Proud to announce these 6 HOKIES have earned an invitation to this year's NFL Combine!!! #HardSmartTough pic.twitter.com/Ja7TxRHun4— Justin Fuente (@CoachFuente) February 13, 2017
Chuck Clark, Sam Rogers, Bucky Hodges, Isaiah Ford, Jerod Evans, and Ken Ekanem from left to right for those with less than stellar vision.
My personal thoughts: Very happy for all of these guys to land an invite, especially Chuck Clark. I was very sad to see neither Woody Baron nor Nigel Williams get an invite.
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Comments
Interesting that NFL combine website doesn't list Sam Rogers on their website. Hope it's just an oversight because you don't want an angry Sam.
NFL Draft profiles on all of them:
Chuck Clark
Given a grade of 5.4. His size puts him at a disadvantage. A good combine would really, really help his chances.
Sam Rogers
Graded at 5.18. Again, a bit of a size disadvantage but, damn, teams have to be drooling over his versatility.
Bucky Hodges
Given a grade of 5.91. Obviously, his hands and route running are concerns but his college production and size all but ensure he's going to get drafted.
Isaiah Ford
Grade - 5.74. I don't know how to feel about the site's analysis of him. "Gets open with speed and quickness rather than being route savvy" just...doesn't feel right for Isaiah.
Jerod Evans
Doesn't have a grade or much analysis. His size and comparisons to Prescott mean he'll probably be drafted late but my personal expectations aren't very high.
Ken Ekanem
Grade of 5.05. Again, lacks size for an NFL defensive end and may have to transition to a rush OLB role.
For reference with the grades:
5.70-5.99 means the site's analysts think they could become an early NFL starter
5.30-5.69 means they're likely a backup but may eventually become a starter
5.15-5.29 means they're a developmental prospect or have potential on special teams
5.01-5.14 means they're on the back end of the roster
Pretty glowing review for Sam in that draft profile. The only negatives were pointing out the obvious lack of measurables and recklessness as a blocker. I'm surprised he's graded so lowly, I figured he'd be more of a high 5.2.
I'm really hoping someone other than the Patriots drafts him. I don't want to be forced to root for the dark side........
You might not want to read the positive outlook from the AFC East scout in his draft profile then.
Maybe the scout works for the Bills, who will draft him, and he can play with Tyrod and LT3. Wishful thinking........
You don't have to root for a team just because a Hokie plays for them. The way I see it, Belichick is probably the one coach who will make the most of his talents in the NFL, so if the Patriots pick him up so be it. I'd rather see Sam play much longer for a team that I hate than much shorter for a team that I don't hate, unless it's my favorite team that picks him up.
Yea I mean, I'll still always support him individually, and hope has a successful nfl career. But, hopefully another team besides the Patriots can utilize his talents as well....
Thanks for adding this!
Somebody angered the Chuck Clark beast...I think he's the "steal" out of all of the Hokies coming into the draft, he's going to provide a lot of value to whoever drafts him.
Just remember, if the folks doing these reports/scouting were the best of the best, they would be working for teams, not NFL.com.
So take these with a grain of salt.
Absolutely, but unless someone with some serious #sauces puts out what the team scouts think we don't have anything else to discuss (Discuss herein meaning get outrageously offended at how incompetent outside analysts/scouts are because they underrate our guys. Because this is, after all, the off season and we need our rage fuel)
I don't see how
and
Can be said about the same player. Always though Ford ran great routes, but what do I know.
On Sam, did not know this, bad ass
Ford's greatest strength is his body control, but you're not going to see that in a conventional wisdom synopsis. Speeds is not one of his strengths.
His speed is deceptive. Long legs bby.
Thanks for adding the reference at the bottom. With that in mind, that's a pretty high grade for Chuck Clark. I guess these guys just see a VT DB and are like, yeah he'll probably turn out to be pretty good ;)
Not sure how Woody didn't get an invite, except for maybe his size.
Oh Canada??
No one likes a stiffed Woody.
Agreed on the Ford description, it doesn't make sense. Personally I've always felt he's just a well rounded receiver. That is, not elite at any one particular facet, but elite in that he's pretty above average at everything you'd want in a receiver.
"Will demand additional attention if covered by a cornerback near goal line."
Whoever wrote Bucky's analysis knows what's up
Also whoever wrote this about Isaiah clearly hasn't seen this picture he tweeted out last week
"Thin frame needs weight for greater functional strength."
Dude is built like a linebacker now
I always thought it was cool that Isaiah and I had identical height/weight measurables during his playing years, then I saw that picture and any comparison other than our height is out the window now haha.