Head of the class
Scouts Inc.
MOBILE, Ala. -- One of the best aspects of the Senior Bowl is it helps separate the elite players from the good players. While some elite seniors (such as Nebraska's Prince Amukamara and Iowa's Adrian Clayborn) opted not to play and the underclassmen (including roughly 15 with first-round potential) are not here, there still are close to a dozen players here who have a chance to be selected in the first round.
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Todd McShay's top performer
North: Boise State WR Titus Young
There were concerns about his consistency and whether he lost confidence Monday. He got off to a fast start, but after a couple of drops, he seemed to struggle. He really bounced back Tuesday and showed he was able to shake off his roller coaster Day 1. He is still improving his technique, and his flaws are coachable. Also, while we didn't see him catching the ball overhead Tuesday, which was one of our concerns, every ball I saw thrown in his direction he hauled in. He's not overly big but he's the quickest wide receiver on the North team. He is really quick off the line, and gets in and out of his breaks. He also is snatching the ball on the run and getting upfield in a hurry, which he needs to continue to do as it will be a big part of his game at the next level. What gives him a chance to be an impact player is his open-field running ability both as a receiver and potentially as a punt returner.
South: TCU QB Andy Dalton
The more you watch him, the more you see him do all the little things that are so important to the quarterback position. He doesn't have the big size, strong arm or great athleticism, but he's doing a really good job. He's a sponge. He's always around the QB coaches or offensive coaches, always asking questions, always talking, always engaged. He's never standing off on his own. He's leading everything. His ball is not pretty -- it flutters sometimes -- but he's got adequate arm stregth and probably the third-strongest arm of the QBs here. He can make the deep throws and he does the other little things right, so he has a good enough arm. He missed two times, throwing high on a couple of inside routes, but he was the most accurate QB from beginning to end.
Steve Muench's top performer
North: Oklahoma RB Demarco Murray
As a runner, he looked quick around the corner and did a better job of lowering his pads into contact. He was making nice cuts during the run period, and although he didn't catch a pass, he consistently got separation and was open. It was just that QBs were looking downfield so he didn't get any balls his way. When you talk about third-down backs, you think about the ability to get separation, lining up in the slot and catching the ball. But Murray is a good pass-blocker, and you saw that during one-on-one matchups when he stepped up, anchored and stopped UConn LB Lawrence Wilson. His blocking is another reason he's considered the best third-down back in this class.
South: Tennessee TE Luke Stocker
As a blocker, Stocker leans a little and he can play with better leverage, which isn't surprising for a 6-foot-5 guy. But he showed good toughness, got in position and walled off defenders Tuesday. Catching the ball over the middle was where he made his mark. He made a one-handed catch behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties. He took a big hit but held on to the ball and popped right back up. He did an excellent job of settling underneath and using his frame to shield linebackers from the ball. He made plays in traffic, and is very comfortable working over the middle and posting guys up. He caught everything Tuesday. His routes could be crisper, but because he is such a physical receiver, it's not as big of a concern as it would be for a smaller tight end.
Kevin Weidl's top performer
North: Wisconsin OT John Moffitt
After a shaky Day 1, Moffitt bounced back with a solid day Tuesday. He looked more comfortable and confident. He moved his feet well and did a good job of getting in strong position, which allowed him to use his natural inline power. He also did a better job of staying engaged with blockers, staying locked on, moving his feet and using his hands well. He was good in one-on-one matchups at anchoring against bull rushes and showed nice athleticism by getting downfield on a screen pass, getting in the open field, adjusting in the open field and covering up Virginia Tech CB Rashad Carmichael. He also ran a little at guard and center, and looked OK as an emergency center.
South: Georgia OG Clint Boling
He showed good balance, and displayed inline power and strength as a run-blocker. He projects as a guard, but they lined him up at tackle and he did well during the one-on-ones. He moved his feet well and used a strong, compact punch. He also showed some athleticism, getting out front on a screen and covering up a defender downfield. He wasn't perfect as a tackle -- his lack of elite athleticism and lateral agility was exposed by Arizona DE Brooks Reed's quick spin move to the inside -- but he helped himself with a strong overall showing Tuesday.
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• McShay: QB breakdowns
• McShay: Stock up/stock down
• Day 1 practice blog
• Day 1 practice buzz
• Senior Bowl spotlight: Herzlich and Murray
• Top five lists from the weigh-in
• McShay: Best of Day 1
• Senior Bowl preview
• What to watch
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