NFL Draft: Iowa Stars Shine Bright In Loss to Nebraska

Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA;Iowa Hawkeyes running back Jordan Canzeri (33) follows the blocking of teammate offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the fact that, as a team, the Iowa Hawkeyes have been unable to close out close games this season, their NFL Draft prospects have been quite a bit of fun to watch, especially on Friday afternoon against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Playing their final games in Iowa City, offensive tackle Brandon Scherff and defensive tackle Carl Davis shined and showed NFL scouts exactly why they should be considered among this year’s top 32 players.

Brandon Scherff, OT

Scherff is an absolute brawler on the offensive line. He has an excellent 6-foot-5, 320 pound frame for an offensive tackle, and outstanding strength. He is light on his feet and very athletic for his size, able to move around, get downfield for blocks, and do pretty much anything and everything you could ask him to do as an offensive lineman.

Some scouts view Scherff as a better offensive guard in the pros because of a lack of ideal arm length, but he looks like the type of guy who can play either guard or tackle when he is drafted to the NFL. And he won’t last too long, possibly even through the top 10 picks.

Scherff is the type of player who can come in and start for your  team immediately at either guard or tackle, and he looks like he has All-Pro potential from the word ‘go’. He’s so powerful and athletic that Iowa was able to have success running his way on Friday, but Nebraska started to make some good adjustments. In pass protection, Randy Gregory — a top 10 talent in his own right — was out for the Huskers but Scherff was still able to shut things down on his side of the line.

It’s clear to see why this guy is considered a top 10 draft prospect and when you watch him play, he’s got such a nasty disposition but phenomenal technique and such a well-rounded game.\

Carl Davis, DT

Simply put, offenses have to change their game plan for the 6-foot-5, 315 pound Davis. This is a big, strong player with quickness on the interior who has been criticized for playing ‘too small’ at times, but can absolutely take over a game when he is at his best.

Davis started to make a mark as a junior in a big way by busting through the line for big plays, but on Friday against Nebraska, his full arsenal of moves were on display. He blocked a kick, and was constantly in the backfield making things difficult for the Nebraska offense, which had virtually no success running up the middle at Davis.

While I think he is going to need some seasoning at the next level, this is a player with size, strength, and quickness on the defensive interior that I would feel comfortable spending a late-first round pick on if the need was there, and I think he can be an anchor for an NFL defensive line in the future.