Good Article on future NFL prospects from Appalachian

[ericsaid]

Good article on why Appalachian may have the talent to make it four in a row.

http://nfldraftguys.com/features/08_small_school_wrs_tes.php

[Appguy]

Rauch and Touchstone wont get a look at all. (Rauch doesn't have the range and Touchstone is 5-5 and a half)

as for next years draft James Hill certainly wont be on the radar at all since he hasn't been in our top 4 receivers since hes been here and he was a mediocre return man.

Tim Washington is similar in that he hasn't played much and is undersized to be a DT in the NFL and clearly not dominant enough at this level to go to the NFL IMO

Also, its a bit of a stretch to look ahead 3-4 years at NFL prospects, things change too much too often for it to be relevant till their last years

[seantaylor]

He's making Foster's 40 time up. It has been lower than that his whole career.

[phillyAPP]

He's making Foster's 40 time up. It has been lower than that his whole career.

whoever gets Foster will be very happy. xnodx

[blueballs]

whoever gets Foster will be very happy. xnodx

I had a conversation with one of the GSU coaches a few months ago and he was recounting a conversation he had with an NFL personnel man about Foster...

NFL guy: "He's awfully short, what position does he play?"
GSU coach: "That's up to you to figure out, but it had better be with the ball in his hands."

The NFL guy was sent film on Foster and called the GSU coach back and said he hadn't seen anything like that since Barry Sanders, that the kid was like a video game.

[CharlestonAppFan]

Many fans will ask if App State has the talent to keep their streak alive in bowl games

What? xeyebrowx To act like he knows our team and it's future NFL prospects, he sure doesn't know ASU's team at all xsmhx .

[Rekdiver]

this guy will go broke with predictions like that...
I'm glad Touchstone is gone, I thought he was a liability
Rauch doesn't get enough lift on the ball, too many are line drives and there are 50 better kickers than him available.
Tharrington, injury prone ; tough but too slow for the next level
Washington hasn't shown any dominance yet.

The only two I see playing on Sunday are Armanti and he may be better suited for the CFL and DJ Smith who reminds me of Dino Hackett or a bigger Dexter Coakley, take your pick. We'll see about the rest in a few years.

[Jerbearasu]

this guy will go broke with predictions like that...
I'm glad Touchstone is gone, I thought he was a liability
Rauch doesn't get enough lift on the ball, too many are line drives and there are 50 better kickers than him available.
Tharrington, injury prone ; tough but too slow for the next level
Washington hasn't shown any dominance yet.

The only two I see playing on Sunday are Armanti and he may be better suited for the CFL and DJ Smith who reminds me of Dino Hackett or a bigger Dexter Coakley, take your pick. We'll see about the rest in a few years.

I agree with you on all of these except Touchstone. That guy would maul people. No QB would throw his way because he would be on the receiver's hip the whole way. He was also one of the best tackling CB's that I've ever seen. I'd say he was almost as good as Corey Hall just not as big as Corey... Woahzeah was also good but would get turned around the wrong way a lot of times whcih would allow the QB to get the ball in there. I did like that neither of our corners would give up the home run ball. That used to be a big problem for us.

[HighRyder08]

what about dj smith in 3 years?

[ab4app]

this guy will go broke with predictions like that...
I'm glad Touchstone is gone, I thought he was a liability
Rauch doesn't get enough lift on the ball, too many are line drives and there are 50 better kickers than him available.
Tharrington, injury prone ; tough but too slow for the next level
Washington hasn't shown any dominance yet.

The only two I see playing on Sunday are Armanti and he may be better suited for the CFL and DJ Smith who reminds me of Dino Hackett or a bigger Dexter Coakley, take your pick. We'll see about the rest in a few years.
QUOTE=Appguy;878644]Rauch and Touchstone wont get a look at all. (Rauch doesn't have the range and Touchstone is 5-5 and a half)

as for next years draft James Hill certainly wont be on the radar at all since he hasn't been in our top 4 receivers since hes been here and he was a mediocre return man.

Tim Washington is similar in that he hasn't played much and is undersized to be a DT in the NFL and clearly not dominant enough at this level to go to the NFL IMO

Also, its a bit of a stretch to look ahead 3-4 years at NFL prospects, things change too much too often for it to be relevant till their last years[/QUOTE]










While I think whoever wrote this article doesnt know what he is talking about at all, and some of the things being said in this thread may be true, If someone is going to talk about our guys in a negative way, let it be someone that is not associated with APP or considers themselves an APP fan. Call it just being realistic or whatever, let a GSU or UD fan say things like that. xnonox

[ab4app]

Rauch and Touchstone wont get a look at all. (Rauch doesn't have the range and Touchstone is 5-5 and a half)

as for next years draft James Hill certainly wont be on the radar at all since he hasn't been in our top 4 receivers since hes been here and he was a mediocre return man.

