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Hampton's massive Kenrick Ellis ready to make jump to NFL
Russ Lande
Sporting News
Here’s a look at 10 small-school players who will likely be drafted and we believe will become good, contributing NFL players:
Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton. Ellis (6-5, 347) transferred to Hampton after being dismissed from the South Carolina program. He was an elite player at Hampton who changed games and was all over the field making plays. There is no doubt he is raw, but he shined all week at the Texas vs. The Nation Game practices in January. He must improve his hand use, but he has remarkable speed for a big man and excellent natural strength. If there weren’t questions about his South Carolina dismissal, he would likely be a first-round pick. In the end, he’ll likely be taken in the second round.
Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy. Jernigan (5-9, 186) is an explosive athlete who was a dominant, game-changing player at Troy. The past two seasons, he showed the ability to turn short passes into big plays. His lack of ideal height hurts his rating compared to taller receivers, but his route running, hands, explosiveness, elusiveness and big-play speed (4.45 40) should make him a productive receiver in the NFL. In three- and four-receiver sets, Jernigan will be a valuable contributor from the slot. Look for him to be drafted in the second round.
Stephen Burton, WR, West Texas A&M. Burton (6-1½, 222) has good size and speed and put himself on draft boards with impressive practices at the Texas vs. the Nation Game and a good 40 time (4.49) at the Scouting Combine. He has the speed to make big plays and does a good job catching the ball. We expect Burton to be drafted between the fifth and seventh rounds, and he should be able to stick as a backup receiver.
Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware. A transfer from Penn State, Devlin (6-3½, 226) developed into a solid QB prospect at Delaware. He has good height and athleticism and excellent mechanics, which he showed off at the East-West Shrine Game practices. Devlin understands passing concepts well and flashes the ability to go through his progressions, find the open receiver and get rid of the ball quickly and accurately. We expect Devlin to be a sixth- or seventh-round pick who will stick as a third quarterback and has the potential to develop into more.
Rob Housler, TE, Florida Atlantic. Housler (6-5 3/8, 249) is tall and athletic and has excellent speed (4.46 40) for a tight end. He can get to full speed fast and can get down the seam and stretch the field. He has very good hands and consistently showed on film that he could reach out and make the tough catch on off-target passes. He is still raw when it comes to blocking technique and route running. He tends to be a little upright in his routes, which hinders his ability to get in and out of his cuts quickly. He has been moving up draft boards and should be a third- or fourth-round pick.
Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington. Jones (5-11½, 195) is a junior who came out early for the draft and has caught our attention based on film evaluation. He is a quick-footed athlete with the agility to change directions quickly. He can bounce runs outside when the middle of the field is clogged up and has the burst and speed to turn the corner. He is a highly competitive runner who constantly keeps his legs churning and fights for every extra yard. Jones is not an elite prospect, but he would be a good fourth-round pick who could really develop if he can add some bulk.
O.J. Murdock, WR, Fort Hays State. Before last season, Murdock (5-10½, 196) flashed big-play ability but wasn’t consistently dominant at the small-school level. In 2010, he developed into a consistent all-around receiver who ran good routes, showed the ability to find open spots and made tough catches on off-target passes. He also made a lot of big plays. With his tools, look for him to be a fifth- or sixth-round pick and to make it in the NFL.
Martin Parker DT, Richmond. Parker (6-2, 302) came to the East-West Shrine Game with questions about whether he had the strength to hold up against big, strong offensive linemen and whether he had the athleticism to defeat opponents. But he answered those questions and proved to teams that he was more than ready to play in the NFL. Expect him to be drafted between the third and fifth rounds.
ZaVious Robbins, WR/KR, Hardin-Simmons. Robbins (5-9, 175) is a very quick player who can explode through creases and take plays the distance. At UTEP’s pro day, he commanded attention by running the 40 in the 4.3’s. He is a naturally instinctive runner, cuts off blocks well and can make tacklers miss. Don’t be surprised if a team takes a flier on him in the seventh round. He could contribute in the NFL as a kick returner and slot receiver.
Buster Skrine, CB, Tennessee-Chattanooga. At the end of the season, numerous scouts said Skrine (5-9½, 185) was their “sleeper” in the 2011 draft. After a strong showing at the Texas vs. The Nation Game, he ran a 4.37 40 at the Combine and had a good all-around workout. He is still considered raw in his technique and footwork and will need to make a big jump to the NFL. But players with his explosiveness and athleticism are tough to find, so expect him to be drafted in the third or fourth round.
