Players to Watch

Everyone loves to talk about the NFL Combine whether it's good or bad. Most of the time when people talk about it they're saying they want to get rid of it; a bunch of guys running around in spandex for a couple hours getting numbers which really don't mean anything when you think about it. Why does it matter what an offensive line runs in the 40-yard dash? Or is it that impressive when a quarterback throws an absolute dime to a receiver when there is no pressure and no coverage? Not really, but it looks good. On the other hand, when Jadeveon Clowney ran an unofficial 4.47, that was pretty cool.

Every year there are players everyone likes to keep an eye. Sometimes it's the big names trying to solidify their spot at the top. Sometimes it's those Division 2 or Division 3 guys trying to make a name for themselves. Here are some players who people know but have questions surrounding them. 

Scooby Wright III, Linebacker, Arizona: Put on the tape of this kid from 2014 and just watch. His numbers are eye-popping; 163 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles. His instincts are second to none. He's sometimes quicker to the hole than the running back which is proven by his tackles for loss number. Wright sometimes plays with too much emotion and will overplay a lot. He won't be the most athletic guy at the combine and with him coming off an injury in 2015 it'll be interesting to see how he moves around the field.

Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss: Nkemdiche came to Ole Miss as the number one high school player in the country and looks to be taken with that number one overall pick. He's not the biggest defensive tackle weighing south of 300-pounds, but he's strong in the lower half. Has the ability but plenty of questions circle around his off the field issues and his drive. Will teams take the risk on him? Is the risk worth the reward? 

Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State: Perhaps the most intriguing prospect heading to Indy. Miller began his career at Ohio State as a quarterback but ended as a running back/wide receiver. A shoulder injury derailed what could have been a Heisman Trophy season but Miller turned heads with his unique skill set and sometimes surreal playmaking ability. He's quick in and out of cuts, has above average hands for someone who spent his career throwing the ball. The only question is where will he play? Is he reliable enough to play receiver? Is he big enough to be a running back and take some hits? 

Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State: The Penn State quarterback is also an interesting prospect but for different reasons than Miller. In his freshman season under then head coach Bill O'Brien he became a name that scouts thought would be at the top of the draft when he came out. A coaching change and two abysmal seasons later, scouts are just wondering who is going to take a chance on Hack. Here's a likely answer: Bill O'Brien will.

Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State: Who? That's a common response to hearing the name Carson Wentz. A FCS quarterback from powerhouse North Dakota State. Again, who? Wentz is a big kid with a strong arm. Played in a pro-style offense and can stand all in the pocket and deliver a good ball. Playing the competition that the Bison played could have an impact on him adapting to NFL speed. Wentz could be the first quarterback chosen in April.

Mock Draft 1.0

It's that time of the year, the NFL Combine is upon us this week and this years class is shaping up to be a good one. It doesn't have the biggest names like years past but it has a lot of players who can make an immediate splash and players who were household names this past college football season but might not hear their name called until after the first round is over. One of the biggest questions every year is when will the first running back be taken; last year saw two running backs taken, Todd Gurley at 10 to the then St. Louis Rams and Melvin Gordon at 15 to the San Diego Chargers. The most since 2012. Here's a look at my first Mock Draft of 2016 as the NFL Scouting Combine gets under way this week. 

1. Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
2. Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Datoka State
3. Chargers: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
4. Cowboys: Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame
5. Jaguars: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida 
6. Ravens: Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State
7. 49ers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
8. Dolphins: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
9. Buccaneers: Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
10. Giants: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
11. Bears: Deforest Buckner, DE, Oregon
12. Saints: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
13. Eagles: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
14. Raiders: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
15. Rams: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
16. Lions: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
17. Falcons: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
18. Colts: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
19. Bills: Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State
20. Jets: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
21. Redskins: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
22. Texans: Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
23. Vikings: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama 
24. Bengals: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh 
25. Steelers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
26. Seahawks: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
27. Packers: Myles Jack, ILB, UCLA
28. Chiefs: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
29. Cardinals: Kevin Dodd, DE,
30. Panthers: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
31. Broncos: Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford

You'll notice that I don't have any running backs going in the first round. Two of the top names in the country in terms of running backs are still on the table, Alabama's Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliot. Don't be shocked if either of those names are called in the first round. Their numbers and performance at the Combine and Pro Day will help propel them to the first round. Let the games begin!

Welcome Back

I've been pretty open with everyone about my life and that's because I have a great life and I want to share it. I haven't really written in a while because I've been busy enjoying that life. I've been through some good and I've been through some bad in recent years but that's part of life, you have obstacles put in front of you and sometimes those obstacles are a test of your will. Those tests can be very, very difficult at times and I'm finally going to open back up. So, welcome back to my life.

About two months before Brooke and I got married I got a phone call from my Dad, my Grandpa had been sick so I was expecting it to be about that, what he told me was something I never thought I would ever hear him say, "Your Mom and I are getting a separation."Anyone who knows my parents knows how big of a shock this was. My parents? Getting a divorce? How could that be? I've seen my parents argue, I've seen them bicker, but I never thought one of them would be unhappy and feel like moving on. Never.

That wasn't really the news I wanted to hear before I was about to start my life, but nonetheless I had to swallow that pill and move on. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with, and I lost two grandparents nine weeks apart. It took me a while until I was able to speak with either one of them on the phone without breaking down in tears. I love my parents more than anything but I just didn't get it and maybe I never will. I still talk to them, I won't lie though, it's weird. It'll always be weird. My wife went through the same thing when she was younger so I had someone to lean on and help get me through this and to be honest, if I didn't have her I don't know what would've happened.

Not even a month later I got a call from my mom, "Your Dad had a heart attack". Are you kidding me? Did she really just say that? I was beginning to think my parents were trying to steal my spotlight before the wedding. Why was this happening to me all at once? Did I do something wrong and this was God's way of punishing me? I didn't think I deserved this. Again, I looked to my wife and again, she was there. My dad is doing fine now but it was scary. My mom is also doing well, she's in Harrisburg with my sister and her family. If I learned anything from those two events, it's that life is full of unexpected adventures and if you don't have someone to give you a boost when you need it, that adventure can be scary.

As many of you know the love I have for my wife can only be matched by the love I have for Penn State football (I'm kidding, sorta.) She is what keeps me going, she motivates me, she picks me up when I'm down, she loves me, and she helps me. Brooke is the most important aspect of my life because of all those things and I am nothing without her, but I am everything with her.

I've said this before, marriage isn't perfect. It's always a work in progress because you are trying to make it as perfect as you can. You have to go through the bad to get to the good and when you get to the good and you have someone to share it with there is absolutely no better feeling. I hope all of you can find someone to share it with and to enjoy your life with.

You'll be hearing from me soon, but until then, welcome to my life.