Mid-American Conference (MAC) Scouting Reports
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Akron Zips
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Trevor Brown, G
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter at left tackle. Started one game at right tackle as a true freshman.
Positives: Nice-sized blocker who is best in a small area. Gives effort, displays the ability to adjust and redirect to speed rushers and jolts opponents with tremendous hand punch. Sets with a wide base, keeps his feet moving, and works to stays square. Explosive at the point of attack. Strong and incredibly effective with his hands.
Negatives: Lines up at left tackle but isn’t a natural knee bender and lacks balance. Overextends into blocks.
Analysis: Brown is an underrated prospect with the potential to back up inside at guard at the next level.
John Lako, ILB
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who earned First Team All-MAC honors and finished second in the conference with 138 tackles (9.5 for loss) as a senior in 2019. Named Third Team All-MAC and made 126 tackles (10 for loss) with three pass breakups as a junior.
Positives: Tough, hard-nosed linebacker who breaks down well, flows well laterally and effectively reads and diagnoses the action. Very active against the run and uses his hands to protect himself.
Negatives: Average athlete. Struggles to get off blocks and gets tied up by tight ends. Shows minimal force on the blitz. Consistently bites on ball fakes. Lacks any semblance of speed in pursuit.
Analysis: Lako is a hard-working run defender at linebacker, but he’s an average athlete who gets the most from his ability and lacks upside at the next level.
Alvin Davis Jr, S
Career Snapshot: Four-year starter who was named First Team All-MAC and made 75 tackles with four interceptions and three pass breakups as a junior in 2018. Earned Second Team All-MAC honors and made 83 tackles with one INT and two PBUs as a sophomore. Named Third Team All-MAC and made 80 tackles (five for loss) with two pass breakups in 2019.
Positives: Tough, smart defensive back with good versatility. Quick up the field, breaks down well and gives effort against the run. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself, stays with the action and keeps plays in front of him. Feisty, leads by example and plays faster than his 40 time. Quick-footed, efficient and shows good recognition in coverage.
Negatives: Poor size and speed. Not strong or stout at the point of attack. Easily taken from the action by blocks. Lacks great closing and recovery speed. Outmatched by taller receivers.
Analysis: Davis is a terrific football player, but he has size and athletic limitations. He could be used as a dime back or safety in a zone system, but Davis must earn his worth on special teams.
Ball State Cardinals
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Walter Fletcher, RB
Career Snapshot: Graduate transfer from Division II Edinboro who started two games in his lone season at Ball State. Rushed 132 times for 726 yards and five touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 306 yards and two TDs as a senior in 2019.
Positives: Productive running back who comes off a solid season. Patient, effectively uses blocks, and runs north and south. Grinds it out on the inside, runs hard and works through the whistle. Strong for his size, fights hard for extra yardage and falls forward when tackled. Solid pass catcher who extends his hands and makes the reception away from his frame.
Negatives: Not smooth when he cuts back against the grain. Loses both momentum and balance when changing direction. Possesses marginal quickness, plays to one speed and cannot beat defenders into the open field. More of a straight-line ball carrier who cannot turn the perimeter.
Analysis: Fletcher was productive at the college level and had a solid season at Ball State after his transfer from Edinboro. However, he lacks the pure athleticism and computer numbers for the next level and will have an uphill climb to make an active roster.
Danny Pinter, G
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter at right tackle who earned First Team All-MAC honors as a senior in 2019. Made 11 starts at tight end during his first two seasons with the Cardinals and caught nine passes for 56 yards and one touchdown. Suffered a season-ending ligament injury in his left foot after seven games in 2017.
Positives: Relatively athletic college tackle who projects to guard at the next level. Keeps his feet moving, stays square and makes outstanding use of body positioning and angles in pass protection.
Shows the ability to adjust, keeps his head on a swivel, and quickly recognizes blitzes and stunts thrown by the opposition. Quick, very effective in pass protection, and shows above-average skill in motion. Bends his knees and generally blocks with proper pad level.
Negatives: Must improve his strength, specifically the strength of his base. Does not get much movement as a run blocker.
Analysis: Pinter lined up at right tackle for Ball State, but he’s a developmental guard with big upside. Once he improves his strength, Pinter could surprise at the next level.