Russ Lande
Sporting News
Here’s a look at 10 small-school players who will likely be drafted and we believe will become good, contributing NFL players:
Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton. Ellis (6-5, 347) transferred to Hampton after being dismissed from the South Carolina program. He was an elite player at Hampton who changed games and was all over the field making plays. There is no doubt he is raw, but he shined all week at the Texas vs. The Nation Game practices in January. He must improve his hand use, but he has remarkable speed for a big man and excellent natural strength. If there weren’t questions about his South Carolina dismissal, he would likely be a first-round pick. In the end, he’ll likely be taken in the second round.
Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy. Jernigan (5-9, 186) is an explosive athlete who was a dominant, game-changing player at Troy. The past two seasons, he showed the ability to turn short passes into big plays. His lack of ideal height hurts his rating compared to taller receivers, but his route running, hands, explosiveness, elusiveness and big-play speed (4.45 40) should make him a productive receiver in the NFL. In three- and four-receiver sets, Jernigan will be a valuable contributor from the slot. Look for him to be drafted in the second round.
Stephen Burton, WR, West Texas A&M. Burton (6-1½, 222) has good size and speed and put himself on draft boards with impressive practices at the Texas vs. the Nation Game and a good 40 time (4.49) at the Scouting Combine. He has the speed to make big plays and does a good job catching the ball. We expect Burton to be drafted between the fifth and seventh rounds, and he should be able to stick as a backup receiver.
Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware. A transfer from Penn State, Devlin (6-3½, 226) developed into a solid QB prospect at Delaware. He has good height and athleticism and excellent mechanics, which he showed off at the East-West Shrine Game practices. Devlin understands passing concepts well and flashes the ability to go through his progressions, find the open receiver and get rid of the ball quickly and accurately. We expect Devlin to be a sixth- or seventh-round pick who will stick as a third quarterback and has the potential to develop into more.
Rob Housler, TE, Florida Atlantic. Housler (6-5 3/8, 249) is tall and athletic and has excellent speed (4.46 40) for a tight end. He can get to full speed fast and can get down the seam and stretch the field. He has very good hands and consistently showed on film that he could reach out and make the tough catch on off-target passes. He is still raw when it comes to blocking technique and route running. He tends to be a little upright in his routes, which hinders his ability to get in and out of his cuts quickly. He has been moving up draft boards and should be a third- or fourth-round pick.
Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington. Jones (5-11½, 195) is a junior who came out early for the draft and has caught our attention based on film evaluation. He is a quick-footed athlete with the agility to change directions quickly. He can bounce runs outside when the middle of the field is clogged up and has the burst and speed to turn the corner. He is a highly competitive runner who constantly keeps his legs churning and fights for every extra yard. Jones is not an elite prospect, but he would be a good fourth-round pick who could really develop if he can add some bulk.
O.J. Murdock, WR, Fort Hays State. Before last season, Murdock (5-10½, 196) flashed big-play ability but wasn’t consistently dominant at the small-school level. In 2010, he developed into a consistent all-around receiver who ran good routes, showed the ability to find open spots and made tough catches on off-target passes. He also made a lot of big plays. With his tools, look for him to be a fifth- or sixth-round pick and to make it in the NFL.
Martin Parker DT, Richmond. Parker (6-2, 302) came to the East-West Shrine Game with questions about whether he had the strength to hold up against big, strong offensive linemen and whether he had the athleticism to defeat opponents. But he answered those questions and proved to teams that he was more than ready to play in the NFL. Expect him to be drafted between the third and fifth rounds.
ZaVious Robbins, WR/KR, Hardin-Simmons. Robbins (5-9, 175) is a very quick player who can explode through creases and take plays the distance. At UTEP’s pro day, he commanded attention by running the 40 in the 4.3’s. He is a naturally instinctive runner, cuts off blocks well and can make tacklers miss. Don’t be surprised if a team takes a flier on him in the seventh round. He could contribute in the NFL as a kick returner and slot receiver.
Buster Skrine, CB, Tennessee-Chattanooga. At the end of the season, numerous scouts said Skrine (5-9½, 185) was their “sleeper” in the 2011 draft. After a strong showing at the Texas vs. The Nation Game, he ran a 4.37 40 at the Combine and had a good all-around workout. He is still considered raw in his technique and footwork and will need to make a big jump to the NFL. But players with his explosiveness and athleticism are tough to find, so expect him to be drafted in the third or fourth round.