- Jun 12, 2016
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Here's an interesting read during the offseason.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-scouting-reports-of-todays-biggest-nfl-stars
(Edited from the article}
To rediscover how the league's elite were once viewed in high school, two recruiting sites help paint a comprehensive picture. For our purposes here, Scout provided the star rating system and the individual scholarship offers, while ESPN supplied the scouting reports. To determine which stars to highlight, many of those atop the NFL Network's "Top Players of 2017" made the cut, along with a few of the league's other most recognizable names.
Since none of the databases extended beyond 1999, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady couldn't be included. A few others were likewise left out because they didn't draw much interest coming out of high school or their recruitment predated the available reports. As such, Antonio Brown, Khalil Mack, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and David Johnson slipped through the cracks.
LB Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Six (Texas A&M, Florida, LSU, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas Tech)
Scouting Report: "Miller is athletic player with upside at the end position. You can tell watching him that this is a kid with ability, but you also feel like at times he can squeeze more out of that ability. He has a solid get-off but will flash an initial burst at times that you would like to see more consistently."
WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Stars: Five
Scholarship Offers: Seven (Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas Tech)
Scouting Report: "This guy is a unique, rare prospect for the wide receiver position with his supreme blend of size, power, speed and agility. He reminds us of a high school version of Michael Irvin, but at this stage Jones is more explosive and faster. ... This player has very few weaknesses in terms of physical tools and in our opinion could make an impact right away."
RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: 17 (Ohio State, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wisconsin)
Scouting Report: "Elliott is a complete back at the high school level and projects as an every-down back in college. He has a very good blend of size, speed and strength, but is not elite in any one area."
WR Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Five (LSU, Memphis, Miami [Fla.], Mississippi State, Nebraska)
Scouting Report: "Beckham is an exciting athlete that displays some versatility and range as an offensive weapon. He is undersized, but very explosive and shifty with good change-of-direction and excellent overall instincts with the ball in his hands. ... He will likely end up as a slot receiver and return specialist, but flashes some tools and the measurables to possibly develop as a corner on defense."
RB Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Stars: Two
Scholarship Offers: Four (Michigan State, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Marshall)
Scouting Report: "Bell has the size for the running back position at the major level of competition; however his playing speed will be a concern as he lacks the burst and second gear necessary to break out of the pack for long gains. Lines up as a deep back showing adequate quickness and vision approaching the line of scrimmage; more of a straight line runner with an upright style; must learn to run over his pads when in traffic. ... Flashes limited receiving skills which if they can be developed will improve his value. Bell does not project high at the BCS level of play."
QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Two (Fresno State, Utah)
Scouting Report: "Carr may be a late bloomer, but if there's anything missing here, his flaws don't appear to be physical. In any case, he should be receiving more attention and will surprise a lot of folks if he continues to develop."
TE Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Six (Arizona, Clemson, Louisville, Maryland, Ohio State, Syracuse)
Scouting Report: "Gronkowski is really a tight end by title only. He is used mostly as a big wide receiver. Unlike other players who are often used like this though, Gronkowski has the physical build to be a true tight end. ... He can stretch the field some, and along with his height, he can cause some real match-up problems for linebackers and defensive backs. ... He has the potential to be a 'big' presence on the field.."
DT Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Three (Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Toledo)
Scouting Report: "Donald is an active and disruptive defensive tackle. ... He really seems to be able to adjust his game to beat blockers by taking what they give him. He flashes the ability to fire off the ball and execute a quick swim to get penetration. ... He is an active kid and tough to keep blocked. He hustles around and can make plays when he gets into the backfield. ... You wish he was a little bigger, but the kid plays the game well and is active."
DE J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
Stars: Two
Scholarship Offers: Six (Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Colorado, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Wyoming
Scouting Report: "Watt is a tall, rangy defensive end who flashes some playmaking ability. ... He demonstrates some skill at getting his hands up in the throwing lanes, which is what you would expect from a taller player. Where Watt can improve the most is with his consistency. ... He will have to add some bulk and strength to compete in college. Overall, Watt has an impressive frame and must work hard to improve his technique and consistency to be a solid college player."
