Oklahoma State vs Stanford Cardinal Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Brandon Weeden Looking to Out-duel Andrew Luck
Today the Oklahoma State Cowboys will take on the Stanford Cardinal in the Fiesta Bowl. In this game there are a good number of prospects to watch, especially on the offensive side of the ball for these teams. Here are a few of the prospects you want to be watching in tonight’s game.
Of all of the games today, this game features the most first round prospects (or maybe the South Carolina Game/Nebraska game did)
Stanford Cardinal
Andrew Luck, QB
If you haven’t seen him play, tonight’s the night. Though the Cowboys defense is nothing spectacular so it could be a very good statistical night for Andrew Luck. Luck is mobile, big, good arm, smart and has really good anticipation. Good fundamentals. He’s a very good prospect. The thing you love about Luck is he has continued to produce despite who he is throwing passes to.
David DeCastro, G
The only guard in any of the years I’ve been covering/following the draft who could be a consensus top 10 prospect on big boards. Drafting a guard in the top 15 isn’t a popular trend, but one DeCastro could buckle. He’s solid in all facets of the game. A plus player. He’s also a first round pick.
Jonathan Martin, T
Martin is the second or third best tackle in this draft class (Kalil is a level above and Martin/Reiff from Iowa are about even). If you’re a team picking in the top 10 who needs offensive line help this could be your man. Watch Martin tonight. Some question his athletic ability and wonder if he’s best suited to play RT. I think he can play LT, though he does need to continue to improve his technique he is functionally strong.
Coby Fleener, TE
Fleener is a big target for Luck and one of the few offensive weapons who has stayed healthy and productive this year. He is 6’6 tall and athletic. He weighs in under 250 pounds so he might need to add some bulk to improve his blocking, but he could be one of the first three TE drafted in 2012 (as early as the mid 2nd round, but likely a little later).
Chris Owusu, WR
Unfortunately for Owusu he has had too many concussions, but is a really nice player on the field. He has good size and athletic ability and is the best draft eligible WR currently on the Cardinal roster. I haven’t checked to see if he’s playing tonight, however.
Thomas has emerged as the pass rushing threat this year with Shanye Skov out with a season ending injury. Thomas has long arms and enough athletic ability to consistently threaten the edge. With the lack of great pass rushers in this class he’s also likely to be over-drafted and could go as high as the second round. He also has a great motor which helps him get to some plays. He needs to improve his open field tackling, however.
Delano Howell, S
Here’s what Sayre wrote about him prior to the season:
One of the top safety prospects in the 2012 class of players. Howell combines solid speed with a compact build and excellent tackling ability. Part of a big resurgence in the defensive backfield at Stanford where he had 78 tackles as a sophomore along with two interceptions. As a junior, he tallied 60 tackles with five interceptions, and has forced a fumble every year he has played for Stanford. He has had a couple of minor injuries, but for the most part is a high effort player who is always around the ball. With Richard Sherman moving on to the NFL, Howell will be the leader of the Stanford secondary.
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State has really four prospects you need to watch in this game.
Is he Dez Bryant Hakeem Nicks type player? Or is he Michael Crabtree? He’s insanely productive. Tonight will help you guys decide. I like Blackmon, but I think he’s a step below Julio Jones, A.J. Green of last year’s draft and closer to Crabtree.
Brandon Weeden, QB
Weeden is much older than most college QB prospects, which makes him difficult to judge. He has plenty of athletic ability and arm strength, but his greatest asset might be his poise. How much of that has to do with him being almost 30 years old? (He was born in October of 1983). IF not for his age Weeden would be a lock for the second round? How much will his age determine his stock? I don’t think as much as we expect and he probably still goes in the second or third round, though I wouldn’t touch him if I was general manager, unless I”m looking for a good back up QB and I’m not looking for that in the second or third round.
When Addock goes against Chase Thomas in this game it’ll be fun to watch. Addock is a good linemen, but doesn’t have the athletic ability to play LT in the N.F.L. level.
Markelle Martin, S
Martin is a very talented safety prospect who doesn’t quite make enough plays. Tonight it will be interesting to watch him try and cover the two dangerous Stanford Tight Ends. If Martin excels tonight it could really solidify his stock.
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and check out our scouting report page for scouting reports on all of these players (except for Howell) and many, many more.