Four prospects improve draft chances during workouts. Wes Bunting
With pro days now in full swing, big-time names and programs routinely take center stage, making it easy to miss top performances from some mid-level prospects. Today, the National Football Post takes a look at four top prospect workouts from last week that no one is really talking about and breaks down how much each player has improved his draft stock:
• One running back to keep an eye on as we get closer to draft day is Kentucky’s Alfonso Smith. Smith is a 6-foot, 211-pound back who ran in the high 4.3 range and posted a 36-inch vertical at the Kentucky pro day. Although he has averaged over 4.0 yards per carry in each of the past four years, Smith has never carried the ball more than 75 times a year in that span. He’s battled his share of injuries but doesn’t have much wear and tear on his body at this point. Combine that with his size/speed numbers and Smith might be able to squeeze himself into the latter portions of the draft.
• Centers never seem to get much love at this time of the year, but Texas A&M pivot Kevin Matthews is one of the few guys who really seems to be building some positive momentum for himself. Matthews, the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, had a solid workout last week, posting 32 reps on the bench and a solid 5.27 time in the 40. However, it was his brilliant performance during position drills that really opened some eyes. Matthews isn’t the most impressive physical specimen on tape, but he gets his hands on opponents as quickly as any lineman in the country, plays with natural leverage and knows how to keep his base down through contact. He won’t get a ton of love on draft day, but he could end up fighting for a starting job down the line in the NFL.
• Maryland quarterback Chris Turner had a solid throwing session in front of scouts last week and is someone I think could end up being one of the dark horses in this poor QB class. Turner is a 6-4, 220-pound kid with a strong enough arm to make all the throws and has experience taking snaps from under center in a pro-style offense. He needs to improve as a decision-maker, but he’s an experienced three-year starter who played on a poor Maryland football team last year, knows how to battle through adversity and has an all-time record of 5-2 vs. top-25 teams. He isn’t an elite prospect by any stretch, but I still think he grades out similar to guys like Jevan Snead (Ole Miss) and Jonathan Crompton (Tennessee) and has a chance to make a roster right out of training camp.
• Finally, one guy who continues to intrigue is former Troy cornerback Jorrick Calvin. Calvin missed the 2009 season because of academic issues, but he has some impressive tape from the 2008 season and worked out well in front of scouts last week. Calvin, 5-10, 182 pounds, ran his 40 in 4.46-seconds and had a 33-inch vertical and a 4.54 short shuttle. Those aren’t exceptional numbers for the position, but they’re solid considering he didn’t see the field last season. He has some character issues, but the overall talent is there to warrant some attention as a late-round pick.
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Phil Costa from Terp County is underrated. Extremely strong and vertical jump of 35.5 at Pro Day - better than any OL at Combine. Plus, he played guard and center as a three year starter.
Kevin Matthews was underrated in high school.
WR Micheal Moore from UGA, had a very good Pro Day workout today. Could be a great slot WR option.
Terp passer could maybe make DHB look like a wideout again? Measurables there, he struggled in a pro system, though. The player he most reminded of when viewing Maryland games was pro Chad Pennington - after the injuries. Kind of plodding, mechanical.
Hope he lines it out, you see more film and there's upside. Maybe he gets a shot to develop.
surely you've seen Chris Turner actually play, right? He's horrible. Okay, that's too strong. He's not an NFL player, period. I like the post-injury Pennington comparison. Watch him try and handle even a token pass rush and just lob the ball up for grabs.
WR Micheal Moore from UGA, had a very good Pro Day workout today. Could be a great slot WR option.
CB Ben Burney had a great WO; unfortunately, he's been hurt about as often as Nolan Carroll.
CB Patrick Stoudamire: exceptional change of direction, good inside corner prospect.
CB a. Owusu-Ansah: killed it at OSU's Pro Day. Two oft-injured Buckeye DL, Worthington and Wilson, did pretty well too.
RB Deji Karim: this year's Bradshaw? Or not.
QB Mike Kafka threw it pretty well.
Question for Wes, or others: when does Ramon Harewood have his Pro day? OL, Morehouse.
Wes, how does Rick Stanzi from Iowa project to the NFL next year, good size, and plays in a pro style offense.
Chris Turner is a NFL style Quarterback and anyone who is affiliated with the NFL on a professional level not emotional level already knows this. Perhaps he is getting the love in a classic way while others are getting the love and may be standing with their arms in the air wondering why they were not drafted. The scouts already know who is who- and I suggest everyone just sit tight and enjoy the usual surprises the NFL draft will bring to our living rooms. I just hope my team is smart enough to grab him. I see a winner in this kid and I don't think he will embarrass a team with inappropriate uneducated decisions as many NFL players have. Five year college student from what I understand and he is articulate which is important when being a leader. Wait and see guys.. this one's going to be a star one day.
I have followed the Terp's team for the last 5 years. (Yes, that is
"Terps" not "Turps") I have a lot of respect for Chris Turner. He has
shown himself able to handle pressure with great success. He was put
in early as Maryland's QB and led his team to wins they hadn't
accomplished in years. His last year, he was QB for a very weak
Maryland team. I watched him take numerous hits when no one was
protecting him, and I've seen his amazing resiliency. This guy is solid.
Heard from California, Pittsburg, New England and Indianapolis that Turner is being watched like a hawk-
Wes, how does Rick Stanzi from Iowa project to the NFL next year, good size, and plays in a pro style offense.
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Mar 16, 2010
03:54 PM
Maryland quarterback Chris Turner is over rated! The guy is no good, take it from someone in Turp Country!