This morning, day of the draft, I wanted to refresh my mind on a couple of prospects. One of those players?
#Toledo
DB Quinyon Mitchell, who I thought may be long gone before 22 overall.
He's a slam dunk pick for the
#Eagles
. Here's why I like the pick:
I hope there are mental health services in place for both the Bills and Bengals players. They witnessed a traumatic incident on that field tonight that they’ll never forget.
This is a time for the NFL to step up and truly show they care about player safety and wellness.
Can’t help but feel like I’m watching an Alvin Kamara clone in
#Alabama
RB Jahmyr Gibbs. The slippery ability in the open field, the glide as he runs, insane contact balance, added boost in the receiving game.
Love the ability to set up his own blocks, create lanes w/vision.
Jeff Okudah (
@jokudah
) is such a special corner. Watch how he reads and squeezes Ronnie Bell’s route in the first play, then dislodge the ball from Nico Collins on the second play. Continues to prove why he’s one of the best in CFB.
#WNSFilm
Greg Olsen is the best color commentator in the game right now. Love how he incorporates his own experience, his film study, conversations with players and coaches, fans get so much incredible insight from his analysis.
#Clemson
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has played some outstanding football this season. Picks up the sack and continues to be a playmaker on this defense.
Got a great story on the former St. Joseph’s Prep story coming in a few weeks👀
#Washington
used pre-snap shifts and motions to keep Texas off balance all night.
Brings Troy Fautanu from the left side to make it an unbalanced line, motions Odunze across then hands off to Dillon Johnson lined up as FB.
Look at Fautanu clear that lane! My favorite playcall⬇️
The raw athletic ability from Josh Uche was always evident watching him at Michigan, but pulling this off is astonishing. Literally dips his shoulder parallel to the ground, keeps balance on the ghost rush and closes for the strip sack.
Impressive!
Michigan’s center
#51
Cesar Ruiz (
@_OverCees
) was DOMINATING all night against Notre Dame. He created huge running lanes, showed off his athleticism pulling out on the perimeter, and showed versatility getting to second level and moving those linebackers.
#WNSFilm
Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (
@Micah_Parsons11
) is so fast and hits with so much power. Watch as he causes a fumble stopping Indiana's tight end at the half inch line of the goal-line. Such a special player.
#WNSFilm
#Clemson
LB Trenton Simpson showing his ability to make coverage drops, then driving on the football during on-field workouts during Clemson’s Pro Day.
#Michigan
DB Mike Sainristil says he studied Mike Hilton’s film this summer and picked his brain on Instagram to learn tips from him.
Very cerebral guy who can articulate his thoughts. Impressive podium session.
Micah Parsons (
@Micah_Parsons11
) played a heck of a game against Michigan. 11 tackles, his instincts and speed to the ball is next level, he is just a playmaker. He was a force Saturday night.
#WNSFilm
#UCLA
EDGE Laiatu Latu says he really got into firefighting when he was medically retired at Washington. Says if football doesn’t end up working out, he would like to get back into it and eventually work his way up to Fire Chief.
#Oklahoma
DE Ronnie Perkins' film against Oklahoma State is shared a ton, but I think his
#Florida
performance is just as impressive.
-Violent squeeze, blows up puller on QB power
-Delayed stunt, gets QB hit and forces quick throw
-Quick get off for TFL
Top 5 EDGE for me.
I cannot believe
#Miami
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. is only a freshman. His strength, speed turning the corner and pass rush arsenal is much more advanced than most draft eligible pass rushers.
Has 3 sacks over the last two weeks (2 strips sacks). Store his name away for later.
#PennState
wideout KJ Hamler (
@Kj_hamler
) says he has his mind made up on his future, but won't announce it till after the Cotton Bowl. Hamler adds that he doesn't want to be a distraction to his team by announcing his decision before the game.
#FSU
EDGE Patrick Payton has had some eye popping flashes opposite of Jared Verse this season. Uses his length to his advantage as a pass rusher but has some hip fluidity and bend around the corner too.
Desirable traits/size who could become a top flight pass rusher next cycle.
Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald was a player who really really impressed me today.
We knew he was a bendy athlete but he can move in coverage too. Popped quite a bit, exploded out of stance gaining depth in zone drops, beat Darnell Wright in pass pro in team period.
#SeniorBowl
#Oregon
Center Jackson Powers-Johnson can MOVE in space and a people mover in the run game. Plays with excellent leverage and power, athleticism to consistently root out LB’s on 2nd level blocks.
