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[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Surprising Seniors Skyrocketing[/size][/font] [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
By Rob Rang
Senior Analyst
NFLDraftScout.com
December 21, 2005 - The true test of an NFL scouting department is not found in the first round, but in identifying later round and free agent prospects.
Most high ranking prospects have shown their ability throughout their careers, gaining NFL attention early on and steadily improving to the point where casual football fans know of them. Some prospects, however, are drafted each year after beginning their senior seasons barely a blip on the scouting radar.
Senior Editor Rob Rang presents several prospects who, because of great senior seasons, have drastically improved their draft standing.
Expect many of the names to be unfamiliar; most have never been mentioned as legitimate draft prospects outside of the inner NFL scouting circles.
Freddie Keiaho, ILB, San Diego State, 6-0, 228, 4.65: Keiaho, a former running back and kick returner for the Aztecs, had to wait for the incumbent starter, former Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Kirk Morrison to be drafted in the third round by the Oakland Raiders before finally getting the chance to play regularly. In fact, while acknowledged for his physicality and athleticism, as well as his big play ability (4 blocked kicks, 481 return yards), Keiaho entered this season with only 41 career tackles to his credit. This season, however, Keiaho simply led the Mountain West Conference with 113 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, two fumble recoveries, and another blocked kick. A tad undersized, but an impressive athlete, Keiaho now appears to have quietly moved among the top handful of inside linebackers.
Michael Toudouze, OL, TCU, 6-6, 310, 5.31: Toudouze entered 2005 attempting to grow past the shadow left by all conference selection and fifth round draft choice Anthony Alabi (Miami) as the starting left tackle for the Horned Frogs. Toudouze had shown enough as a part-time starter at both tackle spots that TCU coaches felt no concern in plugging him at left tackle, and they were correct in feeling so. While Toudouze isn't the natural athlete Alabi is, he is quick enough off the snap to get a jump on the defender and uses his long arms and strong hands to control his opponent. Toudouze lacks the athleticism to remain on the left side and might actually be at his best inside at guard due to his straight ahead power and lack of lateral quickness. Entering this season as a bit of an afterthought, Toudouze, recognized as a First Team Mountain West selection in his initial season as the starter, has dramatically moved up the board.
Mike Kudla, DE, Ohio State, 6-2, 258, 4.95: With all of the hype focusing on positions other than defensive end, Mike Kudla has quietly developed into a very intriguing prospect. A valuable backup early in his career, Kudla first saw consistent starting action in 2004 and he responded with 28 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and a team leading four sacks despite starting only seven games. Though he is still a virtual unknown to many, Kudla improved his numbers in 2005, ranking first among a virtual who's who of prep defensive line talent for the Buckeyes in tackles (34), tackles for loss (8.5), and sacks (6.5). Kudla isn't particularly fast or explosive off the edge, but he is a disciplined player and has great strength. Some close to the team say that Kudla could be a darkhorse candidate for the most repetitions of 225 pounds at this year's Combine.
Paul McQuistan, OT, Weber State, 6-7, 310, 5.30: Considered by some scouts to be one of the more physical and intense offensive linemen in the country, McQuistan entered this season as the longtime starter at left tackle for Weber State, but likely a free agent level prospect. With thirty career starts to his credit before the beginning of this season, most felt that McQuistan was an interesting prospect due to his size, but hadn't shown the improvement throughout his career to warrant a sure selection in the draft. In McQuistan's case, however, the head coaching change from Jerry Graybeal to Ron McBride seemed to help jumpstart his improvement. An honorable mention Big Sky player in 2004, McQuistan suddenly improved his technique and allowed his natural aggression to spill onto the field, earning Division I-AA All-American status after this season. Paul's twin brother, Pat McQuistan, was the starting left guard for the Wildcats and also steadily improved this season, though he isn't considered the middle round draft prospect Paul is now being graded.
Barrick Nealy, QB, Texas State, 6-4, 212, 4.69: Of all the prospects on the list, not surprisingly it is a quarterback who is now beginning to get the attention his potential deserves. While comparisons to Texas Longhorn Vince Young are terribly off-base and unfair, Nealy is a legitimate NFL prospect. Though the Texas State attack can hardly be classified as a pro-style offense, Nealy has intriguing numbers (2,875 passing yards, 21-9 TD to INT ratio, 57% completion percentage) and the combination of arm strength, size, and poise in the pocket scouts like. Nealy has been heavily touted for his running ability, and for good reason, considering his team-leading 1,057 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, but he is a long-strider with limited agility, who won't be the scrambling threat at the next level that his numbers indicate. That said, his natural passing skills warrant further development and teams are beginning to classify Nealy among the better senior prospects at the position.
Joe Rubin, RB, Portland State, 5-11, 218, 4.75: Like many of the prospects on this list, Rubin was stuck behind an all-conference player in Ryan Fuqhua and simply had to wait until his senior season to show his ability. Needless to say, after finishing third in the country with 1,702 rushing yards and earning All-American status, Rubin has improved his draft ranking. Built like former Fresno State running back Michael Pittman in that he is a very well-defined, compact body with narrow shoulders, Rubin shows solid power inside and is a tough, fall-forward runner. Teams were initially turned off by a purported lack of speed, but Rubin has never actually run the forty for scouts. Critics quick to point to Portland State's I-AA status as a reason for Rubin's rushing success should note his performance against Oregon State (28 rushes for 117 yards) and bowl bound Boise State (25 rushes for 151 yards, touchdown).
Taitusi Lutui, OG, USC, 6-5, 370, 5.48: After earning All-American honors as a senior for the two time defending Trojans, "Deuce" is hardly an unknown prospect. That said, previous to this season Lutui was considered by most to be a huge disappointment and a late round prospect, at best. Allowing his weight to balloon to as much as 390 pounds, Lutui wasn't even considered a starter by some close to the program during the off-season. However, after getting married, Lutui, a JC transfer, seemed to finally begin to realize his massive potential, shedding nearly fifty pounds and emerging from spring as the clear starter at left guard after playing at right tackle in 2004. Can be a dominant force inside at guard if he can keep his weight down. Among the most intriguing invitations to the Senior Bowl, considering most NFL scouts saw him as a questionable prospect entering this year and want to see him up close.
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Senior Analyst
NFLDraftScout.com
December 21, 2005 - The true test of an NFL scouting department is not found in the first round, but in identifying later round and free agent prospects.
Most high ranking prospects have shown their ability throughout their careers, gaining NFL attention early on and steadily improving to the point where casual football fans know of them. Some prospects, however, are drafted each year after beginning their senior seasons barely a blip on the scouting radar.
Senior Editor Rob Rang presents several prospects who, because of great senior seasons, have drastically improved their draft standing.
Expect many of the names to be unfamiliar; most have never been mentioned as legitimate draft prospects outside of the inner NFL scouting circles.
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