Larry Webster III & Zach Moore (DII DEs)

[davos]

I'm enjoying some small school prospect digging as of late and came across Larry Webster and Zach Moore.  Here's some good info on them:

 

LARRY WEBSTER III:

 

 

Towering at 6'7 and around 250, he may need to beef up a bit but there's a reason why: he's a transitioned basketball player with football in his blood.  

 

 

 

A four-year starter on the Bloomsburg basketball team, Webster had one year of eligibility remaining and decided to join the football team for the 2012 season, a sport he hadn't played since high school. He finished the season with a team-best 15.0 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks, adding an interception and 39 total tackles. Webster was selected to the All-PSAC Eastern Division first team.

 

On the basketball court, Webster was named the PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Year for the 2011-12 season, finishing as the school's all-time career leader in blocks (175).

 

Webster's father, Larry Webster Jr., played 11 years in the NFL at defensive end. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round out of Maryland in 1992 and also suited up for the Browns, Ravens and Jets over his career, winning a Super Bowl with Baltimore in 2001.

 

 

 

Strengths: Looks the part with a tall, long frame and the growth potential to get stronger. Has good first step quickness to burst and change directions quickly with flexible ankles. Uses his long arms to make wrap tackles and finish. Has the athleticism and range to cover a large area and make plays in pursuit. Was very productive in his one season of football at the college level and impressed coaches with the way he quickly adapted to the game despite being away from the field for so long. He has a good work ethic and puts in the time to prepare and get better. As the father of an 11-year NFL veteran, he has athletic bloodlines and knows about the NFL process.

 

Weaknesses: Needs to commit himself to the weight room and add bulk to his body. Needs to develop football strength as well, to hold up in the trenches and match up at the next level. His hip movements are a little stiff and he needs to do a better job breaking down in space. Needs to continue to develop his pass rush moves and learn how to better use his hands to protect his body and shed blocks. Will play too tall at times and needs to learn to use better leverage off the snap. Has only one full season of football experience under his belt since high school and lacks ideal experience, doing his damage at the Division II level.

 

NFL Comparison: Michael Johnson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals - Although he's not there yet, Webster has the frame and athleticism to develop into a similar pass rusher at the NFL level.

 

 

 

It would be an understatement to say Webster is athletic. His size and speed alone make him a draftable prospect.  He does have a tendency to lean on the defender in his edge rush, but his rip and bend is very sudden. I would also like to see him improve his quickness and intensity of the snap and his playing experience is very limited. However, Webster demonstrates that he has pass rush skills that can undoubtedly be fostered at the next level.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2027386/larry-webster

 

http://nfldraftdiamonds.com/diamond-in-the-rough-de-larry-webster-bloomsburg/

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZACH MOORE:

 

 

6'6 and 285, he's a machine.  Moore grew up a Bears fan and is a big fan of Peppers (don't know if that's a good thing haha)

 

Scouts have been monitoring him since early in his career and for a darn good reason.  He's played both 4-3 and 3-4 and can fit our hybrid fronts.  

 

http://nfldraftdiamonds.com/draft-diamonds-prospect-interview-zach-moore-de-concordia-st-paul/

 

 

What system fits your style of play the best?

 

I’ve played in a 4-3 front for 2 years and a 3-4 man front for 2 years. I think my size helps me play in both. I really don’t have a preference because I think I’ve played good in either fronts. I can play on the edge with the ability to slide inside to a 3 tech.

 

What is your biggest strength?

 

I would say my biggest strength is being calm under pressure. Majority players panic when adversity hits and when that happens it leads to more mistakes. As far as game play I would say my strengths are being good at rushing the passer and being stout against the run which is very important.

 

 

Moore said he's heard from someone in every NFL front office. All but two teams have sent a representative to Concordia's campus. Seahawks general manager John Schneider, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson and Browns director of player personnel Jon Sandusky all paid personal visits.

What Moore has to offer them is 4.8 40-yard dash speed and familiarity with a variety of schemes and techniques. The Bears stuck with a traditional 4-3 alignment during his middle three years of college, but Strop came in and reverted to the 3-4 lineup Moore had learned his freshman year.

 

http://www.draftbrowns.com/2013/06/2014-nfl-draft-five-under-the-radar-defensive-players/

 

A great read: http://msn.foxsports.com/north/story/concordia-s-zach-moore-getting-attention-from-nfl-122613

 

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I think there are a lot of DII guys that have potential.  If our scouting department does its job we might find a guy that can be a great contributor.  Amini had his growing pains but was playing worthy of his pick before getting sidelined.  I hope Kugz can recover and be a good player.  We get both those guys contributing and moving in the rotation and the line takes a big leap up.

[MedellinHeel]

mirin Moore's measurements 

[davos]

I think there are a lot of DII guys that have potential.  If our scouting department does its job we might find a guy that can be a great contributor.  Amini had his growing pains but was playing worthy of his pick before getting sidelined.  I hope Kugz can recover and be a good player.  We get both those guys contributing and moving in the rotation and the line takes a big leap up.

 

That's what I'm thinking.  Given our recent history with Amini, Kug, hell even Norman, I can see us looking at some strong DII prospects.  These two just really jump out to me.  Obviously the size+athleticism combo is a luring factor but the fact that scouts have been hot on the trail for them is a big sign.  

 

If we need a DE to replace Hardy, I think both of them fit the mold.   

[AndrewLaskoski]

Not too keen on Larry Webster III, we already have a developmental pass rusher in Addison. Moore on the other hand would make a welcome addition to our Nascar package with Addison, Moore/Short, Johnson, and Alexander. Even if we lose Hardy, I believe that this group could reek havoc in obvious passing situations. 

[davos]

*Update: The Panthers have worked out Larry Webster