Really an ideal fit for OZ teams who ask their centers to operate in space.
#Clemson
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. met with the
#Eagles
and says Nick Sirianni and Howie Roseman were there.
“They’re great guys, great energy, really got good vibe. That'd be a blessing to play for them.”
His performance might got lost in the shuffle but
#Texas
DT Byron Murphy II was outstanding last night.
The stats don’t do him justice, had a handful of pressures, some impactful run stops, pushing the interior pocket. His activity forced Washington to attack the perimeter.
Asked
#Oklahoma
LT Anton Harrison about his development under offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh and the biggest improvements to his game.
#NFLCombine
#Washington
DB Jabbar Muhammad had an excellent game in coverage against Texas. Gave up a big play late but did a nice job staying on top of vertical routes, clicking and closing on timing routes.
Impressed with how he’s performed against top wideouts this season.
KJ Hamler (
@Kj_hamler
) is the hardest man to tackle in college football. This play shows how he can make players miss in a phone booth. He makes three defenders miss within 2 yards of space. He is one of the most electrifying players in the country.
#WNSFilm
#TAMU
LB Edgerrin Cooper says he formally met with the
#Eagles
and says the he watched film with the staff to see how he would fit in their defensive scheme.
Says he tries to model his game after Fred Warner.
Nobody is funnier on the Pro Day circuit than
#Steelers
head coach Mike Tomlin. Anytime there's an intriguing prospect around, he's right there, man. Caught this watching
#Clemson
's Pro Day from yesterday😂
#SouthCarolina
DL Tonka Hemingway kept flashing while watching their DB’s, w/quick wins at the LOS utilizing swim moves, hand swipes, chasing after QB’s as well.
Listed at 6-3, 295, knifing through o-lines, showing awareness to diagnose RB screens. Not in draft, but good player.
"I see her role on Sunday NFL Countdown as a great starting point to where she should head in the future.”
My story on Erin Kate Dolan (
@erinkatedolan
), Delco native & Cardinal O’Hara grad, carving out her own niche as a sports betting analyst at ESPN:
#BYU
OT Kingsley Suamataia tells me he’s been a boxer is whole life and his grandfather is a Golden Gloves winner.
Says it helps him use independent hands in pass pro, trains with his cousin Penei Sewell. Calls himself a “dancing bear.”
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT:
Today I officially joined the WTAJ News Team as a Digital MMJ/Digital Content Producer. I am blessed to have such an incredible opportunity and can’t wait to see what I accomplish over the next two years. Can’t wait to bring news to Central PA!
.
@MSUBobcats_FB
LB Troy Andersen was a problem in the one on one pass pro session. Using his speed around the edge to beat Kolar in this rep.
#SeniorBowl
Excited to announce I’ll be joining the
@PhillyInquirer
next week as a Sports Betting Producer, helping execute their newest betting partnership. Looking forward to the newest challenge and keeping up with all of Philadelphia sports!
It's time people start to pay attention to Penn State's Shaka Toney (
@SackA_Toney
). He has five sacks already this season, matching his total all of last season and continues to get better each and every game.
#WNSFilm
As my time at WTAJ is coming to an end, I am looking for my next job opportunity! I have experience in sports writing, content producing, sports reporting, and more!
Below is a snippet of my video reel. and below in the thread I will have writing samples. Let's connect!
#Washington
WR Rome Odunze in the first half:
-83 yard punt return touchdown
-44 yard reception at beginning of second quarter
-This 35 yard touchdown showcasing his tracking.
Nearly 200 all purpose yards. Such an impressive talent
Toledo DB Quinyon Mitchell, the newest
#Eagles
pick, has no panic in his game, even when he’s out of position. His ability to flip his hips and close on the football, and eye discipline to through the hands of wide receivers is so impressive to watch.
#MontanaSt
LB Troy Andersen caught my eye in this particular rep yesterday. Does a nice job climbing back in zone coverage and nearly gets a pick on the crossing ridding route. Excited to see him practice again today, quietly put together a great day one.
#SeniorBowl
#Clemson
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Finished his Tigers career with 192 tackles (29.5 TFLs), 4 INT's (2 returned for TD's) as a 2-year starter.
#Bears
new EDGE Dominique Robinson have Luke Goedeke and Bernhard Raimann fits, both Day 2 picks, this season.
Converted WR/TE to EDGE, developmental guy with some twitchy tools.
