College Game of the Week: #6 TCU vs. #24 Oregon State
By Editorial Staff
College Game of the Week: #6 TCU vs. #24 Oregon State
September 4th 7:45pm ESPN
College Football is officially here and the writers at NFL Mocks could not be more excited to start evaluating some NFL Prospects. You can count on at least 1 article a week that will highlight a big time College Football game a week. The article will focus on identifying some of the top prospects from each team and the key matchups within that game.
The first game to look at here is TCU vs. Oregon State and this game matches up two very hopefully teams. TCU is entering the game looking to make a national statement that they can hang with the teams from the bigger conferences. Oregon State feels that they have the pieces in place to make a run at the Pac-10 title and a berth to the Rose Bowl. Let’s take a look at each team’s top pro prospects:
– When you talk about Oregon State you have to immediately focus on Jacquizz Rodgers. Rodgers has been a very productive back and is on many Heisman Watch lists. Rodgers is an electrifying talent that can get it done both between the tackle and also on the outside. He is a dangerous weapon out of the back field and should give TCU fits all game long. You better believe that the TCU defense will know where Rodgers is at all times.
Jacquizz Rodgers Scouting Report
– Joining Jacquizz on our watch list is his brother James Rodgers. James has a ton of athletic ability and will be closely watch by NFL scouts. While James is a very good college player he lacks the necessary size to make an impact in the NFL. He comes in at 5-6 which is very undersized for an NFL wide receiver; however what he lacks in size he makes up for in speed and may have a future as a return man.
– On the defensive side of the ball Oregon State has a very interesting defensive line prospect in Stephen Paea. Paea is a stout run stopper and uses his exceptional strength to hold off blocks and make tackles. Paea is defiantly in the 1st round discussion.
– TCU has been churning out some nice defensive prospects the last couple of years and this year the prospects are on the other side of the ball. WR/KR Jeremy Kerley is not the biggest or fasted player but he is creative runner. He has excellent vision and finds the seams and this makes him dangerous with the ball in his hand. He has very strong hands and is reliable receiver but his lack of top end speed will limit his potential and have teams looking at him in the later rounds.
– QB Andy Dalton needs to have a strong season to really be in consideration to hear his name called in April. He has all the intangibles needed to be a successful NFL quarterback but he lacks the measurables. He has below average size and a bit of a side armed delivery. He could end up being a late round selection for a team hoping to develop him kind of in the mold of a Brian Hoyer.
– TCU has massive right tackle Marcus Cannon that could have a chance to be very successful in the NFL. At 6-5 361 lbs. he has the size and mean streak to possible move inside to guard where he could avoid 1 on 1 situations with speeder defensive ends.