#23 OLB/DE Sergio Kindle
Overview
Kindle is a two-year starter for the Longhorns as a defensive end but many will try and project him to outside linebacker in the NFL. He has a good combination of length and athleticism but lacks the bulk needs to be an effective run defender at the next level. He has been a disruptive force penetrating the line of scrimmage in the Longhorns 4-3 front. Kindle runs well but doesnt have elite speed or range for a stand up player and will need lots of work developing his coverage techniques and awareness. He is inconsistent using his hands to maintain leverage on his opponent and will need to improve in this area both as a pass rusher as well as run defender. Kindle does play hard and has a frame to add at least 20 pounds, which bodes well for his potential as a special teams contributor as well being utilized as a backup linebacker or edge rusher in sub packages.
Strengths
Kindles a long, rangy player who projects best as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. Productive player. Plays with a relentless motor not only as a pass rusher but also in run pursuit. Has good instincts playing with his hand down and off the line of scrimmage. Short area burst and speed are his best attribute, especially when turned loose rushing the passer.
Weaknesses
Main area of concern is his lack of weight and strength, but does have room on his frame to add bulk. Struggles with his hand use when disengaging against the run. Possesses tweener size and athleticism. Has some off-field issues (DWI arrest, driving car into apartment complex and leaving the scene).
#56 CB Kareem Jackson
Overview
Jackson has an excellent combination of size and athleticism for the position. He is a very confident defender that will play tight to his opponent in both man and zone coverage schemes. Jackson shows great foot quickness burst and speed to stay with top receivers. He is an instinctive player that is quick to anticipate and jump routes as plays unfold. He is a competitive player but is inconsistent to as a run support defender. Jackson needs to rap up ball carriers better on the perimeter as well as corralling receivers in the open field. Kareem Jackson is an excellent football player that wont last long on the first day of the 2010 draft if his shoulder checks out.
Strengths
Jackson possesses tremendous size for a corner and great athleticism. Has been a highly-productive player in a complex college scheme. Is a really instinctive performer against the run and pass. Has the aggressiveness and confidence we love to see in CBs and does a great job in man and zone coverage. Has the ball skills to make big plays.
Weaknesses
Durability (past shoulder surgeries) is the main area of concern with Jackson. He can be an inconsistent tackler both in run support when against receivers in the open field. Jackson takes too many chances at times and can be beaten for the big play
#87 RB Joe McKnight
McKnight is an elusive ball carrier that knows how to set up his blockers and does not need a huge lane to run through. He enjoyed his first full season staying healthy in 2009 and declared early to take advantage of that. He finishes his runs off better than youd expect for someone his size. He is not a power back but does know how to dip his pads to run through arm tackles and will attack tacklers with an explosive burst. He shows a good burst through the hole and while he has good speed to threaten deep he will get run down from behind at times. He can be an effective receiver both out in the flats as well as downfield.
Strengths
McKnight has elite quickness and agility for the running back position. Has good speed in the open field. Shows impressive vision, waits for the play to develop, finds the cutback lane. Very competitive with the ball in his hands and plays with the attitude of a bigger back. Was productive in college. Exhibits a natural feel setting up blockers.
Weaknesses
McKnight has enough height but lacks the bulk and thick build of an every down back. Doesnt possess the natural strength to be consistently effective between the tackles. Dealt with some minor injuries in college while sharing the load. Blocking could use some polish. Isnt a true power runner.
#123 OT Tony Washington
Overview
Washington is a good sized tackle that has the frame to add a lot of bulk and strength. He is stronger than most at this level of play but will need to get stronger if he wants to play at the next level. He will likely be in for a shock when he comes up against the kind of speed he will be facing, coming off the edge, when he is facing an NFL defensive end, and while he has a quick kick step, when reaching to pick up the speed rush he has a tendency to overextend too often and leaves himself open to good counter moves. He plays with good intensity and effort and will flash the ability to finish his blocks off. Washington is not always quick to pick up blocks when in space and is still learning blocking angles.
Strengths
Washington has good height with long arms and adequate bulk. A hard worker who plays with a mean streak. Uses a jarring explosive punch and possesses the initial quickness to set fast and thwart speed rushers. Shows good recognition in pass protection picking up the blitz.
Weaknesses
Played at the Division II level and did not consistently line up against formidable competition. Must improve his lower body strength and overall balance. He is still new to the game and struggles run blocking in the second level and on screen passes.
