2009 NFP Scouting Series: LSU

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 may warrant interest from teams in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Usually, it’s the LSU Tigers’ defense that has gotten most of the attention on draft day in recent years. This season, however, the Tigers’ offense might make the most noise with a ton of talent at the skill positions as well as a standout at left tackle.

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

Offense

Charles Scott: No. 32, RB, 5-11, 233

A powerful one-cut runner who does a nice job reading run lanes in front of him and attacking the line of scrimmage. Has a decent first step, squares his shoulders quickly and does a nice job running behind his pads. Displays some lateral quickness and impressive jump-cut ability in the open field and can make the initial man miss. Lacks a second gear and isn’t going to run away from anyone, but knows how to consistently wear down an opposing front seven. Has a nose for the end zone and does a nice job making himself small through the hole.

Impression: Isn’t a game-breaker, but runs with the power and agility needed to become a productive NFL back.

Keiland Williams: No. 5, RB, 5-11, 229

A natural athlete who catches the ball well and displays impressive short-area quickness for his size. Consistently is able to make the first man miss and attack upfield. Exhibits a good first step but lacks a second gear in the open field. He’s an explosive lateral athlete who does a nice job lowering his pad level and driving for yards after contact. Doesn’t display the same type of natural running instincts at the line of scrimmage and is at his best in space.

Impression: Is very sudden and explosive in the open field for his size and knows how to make a man miss.

Brandon LaFell: No. 1, WR, 6-3, 209

A big, well-built receiver who knows how to pluck the ball away from his body and is a load to bring down after the catch. Possesses impressive body control and coordination, and consistently is able to adjust to poorly thrown balls. He loses his concentration at times and drops some catchable passes but works hard as a blocker and does a nice job latching on to corners and angling them out of the play. Gets into his routes quickly and has the balance and footwork to snap off routes sharply and separate from his man. Lines up a lot in the slot and looks most natural working the middle of the field. Possesses only decent deep speed and isn’t going to get behind many cornerbacks at the next level. 

Impression: A big, polished route runner with good ball skills. Has the makings of a legit No. 1 wideout in the NFL.

Terrance Toliver: No. 80, WR, 6-4, 195

A big, long-armed target who has a lot of range when asked to go up and get the football. Is a strider who picks up speed as he goes and has the ability to get down the field and make some plays behind the defense. Does a nice job going up and attacking the ball at its highest point and has a clear advantage over most corners in jump-ball situations. However, he isn’t real sudden out of his breaks, especially in the intermediate passing game, and has a tendency to slow down and telegraph his routes.

Impression: Has some intriguing tools but needs to learn to play more with his feet under him.  

Richard Dickson: No. 18, TE/FB, 6-3, 246

An athletic tight end who possesses the burst and body control to get out of his stance quickly and reach defenders at the second level. Showcases good technique and hand placement as a blocker and does a nice job moving his feet on contact. Lacks ideal power and girth but consistently works to maintain his position and angle defenders away from the play. Does a nice job releasing off the line and gets into his routes quickly. Has good balance and fluidity as a route runner and can get behind linebackers.

Impression: A unique tight end prospect with a lot of tools, but lacks size and looks more like a possible H-back or fullback in the NFL.

Ciron Black: No. 70, OT, 6-5, 325

A thickly built lineman with a strong base and natural athleticism out of his stance. Has the quickness and body control to get his feet around and seal defensive linemen away from the play. Displays surprising burst when asked to get down the field and exhibits the body control to drop his pad level and cut down defenders at the second level. Has a powerful upper body, and when he latches on to a defender, the battle is over. Possesses limited range in pass protection and struggles a bit moving his feet while engaged. Displays smooth footwork, but doesn’t exhibit the kind of explosive kick step needed to consistently cut off speed rushers.

Impression: Has impressive footwork and body control for a man his size, but lacks the ideal athleticism for the left tackle spot in the NFL.  

Lyle Hitt: No. 65, OG, 6-2, 290

An undersized interior lineman who has a tough time getting his feet under him when asked to get out to the second level. Struggles anchoring at the point of attack and doesn’t possess a real strong base. Lacks the ability to slide on contact and struggles reaching defenders shooting gaps on either side of him. Is an instinctive lineman who does a nice job running aggressive defensive tackles past the quarterback, but struggles redirecting quickly and simply gives up to much penetration inside.

Impression: His lack of size and power really stand out, and he seems unable to win a battle outright.

Defense

Al Woods: No. 97, DT, 6-4, 323

A thick, muscular-looking defensive tackle who has some natural power in his upper half with the lower body strength to walk offensive linemen into the backfield. However, he consistently comes off the ball too high, which negates his power and ability to shed blocks. He isn’t a natural bender, lacks flexibility in his lower half and struggles finding the football.

Impression: Has the natural size and strength to intrigue some NFL teams, but needs to learn to play with a lower pad level.

Rahim Alem: No. 84, DE, 6-3, 256

Has an explosive first step off the ball and does a nice job dipping his shoulder and driving under offensive tackles. A raw pass rusher who relies on his first step and closing burst, but really struggles with athletic linemen who can reach the corner quickly. Lacks a counter move and isn’t a very physical run defender. Is washed out of plays too easily and doesn’t hold the point of attack well.

Impression: An explosive pass rusher who will be able to create pressure off the edge in the NFL.

Perry Riley: No. 56, OLB, 6-1, 240

A stout, thickly built linebacker who displays good footwork and body control at the line of scrimmage. Runs well for his size and has an explosive first step out of his breaks. Plays with natural leverage and does a nice job avoiding blocks and exploding his hips through tackles. Looks very comfortable in space and keeps his head on a swivel in zone coverage. Consistently finds the ball quickly on runs between the tackles and does a nice job sorting through traffic in front of him. However, at times he’s bit slow reading run/pass keys and doesn’t always showcase the greatest instincts.

Impression: Isn’t a dynamic linebacker but is very fluid in space and plays the run well inside. A solid weakside linebacker at the next level.

Chris Hawkins: No. 29, CB, 6-1, 185

A tall, long corner with good balance and footwork in his backpedal. Looks very comfortable in zone coverage and does a nice job getting a deep drop and breaking on the ball. Has good closing speed, is very fluid and precise changing directions and showcases impressive short-area quickness for his size. Lacks ideal girth and strength, but is feisty at the ling of scrimmage does a nice job staying in receivers’ back pockets. Lacks great straight-line speed (looks like a 4.5 guy on tape) and struggles making up for a false step.  

Impression: A typical LSU cover man who relies on his instincts, ball skills and savvy in coverage.

Chad Jones: No. 3, SS, 6-3, 215

A young, good-looking athlete who showcases the ability to cover sideline to sideline and make plays on all levels of the field. Does a nice job running with athletic tight ends down the field and has the body control and burst to jump routes and make plays on the ball. Doesn’t play as physical as his body would indicate and has a tendency to wrap up too high and miss tackles. Is still a bit raw and unpolished in all areas of his game, but the potential is there.

Impression: An intriguing size/speed prospect with upside and playmaking ability.

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