Tim Washington is similar in that he hasn't played much and is undersized to be a DT in the NFL and clearly not dominant enough at this level to go to the NFL IMO

Also, its a bit of a stretch to look ahead 3-4 years at NFL prospects, things change too much too often for it to be relevant till their last years

same for this xnonox

[ab4app]

I think that Rauch does have plenty of range, coach moore and other guys talked all the time about how he routinely nailed them from 50 and beyond in practice. xnodx . I am sure there are lots of great kickers waiting for their chance, but he should be considered right there in the mix at least

[PaladinFan]

I think that Rauch does have plenty of range, coach moore and other guys talked all the time about how he routinely nailed them from 50 and beyond in practice. xnodx . I am sure there are lots of great kickers waiting for their chance, but he should be considered right there in the mix at least

Not being a jerk, but my high school kicker hit from beyond 50 in actual games. You need a lot more than that to make an NFL roster.

[Touchdown Yosef]

QUOTE=Appguy;878644]Rauch and Touchstone wont get a look at all. (Rauch doesn't have the range and Touchstone is 5-5 and a half)

as for next years draft James Hill certainly wont be on the radar at all since he hasn't been in our top 4 receivers since hes been here and he was a mediocre return man.

Tim Washington is similar in that he hasn't played much and is undersized to be a DT in the NFL and clearly not dominant enough at this level to go to the NFL IMO

Also, its a bit of a stretch to look ahead 3-4 years at NFL prospects, things change too much too often for it to be relevant till their last years










While I think whoever wrote this article doesnt know what he is talking about at all, and some of the things being said in this thread may be true, If someone is going to talk about our guys in a negative way, let it be someone that is not associated with APP or considers themselves an APP fan. Call it just being realistic or whatever, let a GSU or UD fan say things like that. xnonox[/QUOTE]


I don't think anything truly negative was said. That was a very unrealistic article and it is perfectly acceptable for us to discus both sides of it regardless of if we are App fans. I love the publicity we are getting and if he wants to overestimate our future NFL prospects it is fine with me. That being said most GSU and UD fans on here are not bitter or routinely negative and part of what makes this board great is getting an informed outsider's opinion of your school. I don't think anyone was airing any dirty laundry or putting down our school.

[appheel]

What? xeyebrowx To act like he knows our team and it's future NFL prospects, he sure doesn't know ASU's team at all xsmhx .

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl, etc. Not FBS/BCS Bowls.

[Appguy]

Not being a jerk, but my high school kicker hit from beyond 50 in actual games. You need a lot more than that to make an NFL roster.

Yea, without a defensive line NFL kickers can kick from 65 yards, more with the wind going with them. Rauch is good in kickoffs though, but there aren't many(if any) kickoff specialists in the NFL.(Panthers could sure use one)


While I think whoever wrote this article doesnt know what he is talking about at all, and some of the things being said in this thread may be true, If someone is going to talk about our guys in a negative way, let it be someone that is not associated with APP or considers themselves an APP fan. Call it just being realistic or whatever, let a GSU or UD fan say things like that.

as for the "Negativity" im just being realistic with how their play or skills would translate to the NFL, Not nesc. putting their play down at App.

one, maybe 2 kickers out of all College football make an NFL team.
Theres maybe one or two 5 foot 6 players in the NFL (Darren Sproles? the only one?) in regards to Touchstone.
and while im sure James Hill may have NFL speed and Washington may have NFL size I just can't see them making an NFL team without being good enough to start at the college level.

still looking ahead 3 years is ridiculous, for all we know Armanti could bulk up to 210 pounds and be a 1st rounder like Vick by then.

[DLS]

I'm tired of people pretending AE cant throw. ill be dissapointed if he doesnt go 2,000+ 2,000+ this season for rush and passing.

[Rekdiver]

Negative?...... The worst image people get of a school is blind homerism and with our recent accomplishments we have added a few on AGS. If we can't be honest and voice our opinions about our own team then I don't think we have earned the privilege to criticize other teams. I was talking to a NFL agent who was giving a father an honest, realistic view about his son's chances in this years draft and SURPRISE its not what the dad wanted to hear so he shopped until he found one that agreed with him.
Sombody has to tell the Emperor he's not wering any clothes...

