Kevin Avery

Camp Wofford 2021: Day 2 Observations

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This warm humid morning practice added 11 on 11 drills for the first time. WR Robby Anderson was held out of practice by the trainers for an illness. No details were given. LB Frankie Luvu was taken off the COVID-19 list today but did not do any team drills. He must have two negative tests 24 hours apart before joining the team.

7 on 7 Summary

QB Sam Darnold 1st play was a pass that went right thru the hands of WR DJ Moore and into the hands of Jeremy Chinn who ran it back for a Pick 6. However Darnold went on to complete the next five passes for first downs.

CB Jaycee Horn got beat for TDs by WRs Omar Bayless and Keith Kirkwood.  The coverage was not bad at all but the passes thrown were on target. Horn did bounce back with two pass deflections.

11 on 11

Starting offensive line was RT Taylor Moton RG John Miller C Matt Paradis LG Pat Elflein LT Cam Irving. Moton did get a few snaps in at LT with Brady Christensen playing RT. Players were rotated every five plays. On defense the base was the 3-4 with NT Derrick Brown DE Daquan Jones DE Morgan OLB Brian Burns & Hassan Reddick ILB Shaq Thompson and Denzel Perryman CB AJ Bouye and Donte Jackson. SS Jeremy Chinn FS Justin Burris. When nickel defense was called it was DE Brian Burns & Yetur Gross-Matos DT Derrick Brown & Daquan Jones LB Shaq Thompson & Jermaine Carter Jr. Same secondary but with DB Myles Hartfield playing nickel CB.

RB Christian McCaffrey had broke off about four runs where he was looking in prime midseason form.

TE Colin Thompson & Tommy Tremble made multiple nice grabs between 10 and 20 yards downfield.

WR Terrence Marshall Jr. is showing why he is worthy of being a 2nd round pick by getting open on intermediate routes and making tough catches.

DT Derrick Brown and Daivyon Nixon were taking turns getting TFLs in the backfield on the RBs.

Overall during this session had it been a real game the defense would have had 6 sacks 4 TFL and 2 forced fumbles. Now the offense did show it could run the ball effectively at times and when given good pass protection that short and intermediate throws can be converted into 1st downs.

 

Camp Wofford 2021: Day 1 Observations

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The NFL set the rule that the first four practices of all training camps are to be used as an “acclimation period”. That means there will not be any pads worn at all by the players and very light contact. The goal of this rule is to allow players to pace themselves to build up to full pads and heavy contact. So basically it is like a public OTA/mini camp caliber practice for four days. So any highlights and lowlights made by the players from today through Saturday 31 July are not any indication of “Who is the starter now?” Today was mainly stretching, position group drills, 1 on 1 drills and 7 on 7 drills. This is what I observed:

 

WR Keith Kirkwood

He caught every pass thrown his way. His route running looked precise. Getting separation from his defender was constant.

WR Terrace Marshall Jr

He started off with two dropped passes. His physical dimensions are very impressive. Finished strong with making several catches.

WR Shi Smith

He made a great one handed catch over his back. His acceleration creates so much separation. Watching his footwork in drills is a must see.

WR DJ Moore

He caught balls low and high with ease. His route running looks much improved from last year.  Attacking the ball with his hands looks more natural.

RB Reggie Bonnafon

He cuts so smoothly without any wasted steps. His acceleration appears to be better. Changing speeds at the right moment was often on display.

RB Trenton Cannon

He was with the WRs during position drills. His double move on CB Donte Jackson was sickening and led to a wide open TD pass. Returning kickoffs and punts comes very natural to him.

TE Dan Arnold

He displayed above average route running. His ability to break in and out of his cut moves are effortless. Catching the ball in stride is what he showed.

CB Troy Pride

He broke up three passes with good timing and anticipation. His receivers got the better of him a few times. Once he figures it all out he will be a good defender.

CB Stanley Thomas-Oliver

He almost had an INT when he jumped the route by WR Robby Anderson. His mechanics and footwork have made a nice improvement. Playing with confidence would be huge for him.

CB Jaycee Horn

He stayed in the hip pocket of nearly every WR he covered. His closing speed is kinda scary. Athleticism is better than advertised.

LB Denzel Perryman

He did a decent job of staying with RBs and TEs in pass coverage. His instincts on where the ball is going were solid. Wasting footsteps does not appear to be an issue with him.

And Finally…….

There was a lot of 3-4 base looks today. NT: Derrick Brown. DEs: DeQuan Jones and Morgan Fox. OLB: Brian Burns and Hassan Reddick. CBs: Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson. SS: Jeremy Chinn FS: Sam Franklin.

