"...where completion is considered unlikely"
College stars in trouble
Well, we’re barely through spring practice and we’ve already got three of the biggest college football stars that turned down the NFL Draft in serious trouble this offseason.
The first comes at Notre Dame, where star wide receiver Michael Floyd has been suspended indefinitely for a drunken driving charge, where his blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.
Floyd was a key piece to the Irish passing attack last season, coming on strong late in the season, while earning MVP honors of the Sun Bowl.
At Alabama, All-American safety Mark Barron (left) was arrested on charges of hindering prosecution, which accounts to a misdemeanor charge. No immediate suspension has been given to Barron, as the Tide began spring practices Monday.
Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins has accepted a plea deal on a misdemeanor marijuana charge, stemming from an incident at a Gainesville nightclub in January. New head coach Will Muschamp has said the matter will be handled internally.
The latest comes at Miami (Fl), where rising senior linebacker Ramon Buchanan is facing felony counts of resisting arrest with violence and battery. Buchanan is also facing misdemeanor charges following the arrest, including trespassing, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. Apparently Buchanan tried to head butt a police officer at a Cocunut Grove bar.
Buchanan has been suspended indefinitely by new Hurricanes head coach Al Golden.
Pro Day update
A number of NFL pro days continue to roll in, with strong showings at Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan State and Maryland to name a few.
Making his case to be the first quarterback taken, Missouri single caller Blaine Gabbert preformed for scouts March 17, completing 44 of 49 passes. The main concern following Gabbert continues to be switching from the spread offense in college to a pro style set in the pros.
Gabbert has drawn rave reviews from Buffalo’s coaching staff and team personnel, while even having dinner with Bills members the night before his workout. Gabbert may not fall to the Bills at No. 3, however, as NFL.com analyst Mike Mayock sees Gabbert as a viable choice for Carolina at the No. 1 slot.
New Mexico State corner back Davon House greatly improved his stock at his pro day, clocking a 4.35 40 time at over 6-foot and 195 pounds. House is considered a second round steal in the minds of some scouts.
Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams, vying to be the second running back drafted, worked out for scouts March 19, where he improved on his poor combine showing in the 40-yard dash. Williams turned in times between 4.45 and 4.49, at 211 pounds. Tech quarterback, Tyrod Taylor and running back Darren Evans, both stood on their combine numbers.
Wideout Randall Cobb of Kentucky continued to impress, showing his versatility to play multiple positions. Cobb played mostly wideout for the Wildcats, but is capable of lining up in the Wildcat formation, as well as running back. He stood on all his combine numbers, but preformed multiple positional workouts.
Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith worked out March 16 for scouts, standing on his combine numbers, but ran position drills with Rams wideout coach Nolan Cromwell and Bengals wideout coach James Urban.
At Iowa, defensive end Adrian Clayborn and quarterback Ricky Stanzi reportedly turned in impressive showing at their pro day event, improving on poor combine performances.
Stanzi worked out in front of quarterback coaches, including he likes of Carolina and Baltimore, while also improving on most of his combine numbers. Stanzi turned in one of the poorest showings at the combine for quarterbacks, but changed that Monday.
Clayborn and fellow defensive lineman Christian Ballard turned in impressive performances, working in front of a slew of NFL defensive line coaches. Both showed quickness and good explosion, but the strength wasn’t there for either, with 17 and 16 reps of 225-pounds respectively.
Michigan State linebackers Greg Jones and Eric Gordon impressed in East Lansing. Jones, a possible second round pick, improved on his combine 40-time, bringing in a time of 4.72.
Gordon, an undersized productive college player, measured in at just over 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds. He ran times of 4.53 and 4.56, did 25 reps of 225-pounds and posted a shocking 40.5 inch vertical jump. Gordon definitely improved his stock, but some coaches still have concerns over his size and see a move to safety forthcoming.
Small school prospects impress
The Alabama’s and Miami’s of the college football world aren’t the only teams turning out pro day performances this offseason. A number of small school prospects are making a case to be drafted or sign as free agents come April.
Abilene Christian wideout Edmund Gates (left) and West Texas A&M wideout Stephen Burton continue to impress this offseason, as both turned in good combine showings. Gates stood on his combine 40-time of 4.37, but ran position drills with ease, impressing a number of NFL personnel. Burton decided to run again at his pro day, turning in a time of 4.36, at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds. Both players carry a fourth round grade or better.
Harding wideout Kurt Adams turned up on scouts’ radars at Arkansas State’s pro day March 18. Adams posted times of 4.52 and 4.55 in the 40 and reportedly ran through position drills quite well.
The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), hosted its 2011 GLIAC pro day March 14, where impressive performances were turned in by a couple of players.
Grand Valley State offensive lineman Cameron Bradfield, 6-foot-3, 301 pounds, turned in an athletic performance, clocking a 4.81 in the 40, with 30 reps on the bench.
Wayne State (MI) tight end, Austin Hughes, made his name known. At 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, the Detroit product turned in 30 reps of 225 pounds, which would have been tops among tight ends at the combine. Hughes paved lanes for current Saints running back Joique Bell while at Wayne State. Private team workouts are scheduled for Hughes in the near future.
At Michigan State’s pro day, another member of the GLIAC impressed, in wideout Andre Holmes of Hillsdale. At just over 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, Holmes ran an impressive 4.45 and worked out with Seahawks assistant Kippy Brown. The Cowboys and Patriots have visits scheduled for Holmes.
North Dakota State corner Josh Gatlin surprised a number of personnel at the NDSU pro day. Gatlin measured in at 6-foot-1, 196 pounds and ran 4.39 and 4.40 in the 40.
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