Foster care

UCLA running back raising his stock at Senior Bowl

DeShaun Foster rushed for 1,196 yards and 12 touchdowns in his season season in only eight games. Stephen Dunn/Allsport

By Tony Pauline, TFY Draft Preview

MOBILE, Ala. -- Although the focus is clearly on Saturday's Senior Bowl, this is the place to be and be seen as the unemployed and underclassmen are working the sidelines hard trying to get noticed.

Out-of-work coaches Woody Widenhoffer and Charlie Weatherbie are here looking for employment, while juniors Ashley Lelie of Hawaii, Jerramy Stevens of Washington and Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth look to gain the notice of scouts since they cannot play in this all-star classic. Besides this, most of the action has taken place on the field.

Fresno State quarterback David Carr has looked impressive and has a group of scouts from teams drafting early in the first round following his every move. During morning drills Wednesday, Carr was effective when asked to roll out of the pocket and throw on the move, adding yet another element to his game.

DeShaun Foster of UCLA was the best running back this week. Patient and quick-footed, he also looked like a natural wideout when used as receiver out of the backfield. Foster also exhibited a burst through the hole running between the tackles.

The best small-school player to come out of these practices is another running back, Lamar Gordon of North Dakota State. He is a patient runner with good vision and is quick getting through the hole with enough speed to turn the corner. Though smallish, Gordon has proved he is not afraid to run with the big boys and has done so with a large degree of success.

One of the better stories this week has been that of former Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle-El. Unlike Clemson's Woody Dantzler, whose woes we've documented, Randle-El has done a terrific job adjusting as a wide receiver. He looks like a natural, running crisp routes and catching everything thrown in his direction. Add into that the flashes of abilities Randle-El shows returning punts and it looks as though his future is a bright one at the next level.

Besides Randle-El, only a pair of pass catchers have consistently stood out this week and look as though they may break into the first round. Marquise Walker of Michigan has looked solid and is the big-bodied receiver with consistent hands some team will look for. Daniel Graham is another who has impressed, living up to his reputation as a terrific pass-catching tight end. The Colorado product consistently finds the soft spot in the defense and rarely drops anything thrown his direction.

One player who has really stepped up is UCLA tight end Bryan Fletcher. A surprise to be on the roster at first, Fletcher has really grabbed hold of the opportunity and is turning heads.

Tennessee's Fred Weary is taking control of the offensive line for the South. A number of defenders have said he is the toughest blocker on the field. So is another pair of prospects from Colorado donning uniforms of the North squad. Victor Rogers has consistently improved all week and has a solid combination of athleticism, strength and technique. Teammate Andre Gurode has seen action at both guard spots, as well as center and manhandled opponents every day.

Ken Kocher of UCLA was the star of practice for the defensive line Wednesday. He is a load in the middle of the line and plays with a nasty attitude. Larry Tripplett is right behind Kocher; explosive off the snap, opponents have had a tough time adjusting to Tripplett's quickness. An undersized tackle from Washington, Tripplett seems perfectly suited for nose tackle. Charles Hill of Maryland also is making a good impression and has enhanced his draft rating.

One linebacker who has surprised was a late arrival, Connor Stephens of Mississippi State. He strongly defended the run and did not do a bad job in pass coverage.

Several of the cornerbacks and safeties have stood out. Washington State free safety LaMont Thompson looks outstanding defending both the run and pass; his great ball skills are apparent. Another with a knack for making plays is Rashad Bauman of Oregon, who was applauded several times by coaches during the week. Nebraska's Keyuo Craver has solidified himself as a first-round choice after displaying solid cover skills.

If there is any doubt what on the line, here's an idea of how intense things are this week, a pair of fights broke out in the South's practice Tuesday afternoon, while two linemen for the North -- Eric Heitman and Victor Rogers -- had blood-stained uniforms barely halfway through the afternoon session.

 

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