#SouthCarolina
WR Antwane Wells was one of the biggest transfers in the offseason from James Madison, and has carved up Tennessee and Clemson in consecutive weeks.
If he returns to school he will be one of the top senior wideouts in the country.
It’s been a monster 4 game stretch from
#Washington
EDGE Bralen Trice, who added 2.5 TFLs and a sack against Oregon State on Saturday.
Doesn’t always get home but the pressure/chaos he creates in the backfield goes beyond the stat sheet; helped cause an INT in the 3rd quarter.
#Washington
RT Roger Rosengarten has played both LT and RT in his career, protecting blind sides of his QB’s.
Told me he met with the
#Eagles
for his first formal and got a chance to build a relationship with Jeff Stoutland and Nick Sirianni. Has some awesome tape.
CAREER UPDATE: Four summers ago, I got my first work experience as an intern
@wdsu
. Now, I’ll be returning to New Orleans, as a Sports Digital Content Producer for
@NOLAnews
, helping head their new sports betting initiative!
Very excited about this new journey!
#JSU
freshman DB Travis Hunter looks fluid and aggressive in his college debut. The
#2
player in the 2022 class was sitting on the slants/dig routes all game long.
A great start for a player who will be in the spotlight for the next couple years.
One last quick thing I wanted to post about
#Toledo
DB Quinyon Mitchell: he navigates the “trash” of the middle of the field so well. His ability is in display here, remaining glued to the WR on a crossing route, getting the PBU.
Impressive player and awareness.
What a great rep here by
#FSU
EDGE Janarius Robinson. Walks back Leatherwood with a bull rush and forces the pocket to collapse. Uses that length to his advantage.
Lived out a lifelong dream of not only being at the
#NFLDraft
but covering it as a media member. I appreciate everyone who has tuned into my coverage over the last calendar year!
More film breakdowns and draft recaps to come, but wanted to stop and thank you all.🙏🏾
#Washington
LT Troy Fautanu with a jump set into a snatch trap here on the Texas edge rusher. Love how he mixes up his pass sets to keep the pass rush off balance.
Always looking for work,
#Michigan
OG Trevor Keegan is never just standing around in pass protection. Will help clean up a pocket once he identifies no other free rushers are coming.
Physical player, smart player too.
#Eagles
got pretty good value with him.
#Oklahoma
RB Eric Gray met with the
#Eagles
at the Senior Bowl, but says he would love to play with Philly and the usage of their running backs.
Rooming with his teammate, Wanya Morris this week and says the reminisce about their times at Tennessee and Oklahoma together.
No one raised their stock more this week at
#ShrineBowl
then
@UVAFootball
TE Jelani Woods. Excellent route here with soft hands to catch this touchdown.
#Miami
DB Tyrique Stevenson is the perfect blend of physical and smooth out of his stance. In the release drill, he had great press technique and smooth hips to open up and run with every wideout he went up against.
#SeniorBowl
Film dump of
#Steelers
rookie RG Kevin Dotson's performance incoming!
He does a nice jump on initial contact against Jurell Casey. Keeps his hand placement solid, and drives Casey to the ground. Really nice movement from the rook on this play.
Love how
#FSU
WR Keon Coleman (top of the screen) is encouraging the DB to come up and press him, ends up catching the fade for a TD anyway despite DPI.
Pretty much encapsulates what he brings at the catch point in contested situations.
Best moment from the
#PennState
Cotton Bowl presser.
Pat Freiermuth (
@pat_fry5
) talks about what played in his decision to not declare for the NFL draft. His reason? "I don't want to pay bills and all that."
Says he knew for sure he wanted to stay after the Ohio State game.
#Auburn
RB Tank Bigsby with met with the
#Eagles
informally but said he would “love” to run behind the Eagles offensive line if they selected him.
#NFLCombine
4 years ago today I started my full-time journalism career and can’t believe how far it’s taken me already.
Two new jobs later and I couldn’t be happier how things have turned out. Excited to see where this career continues to take me!
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT:
Today I officially joined the WTAJ News Team as a Digital MMJ/Digital Content Producer. I am blessed to have such an incredible opportunity and can’t wait to see what I accomplish over the next two years. Can’t wait to bring news to Central PA!
Irish Breakdown and Notre Dame fans, do me a favor and give
@RealD_Jackson
a follow! He has joined the IB team as a new recruiting analyst! Welcome Devin to the team! We'll have another big announcement tomorrow!
