DT-King Taylor (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi)The FCS Defensive Player of the Year King Taylor was a menace to the opposition last season. His 31 sacks and 87 hurries opened a lot of people's eyes especially since he was overlooked on the national stage coming out of highschool.
Pros: Taylor is a squatty DT that is very good with leverage and plays the run extremely well. He has an array of pass rush moves and is improving his technique each game. Taylor is a productive player that plays above the level his ability should allow.
Cons: He doesn't have elite speed or quickness but relies on his moxy and smarts. There's a lot of growth to do in his pass rush and tackling techniques. While he's not weak at the point of attack, he's not overpowering for a player that produced at the level he did in Texas.
Summary: Interesting buzz surrounding one of the best players in the FCS. Without possessing mind boggling strenth or speed Taylor will have to absorb the coaching he will get at the next level to fully develop his techniques. Lots of potential for Taylor to be a fine player but he may never dominate like he did in the FCS.
DE-Samuel Castillo (North Dakota St)One of the most feared pass rushers in the FCS, Castillo is a surefire talent that big schools are drooling to sign. With 27 sacks last season he proved that he can produce when opponents know he's the best player on the field.
Pros: Castillo combines next level power and speed to not only get the edge but also destroy the pocket. He's still developing his technique in both the pass rush and run game but his potential is off the charts. Ideal size and frame for the position and is squeaky clean off the field.
Cons: Castillo is still raw in his technique and will need some time to reach his potential. He doesn't create as many strip fumbles for a player with his production and disruptiveness.
Summary: There's not a lot that this player can't do at the defensive end position. He's aggressive, ferocious and tough. He will likely step in on day one for a team and be one of the best pass rushers in the NCAA.
DE-John Torrez (Montana St)Torrez is coming off an injury but his eye popping stats are right in line with both Taylor and Castillo. Torrez is the most pollished pass rusher in this class and as he progresses could be one of the more balanced Ends in the league.
Pros: He tested much better than his game tape showed in his straight line speed but his quickness was worse. He's as strong as a bull and is very good at pushing the tackle into to the QB. He piled up an insane amount of hurries for the Bobcats and a lot of this impact is done by his variety of pass rush moves. Was a leader on a team that was field goal away from the title game.
Cons: Has a tendency to pick up injuries and this will be a huge concern for teams going forward. He's had some issues off the field but nothing that should scare away any suitors. While he has potential to be an anchor against the run he's still developing that aspect of his game.
Summary: Torrez tested at a level that is reflected by his production. He's a handful for opponents and should immediately start on most teams.
LB-James Strunk (Central Arkansas)A productive box backer that plays downhill in the run game but has the ability to drop into coverage like a safety. Very versatile athlete that led Central Arkansas with 114 tackles. He added 6 sacks and showed a developing ability to get pressure on quarterbacks.
Pros: Strunk ticks all the boxes of an elite pure athlete. He's as fast and strong as any linebacker in the nation. He's intimidating and puts fear in pass catchers. His coverage skills are on the verge of top tier if he continues to learn and mature. His tackling and pass rush skills are also developing and could be strengths with more seasoning.
Cons: Despite having the potential to be a big time playmaker Strunk only had 1 interception and 2 forced fumbles last season. Some rumors have been swirling about his attitude and hunger to be great so whoever selects this talent will have to coach him up. He's a developing talent with some room to grow.
Summary: James Strunk is a player that has caught the attention of a lot of teams due to the versatility of his skill set. He's got incredible athleticism and has an array of talents that make him a fit in any system. Despite all the hype Strunk comes with a diva attitude and less than stellar work ethic. To fully unleash this beast he will need to go to a team that knows how to get the best out of him on, and off, the field.
CB-James Sever (Montana)One of the better strories in the FCS' inaugural season, James Sever was a 2 star highshool prospect that didn't get one FBS scholarship offer. Growing significantly after highschool, Sever also took to the weight and conditioning program at Montana and developed himself into one of the best transfer talents in the land. He picked off 9 passes last season and proved to be an elite level cover guy.
Pros: Sever is fast and has quick feet that allows him to mirror opponents in and out of their breaks. Superior smarts and is known for his work in the film room. On his way to becoming a top level cover man with great punch off the line as he reroutes wrs.
Cons: He's not a blazer and will still get beat deep against the fastest receivers. His tackling and ability to decipher run angles has great potential but it's still a developing skill. He's not a strong player and doesn't bring much in terms of big hits. More timid then most top notch corners and the lack of nastiness has some worried he will be overwhelmed at the next level.
Summary: Sever is the most saught after defensive backs in this signing period but there are some holes and concerns with his game. He shows a lot of heart and want-to as he's developed his body and his skills into a legitimate DI player. On the flipside, there's concerns about his swag and if he has what it takes to be a #1 cover guy. In a league drooling over defensive backs it won't take long for Sever to hear his phone ring.
Last edited at 4/13/2018 12:36 pm