I didn't think so, McCray could tackle but he was atrocious in coverage. The reason I put them together was because 44, 37, and 33 were the only defensive numbers I would cringe at when I saw them on the field.
SEC’s possible NFL Draft early entrants Brad Crawford October 30, 2014 @ 9:16am For most, college football coaches loathe the two-week period after bowl season, a time of headache and uncertainty as draft-eligible underclassmen decide on their next move. The near instantaneous worry is boosted by the recent trend of early entrants, something the NFL’s College Advisory Committee trying to curtail. Players get a few days to revoke the decision based on advisory board evaluations, but few take heed. Considering the number of underclassmen declarations has grown exponentially over the last several seasons including an NFL Draft record 98 players in 2014, you can expect the SEC — the usual college football leader in draft picks — to have a record total next spring. Looking at all of the SEC’s draft-eligible players for the 2015 NFL Draft, here’s 14 players who may leave their respective programs to get a head-start at the next level. We’ve put them in order from ‘most-likely to go’ to ‘could use another year’ based on our evaluations and what’s been said by pro scouts. OFFENSE Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama Mike Davis, RB, South Carolina Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State TAKEAWAYS: One of college football’s elite players at his position, Todd Gurley possesses all the tools — size, speed, power, strength, vision — to be a future impact running back at the pro level. The shelf life for ballcarriers is dwindling in the pass-heavy era, so coming out early for a player like Gurley is a smart decision. He’ll be a first-round pick, likely the first running back selected … With each touchdown reception and 100-yard game Amari Cooper’s posting as a junior, it’s becoming less likely every time out that Alabama will welcome back Cooper for a final campaign. His effortless play on the boundary is similar to Sammy Watkins’ smooth skillset, a combination of expert route-running, great hands and a football mind. He’s not necessarily a field-stretcher behind the secondary, but Cooper’s elite speed makes him comparable to any other potential first-round picks at the position and has the potential to be an instant impact playmaker. Based on Mike Davis’ strenuous workload as a second-year starter, it’s a good time to depart for professional dollars before his tires lose some of their tread as a senior workhorse. South Carolina’s lead running back leads the SEC in total offensive touches this season and is on pace to best last year’s 1,100-yard season. He’s got the bulk to bang with some of the NFL’s best next fall … One final season in College Station would benefit Mike Matthews, a second-year starter who’s not as polished as some players coming out early at his position. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews and brother of 2014 first-round pick Jake Matthews, Matthews has the size and strength to play early, but lacks lateral quickness necessary to dominate inside … There’s no doubt Dak Prescott’s a fantastic playmaker, but do those skills translate to the next level? Some scouts have compared Prescott’s ability to Tim Tebow, a run-first passer with a weak arm. Prescott’s a naturally more-gifted quarterback, but lacks a large sample size and often relies on high-percentage completions rather than shots at the second level. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen recently said he’d be ‘shocked’ if Prescott declared, but as of now, he’s a Top 100 player. DEFENSE Shane Ray, DE, Mizzou Dante Fowler, DE, Florida Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi St. Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia Landon Collins, DB, Alabama Jalen Mills, DB, LSU Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU TAKEAWAYS: A pass-rushing freak who is one the short list for SEC Defensive Player of the Year this season, Mizzou’s Shane Ray is a sack machine with a nose for the football behind the line of scrimmage. He’s faster than Michael Sam, more agile than Kony Ealy and arguably more talented than current teammate and future draft pick Markus Golden. Ray can fit into any NFL scheme as a rookie and make plays … Long and lean with an explosive first step, Leonard Floyd’s ‘open’ to turning pro according to a recent interview with Sports Illustrated and has the measurables that make scouts salivate — 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. Floyd’s a third-year sophomore after playing at Hargrave Military Academy before coming to Georgia and is eligible to leave. Used primarily at outside linebacker in Jeremy Pruitt’s new 3-4 scheme, Floyd can play a variety of positions in the front seven. Not quite fast enough to play as an every-down corner in the league, Alabama’s Landon Collins could be a franchise safety as some point thanks to a noted nose for the football. Collins likes to tackle and rarely misses upon impact, a quality you look for in an aggressive safety … A freakish athlete who would put up monster combine numbers, Danielle Hunter’s still at the mid-level stage of his development and could use another season in Baton Rouge. Not as polished as some draft-eligible pass rushers, Hunter’s upside is tremendous and his wingspan’s a coveted asset to most defensive coordinators.
Vadal Alexander is one of the top 5 underclassmen in the nation, on the OL. He is one that might do best to leave early. Played OT as a true freshman, but guard is his true spot. Could do much like Trai Turner who is starting for the Panthers, drafted in the 3rd round and has settled in well with the NFL, after only starting 20 games at LSU. The other night, Trai was the youngest player on the field, when the Saints played the Panthers.
I really hope that Hunter and Kwon Alexander return. Hunter needs more refinement with all that talent. He would go high based on potential though, so you never know. I'd love for Vadal to return but I think we have the talent on the OL to compensate. I think he is gone.
I cringe when Ronald Martin has to cover someone. Also, it appears that Jalen Mills has forgotten his corner skills. He seems to be lost when having to cover wideouts now.
You do know that Martin is 4th on the team in tackles? First on the team in Forced Fumbles? Tied for First on the team in Ints.? First on the team in Passes Broken up? Need I remind you of the game saving Int against Ole Miss? The one against Wisconsin? I could show much of the same with Mills.