Ray Wilborn, OLB
Career Snapshot: Junior-college transfer who started both of his seasons at Ball State. Moved from linebacker to safety before his senior season and made 83 tackles (two for loss) with two interceptions and four pass breakups in 2019. Made 83 tackles (10.5 for loss) with three sacks, two interceptions and four PBUs as a junior.
Positives: Nice-sized linebacker who plays smart, tough football. Breaks down well and fires up the field against the run. Wraps up tackling and brings ball carriers down at the point of attack. Hard-hitting, displays solid range and gets depth on pass drops. Plays faster than his 40 time. Moves well in every direction of the field. Sells out up the field on the blitz.
Negatives: Slow to shed blocks despite his size and gets washed up in the trash. Often slow to locate the action or ball carrier.
Analysis: Wilborn possesses solid size and speed and has shown some versatility. He must brush off his instincts if possible, but he could make an active roster as an eighth linebacker and special-teams player.
Buffalo Bulls
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Evin Ksiezarczyk, OT
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter at left tackle who earned First Team All-MAC honors as a senior in 2019. Named Second Team All-MAC in 2018.
Positives: King-sized college left tackle who projects to the right side or guard at the next level. Works to bend his knees, gets his hands into defenders and controls opponents at the point of attack. Powerful, anchors in pass protection and stays square to keep defenders in front of him. Explosive at the point and large enough to engulf opponents.
Negatives: Lumbers around the field. Heavy-footed. Cannot slide off the edge and lacks lateral range as a blocker. Struggles to adjust and redirect on the move.
Analysis: Ksiezarczyk is a big, strong tackle who is best in a small area. He possesses next-level size and could make a practice squad as a right tackle, but he must polish his game.
Central Michigan Chippewas
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Sean Adesanya, DE
Career Snapshot: Transfer from Illinois who started his final season at Central Michigan. Named First Team All-MAC as a senior in 2019, when he made 35 tackles with seven sacks and finished second in the conference with 16 tackles for loss. Made two starts and posted 29 tackles (seven for loss) with four sacks in 2018.
Positives: Undersized college defensive end who is smooth when asked to twist and stunt and easily moves about the field. Keeps his feet moving and works his hands throughout the action. Displays nice length, works to bend his knees and plays with proper pad level.
Negatives: Marginal athlete. Displays limited quickness. Lacks bulk and strength. Easily out positioned from the action. Doesn’t make a lot of plays and seems lackadaisical at times.
Analysis: Adesanya is a prototypical ‘tweener’ who lacks the size for defensive end and the speed for linebacker, but he also lacks the intensity for the next level.
Da’Quaun Jamison, S
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who made 68 tackles (five for loss) with two interceptions and seven pass breakups as a senior in 2019. Made 41 tackles (three for loss) with one INT and three PBUs as a junior.
Positives: Hard-working safety who is best against the run. Fires up the field, displays a closing burst and wraps up tackling. Instinctive, effectively reads and diagnoses the action and brings opponents down at the point of attack.
Negatives: Stiff in his backpedal and lacks overall range. Marginal ball skills.
Analysis: Jamison is a solid run-defending safety with poor computer numbers. He could be used as a traditional strong safety, but his prospects at the next level solely rely on his special-teams ability.
Jonathan Ward, RB
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who was named Third Team All-MAC and rushed 183 times for 1,108 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Added 34 receptions for 329 yards and one TD. Earned Second Team All-MAC honors as a sophomore, when he rushed 179 times for 1,017 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 48 passes for 470 yards and three TDs.
Positives: Underrated ball carrier who was very productive for Central Michigan despite injuries. Instinctive, helps the quarterback sell ball fakes, and gives effort in all areas. Works runs and displays the ability to cut back in a small area. Solid pass catcher who snatches the ball away from his frame. Pounds it out on the inside and works to pick up as much yardage as possible.
Negatives: Lacks the quickness and speed to get around the corner. Not a true perimeter ball carrier. Runs with a bit of an upright style.
Analysis: Despite injuries, Ward has been productive the past three seasons at Central Michigan. He does enough things well to get consideration in camp this summer.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Vince Calhoun, S
Career Snapshot: Four-year starter who earned First Team All-MAC honors and made 108 tackles (six for loss) with one interception, two sacks and three force fumbles as a senior in 2019.
