The University of Utah has churned out NFL talent for some time now. This week I had the pleasure of attending the pro day thanks to some good friends on the Utah staff. There were over 20 teams represented and a few head coaches including Chip Kelly. I am told by the Utah staff this is one of the best pro scout turn outs in the last few years. I suspect it has to do with the fact that Utah has at least five draft-able prospects and number more players that could be priority free agents adds. Below are my observations on some of the players at the pro day.
NFL Draft Prospects
Nate Orchard, Edge Rusher
Orchard is probably the biggest name with which people are familiar. Orchard soared up draft boards after a great senior bowl where he showed the versatility to play outside linebacker. Orchard decided not to take part in any of the timed drills other than the bench press and rest on his combine numbers. I am a little surprised by this because he looks faster and more agile than his combine numbers reflect. Orchard looked very good in the on field drills showing up the rest of the edge rushers at the pro day. I expect Orchard to go in the late second round and make an immediate impact at the NFL level.
Eric Rowe, Safety/Cornerback
While it might have been considered the Orchard pro day, Eric Rowe seemed to draw just as much scout attention. Rowe also rested on his outstanding combine numbers like Orchard. Two major things stood out to me with Rowe. Hidden in the back, Rowe could be found coaching up teammates and small school attendees on the forty other drill forms. Rowe’s leadership is clear even at the pro day. The second thing I noticed, was his high pointing of the ball. In the coverage drills he cut the route off at the earliest point to jump and high point the ball. In my experience this is a rare skill to do so consistently. Many of the scouts were almost fighting over working him out personally.
You want athletic upside and explosiveness? This is from my Eric Rowe report… pic.twitter.com/BWmwik8yPF
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) March 24, 2015
Dres Anderson, Wide Receiver
Dres Anderson teased the scouts by warming up but did not take part in any drills. He looked fluid and no sign of knee injury in his small warm up session. I was told by the Utah staff that Anderson would be holding a mini work out in April. Anderson was very engaged amping up his teammates during all the drills. I suspect Anderson will need a strong work out to get back in the top 100 conversation. A number of scouts showed a high level of interest in chatting with Anderson.
Jeremiah Poutasi, Offensive Tackle
Poutasi is probably the biggest reach to be picked in the first four rounds in this group, although he looks the part more than anyone else. Honestly he is one of the leanest and meanest guys I have seen that weighs 330lbs . While he may be a little raw, he may have the most upside of any offensive lineman in this draft. The scouts put him through a serious workout. I suspect they wanted to find how fast he can learn and put his impressive size to use. NFL Draft Scout ranked Poutasi as their fifth rated offensive tackle in the draft. One option could be to move to guard at the NFL level, where he could really focus on dominating with his power and size.
Kaelin Clay, Wide Receiver
Clay improved from the combine by posting back to back mid 4.4 forty times. He stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine including his strong sub-seven second three cone time. The Utah staff told me that he has put on some extra muscle weight in the past month, which makes his lower forty all that more impressive. Clay looks to make his mark in the NFL initially as return specialist, but I think he is underrated as a slot receiver. In the on field drills he looked fluid and consistently caught the ball away from his body.
NFL Priority Signings and Pro Day Standouts
Brian Blechen, Strong Safety
Blechen is known as an instinctual player and a punishing hitter. Blechen weighed in bigger than expected 220. At 6’2″ he is a massive safety that has strong tackling form to go along with his big hits. I had Blechen below seven seconds on both of his three cone drills. His forty time was in the 4.6 range, but his quick reactions make him look faster in the on-field drills. I believe he may have been the only DB to not drop a pass. Belchen has NFL big nickel corner potential since he is comfortable in the box and in man coverage.
Watching film on Utah SS Brian Blechen a 220 pound Safety who will smack people.
— Jordan Plocher (@StarvingScout) February 1, 2015
Jacoby Hale, Inside Linebacker
Hale was a highlight of the combine and drew lots of scout attention. Hale showed explosiveness posting over ten feet in the broad jump. I had him in the 4.5 range twice along with a few people around me. If Rowe looked like a leader, Hale looked like a captain out there. He was constantly getting people excited for the drills, taking missteps in stride, and just having fun. If I had to pick one guy from the day for locker room presence, it would be this guy. The Utah staff mentioned to me a couple of times how he is such a positive influence to everyone around him. The Colts, Steelers, and Browns all personally worked Hale out. This makes sense with all their needs at linebacker. I would not be surprised to see Hale as a priority signing immediately after the draft.
Westlee Tonga, Tight End
Tonga is an intriguing player with a prototypical NFL pass catching build at 6’4″ and 244 lbs. Tonga looked quick running his forty in 4.65 seconds. Tonga may have a little work to do before he can be productive at the NFL level, but the upside is definitely there.
Greg Reese, Defensive End
Standing 6’5″ and 253 lbs, Greg Reese looks like a stronger version of Randy Gregory. I timed Reese in the mid 4.7 range on his forty and jumped 9’9″ in the broad. Although Reese already as some solid athleticism, I think he has a lot of untapped potential. I suspect he could be a priority add after the draft.
Joe Smith, Cornerback, Idaho State
Smith is a transfer to Idaho State from the University Utah. Smith looked very fast and well-built for being only 5’9″. I had both of his forty attempts in the 4.4 range. He seemed to garner some scout attention after his first forty. I like Smith as a sleeper to make a roster or practice squad as a slot corner.
