NFL Draft: Medal of Honor Bowl Recap
QB Ryan Williams, Miami (6’6 | 222 | 5.06) – Won the starting job at Miami this year, but got hurt (ACL) in a spring game and missed almost the whole season. Was very productive as a freshman at Memphis before transferring to Miami, but doesn’t have much experience. Williams has the size and strong arm to be an NFL QB and looked very sharp in the MOH game leading three drives for 20 unanswered points and being named MVP. Interesting prospect who could move up draft boards with a good pro day. Williams was easily the best pro QB prospect in the game. He threw a nice deep ball for a 46 yard completion and had two perfect fade routes in the red zone. His O-line did a great job keeping him clean and most of his good throws came with no pressure.
G Torrian Wilson, Cental Florida (6’3 | 305 | 5.28) – Controlled the interior pocket and got push in run game. Looked like best lineman on the field.
DE Brock Hekking, Nevada (6’4 | 255 | 4.64) – Spent most of the game in the backfield beating O-lineman with a combination of quickness, rush moves, and a non-stop motor. Hekking finished the game with 1 sack, 2 QB hits, and at least 4 QB hurries. He also had the best mullet on the field.
RB Brandon Wegher (5’11 | 206 | 4.52) – Ran for 113 yards and a TD in the 2010 Orange Bowl as a true freshman for Iowa. Wegher set an Iowa freshman record with 8 TDs then just disappeared. He resurfaced at a school called Morningside (1A) where he rushed for 2,680 yards, scored 39 TDs and averaged 8 yards per carry. Those aren’t career numbers, that is just what Wegher did as a senior! He’s short, but has a stocky build and shows good vision, power, and burst with the ball in his hands. Wegher trucked an OLB on an outside run, ran through multiple arm tackles, and caught the ball well out of the backfield. He is a long shot to get drafted, but could have a Danny Woodhead type role in the NFL.
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WR Issac Blakeney (6’6 | 225 | 4.62) – Big receiver who has surprising speed for his build, Blakeney broke relay records for the Duke track team. He has ideal physical traits for an NFL receiver, but doesn’t have natural ball skills or hands. Blakeney had a bad drop on a screen pass and looked awkward on dropped slant. He did flash some ability with a nice adjustment on a poorly thrown ball that he high-pointed, but he needs to show some consistency. Blakeney came on strong the 2nd half of the season and was the leading receiving in the MOH game with 5 catches for 103 yards. With his size/speed ratio, I would be shocked if he doesn’t get drafted.
DE Shaq Riddick, West Virginia (6’5 | 242 | 4.72) – Flashed pass rush ability with 2 sacks during the game and also forced a fumble. Riddick is an athletic pass rusher who dominated at the FCS level before transferring to West Virginia for his final year of eligibility. He flashed potential at times this year like in his 3 sack game vs Baylor, but also disappeared for long stretches. He has a quick first step, a non-stop motor, good instincts, and decent hand skills, but at times was just overpowered by stronger O-lineman. It’s not going to get any easier in the pros, but Riddick has a chance to get drafted and could conceivably earn a spot in a 3-4 as a pass rush OLB or a LEO backer.
TE CJ Uzomah, Auburn (6’4 | 264 | 4.76) – Good size, good blocker, and proved he can move a little with a 29 yard reception during the game. Uzomah is a solid day 3 prospect who projects as a #2 TE in the NFL.
#50 LS Nate Boyer, Texas (5’10 | 195) – Those measurables aren’t a misprint. Boyer is an undersized long-snapper, but has an amazing story. Seriously, read this. I hope the Bears invite this guy to camp. They do need a long-snapper and Boyer could provide the toughness and grit that the current roster is solely missing.