The NFL Draft will be coming to a television near you in 57 days, so take a quick stroll with PRO PLAYERS INSIDERS on some players that you may not have heard about but may have what it takes to earn a look from the National Football League. And as a football purist, I like to analyze football players no matter what level of collegiate football they played or how far off the radar they are as far as college football popularity. Below is a list of players who caught my eye at the inaugural AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl back on January 21st of this year.
1.) KEN WOOD (Texas A&M) Punter-5-10 191 pounds
Why: Yes, he hasn’t punted since the 2010 season at Texas A&M but Wood can punt when given the chance. In the NFLPA game, his punting was one of the more interesting side notes of that game. His punts were high in the air and traveled good distances which gave the coverage the ability to get down field in time and find punt returners and nab them before they could get consistent big returns or force them into fair catches. Wood’s punts (5 total) in that game were returned just once for minus 4 yards. Forget the fact that he hasn’t played in two years, because this kid can punt. My Prediction for 2012 NFL Draft: Free Agent
2.) JAMES AIONO (Utah) Defensive Tackle-6-3 305
Why: Aiono was easily one of the best football players at the NFLPA game. He possesses intensity, high effort, technique, doesn’t like to be blocked, and athleticism. Aiono can play 4-3 defensive end or occasional 3-4 defensive tackle. Aiono can defend the run and he has good pass rush skills and if he is given a chance, coached right, and in the right scheme he could be an asset to a defensive line. Was the second highest rated recruit in the nation coming out of Snow Community College back in 2010. My Prediction for 2012 NFL Draft: 7th Round through Free Agent
3.) CHRIS GALIPPO (USC) Linebacker-6-2 250
Why: Was All-United States in high school as a tackling machine linebacker (Servite High School in Anaheim, California) where he had 328 tackles (including around 35 tackles for loss) in three varsity seasons. But at USC, it was a case of injuries, missed opportunities, and underachievement that set him back as a member of the Trojans from 2007-2011. He ranked seventh on the Trojans in tackles with 47 and he interfered with 12 passes (which includes interceptions, passes broken up, and passed defensed). He ran a 4.87 at the 2012 Combine which translates to inside linebacker (2-3 down player on defense). Galippo is a read-and-react type of linebacker and he can fill gaps when it is necessary. He can play sideline to sideline but his game is defending the run and taking care of matters between the offensive tackles (around 12 yards laterally). My Prediction for 2012 NFL Draft: 7th Round-Free Agent
4.) ERIK FOLK (Washington) Placekicker- 5-11 185
Why: Made all his extra points and was 2 for 3 on field goals (long of 45 yards) in the NFLPA game. Folk has a strong leg and he was the Huskies go to man for kickoffs, PAT’s, and field goals for the last two years especially. My Prediction for the 2012 NFL Draft: 7th Round-Free Agent
5.) SCOTT WEDIGE (Northern Illinois) Center-6-4 310
Why: He was quietly one of the better centers in the nation in 2011 and he proved it at the NFLPA game. He looks and plays like a right tackle and has decent enough mobility to play there. He started every single game (13 contests) at center for the Huskies in 2011 and was accorded All-American honors (second team) and All-Mid American Conference honors (first team). Wedige has talent and he is a hard worker. He isn’t flashy but Wedige is a competitor and unselfish. My Prediction for the 2012 NFL Draft: 6th Round-Free Agent
6.) PATRICK BUTRYM (Wisconsin) Defensive Tackle-6-4 285
Why: Look, Butrym’s size and ability didn’t just step out of a prototype laboratory for defensive linemen, but he plays like his hair is on fire and that he fears someone will steal his starting job from him. Defensive line coaches crave players like Butrym who will shut their mouth, give 110 percent, and can actually play. Was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick in 2011 for the Badgers. My Prediction for the 2012 NFL Draft: Free Agent
7.) JARED KARSTETTER (Washington State) Wide Receiver-6-4 213
Why: This kid tries to catch everything thrown in his vicinity and he evinced that skill of his in the NFLPA game and for the Cougars for the last three years. Was named the 2012 PAC-12 student-athlete of the year so he is smart and he can play some ball. He can be a helpful possession receiver and he can help out in obvious running situations as a blocker. My Prediction for 2012 NFL Draft: Free Agent
8.) PATRICK WITT (Yale)-Quarterback 6-4 230
Why: Didn’t have an exactly game in the NFLPA game (2 for 8 for for 21 yards). But, this Rhodes Scholar has a strong arm and he can run, and isn’t afraid to compete. You see Yale University next to anyone’s name and you think, a super intelligent Ivy League yuppie trying to crack the NFL establishment. But, Witt is a super intelligent kid and down to earth who has some talent but he needs to be developed. Was second in the entire Ivy league in passing yards (2,368 yards) and completion percentage (62 percent). My Prediction for the 2012 NFL Draft: Free Agent
9.) ALEX HOFFMAN-ELLIS (Washington State)-Linebacker 6-1 226
Why: Had 1 interception (8 yards) in the NFLPA game. An interesting player to watch who could make a team partly due to his special teams skills and serviceable athletic ability. For the last three years, Hoffman-Ellis has been in the thick of things immensely as far as Washington State’s defensive fortunes were concerned. Led the Cougars in tackles with 88 stops in 2011, For three years at WSU he led them in tackles twice (2009 and 2011) and accumulated 20.5 tackles for loss from 2009-2011. Hoffman-Ellis likes to have his nose in everything as soon as that ball is snapped, he is a nosey and at times a bothersome player for offenses. My Prediction for 2012 NFL Draft: 7th Round-Free Agent.
