Johnson C. Smith defensive end Jovontay Williams is not exactly a household name in the NFL Draft scouting community right now. In fact, he’s not really on more than a few radars right now. Thanks to a tip from a scout I know, I was able to scout him. After watching the 2014 film on Jovontay, it’s safe to say that he can play in the NFL.
In fact, when he was being recruited out of high school, Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer called Jovontay the most gifted player he’d ever seen. Although I may not agree with that ascertainment, it is easy to see that Jovontay has what he calls “the gift.” He’s quick off the ball while also having the flexibility to bend around the edge. Add in some sick pass rush moves and you have a formidable foe rushing off the edge. He definitely needs to improve his run stopping discipline, specifically correctly reading running plays and keeping containment though. However, his weaknesses are all very coachable. Thus, he could really see a substantial improvement at the next level with some hard work. Most importantly, Jovontay is a hard worker and he has a good head on his shoulders. The mental side of football is often overlooked, but Jovontay scores a lot of points in this area.
It is definitely sad news to me to hear that Connor Cook plans on returning for his senior year at Michigan State unless he is guaranteed to be a Top 10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He is definitely the best draft eligible quarterback in this draft class. If he indeed keeps his word, then there may not be a single quarterback worthy of a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Florida State Seminole Jameis Winston is definitely making a move and is in the conversation, but he is not quite there yet. Against the Buckeyes, Connor Cook showed pinpoint accuracy, but was really let down because of numerous drops by his receivers. It is difficult to beat a team of Ohio State’s caliber when your entire team is not clicking on all cylinders.
Clemson Tiger Vic Beasley is the type of pass rusher that opposing offensive coordinators lose sleep over trying to figure out how they are going to be able to block him. He really is that scary off the edge. In fact, his athleticism is so rare that with his number three on his jersey, he often looks more like a big wide receiver than a college defensive end.
In the NFL, Beasley will most likely be a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has substantial experience playing in a two-point stance so he should make a seamless transition from college defensive end/linebacker hybrid to a full-time outside linebacker. He’s a bit undersized, but do not let his height and weight fool you. Beasley is extremely strong for his size and holds up better in run support than many players much bigger than him. However, it would still probably be in his best interest to add another five pounds to his frame if it does not decrease his rare explosiveness.
Against Wake Forest, Beasley was extremely active in the Demon Deacon’s backfield all night. People often cite statistics to argue for a pass rusher’s effectiveness, but a true top pass rusher can impact a game without even sacking the quarterback. Constant pressure and forcing quick decisions is often just as crucial as sacking the quarterback. Beasley does both.
Clemson Tiger teammate Grady Jarrett is still underrated by many. He is a bit on the smaller side for a defensive tackle, but he is still able to hold up quite well at the point of attack. His strength is his ability to penetrate and create havoc in the opponent’s backfield. Although he was not at his best against Wake Forest, he still forced them to alter their blocking schemes in order to account for the beast in the middle.
Another defensive tackle saw his star shine a bit more brightly on the National Stage. Ohio State Buckeye Michael Bennett almost single-handedly slowed down the Spartans potent offensive attack. He made several key plays in the backfield and was a nuisance for Connor Cook all night. Do not let this game fool you though, as Bennett is not usually as good as he looked against Michigan State. Furthermore, he needs to improve at holding the point of attack in the running game. This is especially true when he is double-teamed, where he often gets blown off the ball. Bennett is an explosive player that should be a good defensive tackle for a Tampa 2 defense in the NFL, but probably will not consistently play like the player he was last Saturday night.
Purdue safety Landon Feichter is another player flying under the radar. He probably will never be nothing more than a solid backup and a special teams ace in the pros, but teams need guys like him. He’s an intelligent guy with first-rate instincts. Against the Badgers, he was all over the field, intercepting a pass, being heavily involved in the running game, and forcing and recovering a fumble. He even stopped Melvin Gordon on a key fourth down attempt. He is below average as an athlete for an NFL safety, but he is very fundamentally sound. He always seems to be in the right run fit while also being a superb wrap-up tackler. Feichter is the type of guy that is hard not to root for. He is what makes college football so special. Just maybe he will be able to put the special in special teams for some NFL team in 2015.
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