College Gridiron Showcase and NFLPA Game

[Untouchable]

Two other “All-Star” games happened but were swiped under the radar.  These game typically yield late rounders at best and undrafted free agents (Beau Sandland played at the NFLPA game last year for example, Arthur Miley at the Gridiron Showcase the year before).  It is hard to find information from these games because they are new and don’t draw as big prospects but these players always end up on rosters so here are a couple of names of strong performers/people of interest from these two games.

COLLEGE GRIDIRON SHOWCASE

Anthony Kukwa, TE, Lake Erie (6’2”, 221 lbs) – It is hard getting much of any information on guys from this game at all but Kukwa was the offensive MVP for the showcase.  What makes him intriguing is he is noted as a strong blocker and is extremely versatile (DE/TE/FB/LS/H-back).  That type of versatility gets players on rosters.  He'll need more weight but he could be a candidate in play with Devon Johnson/Darrell Young as Tolbert’s replacement (hell, maybe even Jansen down the line) and maybe hang around on the practice squad.

Chris Odom, DE, Arkansas St. (6’3”, 256 lbs) – Odom was the defensive MVP of the showcase.  Speed and length are the key words that are most associated with him and judging by his size he could be in played if Addison leaves in free agency, or maybe as a challenge to Delaire.  Again, along with most players from these two games, he would likely be a candidate for the practice squad.

NFLPA GAME

Greg Ward Jr, QB, Houston (5103, 186 lbs, 30 5/8” arms, 9 1/4” hands) – Ward was injured during the game on a long scramble but an interesting note coming out of practice was he split time at WR.  He started his college career as a WR/KR and has athleticism to boot making him a developmental candidate for the slot.

Lorenzo Jerome, S, St. Francis (5110, 205 lbs, 30 1/2" arms, 8 1/2" hands) – Jerome will likely be the first player taken from either of these two games.  His athleticism and instincts are noted and he was ultra-productive at the small PA school (18 career INTS).  He continued that with 2 INTS in this game (and MVP) and got a call up to the Senior Bowl where he was consistent in practice and grabbed 2 more INTs in that game.  I’ve seen him rated as high as the 4^th Round.

Tarik Cohen, RB, NC A&T (5063, 178 lbs, 29 1/8” arms, 10 1/8” hands) – Cohen has been noted on this board before because of his amazing agility.  Because of his size and his obvious limitations as a blocker I wouldn’t expect him to be a candidate in Carolina, but with key words like “offensive evolution” being thrown around, Rivera’s quest for a Sproles-esk back a couple years ago, and Cohen playing in North Carolina, he could be in play.  There’s always a chance it’s a typo on the weigh-in sheet, but if that hand size is true it is hard to see Cohen dropping much in his catch radius (or fumbling) with those clown hands.

Javarius Leamon, OT, SC State (6066, 328 lbs, 34 5/8” arms, 9 3/8” hands) – Leamon was a former Clemson recruit who couldn’t make the cut academically.  During the game he was the starting LT on a line that ran the ball with ease and dominated the LOS.  Another developmental candidate but he is catching some notoriety from this game as I’ve seen him go from UDFA to as high as 6^th rounder now.

Keith Towbridge, TE, Louisville (6036, 262 lbs, 33 5/8” arms, 9 7/8” hands) – Louisville’s other TE was almost exclusively used as an extra blocker.  He played very well during the game make a handful of catches and, to no surprise, was noted as a very good blocker during practices.  With the Panther’s showing interest in Toledo’s Michael Roberts during the Shrine Game, Towbridge is very similar and another candidate for that blocking TE who can do some damage on the intermediate routes.

Michael Rector, WR, Stanford (6001, 187 lbs, 32 3/8" arms, 9 1/8" hands, 79" wingspan) - Rector becomes a name to watch with the naming of Lance Taylor as WR coach.  He was a speedy, underused vertical threat there at Stanford.  He been unofficially clocked at sub 4.4 (spring 2015) and measured up with very good length at the NFLPA game .  He could be in play late or after the draft.

If anyone saw any other prospects to note from these games, heard different things or have any additional notes please add on.