocking scheme at the next level.

Ray Dominguez: No. 73, OT/OG, 6-4, 329

Lacks burst on his kick step and doesn’t have the athletic ability to consistently reach the corner out of his stance. Gets too high and overextends his footwork when trying to chase explosive pass rushers off the edge, which causes him to fall off blocks rather easily. However, he really fires off the ball low in the run game and does a nice job getting his hands under defenders and using his strong base to walk them away from the play. Sits into his stance well and consistently can drive linemen off the ball at the point of attack. Has a tendency to lumber when trying to get to the second level and struggles breaking down when asked to hit a moving target.

Impression: A powerful young man with a strong base and an ability to get a push in the run game, but he’ll need to make the transition inside to guard at the next level.

Defense

Malcolm Sheppard: No. 96, DT, 6-2, 282

Explosive off the snap and showcases great lateral burst and quickness on his pass rush. Makes it very difficult for offensive linemen to reach him because he’s so fluid in space. Does a nice job anticipating the snap count and is consistently the first defensive lineman moving off the ball. Fires off the ball low with a good pad level and knows how to get under interior linemen. Lacks overall girth and power in his base and struggles holding the point of attack. Uses his hands well to shed blocks, but he usually gets driven past the line of scrimmage before he can shed them. Plays with a great motor and isn’t afraid to take on the double-team. He never stays blocked for long and consistently is able to disengage and chase the play. 

Impression: An undersized interior pass rusher who’s an ideal one-gap lineman at the next level.

Adrian Davis: No. 18, DE, 6-4, 250

Is a bit undersized but does a nice job using his length and hands to steer offensive linemen toward the play and then disengaging from the block. Displays a quick first step off the edge, but doesn’t consistently reach the corner. Has a tendency to get too high on his pass rush, which negates his closing speed and allows offensive tackles to get their hands on him. However, he showcases good fluidity in space and does a great job finding the ball and breaking down on contact. Understands how to play with natural leverage at the point of attack and can stack and shed in the run game despite being only 250 pounds.

Impression: A guy who really stands out on tape. He could draw interest as a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB.

Wendel Davis: No. 47, ILB, 6-1, 226

Isn’t real fluid and looks stiff when asked to drop into zone coverage. Does a nice job reading his run keys and always seems to be flowing toward the football. However, he needs to do a better job protecting himself in traffic, as he has a tendency to get cut down before he reaches the ball. A limited athlete who loses his balance when asked to change directions and is slow to get out of his breaks. Is a bit top-heavy and lacks flexibility in his lower half. Doesn’t play with the kind of natural leverage his body would indicate and struggles taking on blocks on any level of the field.

Impression: An undersized linebacker who struggles redirecting and lacks the power to take on blocks.

Freddy Burton: No. 46, OLB, 6-2, 227

A smooth, athletic linebacker who moves well in space and has the ability to run sideline to sideline. Displays a fluid drop and does a nice job getting down the field and closing on the ball in zone coverage. Isn’t overly physical at the line of scrimmage and doesn’t showcase much of a willingness to take on blocks. Has a tendency to try and run around them and will take himself out of too many plays. However, when he actually is forced to take on a block at the point, he possesses the base strength, technique and coordination to shed and close on the ball carrier quickly.

Impression: An athletic kid with a lot of untapped potential, but he needs to show more of a willingness to take on blocks.

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