Tons of defensive playmakers in this game...
Clemson
Ricky Sapp DE- Did not factor into the game much as a pass rusher- not that that is unexpected given the unorthodox run offense which Georgia Tech uses. At 6'5 240, it is unlikely that Ricky Sapp will be able to hold up as a DE in the NFL; a transition to rush end in a 3-4 system is a more likely outcome for Sapp. Expect him to land somewhere in round 3 or 4 on draft day with a chance at round 2 in the event he pulls a 4.6 forty out of his ass during the combine or on his pro-day. A good looking player, build-wise, but I don't think the OLB transition will be an easy one for him.
Da'Quan Bowers DE NFL- At 6'4 280 Bowers is the real attraction along Clemson's D-Line. He is only a true Sophomore- so he will not be eligible for next year's draft. However, when he elects to come out next season, he will be a top 15 overall pick due to his prototypical size and the fact that he is equally adept at rushing the passer and stuffing the run.
DeAndre McDaniel SS- A converted LB, McDaniel had the biggest impact of any defensive player in the game- outside of Derrick Morgan- with 2 interceptions. At 6'1 210, he possesses good size and a 37 inch vertical leap allows him to out jump receivers and make plays on balls. If he can continue to learn the nuances of playing safety, he is a junior, he could make himself into a 2-3 round prospect. Right now he grades out as a round 4-5 guy but that could change pretty quickly if he continues to put up performances like he had against Georgia Tech.
Brandon Maye ILB- at 6'2 230 Maye is a redshirt soph. (draft eligible). He had a relatively rough game. Not in the sense that he made any critical mistakes on plays, but going back and watching the game over, he was consistently out of position due to missteps and keying in on the wrong players and, as a result, was easy to block. Again, he is only a soph. and clearly has strong physical attributes. But I doubt he will be able to hold up at MLB, in the NFL, and will probably have to make the switch to outside LB whenever he reaches the NFL. Right now I'd cautiously say he has a good chance of landing somewhere between rounds 3 and 5 whenever he comes out.
Crezdon Butler CB- Butler did not factor into the game much- again, because of the fact that Georgia Tech hardly throws the ball. at 6'0 185 he possesses a very good combination of size and speed as one of the better senior CB's in the nation. Right now he stands to be drafted in rounds 2 or 3- I would give him a 3rd rd. grade at this point. But the ideal size/speed combination means that a big year and excellent combine could cause him to skyrocket up draft boards by next year's draft.
Georgia Tech
Derrick Morgan DE- Morgan was a beast against Clemson with 3 sacks on Thursday night and now has 5 sacks and 6.5 TFL through only two games during this early season. At 6'4 275, Morgan possesses an exceptionally quick first-step which allows him to consistently beat the tackle to the edge. If the tackle attempts to overcompensate, Morgan shows the fluid hips to change direction quickly and dart inside in order to bypass the tackle. However, what I was most impressed with, is how stout an active Morgan is against the run. When plays were run towards him, he was stout at the point of attack- at one point making a great tackle behind the line by shredding the tackle and driving through RB Spiller's legs for the tackle on forth and short. On plays run away from him, he did a solid job of staying home and containing the backside- which is is very important considering they were facing a RB, Spiller, who has the type of speed and shiftiness to quickly redirect to the backside for a big play. Morgan is only a junior, but he is already on pace to an All-American year and possesses all the necessary measurables to be a first round pick in next year's draft.
Morgan Burnett S- A well-built junior safety, at 6'1 210, who is arguably the best junior safety in the country outside of Eric Berry; Burnett was a 2nd team All-America selection last year. He is yet another immensely talented player on this Georgia Tech team who has the physical measurables to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft- when he ultimately comes out.
Mario Butler CB- A 6'1 181 junior cornerback. Very good size for the position. Got beat a couple of times, by Clemson's speedy and talented receivers, but came up with a pick and generally held up well in coverage. Has a chance to be selected in the first three rounds and I may even be underselling him depending on how fast he runs his forty.
Jerrard Tarrant CB- 7 tackles 4 solo for the game which probably shows he was getting picked on a little to much in the passing game. The real attraction is his punt returning ability, as he broke one off against Clemson and is gaining a reputation as one of the most explosive return men in the country.
Prospect Rankings
1. Derrick Morgan
2. Da'Quan Bowers
3. Morgan Burnett
4. Crezdon Butler
5. Mario Butler
6. Jerrard Tarrant
7. DeAndre McDaniel
8. Brandon Maye
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