Conrad
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I have been watching the Senior Bowl practices that I taped this week and I was focusing on Keith Rivers and Don Conner. Both are impressive prospects, but not elite prospects. A player that grew on me as I watched practices was LB Ali Highsmith from LSU.
When the Senior Bowl started I said to myself that I was going to follow whatever LB MIke Singletary really liked as his favorites in the past 2 years, Pat Willis [2007] and DeMeco Ryans [2006], have both won defensive player of the year. Singletary while being interviewed by the NFL Network guys specifically mentioned Highsmith and in practice gave him the most attention.
Highsmith to me might be the most underrated LB prospect in the draft. We all knew that he had great speed and ability to track plays down. Then he comes into the Senior Bowl and shows that he is not as small as many had feared coming in at 6' 230lbs. I also watched him in practice and he was as equally as physical as Connors and Rivers.
I think Highsmith would be an interesting trade down and draft for the Saints at a minimum we are getting a great WLB prospect and possibly a player that can move inside and play the MLB spot with some big boys in front of him.
HIghsmith is getting almost identical scouting reports to Demeco Ryans when he came out and is actually bigger then Demeco was at the Senior Bowl.
Demeco Ryans
Ryans is a very good all around talent at linebacker. His strength is reacting to plays in front of him and closing on the ball. DeMeco has excellent read and react skills. He can see the play develop and close on the ball carrier before the play gets going. He does not let up anywhere on the field and goes full tilt at all times. The intelligence he has in the classroom carries over to the football field.
In order for him to make his presence felt at the next level, Ryans is going to have to pack on some weight. Checking in at 226 at the Senior Bowl, Ryans does not have the bulk or strength to hold up at the point against NFL blockers. He also lacks blazing speed to make up for any size issue he may have.
Ali Highsmith
Highsmith is the ideal weakside linebacker prospect. He is a very good athlete, with excellent closing speed that flies around the field. He has the ability to come off the edge and close on the quarterback, and the speed to chase backs down. Highsmith is very good in coverage, where his athleticism and speed allow him to stay stride for stride with his man and follow them all over the field.
Size is the glaring issue with Highsmith. His height and overall bulk are below average, and he can be taken out of running plays when a blocker comes straight at him. He lacks the size and strength to shed blocks once engaged, so he has to beat blockers with his quickness.
Highsmith is an attractive option for a team that needs speed and playmaking ability in a weakside linebacker. He is very active and has the talent to be a standout in that role, but his size and strength limits him to that spot. His natural gifts should be on display in the post season, which could push him up into first round consideration.
As I side note many people on this board accuse people of being LSU Homers, I am neither from Louisiana nor do I cheer for LSU.
When the Senior Bowl started I said to myself that I was going to follow whatever LB MIke Singletary really liked as his favorites in the past 2 years, Pat Willis [2007] and DeMeco Ryans [2006], have both won defensive player of the year. Singletary while being interviewed by the NFL Network guys specifically mentioned Highsmith and in practice gave him the most attention.
Highsmith to me might be the most underrated LB prospect in the draft. We all knew that he had great speed and ability to track plays down. Then he comes into the Senior Bowl and shows that he is not as small as many had feared coming in at 6' 230lbs. I also watched him in practice and he was as equally as physical as Connors and Rivers.
I think Highsmith would be an interesting trade down and draft for the Saints at a minimum we are getting a great WLB prospect and possibly a player that can move inside and play the MLB spot with some big boys in front of him.
HIghsmith is getting almost identical scouting reports to Demeco Ryans when he came out and is actually bigger then Demeco was at the Senior Bowl.
Demeco Ryans
Ryans is a very good all around talent at linebacker. His strength is reacting to plays in front of him and closing on the ball. DeMeco has excellent read and react skills. He can see the play develop and close on the ball carrier before the play gets going. He does not let up anywhere on the field and goes full tilt at all times. The intelligence he has in the classroom carries over to the football field.
In order for him to make his presence felt at the next level, Ryans is going to have to pack on some weight. Checking in at 226 at the Senior Bowl, Ryans does not have the bulk or strength to hold up at the point against NFL blockers. He also lacks blazing speed to make up for any size issue he may have.
Ali Highsmith
Highsmith is the ideal weakside linebacker prospect. He is a very good athlete, with excellent closing speed that flies around the field. He has the ability to come off the edge and close on the quarterback, and the speed to chase backs down. Highsmith is very good in coverage, where his athleticism and speed allow him to stay stride for stride with his man and follow them all over the field.
Size is the glaring issue with Highsmith. His height and overall bulk are below average, and he can be taken out of running plays when a blocker comes straight at him. He lacks the size and strength to shed blocks once engaged, so he has to beat blockers with his quickness.
Highsmith is an attractive option for a team that needs speed and playmaking ability in a weakside linebacker. He is very active and has the talent to be a standout in that role, but his size and strength limits him to that spot. His natural gifts should be on display in the post season, which could push him up into first round consideration.
As I side note many people on this board accuse people of being LSU Homers, I am neither from Louisiana nor do I cheer for LSU.