 

4MR Draft Profiles – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

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Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #6 (Linebacker)

Scouted and Written by: Darion Collins

6’1 220 lbs

21 y/o Redshirt Junior – University of Notre Dame

(Rick Kimball, ISD)

Summary:

The first thing you notice about Jeremiah is his body type. He’s built sort of like a big safety/cornerback. You also instantly notice his athleticism. His comfort level in space allows him to effectively cover TEs and slot WRs His exceptionally high motor has him flying around the field. He has really good straight line speed as well. This is a prospect that creative defensive coordinators will covet because he can play multiple roles. He can be used in coverage and pass rush to help you disguise some things you’d like to do defensively. You don’t have to take him off the field on 3rd down because of his versatility. He differs from Penn State LB Micah Parsons (the consensus top LB) in that he’s not as effective taking on offensive guards and mixing it up in the run game. He doesn’t really have the body type for it. He needs a coordinator that knows how to utilize his skillset best.

STRENGTHS:

Very explosive player with top notch athleticism.

Has effectively played at LB, nickel CB and box safety.

Displays high football IQ which allows him to quickly diagnose plays

Plays with relentless effort to track down ball carriers play side and back side.

Great use of hands to make plays on the ball while also protecting himself

Very good at flowing through traffic laterally against the run.

Can play all three downs and be used in multiple roles.

WEAKNESSES:

Lacks typical NFL LB frame and size.

Not a strong tackler

Struggles with unblocked offensive linemen

CONCLUSION:

I will be very interested in where JOK lands. As most of us know, scheme and fit is important for most prospects. It’s especially important for JOK. I would think that whoever drafts him has a detailed plan for his skillset. Overall, I think he can be a headache for offenses if used creatively. The question is, will he land in the right spot? Time will tell.

Overall Grade: 6.5 (7.0 Perennial Pro Bowler with right coaching staff. 6.0 Solid Day 1 Starter without)

4MR Draft Profiles – Kwity Paye

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Kwity Paye #19 (EDGE)

Scouted and Written by: Darion Collins

6’2 261

22 y/o Senior – University of Michigan

Rich von Biberstein/Getty Images

Summary:

Kwity Paye is a really good run defender on the edge. He reads his keys quickly and gets off blocks to make plays in the run game. When the offensive tackle turns his hip away from Paye he knows to squeeze down on his gap, stay patient by keeping his shoulders and hips square. There are several examples of this on tape where he’s consistently in great position to defend the run. He’s also really consistent with getting full extension, eye discipline to quickly locate the ball, disengage his blocker to make the play. The word of the day here is CONSISTENCY for Paye in the run game. This makes him a high floor prospect. What can take him to the next level is continued development with his pass rush. He uses his hands really well and knows how to extend and dislodge, but I wouldn’t call him a great pass rusher just yet. Could he get some pressure on the QB as a rookie in the NFL? Yes. The reason he probably won’t go in the top 15 of the draft is because he’s not there as a rusher yet. There’s still a lot to love about Paye though.

STRENGTHS:

Plays great technique with consistency

Has very powerful hands to compliment great functional strength

Possess very elite athleticism to disengage blockers

Easily can convert speed to power with bull rush and rip moves.

Plays with a non stop motor until the whistle blows

Has displayed ability to rush the QB from the DT position.

Effective as a 4-3 DE and as a 3-4 OLB

WEAKNESSES:

Needs to develop very raw pass rushing abilities

Needs to add weight and bulk to his frame

Struggles at time with big athletic offensive tackles

CONCLUSION:

I have been really high on the Front 7 talent coming out of Michigan in the last few drafts. I am on record as saying I would’ve taken Chase Winovich in the top 40 of the 2019 NFL Draft. Time will tell if I was crazy, but for now I have to give a shoutout to the DL coach at Michigan, Shaun Nua. You can tell these guys are really well coached when they leave the program. The players deserve some credit too for being coachable and applying what they’re taught. Paye is the latest example of this. I believe he will reach his ceiling as a complete EDGE guy because of that reason. Not sure I would take him in the Top 10, but around 15th overall I would feel very comfortable.

Overall Grade: 6.0 (Day 1 Solid Starter)

4MR Draft Profiles – Alijah Vera-Tucker

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Alijah Vera-Tucker (#75)

6’4” 315 lbs

21 y/o Redshirt Junior Southern California

(photo credits: theozone.net)

Games watched: vs. Oregon (‘20), vs. Notre Dame (‘19), vs. Stanford (‘19)

 

Summary:

Alijah Vera-Tucker was a two-way player at Bishop O'Dowd High School
in Oakland, CA. He played four years as an OT and as a DT. By the end
of his senior year in 2016, he had won the state’s Class 5AA
championship, first-team USA Today All-California, 19th best OT
nationally, and 141st best player nationally. He committed to the
University of Southern California.
Vera-Tucker decided to redshirt his true freshman season in 2017.

