2009 NFP Scouting Series: Buffalo & Kent 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.

In this weekend’s addition of our college prospect scouting series, we look at two up-and-coming MAC programs, the Buffalo Bulls and the Kent State Golden Flashes.

Buffalo

Offense

James Starks: No. 19, RB, 6-2, 212

APBuffalo running back James Starks

A tall back with a thick frame who showcases decent coordination and patience between the tackles. Does a nice job allowing his blockers to set up in front of him and picking his way through the line of scrimmage. Lacks lateral quickness and struggles hitting the cutback lane with any kind of burst. Plays at one speed and has no type of second gear once he breaks into the open field. Doesn’t make many defenders miss, but has the power and balance to step through tackles. Needs to be more decisive and do a better job squaring his shoulders at the line.

Impression: A big back with some power and coordination, but plays at one speed and lacks the wiggle to make opponents miss in the NFL.

Naaman Roosevelt: No. 18, WR, 6-0, 187

A coordinated route runner who does a nice job sinking his hips and cleanly getting out of his breaks. Showcases a good first step when changing directions and does a nice job getting up to speed quickly. Is a polished receiver in all areas of the game and knows how to sell his routes and create separation from defensive backs. Possesses some deep speed and has the ability to occasionally run by defensive backs, but is considered more quick than fast. Has some natural wiggle in the open field and is dangerous after the catch.

Lacks strength in his frame and isn’t asked to consistently beat press coverage vs. talented corners. Displays a real understanding of the pass game and knows where to sit down in coverage. Exhibits natural hands; does nice job going up and plucking the football.

Impression: A polished route runner who possesses the tools to consistently gain separation, but he will have a steep learning curve when asked to make the jump to the NFL.

Defense

Mike Newton: No. 30, FS, 5-11, 200

Possesses a muscular frame and good closing speed toward the ball in the run game. Consistently takes proper angles toward the play and is a sound wrap-up guy. However, he’s slow to break down and isn’t real clean getting out of his breaks. Lacks ideal balance and struggles keeping his legs under him and quickly changing directions. Gets too high in his drop and isn’t real effective when asked to click and close on the football.

Impression: Displays some natural instincts and does a nice job wrapping up, but lacks range vs. the pass.

Davonte Shannon: No. 7, SS, 6-0, 195

A fluid athlete who showcases an explosive first step and good balance out of his breaks. Is raw with his technique and gets way too high in his stance and with his footwork. Possesses some natural cover skills, but lacks awareness and struggles finding the football. Is very aggressive to attack the line of scrimmage and will bite on play fakes, but he redirects quickly and has the natural athleticism to get himself back in position to make a play.

Impression: Is a gifted athlete, but relies on his overall physical attributes too much and has a lot of rough edges that need polishing.

Kent State

Offense

Eugene Jarvis: No. 6, RB, 5-5, 173

APKent State running back Eugene Jarvis

A small, frail-looking back with a thin build and skinny lower half. Possesses a good first step and does a nice job running away from the line of scrimmage. Is very smooth changing directions in space and gets back to speed quickly. Displays decent quickness and body control, but has a tendency to get too high when hitting the cutback lane. However, he does a nice job hiding behind his offensive linemen and is difficult to find and wrap up.

Obviously, he isn’t very physical and gets tripped up and rag-dolled down very easily at times. Lacks the kind of second gear his frame would indicate and doesn’t showcase the burst to separate in the open field.

Impression: Has some natural running skills, but his lack of size and girth may be too much of a hindrance to overcome.

Defense

Brian Lainhart: No. 31, FS, 6-1, 197

A savvy, instinctive safety who understands how to read run/pass keys and quickly diagnose plays. Does a nice job sniffing out the ball at the line of scrimmage and shooting the proper run lanes inside. Is a secure wrap-up tackler who lacks great power, but showcases ideal technique and consistently brings his man to the ground. Displays good short-area quickness and balance and always seems to be flowing toward the football. Lacks ideal straight-line speed, but possess the awareness to consistently put himself in position to make plays.

Impression: An instinctive ball-hawking safety whose skill set should translate well to the next level.

Kirk Belgrave: No. 37, CB, 6-1, 197

A big corner who plays tall and lacks flexibility in his drop. Gets way too high in his back-pedal and isn’t compact or fluid with his footwork. Gives up too much cushion in front of him and struggles dropping his hips and closing on the football. Has decent straight-line speed once he gets going and can track the ball down from behind. However, he lacks overall ball skills and struggles securing the catch.

Impression: A tall corner who plays upright and is noticeably stiff in his drop.

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