Unconquered

OL: they were the biggest question mark going into the year and I think given their inexperience, they played better than any of us could have expected.

Cam:
+’s great athleticism, was able to block not only at the second level, but also nimble enough to put a helmet on DB’s in space. Plays hard and was aggressive in the run game. He is a natural bender which helps him sit comfortably in pass pro and deliver a blow with power when run blocking. He has good off the ball quickness for cut off and is more active cutting off LB’s at the second level than most OL.
-‘s still learning the position, struggled with blitz pick up(along with the LG, QB, WR-hot routes and RB’s), he can get overly aggressive in pass pro delivering a punch that it causes him to lose a little balance and be vulnerable to an inside move.

Overall grade 84. His talent is immense and you know he wants to be good and cares about his teammates, he just needs to absorb everything he can this offseason and I think that will allow the game to slow down for him.

Matias:
+’s he is powerfully built, but also athletic. He has the mobility to beat his man to the spot when zone blocking and get movement upfield. He also did a solid job pulling. He plays with good pad level for a taller interior OL. He is a plus pass blocker when locked up one on one and has the arm length to keep the DL off his body and the girth to root.
-‘s he was vulnerable to stunts and blitzes and has to do a better job reading the play as it happens-better vision and awareness. He was out of control at times at the second level, over running LB’s or taking improper angles. Committed too many false starts.

Overall grade 82. He has excellent upside and a pro future, he just has to improve on some of the mental aspects of the game.

Stork:
+’s he is a great competitor and did a fine job playing a position that isn’t his best, which also tells you that he is a team player. He is a solid athlete with good movement skills and power to finish blocks and create seams. He was dependable in pass pro and solid in blitz pick up.
-‘s he isn’t the most savvy OL and had his one brain fart a game, a trait common among overly aggressive OL.

Overall grade 86. He had a very good junior year, but can improve on some things in ’13.

Jackson:
+’s prototypical OG that plays with both power and athleticism. Is highly dependable for a young player. Plays with a mean streak and finishes blocks with vigor when the angle permits. Has the ability to anchor in pass pro and was good in blitz pick up.
-‘s he could improve at the second level like Matias, but both improved at this as the year wore on.

Overall grade 87. He can work on a little of everything, but I think he has All ACC ability in ’13.

Watson:
+’s he has a great frame, good athleticism and mauls people. You can tell he likes playing the game, even though it’s new to him. He has a long wingspan to keep his rusher off him and even engulf them at times. Displayed good lateral mobility for mirroring.

-‘s he struggled with some mental parts of the game-blitz pick up and the occasional stunt, but is just a newborn considering he has only been playing for a few years. He wasn’t as good in the running game on the backside (cut off), usually because he was slow off the ball or quite possibly he didn’t play with the necessary energy when the ball wasn’t headed his way? Like Cam, he was beat by an inside move from time to time and also didn’t run his rusher up the field far enough, although his QB’s field awareness didn’t save him or his line mates from many mistakes.

Overall Grade 87. He was my biggest concern heading into the year and I worried mostly about his aggressiveness and that actually turned out to be his greatest strength. He was our best OL for 8-9 games, but wasn’t as durable as I would have liked, missing 2.5 games or thereabouts. I hope we get him back for another year.

The OL was much improved compared to the ’11 version and was able to pave the way for our four primary RB-FB’s to all average 5.8 ypc or better. Pass pro was solid in general and exceptional against 4. It has to iron out the blitz pick up in the offseason, along with the rest of the offense (QB,RB’s, WR’s). This group should be dominant next season and one of the best in the nation. They also have the quickness and athleticism to zone block, as well as the power and mentality for a more power based scheme, which shows their versatility. I personally would like to see more of a physical running game with Wilder and Freeman with our TE’s and some jumbo sets employing back up OL. That should also help us convert a higher percentage of short yardage, which was better this year, but still needs improvement.

DL: they had an exceptional year and are deserving of playing for it all.

Werner
+’s the weight loss made him the complete DE. He beat OT’s and TE’s in just about every way possible-power, technique, pure speed, you name it. And as productive as he was, he remained the most disciplined player on the defense.
-‘s not many. The only thing I can think of is he is so consistent and even tempered, you never see him kick it into another gear similar to a guy like Jernigan. This is a violent sport and sometimes playing with just enough emotion is a good thing, especially up front. He also could be a little more dynamic setting up OT with his pass rush. But I think that will come on the next level when he doesn’t have to play as much zone read, although Carolina and the Redskins are running it.

