NFL Draft Watch: Washington Huskies Vs LSU Tigers
Sept 1, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Keith Price (17) passes against the San Diego State Aztecs during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE
This might not be the best game of the second week of College Football, but it might be the most intriguing in terms of prospects on each team. The LSU Tigers, as expected have a ton of players that should be playing on Sunday next year, meanwhile the Washington Huskies might not be the best team, but they definitely have some prospects worth watching.
Let’s start with the Huskies
Firstly, the Huskies best prospect is not draft elegible and that would be TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins who has already garnered some comparisons to New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski–probably should settled down on that one. But he is a tremendous player.
Desmond Trufant, CB-
Trufant did not have a great year and is very raw, but is a tremendous athlete with good pipelines (his brother is Marcus Trufant). Trufant has terrific speed, and appealing length. He needs to refine his technique and play much more consistently if he wants to be a day two pick in the 2013 NFL because he definitely has the raw physical ability. Trufant also has to show an ability to tackle in the open field, an opportunity he’ll likely be presented with in today’s game.
Keith Price QB-
The QB position is the most talked about position in football with good reason, often times a young college QB abilities are over hyped and his prospects are not as good as fans make it out to be. This might be the case with Keith Price. While Price is surely talented, he comes with limitations. He can throw well and he can run, but he’s undersized and has too much competition to be a day two pick in all likelihood, even after a year in which the undersized Wilson was. One Wilson is built better, two Wilson throws the ball better. He is an intriguing developmental prospect, however.
Sean Parker SS
Parker is a rangy safety with good ball skills. Parker picks the ball cleanly and has good hips for coverage as well. Though he does not have drool inducing size, Parker mixes it up in the run game. He approached a 100 tackles last season for the Huskies. Parker also spent time at nickel cornerback with the Huskies in his freshman year. This former big-time recruit looks poised to be drafted in the 2013 NFL draft.
Drew Schafer OL-
A tough offensive linemen who has played a number of positions for the Huskies over the years and a potential day three pick. Schafer is a limited athlete and will not play on the outside in the N.F.L. and while he’s a bit tall for center (6’4 302 pounds) he exceled there for the Huskies last year and will be worth watching this year.
Other names to watch: Jesse Callier, RB, LB Princeton Fuimaono; WR James Johnson; OLB Erik Kohler
LSU Tigers
As expected the Tigers of a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball (but even more on defense). The Tigers have three near motral locks for the first round on their roster right now perhaps four. These three players are SS Eric Reid, DE Sam Montgomery, DE Barkevious
Jan 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) wraps up Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson (3) during the BCS National Championship game at the Louisiana Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE
go.
But I’ll highligh two other players.
First news to note-OT Chris Faluk, another potential first round player for the Tigers is out for the season.
Bennie Logan-DT
Logan was overshadowed last year by Michael Brockers and the other stalwarts on their defensive line, but he’s quite the player in his own right. Logan is very quick and has long arms to keep blockers at bay. Logan is listed right now at 6’3 295 pounds. Logan plays with good leverage and has good functional strength, he’s stronger than you would think from his frame. Logan could push for first round consideration with an impressive season and will be a key to LSU getting to another National Championship game.
Spencer Ware-RB/Russel Sheppard WR
These two are probably the best skill position players that are draft elegible for the Tigers this year. Ware is a think man with plus speed. He’s 5’11 225 pounds. Sheppard will not get a great chance to showcase his abilities in the LSU Tigers offense unless they are going to be much more reliant on the pass than in the past, but he could continue the tradition of talented players who get drafted in the N.F.L. draft.
Other names to watch CB Tharold Simon, LB Kevin Minter, DE Lavar Edwards, DT Josh Downs
Note I have not checked on the injury reports for availability of any of the players listed above.