#GoIrish
#IBNation
So impressed with
#Washington
LT Troy Fautanu at his podium. Had some great dialogue with him, a former volleyball player, feels like he’s the most versatile OL in this class.
Didn’t meet with the
#Eagles
, but had formals w/28 of 32 teams. Models his game after Rashawn Slater.
Ohio State's Shaun Wade (
@shaunwade2017
) locks down people. He brings consistent tight coverage, has great change of direction and break on the ball, and in a few of these plays he is running the route for the receiver.
#WNSFilm
#Washington
LT Troy Fautanu has been really impressive this season but caught this recovery rep live and thought it really shows his athleticism. Initially beat on the spin move but spins himself back to wash the edge rusher out of the play.
#Texas
WR Xavier Worthy told me his favorite wide receiver growing up and his idol was Desean Jackson.
Says he has met with several teams, including the
#Eagles
at the NFL combine. He believes what separates him is his ability to stop on a dime coupled with his speed.
#Alabama
DL Justin Eboigbe (6-5, 292) lines up all over the defensive line from a tight 7 to a 1 shade and just plays assignment sound, textbook football. Relentless effort, spills in the run game, some team will get a well-rounded productive player in the draft.
#TTU
Safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is one of my favorite safety prospects in this class. Teams have talked about him playing at all three safety spots (in box, two high, nickel).
Met with the
#Eagles
at the Shrine Bowl a few months ago.
A week after the Senior Bowl last year,
@haleyp898
and I passed through Mobile on the way back from vacation to take this picture outside the stadium, I promised myself that I would cover it in person in 2023
Today, we make it a reality. Beyond excited to be on the ground today.
#OregonState
RT Taliese Fuaga has been an absolute stud in pass protection today. Has shut down his side of pass rushers, especially in team. Awesome day for him today at the
#SeniorBowl
.
#AAMU
QB Aqeel Glass putting on a show in the first half. 200 yards passing, 4 total TD’s. Caught my eye last summer, really talented passer with great poise in the pocket.
Impressive one on one session from
#Miami
DB Tyrique Stevenson. Fluidity, physicality at LOS, ability to get underneath routes.
Has had a fantastic practice so far.
Sometimes you just have to laugh at how silly
#UGA
EDGE Nolan Smith’s athleticism is. Bends with so much fluidity, elite first step quickness and closes pockets at an insane level.
Even though he missed games, his presence was always felt.
Chase Young (
@youngchase907
) had a monster 4 sack game and has been destroying offensive lines. But his ability to diagnose plays is incredible. First play, he redirects on the screen play. Next, he gets underneath pulling guard and bounces it outside to his teammates.
#WNSFilm
My goodness
#Utah
Safety Cole Bishop is having a day! Been around the ball all day against Baylor, had an outstanding game against Florida and continuing his high level play today.
#Utah
on the verge of a comeback win!
#OhioState
DE Jonathon Cooper has an explosive first step and plays with power, great leverage and uses his hands well. RS Senior was really productive this season.
Injuries have held him back but showed a ton of potential in 2020. Big week in Mobile could rise his stock.
Taking a deeper dive into
#Eagles
5th rounder,
#Michigan
OG Trevor Keegan. He played a large role in their pin and pull running scheme, especially with Zak Zinter out the last couple of games leading up to National Championship.
Heavy handed, takes excellent blocking angles too.
#OhioState
LBs Justin Hilliard and Baron Browning have both made plays early in this one. Making an impact early here for the National Team at the
#SeniorBowl
.
#Iowa
LB Jack Campbell has special ability to recognize route combinations while displaying natural feel for his coverage drops.
#Purdue
game especially, he was anticipating dig routes and getting into WR's hip pocket,
#OhioState
game another showcase of his skill set.
Caught this on the tail end but
#Raiders
LT Bamidele Olaseni (
#79
) getting some push at the bottom of the screen they pancaking a safety at the end of the play.
#HallofFameGame
#USC
Safety Calen Bullock is representing his grandma and late father on his chains at the NFL Combine.
“I wear these every single day. These are two angels.”
Says he met with the
#Eagles
yesterday too. Played basketball with them and watched through his film.
#Washington
RT Roger Rosengarten is a more than capable athlete who does an excellent job mixing up his pass sets, has a snatch trap in his repertoire and an active hand fighter. He’s a really good Day 2 option if you miss out on a 1st round tackle this year.