[ericsaid]

I thought touchstone was 5'7? Thats what i've heard on ESPN and read on the GOasu website. James Hill if he does possibly have a similar year next seaosn as dexter jackson did this season(wouldn't be too much of a stretch) then he may get some attention.

Also ofcourse no sports writer for the NFL knows anything about 1-aa schools. I read a thing on the combine website saying that montana won the national championship this year. I'd say maybe D.J. Smith and Tim washington if he stays healthy this year will be the players he is right about.

Everyone has yet to see Brian Quick, but he seems to have the size at 6'5 210. He dropped a pass in the end zone at michigan then the next game was redshirted. He only started playing football his senior year in high school so he may progress into the next sleeper for Appalachian. Maybe like a kevin richardson or corey lynch.

Gary Tharrington is big enough 6'1 290 or 300 poiunds to play tackle in the NFL and anthony williams the same. I guess we'll all see though.

[ericsaid]

My high school kicker plays soccer, and he was messing around one day and set up a 60 yarder and nailed it and our teams kicking coach happened to see him do it. I believe coaches should look to soccer players because you'll find that they tend to have a lot stronger legs.

[ericsaid]

Yea, without a defensive line NFL kickers can kick from 65 yards, more with the wind going with them. Rauch is good in kickoffs though, but there aren't many(if any) kickoff specialists in the NFL.(Panthers could sure use one)



as for the "Negativity" im just being realistic with how their play or skills would translate to the NFL, Not nesc. putting their play down at App.

one, maybe 2 kickers out of all College football make an NFL team.
Theres maybe one or two 5 foot 6 players in the NFL (Darren Sproles? the only one?) in regards to Touchstone.
and while im sure James Hill may have NFL speed and Washington may have NFL size I just can't see them making an NFL team without being good enough to start at the college level.

still looking ahead 3 years is ridiculous, for all we know Armanti could bulk up to 210 pounds and be a 1st rounder like Vick by then.


210 is a bit of a stretchxlolx . Washington didn't start last season because of an ankle injury, and at the beginning of the season he wasn't in shape, read an article from the Winston Salem journal on that before the championship. He also re-injured his ankle in that game. James Hill obviously didn't start because hans and dexter so he'll get his shot this year.

A player that no one mentions that will step up this year is T.J. Courman he's like a faster hans batichon, with just as good of hands from what i've seen and is more shifty.

[ericsaid]

sorry for saying this was a good article because its not but it does open some eyes as to who may be role players on field this year.

[ab4app]

yeah yeah, I guess I was over reacting some there, I think I was more thrown off by that article than anything else. I dont think that UD and GSU fans are bitter. If anything I am still bitter bout that GSU loss. Any who, I cant handle all of this down time on the forums, it drives me crazy to keep goin over what we might look like next year.Ive had alls I can stans and I cant stans no more.(till tomorrow when I am bored at work) Then we can discuss our new wide reciever coach from BAMA. Good night GEAUX APPxnodx

[Appguy]

210 is a bit of a stretchxlolx . Washington didn't start last season because of an ankle injury, and at the beginning of the season he wasn't in shape, read an article from the Winston Salem journal on that before the championship. He also re-injured his ankle in that game. James Hill obviously didn't start because hans and dexter so he'll get his shot this year.

A player that no one mentions that will step up this year is T.J. Courman he's like a faster hans batichon, with just as good of hands from what i've seen and is more shifty.

as for having hill start, Id rather develop Coco Hillary, Brian Quick, and Josh Johnson, our younger recievers who mostly have more experience than hill already.
TJ Courman is nothing more than a slot receiver who catches swing passes from time to time. drops passes often too. They even joked about it at the playoff selection event, I sat next to Courman and the Defensive coordinators young son (like 6 or 7) told TJ his dad told him "drops like a million passes" lol

[BULLDOG8180]

Yea, without a defensive line NFL kickers can kick from 65 yards, more with the wind going with them. Rauch is good in kickoffs though, but there aren't many(if any) kickoff specialists in the NFL.(Panthers could sure use one)



as for the "Negativity" im just being realistic with how their play or skills would translate to the NFL, Not nesc. putting their play down at App.

one, maybe 2 kickers out of all College football make an NFL team.
Theres maybe one or two 5 foot 6 players in the NFL (Darren Sproles? the only one?) in regards to Touchstone.
and while im sure James Hill may have NFL speed and Washington may have NFL size I just can't see them making an NFL team without being good enough to start at the college level.

still looking ahead 3 years is ridiculous, for all we know Armanti could bulk up to 210 pounds and be a 1st rounder like Vick by then.