Positives: Tough, hard-hitting safety who is quick up the field, gives effort against the run and wraps up ball carriers. Instinctive, quick to read and diagnose and shows a physical nature. Hard-hitting, has a strong build, and breaks down well. Keeps the action in front of him and plays disciplined football.
Negatives: Average speed. Doesn’t show a feel for coverage and possesses average ball skills. Lacks closing and recovery speed.
Analysis: Calhoun is a feisty strong-safety type who plays with a special-teams mentality and should be given a chance in camp this summer as a fourth safety and coverage-units specialist.
Brody Hoying, S
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who was named First Team All-MAC and made 78 tackles (four for loss) with two interceptions and four forced fumbles as a sophomore in 2017. Earned Second Team All-MAC honors in 2019 and Third Team All-MAC honors in 2018, when he combined for 150 tackles (15 for loss), four interceptions, three sacks and nine pass breakups.
Positives: Underrated safety prospect who is a tough football player. Effectively reads and diagnoses the action, keeps the play in front of him and stays with assignments. Fierce, aggressive and quick to locate the ball. Fires up the field to defend the run and gives effort. Efficient and takes proper angles to the action.
Negatives: Average athlete with an average burst of speed. Cannot recover and displays average ball skills.
Analysis: Hoying is a solid football player but he’s an average athlete. He could make a roster as a ninth defensive back and special-teams player.
Steve Nielsen, OT
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter at tackle who moved from right tackle to left tackle before the start of his senior season. Earned Third Team All-MAC honors in 2018. Made one start at left guard as a true freshman.
Positives: Tall, powerful lineman who gets movement against the run and possesses outstanding length. Gets his hands into opponents, easily knocks them from their angles of attack in pass protection and engulfs them as a run blocker. Sets with a wide base, bends his knees and drives opponents off the line.
Negatives: Shows stiffness that hurts his ability to finish blocks. Lacks lateral range, cannot adjust and gets exploited by speed rushers.
Analysis: Though he lacks athleticism for the next level, Nielsen is a size prospect who should be brought into camp this summer. If he shows ability as a run blocker, Nielsen could end up on a practice squad.
Miami (OH) RedHawks
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Doug Costin, DT
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who was named First Team All-MAC and made 59 tackles (12 for loss) with four sacks and three pass breakups as a senior in 2019. Earned Second Team All-MAC honors and made 52 tackles (10.5 for loss) with six sacks and three PBUs as a junior.
Positives: Quick, explosive three-technique tackle who flashes the ability to make plays on the ball. Fires off the snap with an explosive first step, bends his knees and mostly plays with proper pad level. Agile, effective with his hands and fluid when asked to twist and stunt. Nicely redirects to the action, wraps up tackling and flashes power in his lower body.
Negatives: Very inconsistent. Not a very sudden defender. Easily sealed from the action and taken from the play by blocks.
Analysis: Costin came into the season graded as a priority free agent, but he had an inconsistent campaign and really didn’t develop much. He possesses the size and substance to be a three-technique prospect at the next level, but he must consistently play at a high level.
Northern Illinois Huskies
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Ross Bowers, QB
Career Snapshot: Graduate transfer from Cal who started his lone season at Northern Illinois and completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 2,130 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2019. Missed three games due to a concussion during his senior season. Started for Cal during the 2017 season and completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,039 yards, 18 TDs and 12 INTs.
Positives: Relatively efficient college quarterback who naturally looks off the safety, understands what’s happening on the field and shows solid pocket awareness. Knows where receivers are, displays timing on passes and has a compact throwing motion. Elusive and can escape the rush to get outside the pocket and make the throw on the move. Quickly locates the open wideout, puts air under deep passes, and throws a catchable ball.
Negatives: Lacks arm strength, cannot drive deep throws and really needs to put a lot of extra effort in to get the ball down the field. Smaller quarterback with a thin frame. Rotated in and out of the lineup last season and was never a consistent starter.
Analysis: Bowers had a modicum of success at both California and Northern Illinois, but he’s nothing more than roster fodder this summer.
Marshe’ Terry, S
Positives: Former Connecticut safety who transferred to Northern Illinois, moved to linebacker and had a good season. Effectively reads and diagnoses the action and keeps plays in front of him.
