Underrated Sooners Likely to Boom at Next Level
By Bo Martin
Ok guys, I get it. When you have a LB class that involves Melvin Ingram, Luke Keuchly, and Courtney Upshaw its easy to get carried away. When you have schools producing talent like the SEC schools do, it’s easy to forget the other schools. I get it, we can get tunnel vision early at the sight of dominant potential, however, I think we’re forgetting one school’s prospects who continually seem to get underrated to me.
Now I’m a fan of the SEC, a Georgia Bulldog fan to be exact, but I can’t discount the immense talent that seems to come out of Oklahoma every year. Bob Stoops has turned OU into a talent factory that consistently churns out good players.
This year I think OU has 3 players that are consistently being over looked and I’ll let you know why as I make my case for each player.
Ronnell Lewis, LB:
Lewis to me is a great all around LB, he displays great tackling ability, good athleticism, and can play the pass if you need him too. He isn’t a premier player at any one thing but his all around ability makes him a stud. If you’ve watched any OU games you know that Lewis is one of the most feared hitters in all of College Football and you have to believe that will translate into the NFL.
At the combine Lewis posted a 4.68-40 time, 36 reps on the bench press, and did the 7.09 at the 3-cone drill. Now I get that his speed times aren’t overly impressive, but if you put film on of the guy, you’ll see a guy who plays much faster then what he is. His instincts and ability to tackle make him a player who can develop into a very above average starter in the NFL.
Lewis to me will likely fall into the mid 2nd round because of all the hype surrounding some other guys but he is a first round grade. Any team that lands him in the second will be getting a steal.
Jamell Fleming, CB:
Fleming is a great athlete who possesses both speed and physical ability. He’s a great physical man coverage corner who still doesn’t seem to get too lost in zone schemes. Though he’ll need to work on his mechanics a little moving into the next level don’t let what people are saying fool you. Fleming has been playing at a very high level for a few years now. When matched up on the line he’s very good at jamming receivers but even if a receiver over powers him he has the speed and natural ability to get himself back into position to break up passes.
At the combine Fleming posted a 4.53-40 time, 23 reps on the bench, a 34 inch vertical, and a 125 inch broad jump. To put it simply, Fleming is an athlete with great speed and talent. He’ll be able to play outside and give opposing receivers a tough time. With some work Fleming could turn into a pro-bowl corner and the steal of this draft.
Fleming will likely be a second round pick, but I’ve seen him projected as a 3rd round pick in many situations. If teams are picking on BPA than I think Fleming goes a lot earlier than many scouts and analysts think.
Ryan Broyles, WR:
Broyles had an unfortunate injury last season that has affected his ability to work out this year. However, Broyles was having a great season; he has great speed and route-running ability. His size (5’10, 192) will likely force him into a career slot receiver role ala Danny Amendola, but that shouldn’t deter scouts in this pass happy league. Broyles is a reliable receiver with great hands and always seems to be open.
Broyles only benched at the combine putting up 21 reps, but is likely underrated to analysts because of his injury. Broyles should be a high second round pick but will likely fall to the 3rd round or even 4th where someone will get incredible value. I equate this to something like Sean Lee for the Cowboys. Lee was a first round talent who really fell due to his injury. The result for Broyles will mirror the results Lee had.
Underrated or not, there is one thing you can be sure of… at the next level these Sooners will Boom and scouts will feel stupid.