#154 SS Kurt Coleman
Overview
Coleman is a bit of a tweener (size, speed) prospect for the next level. He doesnt have great size for the safety position but lacks great pure speed to play out on the perimeter. Coleman is a fierce competitor that is aggressive defending the run as well as the pass. He has good intelligence in understanding schemes but can be inconsistent in his run support angles and can be out of position at times. Coleman is quicker than fast and may fit best in sub packages (nickel back) as he doesnt have outstanding recovery speed and burst to cover top receivers. Coleman has solid ball skills but needs to play with more consistency in his technique (peddle, pad level, leveraging receivers and ball carriers). He should be a contributor on special teams as a rookie but may take some time to get on the field defensively.
Strengths
Coleman is a productive player. Hes a tough, competitive guy who plays bigger than his listed measurables. Solid athlete with enough ball skills to provide sub-package value. Displays the necessary intelligence to digest defensive schemes. Has shown leadership qualities throughout his time in college.
Weaknesses
Colemans an inconsistent reactor at times. He can be inconsistent with his angles of pursuit and caught out of position against the run. Only possesses average size for the safety position but also lacks the recovery speed necessary to play in coverage on the perimeter
#169 DT Doug Worthington
Overview
Worthington was a productive three-year starter for the Buckeyes defense. He has excellent size and strength with average athleticism to be interior linemen in a 4-3 scheme or move to a defensive end position in a 3-4 front. He is more of a run-stopper than a pass rusher but does show an effective bull rush off the edge. He has good natural power to anchor and leverages well with a strong initial punch at the line of scrimmage. He understands angles and how to restrict running lanes but doesn't have great range in pursuit. He plays hard and shows toughness in the trenches, but he needs an expanded pass rush packages to contribute more in this phase of the game. Worthington has limitations but could provide versatility along the defensive line.
Strengths
Worthington has prototypical size and very good strength. Tough player who jolts blockers back with a strong punch and displays a powerful bull rush. Takes proper angles and maintains good balance to eat up blockers in the running game. Plays hard to the whistle and shows a bit of a mean streak.
Weaknesses
Limited range and athleticism prevents him from consistently getting to the quarterback. Struggles to sink his hips and change direction in space, which limits his playmaking ability from the backside. Lacks technique off the edge and needs to upgrade his pass rush package.
#193 WR Emmanuel Sanders
Overview
While Sanders is a slightly undersized receiver, he is certainly not timid when it comes to going over the middle and will compete for the ball. Unfortunately, his lack of size and strength makes it difficult for him to win many of those battles. He shows excellent acceleration off the line and can stretch the secondary down the seam with his vertical speed. He is confident in his hands and will reach out to pluck the ball. However, he also will drop some when he tries to make a move before securing the catch. He needs work on setting defenders up and can be a bit sloppy in his routes, but there is no reason to think he can't improve in that area. He probably fits the No. 3 or 4 receiver description more than a No. 1 or 2, but he should be able to contribute early on as a return specialist.
Strengths
Sanders has an explosive first step and very good top-end speed to stretch the field. Drops his hips well and has the lateral agility to make plays in space after the catch. Fluid athlete who flashes big-play ability in the return game. Gutsy kid who will go across the middle and does not take plays off.
Weaknesses
Sanders is on the short side with less-than-adequate bulk. Struggles to beat the press off the line and hold onto passes in traffic. Will not out-muscle defensive backs for jump balls and is not a red-zone target. Rounds off his routes too often and does not show the ability to use head fakes to gain separation.
#230 CB Brian Jackson
Overview
Jackson has an excellent combination of size, strength and athleticism. He doesnt have great speed or quickness but can leverage receivers with proper body positioning, instincts and size. Jackson is a solid reactor as a run support defender and can be physical on the perimeter. He can be effective in combination zone coverages, but may be a liability in pure man schemes and will likely excel as a rolled up corner in cover two schemes. Jackson could possibly move inside to a safety position given his size and toughness. Jackson does have some limitations but is a good football player that will give depth to a secondary at the next level as well as on special teams.
Strengths
Jackson has the look of a cover-2 NFL corner, or possibly even a safety. Possesses outstanding size and strength for the position. A chiseled athlete with excellent height and bulk. Uses his size well in run support, where hes instinctive coming up to tackle. A durable player during his time in Norman. Had a productive career in the Big 12.
Weaknesses
Jackson struggles with his transitional burst while mirroring receivers in man-to-man. His long speed leaves a little to be desired as receivers can pull away from him. Overall, he just isnt a corner who displays the pure man coverage ability to be left on an island.