CB Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
Stars: Three
Scholarship Offers: Five (Stanford, Mississippi State, Nevada)
Scouting Report: "On defense he shows a lot more burst and acceleration and makes plays on the ball in coverage. Pursues well versus the run and shows good closing speed. He has a nose for the ball and defensive instincts to go with it."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-scouting-reports-of-todays-biggest-nfl-stars
(Edited from the article}
To rediscover how the league's elite were once viewed in high school, two recruiting sites help paint a comprehensive picture. For our purposes here, Scout provided the star rating system and the individual scholarship offers, while ESPN supplied the scouting reports. To determine which stars to highlight, many of those atop the NFL Network's "Top Players of 2017" made the cut, along with a few of the league's other most recognizable names.
Since none of the databases extended beyond 1999, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady couldn't be included. A few others were likewise left out because they didn't draw much interest coming out of high school or their recruitment predated the available reports. As such, Antonio Brown, Khalil Mack, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and David Johnson slipped through the cracks.
LB Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Six (Texas A&M, Florida, LSU, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas Tech)
Scouting Report: "Miller is athletic player with upside at the end position. You can tell watching him that this is a kid with ability, but you also feel like at times he can squeeze more out of that ability. He has a solid get-off but will flash an initial burst at times that you would like to see more consistently."
WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Stars: Five
Scholarship Offers: Seven (Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas Tech)
Scouting Report: "This guy is a unique, rare prospect for the wide receiver position with his supreme blend of size, power, speed and agility. He reminds us of a high school version of Michael Irvin, but at this stage Jones is more explosive and faster. ... This player has very few weaknesses in terms of physical tools and in our opinion could make an impact right away."
RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: 17 (Ohio State, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wisconsin)
Scouting Report: "Elliott is a complete back at the high school level and projects as an every-down back in college. He has a very good blend of size, speed and strength, but is not elite in any one area."
WR Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Five (LSU, Memphis, Miami [Fla.], Mississippi State, Nebraska)
Scouting Report: "Beckham is an exciting athlete that displays some versatility and range as an offensive weapon. He is undersized, but very explosive and shifty with good change-of-direction and excellent overall instincts with the ball in his hands. ... He will likely end up as a slot receiver and return specialist, but flashes some tools and the measurables to possibly develop as a corner on defense."
RB Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Stars: Two
Scholarship Offers: Four (Michigan State, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Marshall)
Scouting Report: "Bell has the size for the running back position at the major level of competition; however his playing speed will be a concern as he lacks the burst and second gear necessary to break out of the pack for long gains. Lines up as a deep back showing adequate quickness and vision approaching the line of scrimmage; more of a straight line runner with an upright style; must learn to run over his pads when in traffic. ... Flashes limited receiving skills which if they can be developed will improve his value. Bell does not project high at the BCS level of play."
QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Two (Fresno State, Utah)
Scouting Report: "Carr may be a late bloomer, but if there's anything missing here, his flaws don't appear to be physical. In any case, he should be receiving more attention and will surprise a lot of folks if he continues to develop."
TE Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Six (Arizona, Clemson, Louisville, Maryland, Ohio State, Syracuse)
Scouting Report: "Gronkowski is really a tight end by title only. He is used mostly as a big wide receiver. Unlike other players who are often used like this though, Gronkowski has the physical build to be a true tight end. ... He can stretch the field some, and along with his height, he can cause some real match-up problems for linebackers and defensive backs. ... He has the potential to be a 'big' presence on the field.."
DT Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
Stars: Four
Scholarship Offers: Three (Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Toledo)
Scouting Report: "Donald is an active and disruptive defensive tackle. ... He really seems to be able to adjust his game to beat blockers by taking what they give him. He flashes the ability to fire off the ball and execute a quick swim to get penetration. ... He is an active kid and tough to keep blocked. He hustles around and can make plays when he gets into the backfield. ... You wish he was a little bigger, but the kid plays the game well and is active."
DE J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
Stars: Two
Scholarship Offers: Six (Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Colorado, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Wyoming
Scouting Report: "Watt is a tall, rangy defensive end who flashes some playmaking ability. ... He demonstrates some skill at getting his hands up in the throwing lanes, which is what you would expect from a taller player. Where Watt can improve the most is with his consistency. ... He will have to add some bulk and strength to compete in college. Overall, Watt has an impressive frame and must work hard to improve his technique and consistency to be a solid college player."
CB Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
Stars: Three
Scholarship Offers: Five (Stanford, Mississippi State, Nevada)
Scouting Report: "On defense he shows a lot more burst and acceleration and makes plays on the ball in coverage. Pursues well versus the run and shows good closing speed. He has a nose for the ball and defensive instincts to go with it."
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