Oct 27, 2012; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Anthony McCloud during the second half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Height:  6’2″

Weight:  322 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By:

40 Yard Dash:  N/A

Bench Press:  N/A

Vertical Jump:  N/A

Broad Jump:  N/A

20-Yard Shuttle: N/A

Career Stats

2012

2011

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Video Highlights (via YouTube)

Dec 29, 2011; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Brandon Jenkins (49) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second quarter of the 2011 Champs Sports Bowl at the Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

All-ACC defensive end Brandon Jenkins returned for his senior season after nearly opting to enter the 2012 NFL Draft, and the worst he could have possibly feared in coming back has happened. Jenkins suffered a left foot injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season, Bruce Feldman is reporting.

Jenkins was widely projected as a first round draft pick after two seasons where he was pretty dominant for the Seminoles, even though he had a bit of a down year last year. At 6’3″ 260 pounds, he still figures to project really well to the NFL as either a defensive end or outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme. In the last two seasons, he has racked up 21.5 sacks and is constantly making plays behind the line.

FSU has an absolutely stacked defensive line, so they shouldn’t suffer too much in terms of production at this position, and it could be a great opportunity for some young or inexperienced guys to step it up.  Bjoern Werner has been touted as arguably the best NFL prospect currently on FSU’s roster, and this could be an opportunity for him to steal the spotlight and make a huge impact. Florida State still dominated their first game without Jenkins, and they have a very talented roster, so this injury figures to hurt Jenkins’ NFL Draft stock much more than it does FSU’s title hopes in 2012.

April 14, 2012; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback EJ Manuel prepares to throw the ball while under pressure during the first half of the Florida State spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE

Over the last two college football seasons two Southern State Football players have emerged out of obscurity to become top two picks-Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III. Both players are athletic, quarterbacks, who had exceptional years to go along with their tremendous skill set. Heading into the 2012 College Football season there are a few names that people think they know what they are getting–Matt Barkley, Landry Jones, and Tyler Wilson specifically. But who is going to be that quarterback that is going to explode in 2012 and get consideration as  a top five pick–there area few candidates. Today we’ll take a look at Florida State Quarterback E.J. Manuel.

Manuel is listed at 6’5 and 238 pounds. Manuel is a gifted athlete that combined with his physical tools that is sure to make a big impression on scouts. Manuel also has significant experience as a starting quarterback for a major college program which is important. Manuel struggled at times last year, but still ended the season throwing 18 touchdowns to 8 Interceptions and completing 65 percent of his passes, but at times struggled with decision making and accuracy.

Here’s what we wrote about Manuel prior to the 2011 season:

Manuel enters his first season as the unquestioned number one quarterback on the Florida State roster, and he could be poised for a big season. Has been tweaking and perfecting his mechanics and footwork for the last couple of years, to the point where head coach Jimbo Fisher has indicated he should see significant improvements in accuracy and arm strength, and has decreased his chances of re-injuring his shoulder (which he has had problems with in the past). Perhaps not a candidate to leave early because he is so raw, but he should be the focal point of the FSU offense this year, and could be poised for a huge season. Fans will want to see him make great strides in his touchdown/interception ratio, which last year was 1:1, even though he only threw 93 passes overall. Big, rangy athlete with a strong arm and solid vision down the field. A threat to move the chains any time he touches the ball because of his ability to scramble. To this point, has been more of a thrower than a passer, which has resulted in some poor throws and interceptions. Still, his completion percentage has always been high. When he sets his feet correctly, his accuracy down the field is dead on, and he has a strong enough arm to complete any and every NFL throw. Look for this kid to really break out in 2011 and potentially vault himself into first round discussion with a solid year as a first time starter.

Prior to the 2012 season I would refine I would say that Manuel showcases first round ability at times, but needs to be more consistent. He still needs to work on his mechanics and could stand to quicken his release. Manuel needs to improve reading his progressions and making good decisions when he’s under pressure. Manuel also needs to stay healthy for the upcoming season. E.J. Manuel has a great chance this year to prove himself as a Seminole by getting the team and winning a BCS game with the loaded roster they have on both sides of the football as well as be the next quarterback to sky-rocket into the first round. Manuel is dripping with potential and has flashed it at times, but can he do it consistently for an entire year?

Thoughts?

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Oct 8, 2011; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles tight end Beau Reliford (88) catches a pass during pre game warm ups. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated the Florida State Seminoles 35-30 at BB

Measurables:

6’5″ 256 pounds

33 3/8″ arms length, 9″ hands

Bio on FSU official athletic site:

Three-year starter for the Seminoles at tight end who played in 42 career games and started 24 as a tight end…was instrumental in FSU’s rushing attack in a three-year stretch (151.8 yards per game)…totalled 36 career catches for 376 yards (10.4 ypc) and three touchdowns.

2011:
Senior tight end who made nine starts in his third season as a prominent contributor to the Seminole offense…developed into a fine blocker over the course of his career and an integral piece to FSU’s running game success…his experience was especially helpful given the injuries sustained along the offensive line…finished with seven receptions for 69 yards (9.9 ypc) on the season…season-high three receptions came at home against No. 1 Oklahoma…also had season-high 30 receiving yards against the Sooners…played in 12 of 13 regular season games, missing the Clemson contest.

Notre Dame appeared to be in control of this game with a forced fumble by Manti Te’o that was recovered for a touchdown by the Irish, and a defensive battle until the third quarter, when Notre Dame was able to make one of the coolest circus plays you will see all year into a touchdown.

