Analysis of NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2014 Participants at the NFL Combine Part 1

The 2014 NFL Combine results are in so let’s take a look at how the players that participated in the 2014 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl performed. Note, this list is no particular order and this is the list of National players that were invited to the Combine. The American team invites to the Combine will be Part 2 of this series.

1.) Cairo Santos, Placekicker (Tulane University)

Notes: This National team member and Brazilian born talent measures 5 feet 8 and 164 pounds. Santos was one of only four kickers invited to the prestigious annual NFL Combine. Part of the reason why Santos was invited to the Combine, was because of the show he put on in the way of kickoffs (4 touchbacks) and on a smaller note, his successful 39 yard field goal that he made in the third quarter of the third annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 36 days ago. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl can boast that they hosted the 2012 Lou Groza Award Winner in Santos. Santos has a strong leg as evidenced by the fact he was asked to try 38 field goals from 40 yards or longer from 2010-2013 at Tulane. And guess what? He made 24 of those 40 or longer kicks for an overall conversion percentage of .631.

Santos was given a 5.1 grade by the Combine which means that he has a decent chance to make a roster. Santos has the ability to make an NFL roster with his strong right leg and end over end kicks that go straight and then curve.

2.) Dustin Vaughan, Quarterback (West Texas A&M)

Notes: Vaughan may be one of the more intriguing players to come out of the Collegiate Bowl. He has a strong arm and he’s huge at 6 feet 5 inches and 235 pounds. Vaughan likes to scan defenses then attack them with his strong right arm. He has the throwing motion of a pitcher in which he finds a receiver and then he dips his right shoulder forward and caroms the ball into his target’s chest.

He was given a 4.85 grade at the Combine and he ran a 4.91 in the 40 yard dash. That grade he was given translates to him being either a late, late round draft pick or a priority free agent. Vaughan has enough ability to get a look and someday be a decent backup or emergency quarterback with the right offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach.

3.) Tom Hornsey, Punter (Memphis)

Notes: Hornsey’s punts in the Collegiate Bowl helped to keep the American team from having consistent workable field position. Watching him in this game made one wonder what he could do in the NFL under the right special teams coaches. Hornsey like Santos above, won an award (the 2013 Ray Guy Award) that painted him as the best at his position in all of college football.

Hornsey graded out at 5.0 at the Combine which means he has solid shot at making an NFL team. Hornsey has the leg and punt placement skills to make an NFL roster or at least get some tryouts. These next seven months could determine if he is the next stud punter or underrated or slept-on talent.

Notes: Connor Shaw was one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the country for the last two years at South Carolina. His deep drop backs and patience in the pocket were some of the reasons for his success in Steve Spurrier’s demanding Multiple-formations offense. He obtained a 5.0 grade and a 4.55 40 yard dash time at the Combine. So if a team is looking for an athletic, efficient, and focused quarterback as a backup, then Shaw is their man.

5.) Albert Wilson III, Wide Receiver (Georgia State)

Notes: Georgia State is a super young football program that only started playing football back in 2010. And it’s been hard to watch them for the last three seasons if one was a fan of theirs. But players like Wilson have made that three year period a little more bearable, as his 4.35 speed (measured at the Combine) and his 6,235 all-purpose yards from 2010 to 2013 attests. Wilson is one of those rare small wide outs with track speed that can actually help an offense as a possession or deep down the field threat.

He obtained a 4.75 grade at the Combine which means that he has the necessary skills to make an NFL team. His speed will always get his foot in the door in any football league, but it will be his improvement in crisp route running and his sidestepping his lack of size that will make his transition much easier to the pros.

6.) Kendall James, Defensive Back (Maine)

Notes: Has the body type of a compact cornerback and/or running back. James posted the highest grade of any player on the National team that was invited to Combine with a 5.26 mark. His grade translates to him having to work hard on special teams in order to get a good look at cornerback. The last Maine Black Bear defensive back to be drafted was Jerron McMillian in 2012, who was taken in the 4th round by Green Bay.

7.) J.C. Copeland, Fullback (Louisiana State)

Notes: The MVP of the Collegiate Bowl, Copeland can help a team as a pass catcher, lead blocker, or short yardage back. He led all the running backs at the Combine with 23 bench presses of 225 pounds, and that’s great news for any team that needs a lead blocker to escort their precious running backs up the middle. He registered a 5.1 grade at the Combine which gives him an outside chance of making a roster. Copeland MUST show (like he did at the National practices at the Collegiate Bowl) that he can help a team as a pass receiver in order for him to get a look; because the NFL doesn’t really care about fullbacks that can’t at least be a threat as a receiver.

8.) Jonotthan Harrison, Center (Florida)

Notes: Harrison is a decent athlete at center who can get out to the second level and punish linebackers, etc. faster than his size or build would suggest. Harrison put up 27 reps in the bench press at the Combine and he ran the 40 yard dash in 5.15 seconds which is solid for someone with his weight at 304 pounds.

His 5.24 grade suggests that a team will take a look at him as a backup center and maybe he’ll see time on the PAT or field goal units. Harrison has the ability, mean streak, and talent to be a starting center in the NFL but it will take time and the correct offensive line coach to get Harrison to that point.

9.) Isaiah Burse, Wide Receiver (Fresno State)

Notes: The fact that his teammate and quarterback Derek Carr has received so much hype for the 2014 NFL Draft can only help the prospects of Burse. Outside of Southern California’s Marqise Lee and Clemson’s Sammy Watkins, there isn’t a heck of a lot of elite talent in the receiving class for the 2014 Draft.

His 5.2 grade translates to him being a backup receiver, with his special teams potential giving him a better chance to make a team.  And that’s good for Burse at this stage, because he has the speed, moves, and instincts to be a keeper as a kickoff return or put return man. His 4.58 speed in the 40 and his production at Fresno State should help him be the first Bulldog receiver drafted since 2012 when Devon Wylie was taken in the 4th round by Kansas City.

9.) Howard Jones, Wide Receiver (Shepherd)

Notes: Jones was an opportunistic and active player at the 2014 Collegiate Bowl. He was the only defensive end from the National team invited to the Combine. Jones is a well-built future outside linebacker who could get drafted. But even if he doesn’t, he could be a developmental prospect that has future pass rushing potential written all over him. His adjustment from Division II football will have to be looked at by a coaching staff.

He registered a 5.25 grade at the Combine which is about right for him. His athleticism could be used on the kickoff team. All the while he’s working his tail off on special teams, his future linebacker coaches will get a good idea of how they can use him in the linebacker rotation.

11.) Khyri Thornton, Defensive Tackle (Southern Mississippi)

Notes: Thornton is 4-3 two-gap defensive tackle who is big at 6 feet 3 and 304 pounds, but he can move so well laterally and up field. Even though he received a 5.0 grade (50 percent chance of making an NFL roster) at the Combine, Thornton may be one of the top sleepers and/or under the radar defensive tackles in this draft. He will never be a star interior defensive lineman in the NFL, but opposing offensive guards and centers will know his name for years to come IF he receives the right coaching.