An explosive hitter who shows ability in pursuit, covers a good amount of area on the field and quickly closes to the action. Displays good change-of-direction ability, effectively uses his hands to protect himself, and gives effort against the run. Physical and works hard to get involved in the action. Gets depth on pass drops.
Negatives: Grabs and clutches too much when he should wrap up tackling. Struggles to get off blocks. Inconsistent production.
Analysis: Terry displayed flashes early in his Connecticut career before he became a part-time player in 2017 and moved on to Northern Illinois. He found a home at linebacker last year and could be an invaluable backup as a pursuit linebacker and special-teams player.
Mykelti Williams, S
Positives: Nice-sized safety who is best in the box and playing downhill. Tough, smart, and gives effort in all aspects. Efficient, takes proper angles to the action, and effectively reads and diagnoses plays. Aggressive, flies to the ball and gets the most from his ability.
Negatives: Lacks great range and lateral speed. Average athlete.
Analysis: Williams was a terrific football player at the small-conference level, but he lacks the size, speed and athleticism for the next level. His ability to play special teams will dictate whether he gets out of camp this summer.
Ohio Bobcats
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Javon Hagan, S
Positives: Nice sized safety who plays with a violent attitude. Very aggressive, takes proper angles up the field, and keeps the action in front of him. Explosive hitter who knocks ball carriers off their feet, displays good change-of-direction ability and effectively reads the action. Picks up coverage assignments, displays a nice move to the throw, and works to get a hand in to knock away the ball.
Negatives: Lacks closing and recovery speed. Stiff and slow in his backpedal and loses balance in transition. Slow to shed blocks for a bigger safety.
Analysis: Hagan flashed big-play ability throughout his Northern Illinois career and has the size and temperament to be used as a traditional strong safety on Sundays. His 40 time will dictate whether he’s signed after the draft and special-teams play will determine whether he makes it out of camp this summer.
Austen Pleasants, OT
Positives: Large college left tackle who projects to the right side. Sets with a wide base, effectively bends his knees for a taller blocker and stays square to keep the defender in front of him. Strong, quickly sets up off the snap and easily turns defenders from the action to open running lanes. Keeps his feet moving and works his hands throughout the action, displays terrific patience and keeps his head on a swivel.
Negatives: Must improve his overall balance. Stiff, lacks footwork and displays minimal lateral range.
Analysis: Pleasants is a size prospect who must fill out his frame and improve his balance to make a practice squad next summer.
Nathan Rourke, QB
Career Snapshot: Junior-college transfer who started all three of his seasons at Ohio. Earned First Team All-MAC honors, completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,820 yards and 20 touchdowns with five interceptions and rushed for 867 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Earned Second Team All-MAC honors as a junior and as a sophomore. Completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,434 yards and 23 touchdowns with eight INTs and rushed for 860 yards and 15 scores in 2018. Completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 2,203 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions and rushed for 912 yards and 21 TDs in 2017.
Positives: Athletic quarterback who is effective as both a passer and a runner. Remains poised in the pocket, stands strong against the rush and works to make positive plays. Patient, effectively sells ball fakes and scans the field to locate the open wideout. Displays good velocity on short and intermediate throws. Possesses outstanding sense and overall awareness. Goes through progressions, does not make poor throws or force passes and shows the ability to pick up yardage on the ground. Quick enough and fast enough to turn the corner and keeps the play in bounds to pick up positive yardage.
Negatives: Possesses a mechanical, stiff delivery. All over the place with throws, misses open receivers and makes them work hard to come away with the reception. Doesn’t sense pressure well. Makes a lot of easy passes at the college level, and the further down the field or out to the flanks he throws the ball, the more of an adventure it becomes.
Analysis: Rourke was a productive RPO quarterback who comes with athleticism, but he needs a lot of work on his game. Though he is liked in some areas of the scouting circles, I see Rourke as nothing more than a practice-squad prospect at the next level.
Toledo Rockets
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Jordan Fisher, OLB
Positives: Former tight end who moved to the defensive side of the ball and displayed flashes of ability at linebacker last season. Breaks down well, effectively uses his hands to protect himself and quickly locates the ball. Very effective against the run, moves well laterally and shows ability in pursuit. Athletic, gets depth on pass drops, and displays a good burst of speed to close to the ball.