Quarterbacks Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix split a third quarter drive that resulted in Rees throwing a fade route to–who else–Michael Floyd which was bobbled, tipped, and tipped some more before Floyd finally came down with the ball.

Aside from a nice punt return early in the game, Floyd was held in check by Xavier Rhodes, who absolutely shut him (or Tommy Rees) down the whole time he was in the game, but Rhodes was injured and Floyd had a huge size advantage over Greg Reid, and then Reid himself went up so high, he was actually injured on the way down.

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Michael Floyd Has Character Concerns, but is often dominant on the field and has shown up big in big games

Today the Florida State Seminoles will take on Norte Dame in the teams of Yesteryear Champs Sports Bowl. I kid, I kid. These two teams are loaded with N.F.L talent including a few first round picks in the mix. Let’s break it down.

Here are most of the  players to watch in this game from a draft perspective. Let’s start with Florida State

OT Zebrie Sanders

The former “C’mon Man”

Has really had a good season playing LT for the injured Andrew Datkio and has seen his draft stock really rise as a potential LT in the N.F.L.

Xavier Rhodes, Cornerback

I’m not sure who Rhodes will be matced up on, but he’s the best Seminoles cornerback. Rhodes looks like a safety, hits like a safety, but has the athletic ability of a cornerback. He’s really a good player. Now he hasn’t had quite the breakout season he was hoping for and could really use a huge game. Rhodes was a player some draftniks thought could have put himself into the top 15 as a redshirt sophomore this year, which hasn’t happened. Maybe a huge game though will get his stock up again and he’ll enter the draft.

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E.J. Manuel entered the game as a third day prospect with a chance to become much more, but ended the day where he started

The Florida  State Seminoles played a tight game vs the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners, but failed to win the game as quarterback E.J. Manuel failed to impress. But players on both defenses had tremendous games.

I was high on Manuel heading into last night’s game and was waiting to see if he could sky rocket his stock into the 1st-2nd round range with a big game. Manuel has a lot of qualities N.F.L. scouts are looking for. He has a big arm, excellent size and mobility and serious untapped potential. But Manuel didn’t have a great game. He was 13 for 19 with 85 yards (and average of 4.5 yards per attempt) and threw two interceptions. One of the interceptions was an absolute terrible pass where Manuel just threw it right over the middle because he was hurried. The other interception was because he didn’t loft the ball high enough on the screen pass, but on that player the Sooners linebacker Tom Wort made an excellent play to tip the ball to himself and come away with the interception. It’s not that Manuel didn’t flash his potential, but on a night when he had a serious chance to put himself into the conversation with Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins as the first quarterback in the second tier, he came up short.  More troubling is that Manuel left with a shoulder injury, he came running back onto the sidelines hoping to play, but remained on the sidelines.

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Scouting Report

First team All ACC as a sophomore with 55 tackles and 13.5 sacks along with 16 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Really emerged as one of the best pass rushers in the country, and one of the top defensive ends overall. Slightly undersized with upside potentially as a rush linebacker in the NFL. Jenkins has great burst off the line, and doesn’t let anything get past him. Uses his great arm length and upper body strength to beat offensive tackles, and also has good speed off the edge. Very, very good form tackler, and made Denver Broncos second round pick Orlando Franklin look like he was standing still as he bent around the edge and sacked the Miami QB. Absolutely relentless with advanced technique for his age, and played RE almost exclusively for the Seminoles. Never gives up on a play. Also saw action on special teams, and his like a ton of bricks. One of my favorite defensive end prospects for next year or 2013, whenever he opts to go to the NFL. Absolutely a top of the line pass rushing prospect, and could be a top five talent.

Can EJ Manuel break out and be a star this year?

After what seems like a lifetime of mediocrity and underachieving, it seems that the Florida State football program is on its way back to prominence. Jimbo Fisher has put together an excellent crop of players for the Seminoles, and has build this program into a top ten unit heading into the 2011 season.

Despite losing quarterback Christian Ponder to the NFL, FSU appears to be poised for a potential BCS Title run, and they are the clear front-runners for the ACC as of right now. With a switch at quarterback and a supremely talented roster, the ‘Noles look like they could be dangerous, and for a long time to come.

3 E.J. Manuel (Junior), QB, 6’4″ 234

Manuel enters his first season as the unquestioned number one quarterback on the Florida State roster, and he could be poised for a big season. Has been tweaking and perfecting his mechanics and footwork for the last couple of years, to the point where head coach Jimbo Fisher has indicated he should see significant improvements in accuracy and arm strength, and has decreased his chances of re-injuring his shoulder (which he has had problems with in the past). Perhaps not a candidate to leave early because he is so raw, but he should be the focal point of the FSU offense this year, and could be poised for a huge season. Fans will want to see him make great strides in his touchdown/interception ratio, which last year was 1:1, even though he only threw 93 passes overall. Big, rangy athlete with a strong arm and solid vision down the field. A threat to move the chains any time he touches the ball because of his ability to scramble. To this point, has been more of a thrower than a passer, which has resulted in some poor throws and interceptions. Still, his completion percentage has always been high. When he sets his feet correctly, his accuracy down the field is dead on, and he has a strong enough arm to complete any and every NFL throw. Look for this kid to really break out in 2011 and potentially vault himself into first round discussion with a solid year as a first time starter.

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