If Armanti weighed 210, he shouldn't be allowed to play- he could kill somebody!xeekx

[phillyAPP]

If Armanti weighed 210, he shouldn't be allowed to play- he could kill somebody!xeekx

He won't get there until he changes his diet which i hear is full of lean food.

[SoCon48]

as for having hill start, Id rather develop Coco Hillary, Brian Quick, and Josh Johnson, our younger recievers who mostly have more experience than hill already.
TJ Courman is nothing more than a slot receiver who catches swing passes from time to time. drops passes often too. They even joked about it at the playoff selection event, I sat next to Courman and the Defensive coordinators young son (like 6 or 7) told TJ his dad told him "drops like a million passes" lol

CoCo could play just about any skill position. He's one of the best athletes we've ever recruited.

[ericsaid]

I think Courman may open up this year even though. I didn't see much of him this past season but he is fast. At Michigan if it werent for one of his catches on that last drive App may have been out of luck, instead of taking it out of bounds( like he should have), he stopped and did a swim move on the defender and took off for another 10 yards. If he can improve his hands he could be a dangerous option.

I personally don't think App's reciever corp will miss a beat this year. With Brian Quick Coco Hillary and possibly T.J. Courman. Expect mini- Elder to get more playing time this year, he handled things pretty well last season when he was given the oppurtunity.

[PaladinFan]

1. Soccer players do make good kickers. Goalies can make good punters. However, in football (unlike soccer) you can't take all the time you want to set up, do your hair, check the wind, lineup your team etc. then kick. They have the leg, but a lot of times soccer players have to completely adjust their way of approaching the motion.

2. I, for one, am well aware Armanti can throw. However, I want to see what he does this year without Dexter Jackson running slant routes. Even ASU fans have to concede that most of his throws are quick curls, hitches, slants that typically don't fly over 10 yrds (not that it's a bad thing, but it's your offense)

[ericsaid]

A lot of them were quick slant routes and such. But what makes you think he can't do it with a 6'5 reciever? ^ inches taller then jackson, sure not as fast but a bigger target none the less. Coco Hillary is a strong reciever as seen where he dragged 4 michigan defenders 6 yards. And other times just breaking tackles. James Hill, he's really fast but unless his hands improve he'll still be used in reverses and such.

Armanti makes every throw he needs to, at the intra-squad scrimmage i saw last year, he threw a perfect 55 yards pass, and dropped it right in the bread basket of Dexter Jackson. He can make the throws when he needs to.

He will get strongert this off season and will be able to make the deep passes consistintly

[BeauFoster]

1. Soccer players do make good kickers. Goalies can make good punters. However, in football (unlike soccer) you can't take all the time you want to set up, do your hair, check the wind, lineup your team etc. then kick. They have the leg, but a lot of times soccer players have to completely adjust their way of approaching the motion.

2. I, for one, am well aware Armanti can throw. However, I want to see what he does this year without Dexter Jackson running slant routes. Even ASU fans have to concede that most of his throws are quick curls, hitches, slants that typically don't fly over 10 yrds (not that it's a bad thing, but it's your offense)

The slant routes have been a part of ASU's offense since the spread was brought in. Two years ago, William Mayfield was "the man" amongst the receivers, last year was Dexter (talk about two different style players!). With the expirience ASU has (receivers-wise), it is likely that someone will step up. CoCo Hillary would be a good guess, though he may end up seeing a diminished roll as he might end up being the back up QB. As noted by at least one poster over and over and over, Brian Quick has the size, but having only seen him play in one football game, we have to wonder how he will react if tabbed as the go-to guy. TJ Courman doesn't have the hands to be considered a possession receiver. He has made some good catches in the past, but I don't get the feeling that he will be the guy turning in the big plays next season.

Josh Johnson has been overlooked by many, as he has had some very big catches over his career in the black and gold. He may be the 3rd & long man to look at this year.

[appstate38]

2. I, for one, am well aware Armanti can throw. However, I want to see what he does this year without Dexter Jackson running slant routes. Even ASU fans have to concede that most of his throws are quick curls, hitches, slants that typically don't fly over 10 yrds (not that it's a bad thing, but it's your offense)

Well if it ain't broke then there is no need to fix it. Besides we had great WR's that can make plays after the catch. But I understand your point.

[Saint3333]

1. Soccer players do make good kickers. Goalies can make good punters. However, in football (unlike soccer) you can't take all the time you want to set up, do your hair, check the wind, lineup your team etc. then kick. They have the leg, but a lot of times soccer players have to completely adjust their way of approaching the motion.

