Unconquered

I finally got a chance to watch the replay, ESPN cut out 530 minutes from 8 to 220 in the 4rth quarter.

a few thoughts...

Walker-he played both DE and DT, but I think he has LDE written all over. Good combination of speed and power, he got consistent pressure and had a knockdown or two and tagged the White QB for a loss after a bad snap. Plays with good leverage and beat Denson inside for a pressure on a 3rd and 7. Once he gets his take offs down and works on his hands and pass rush moves, he has excellent potential, because right now he sometimes stays engaged too long with his blocker.

Kirkland-I wasn't as high on him from his junior highlights and this film was consistent with my original thoughts. He was just OK in pass pro and seemed disinterested in blocking on the few running plays. He has to sell out in order to not get beat to the edge and often over steps, lunges when he strikes and loses balance, which makes him vulnerable to the inside move and he gave up a sack that way in the game. I've also read a few people say they think he would be a better OG, but he struggled with his cut off blocks(quickness) and he doesn't play with a mauler mentality. If we did take him and he lost some of the bad weight, that may make a difference.

Brantley-he has excellent quickness and made a sack on a nice outside move, but he is really gap happy(playing around blocks, rather than through them) and gets taken to the ground far too often(cut blocks, pancakes). I still would take him because he plays with energy and has athleticism.

Nkemdiche-he also lined up at DE and DT and you can see why he is the #1 kid. He isn't as powerful as Mario Edwards, but he is a better athlete(faster twitched) and IMO a better prospect. He also plays with a great effort. It seemed like he lined up next to Walker for most of the night, maybe #44 should make a phone call.

Denson-he got beat on a pressure by Walker, but was far superior to the kid that started in the game at RG and stonewalled Nkemdiche when they had a few one on one's. He needs work on his feet(lateral mobility, quickness in general), but I was impressed with him overall. He is a strong as a bull.

Lawson-he played one way all night and that was up the field at 100mph, which created a huge gain in his vacated gap on a running play and he doesn't have prototypical size. That being said, he plays with tremendous effort and did the best job of any DL setting up his blocker with a combination of speed rushing the edge, inside moves and then a jab step inside and a blow by on the perimeter. He has to learn to be a two way player, but he should be a good situational pass rusher next season where ever he ends up.

Tim Williams-he started the game with a solid tackle and is the opposite extreme of Lawson, playing the run first and foremost, which shows discipline, but you also wonder about his ability to diagnose. With the right coaching and strength program, he still could be a good college player.

Nat Rodgers-I didn't focus on him closely, other than a few holding penalties he had on Walker. But he looks to have a better motor and more athleticism than Kirkland, therefore, I prefer him as a prospect right now.

What did y'all see?