Overall grade 97. He was just about perfect. It’s selfish for him to come back because I thought he was a top 5 pick since about week two or three, but if he wants to graduate with his wife and become a legendary Nole, I’m not going to argue with him. If he was blocked in ’12, it most likely wasn’t legal.

Tank
+’s great frame, long long arms that kept OL off his body when he played the run and to dispose of them when he separated while pass rushing. Excellent athlete with great strength. Good nose for the football. Very good motor.
-‘s every once in awhile he got nosey and lost leverage on the ball. He could be more consistent with his take offs. Part of it was our system playing the run first and foremost, but if he gets more explosive in the NFL off the ball, he has Pierre Paul type talent.

Overall grade 94. I think it’s astonishing that a DE led us in tackles through 12 games. I thought he had this kind of ability in the Spring game before last season, but he really put it all together and was a mid first rounder before the injury.

Newberry
+’s has a good frame and late in the year started playing with more discipline and energy on the left side.
-‘s undisciplined and lethargic early in the year, most likely because everything was so new to him.

Overall grade 75. He has a lot to improve on, but he improved a lot from game one until game 12. He has the ability to fight for a job this Spring.

Edwards
+’s tremendous power for such a young player, looks like he is in a bad mood when he is on the field. Moves well for a large man and has a good motor.
-‘s his takeoffs need to be much improved , as does his hands when pass rushing. He dominated HS with his power and speed, needs to become more of a technician.

Overall grade 84. It’s tough to give he and Newberry a grade because they played so sparingly, however, he went from a redshirt to 9 tackles and a few for a loss in the ACCCG, some of which were timely. He showed tremendous discipline losing the weight in year to help contribute down the stretch, if he follows Werner’s lead and comes in another 10lbs lighter, as well as working on his craft, he has star potential as early as next year.

Dawkins:
+’s He is above average in every department(athlete, strength, technique, discipline, awareness, hustle) and had an excellent senior year. He didn’t have the production from a big play standpoint, but his impact was felt, nonetheless.
-‘s he is above average in all categories, but not elite in any either.

Overall grade 90. The only thing missing was a few more big plays, but that was due to the straight platoon he shared with Demonte and our conservative defense. He will be a solid rotation guy at the next level.

Amp
+’s plays with great leverage and leg drive. Eats up blocks and space. Is very disciplined.
-‘s doesn’t play well in space and isn’t overly productive. Gets cut too easily.

Overall grade 85. He is a very good college DT that has a Sunday future, but may need to work with a speed and quickness coach. Or he could get bigger and find a home as a 3-4 NT.

Timmy
+’s in one word, Hands! Best on the team and probably the best in college football. But he also is brutally strong, has great football instincts and no one loves playing the game more than him.
-‘s he could be a hair bulkier for double teams.

Overall grade 95. He had an awesome sophmore season and I expect him to be the best(most productive) DT in the country next year.

Demonte
+’s excellent athlete with play making ability. Solid against the run. Rangy and versatile in that he can play DE in the 3-4. Makes out of area tackles. Has outstanding power and can rag doll OL at times.
-‘s excels more in one on one’s and is space, opposed to in the muck. Could add a little leg strength.

Overall grade 90. I think we saw what Pete Carroll said this year when he called him “the best 3tech he had seen in HS” a few years ago. Natural playmaker. I think with a little more size and strength and if he puts all of his moves together, he should have a memorable senior year and a potential first round selection. I’ve seen him beat an OL in every way imaginable, with brute strength, pure speed, an ankle breaking move, with his long arms throwing an OL to the ground chest first, etc… He has it all.

Goldman
+’s prototypical size, good athleticism and ability to make plays out of area.
-‘s didn’t always play with the necessary energy or physicality. Was thought to have the best first step of all the DL, but was sluggish off the ball at times.

Overall grade 75. I’m being tough on the frosh, but only because he came in with such high hopes, which isn’t fair since he was buried behind a lot of pro DT’s. Like Newberry, he picked it up as the year went along and his future is bright, if he puts in the work.

NLS
+’s excellent athlete and play maker for a NT. Kind of a poor man’s Jernigan, just not there with the hand and in the power department but a good football player.
-‘s looked smallish at times, could use a little more size and strength.

Overall grade 85. I was very pleased with his effort. He ran around blocks early in the year, but starting fighting through them as the season went on and was very productive for a player used sparingly. I think JMac is going to be in an all out war with NLS for the #2 NT spot next year.

The DL had to be as good as any in the nation and the only reason the yards per carry increased was because of the LB play IMO. And as good as it was, it should have been even better if BJenk was around all year, because he looked amazing in the first game.