FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CardinalAlum]

Chicago Tribune article:

Scout talk: Best pro prospects from Illinois
By Dan Pompei | Tribune staff reporter
9:56 PM CDT, October 24, 2008

The state of Illinois has a better-than-usual crop of senior prospects this season, and that crop could really be enhanced if underclassmen such as cornerback Vontae Davis of Illinois or defensive end Corey Wootton of Northwestern pass up their senior seasons. Here, based on conversations with NFL scouts, are the best pro prospects from schools in the state, ranked in order of current draft value.

1. Larry English, DE/LB, Northern Illinois. A hard-charging pass rusher with great intangibles. Strong and explosive. Some compare him with AFC sacks leader James Harrison of the Steelers.

2. Xavier Fulton, OT, Illinois. Has the athleticism, frame and quickness to play left tackle in the pros but needs more polish and consistency.

3. Will Davis, DE, Illinois. Has the quickness, strength and ability to close that scouts look for. Has been playing out of position at defensive tackle. Instincts could be better.

4. Derek Walker, DE, Illinois. Athletic end who has the strength to hold up at the point. Plays with a good motor.

5. Ryan McDonald, C, Illinois. His athleticism is just so-so, but he's tough, competes and knows what he's doing. Initially not considered draftable, but he has come on this season.

6. Tyrell Sutton, RB, Northwestern. Highly productive runner who lacks ideal size and speed. Scouts question his durability. A little like Garrett Wolfe, but not as highly regarded.

7. John Gill, DT, Northwestern. Tough and plays hard but doesn't always play strong. Might make it as a third or fourth defensive tackle.

8. Herb Donaldson, RB, Western Illinois. Very productive, tough, strong college back with good intangibles. Might not have NFL speed.

9. Jon Brost, OL, Northern Illinois. A tackle who probably will move to guard at the next level. Has pretty good feet and awareness but needs to improve his strength.

10. Tom Nelson, S, Illinois State. Arlington Heights native has the athleticism, speed and intelligence to play the deep half of the field. Is not the best in run support.

11. Pierre Walters, DE, Eastern Illinois. Has played well in spurts, but effort is inconsistent. Has a bad ankle that is affecting his play. Could help himself with a great workout.

12. Jonathan St-Pierre, C, Illinois State. Transfer from Miami has strength and size. Already has been drafted by the Canadian league. A marginal athlete whose stock has slipped.

13. Taylor Rowan, K, Western Illinois. Has a really strong leg, as a 54-yard field goal shows. Probably won't be drafted, but he could be the kind of player who bounces around for a year or two and then makes it in the NFL.

14. Jason Williams, OLB, Western Illinois. Productive, explosive player who goes all out. Struggles in coverage and is not all that athletic.

15. Britt Davis, WR, Northern Illinois. Former high school quarterback at Riverside-Brookfield has height, weight and speed but has not been consistent. Doesn't play fast and drops some balls. Intangibles are a concern.

16. Aaron Lockwood, G, Southern Illinois. Productive, tough guy who is good enough to at least make an appearance in an NFL camp.

17. Pete Ittersagen, CB, Wheaton. Really good player in the CCIW who might not have the size, strength and quickness to make the jump. Some scouts consider him a superior prospect to former teammate Andy Studebaker, who was drafted by the Eagles and remains on their practice squad.

18. Brit Miller, ILB, Illinois. Goes all out and makes a lot of tackles but probably is not fast or strong enough to make it in the NFL.

19. Melvin Rice, CB, Northern Illinois. Good tackler who has some Cover-2 qualities but doesn't always respond well to the ball in the air

[usee]

Just trying to get my last shots in before the big game.

[usee]

Thanks for the bit on ittersagen. He may not have the speed or quicks for the next level but he isn't any smaller than many of the corners in the NFL and I can guarantee you he is as strong or stronger than most of them.

[CardinalAlum]

Just trying to get my last shots in before the big game.

I would be disappointed if you didn't!!!

[dansand]

dennis,

A kickoff from the opponent's 20 - WOW!  That's one I've never seen!

And what could they do EXCEPT an onside kick?  The rules, alas, don't allow for a fg, a regular kick is a guaranteed touchback (so zero yards), and kicking out of bounds would leave them with signifcant negative yardage.

NPU should have gone for a fourth unsportsmanlike penalty - then IBC would really be stuck, since an onside kick couldn't go 10 yards!

In 1978 when my high school, Moline, was playing Davenport Central (who had future NFL great Roger Craig and another NFL alum, Jamie Williams) and getting stomped something like 56-7, a combination of sacks and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties left them with an unbelievable 4th-and-78. Honest to God. BTW, they punted.

[Mr. Ypsi]

dennis,

A kickoff from the opponent's 20 - WOW!  That's one I've never seen!

And what could they do EXCEPT an onside kick?  The rules, alas, don't allow for a fg, a regular kick is a guaranteed touchback (so zero yards), and kicking out of bounds would leave them with signifcant negative yardage.

NPU should have gone for a fourth unsportsmanlike penalty - then IBC would really be stuck, since an onside kick couldn't go 10 yards!

In 1977 when my high school, Moline, was playing Davenport Central (who had future NFL great Roger Craig and another NFL alum, Jamie Williams) and getting stomped something like 56-7, a combination of sacks and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties left them with an unbelievable 4th-and-78. Honest to God. BTW, they punted.

Ahh, no guts, no glory.  I say GO FOR IT on 4th and 78!

[matblake]

In 1977 when my high school, Moline, was playing Davenport Central (who had future NFL great Roger Craig and another NFL alum, Jamie Williams) and getting stomped something like 56-7, a combination of sacks and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties left them with an unbelievable 4th-and-78.

That has to be some sort of record.  I hereby declare the above to be the most impossible 4th down conversion ever. 

[Pat Coleman]

Geez. Should've quick-kicked on third-and-50.

[usee]

NPU 8 Millikin 7 w 12min until halftime.

[usee]

NPU 8 millkin 14 w 3min left in half.

[Jim Matson]

Usee, poke fun at the soccer boards all you want, and yeah, I know they are a bit slow.   But this particular page used to be a ghost town as well.  A few us stuck with it and in time, momentum picked up, guys like you signed on, and now it seems to be working quite well (!!).  So even with your best wishes, and of course, given a little time , I think our efforts over on the soccer pages are going to work out just fine.

[shepherd]

WOW UWW losses
UW SP 17 UWW 16

[usee]

Jim,

I wasn't poking fun at the soccer boards. More just you. I am glad you are committed to it.

"Guys like you"?? You must be kidding. I don't think there are many that predate me on these boards unfortunately. I remember before pat started this board the pioneer league had a d3 board. I have been here since day 1 my friend. Not a badge of honor but a pathetic fact.

[New Tradition]

WOW UWW losses
UW SP 17 UWW 16

That HUUUGE!!!  I guess UWSP put together a great drive at the end of the game and scored with 15 seconds left on the clock, then went for 2 for the win and converted rather than go to overtime with the Warhawks.  Should make the poll very interesting after tonight's game!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Looks like MHB will lose to 2-5 SOU (down by 12 with about 7 minutes left).

Looks like if Wheaton wins they'll rise to #2; if NCC wins they'll probably place either 2nd or 3rd.


Scoreboard still has no NPU/Millikin score - how'd it finish?