As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he got back up reps in all 12 games at RG and
special teams.
Switching to LG in 2019, he started all 13 games during his redshirt
sophomore year. That resulted in him winning USC’s Offensive Lineman
of the Year and Associated Press All Pac 12 First Team.
His 2020 season began with him opting out. Vera-Tucker eventually had a
change of heart and played in all six games at LT. He was selected All
Pac 12 First Team, All American Honorable Mention, and the Morris
Trophy winner as the best offensive lineman in the conference voted on by
opposing defensive linemen.

Strengths:

● Position flexibility; able to effectively play LG, RG, and LT.
● Above-average athleticism
● Above-average natural strength
● Plays with great body control, balance, and kick slide in pass sets
● Has a mauler mentality; blocks with nastiness in run sets.
● Shows consistency with low pad level, which allows leverage advantage
● Above-average coordination with eyes, hands, and footwork
● Very good at down blocking and pull blocking.
● Very consistent effort getting to LBs on the second level
● Takes very effective blocking angles on defenders
● Very high football IQ and awareness against stunts and blitzes

Weaknesses:

● Sometimes gets pushed back too quickly
● Needs to stay engaged with blocks longer on pass plays.
● Could look for more opponents to block after the primary assignment.
● Needs to have better hand placement inside the pads of his defender
● Sometimes beaten by inside moves when over committing to the outside

Conclusion:

Alijah Vera-Tucker’s natural abilities are best suited for zone blocking
schemes. He can also be effective in power-run schemes too.
He can play both LG and LT at a highly effective level. There is concern
that he does not have the ideal height for a prototypical NFL LT. His
athleticism and nasty demeanor will allow him to thrive on the interior as
an NFL guard.
His football smarts and awareness will allow him to start right away and
potentially be a Pro Bowler in a few years.

 

Overall Grade: 6.5 (Day 1 Solid Starter with Pro Bowl potential)

 

 

 

 

4MR Draft Profiles – Aaron Banks

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Aaron Banks (OG #69)

6’5  330 lbs

21 y/o Senior University of Notre Dame

(Credits:onefootdown.com)

Games watched: vs. Clemson ‘20, vs. Alabama ‘20, vs. Georgia ‘19

 

Summary:

Aaron Banks played as a two-way player for four years at El Cerrito High School in Northern California, where he spent three years playing OT and one year playing OG. Banks was a four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the 127th player in the class of 2017 and the 19th OT.

In 2017 he enrolled at Notre Dame and began taking classes in January.

Banks spent his freshman season on the scout team. In the following season, Banks got playing time in the first seven games. He started his first game at LG vs. Navy and remained in that role for the remaining six games.

Banks’ junior season in 2019 saw him start all 13 games, which resulted in him only giving up two sacks on 844 snaps played.

At the end of his final collegiate season, Banks received 1st team All ACC and 1st team Associated Press All American honors. His efforts on the field also made him a Joe Moore finalist for best offensive line unit and a spot on the Outland Trophy watch list for “best interior lineman.”

Banks received an invitation to the 2021 Senior bowl, where he was a National team player.

 

Strengths:

  • Has ideal NFL size to play left guard and right guard
  • Plays with exceptional raw natural power
  • Comes off the snap with low pads
  • Has very violent hands that consistently delivers disruptive blows
  • Quickly gets vertical to block LBs on 2nd level
  • Plays with a wide base which allows sunken hips to maintain leverage.
  • Good athleticism for his size but not elite.
  • Has a very nasty mauler mentality which left several defenders down
  • Always look for extra defenders to block on every play.

 Weaknesses:

  • Struggles to block moving targets in open space.
  • Lateral footwork is below average
  • Plays with heavy feet too often
  • Can be knocked off balance if defenders beat him to the punch.
  • Slow recovery time if his blocking angles are not on point
  • Needs to be more consistent with good knee bend

 

Conclusion:

Aaron Bank’s natural abilities are evident when he plays either in a power-run or gap blocking scheme. If he could drop his weight down to around the 315 – 320 pound range, it would help elevate his athleticism from average to above average. His physical style and power will allow him to contend for a starting job if he goes to the right team. The correct position coach can elevate him to becoming one of the top guards in the NFL in a few years.

 

 

 Overall Grade: 5.5 (Day 1 starter in power run scheme or starter in 1-2 years with zone blocking scheme )