2. I, for one, am well aware Armanti can throw. However, I want to see what he does this year without Dexter Jackson running slant routes. Even ASU fans have to concede that most of his throws are quick curls, hitches, slants that typically don't fly over 10 yrds (not that it's a bad thing, but it's your offense)

Did you see his throws to William Mayfield in 2006? How about the long throw right before halftime in the championship game? He has the ability to air it out and a 6'5" WR in Brian Quick won't hurt. If there's one thing ASU isn't concerned about next year is AE's ability to run and throw.

Every team throws more short to mid range passes, especially spread offenses. ASU lost two great WRs, but that was the deepest position for us last year. I'm more concerned with the defensive secondary.

[DLS]

"I want to see what he does this year without Dexter Jackson running slant routes."

dex didnt recieve as many touches as everybody thinks he did. KR made more catches than him.

he did make huge plays though.

with coco, josh johnson, b-quick, tj, and blake elder as a backup, the recieving corps is the last thing im worried about right along with the Dline

i am worried about the tight end. . . .

[ericsaid]

I wouldn't be, they are getting a bigger and it remains to be seen if he will be more physical TE, he'll be good.

I saw T.J. Courman make a catch at Michigan and if he starts making every catch he'll be next years Hans, maybe better because he seems to be quicker.

Myabe Hans will make it in the CFL though? He may be able to make an impression on scouts at App's pro day.

[Appguy]

I wouldn't be, they are getting a bigger and it remains to be seen if he will be more physical TE, he'll be good.

I saw T.J. Courman make a catch at Michigan and if he starts making every catch he'll be next years Hans, maybe better because he seems to be quicker.

Maybe Hans will make it in the CFL though? He may be able to make an impression on scouts at App's pro day.

Hans has a wife and a kid, goin up to Canada to try to make a CFL team for not so spectacular money IMO wouldn't be something try to chase. Prob just become a desk jockey

in regards to TJ Courman, yes that was an amazing catch...but I challenge you to think of just 1 other catch he made that wasn't a swing pass for negative yards or dropped.
If James Hill was only being held back by Hans and Dexter, why did every receiver on the team have more than his 2 catches for 8 yards ALL last season.

My dark Horse for next season is Tavaris Washington

[ericsaid]

I didn't mean they were held back. I meant they need to improve and if and only if that happens will they get more playing time. Tavaris Washington is fast, he ran a couple of end arounds last season. Seemed like a skinnier dexter jackson.

If I am entitles to label a darkhorse, i'd say 6'5 Brian Quick.

Coco Hillary has already had his coming out party but i expect him to build off last season.

[PaladinFan]

I guess I mean to point out that most of Armanti's game is centered around short accurate passes. Not ALL of his game, but a good bit of it. His WRs are some of the best at knowing just how far you need for the first down.

Can he make deep passes? Sure. Richie Williams didn't have a cannon either and he completed like 28 in a row against us his senior year.

[ericsaid]

Armanti also went 26 for 31 against WCU for 295 yards and 2 touchdowns and had 35 yards rushing with 3 touchdowns. So it's not like he can't pass. The thing about him is, is that they haven't needed him to throw the deep ball.

They do what works, and so far it hasn't been stopped.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The guy coming up for FU seems to be a very serious quarterback, will be interesting to see how he does.

[ericsaid]

Armanti Edwards makes the passes he has to make. 26-31 for 295 yards and 2 touchdowns is a good game. 14-16 with 186 yards and 3 touchdowns with 313 rushing is an unmeasurable game.

FU has a quarterback coming up that might be someone to watch.

[JohnStOnge]

I'd say most of those guys listed from App State will not be drafted. Like in the 2008 draft the only "lock" to be drafted is Dexter Jackson. Lynch and Brown are borderline.

And you can actually see that by looking at the linked site's projection for the 2008 draft. By its projection Jackson is the only player from App State that's going to be drafted in 2008.

I personally think they're wrong about the relative positions of Jackson and Simpson for Coastal Carolina too. I think Simpson's going to be taken before Jackson is.

He's didn't do quite as well in the combine in the 40 but he was still one of the "top performers" among wide receivers at 9th. He's 5 inches taller than Jackson and he was # 2 at the combine in verticle jump at 37.5 inches (Jackson wasn't among the "top performers" in that area).

My bet would be he's going to be the first FCS receiver selected.

[APPride]

I put 12 wins on the poll because it would be o-k w/ me to go @ least 12-4...

[ericsaid]

Yeah, That is if 8-4 makes it into post season play.