Negatives: Inefficient and takes poor angles on occasion. Easily knocked off balance by the initial hit and gets tied up on blocks.
Analysis: Fisher displayed flashes of ability at the tight end position before he moved to linebacker last year, where he again showed next-level potential. He’s a practice-squad prospect who possesses the athleticism to play at the next level.
Reggie Gilliam, FB
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who earned Second Team All-MAC honors and caught six passes for 71 yards and three touchdowns as a junior in 2018. Made nine catches for 52 yards as a senior.
Positives: Undeveloped college tight end who will get looks at fullback and H-back at the next level. Fires off the snap into blocks, gets leverage on opponents and stays square. Strong enough to turn defenders from the action. Occasionally lines up in the backfield, quickly gets into pass routes and extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame. Shows good route discipline, uses his frame to shield away defenders and presents himself as a solid athlete.
Negatives: Haphazard in his movement and must improve his balance. Very rough around the edges. Never a big part of the Toledo offense.
Analysis: Gilliam is a solid athlete with nice upside, but he must find a position at the next level. I like him best as a move tight end, and Gilliam should receive practice-squad consideration this summer.
Western Michigan Broncos
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
LeVante Bellamy, RB
Positives: Undersized scatback who can be used as a situational runner and third-down specialist. Displays outstanding vision and football instincts, can cut back against the grain and loses little momentum changing direction. Patiently waits for blocks to develop and squeezes through the small openings of the offensive line.
Keeps his feet moving and works runs to try to get as much from every carry as possible. Creates yardage, improvises when plays break down and displays a terrific burst. Easily bounces around piles to get to the outside. Quickly gets into pass routes, nicely adjusts to the errant throw and extends to make the reception away from his frame.
Negatives: Lacks size and strength. Easily brought down at the point by a single defender. Runs east and west too often. Lacks growth potential and has short arms and small hands.
Analysis: Bellamy has been incredibly productive the past two years and is a speedy back who can take it the distance if given open space on the field. He also comes with return ability, and although he may not be selected during the draft, expect Bellamy to be quickly signed as a priority free agent.
Luke Juriga, C
Positives: Tough, intelligent center who effectively quarterbacks the offensive line, works well with teammates and plays through the whistle. Explosive at the point, fires off the snap and displays a nasty attitude. Strong enough to turn defenders from the line and seal them from the action. Stays square, works blocks and keeps the and keeps the defender in front of him.
Negatives: Limited physical skills. Doesn’t move all that well for a smaller center and isn’t a fluid blocker. Must keep his knees bent throughout the action.
Analysis: Juriga is a hard-working, competitive blocker with great football intelligence. He lacks the size and physical skills for the next level, but his approach and feel for blocking could help him catch on as a backup in the NFL.
Giovanni Ricci, TE
Positives: Former wide receiver who moved to tight end as a senior and had a career season. Plays tough, hard-nosed football, displays himself as a terrific pass catcher and gives effort as a blocker. Fluid, easily makes the reception in stride and consistently catches the ball with his hands.
Runs sharp routes, stays low on exit and positions himself to make the reception. Smoothly moves about the field, gets up in a crowd and comes away with the difficult catch. Displays focus and concentration, tracks the pass in the air and consistently makes the catch away from his frame.
Negatives: Has a long, thin build, lacks strength and must fill out his frame. Slows into breaks on occasion and loses momentum. Will be a liability as a blocker.
Analysis: Ricci is a tight end in a receiver’s body, but he comes with a good amount of upside. He needs to physically mature and add bulk to his frame, but he could make an NFL roster as a backup tight end.
Jon Wassink, QB
Positives: Patient short and intermediate passer who displayed development each of the past three seasons. Patient in the pocket, spreads the ball around and makes good football decisions. Goes through progressions, finds the open wideout, and puts air under deep passes. Remains poised under the rush, stays away from bad decisions, and has enough ability to elude defenders and scramble out of the pocket.
Negatives: Lacks a big arm, Inconsistent with his deep accuracy and cannot drive long throws.
Analysis: Wassink did a terrific job as a full-time starter last season and is a developmental prospect and possible third signal caller at the next level.