ROSE BOWL - Ohio State vs. Oregon

Here are the following players to keep your eye for the 2010 NFL Draft in the ROSE BOWL.


Oregon:
TE Ed Dickson - Dickson is a big receiving tight end at 6-5 243, and has good hands, and is a good overall athlete. He needs to working on his blocking ability to become more of a complete tight end, but has the ability to do that. He has a 2nd round grade.


RB LeGarrette Blount – Blount was kicked off the team because of his actions in Oregon first game this season and we don’t know if he will play. In his junior season he averaged 7.3 yards a carry and had 17 rushing touchdowns. He is a big back at 6-2 240, and has good speed. He has good straight ahead speed, but need to work on his quickness, so he can get in and out of holes at the next level. He isn’t a complete running back yet, and he needs to work on catching the ball and only had two receptions last season. Because of his actions, he has a 6th round grade.


S T.J. Ward - Ward has only played in 7 games this season so far because of injuries. He has decent size at 5-11 208 pounds and is a good overall athlete. He has good coverage skills and played some cornerback earlier in his career. He has the ability to cover the slot in the nickel like a cornerback and that does increase his value. He has a 4th round grade.


CB Walter Thurmond - Thurmond won’t play because Oregon's top defensive playmaker and team leader was lost for the season with a knee injury suffered returning the opening kickoff vs. California, before that played in 4 games and had one interception and 17 tackles, 2 pass break-ups and 3 passes defended. He returned the opening punt 78 yards for a touchdown against Utah, to extend his career TD totals to five. He has good size for a cornerback a 6-0 183 pounds, the question mark will be how does he come back from his knee injury, something worth watching, if he come back at 100 percent I expect him to get drafted around the 3rd round.


DT Blake Ferras, Oregon - Ferras has great size at 6-6 290 and has shown the ability this season to be a hard worker and physical presence on the defensive line. He has a free-agent grade right now.


Ohio State:
TE Jake Ballard – Ballard is a 6-6 256 pound blocking tight end that has a free-agent grade.


C Jim Cordle – Cordle is a good all around football player who is smart and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He isn’t a great overall athlete, but is a good football player. Right now has a free-agent grade.


DE Doug Worthington- Worthington is over shadowed by both Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson but he is a good football player that can make plays. He is 6-5 276 pounds and can play defensive end or tackle and should be able to play in the 3-4 or 4-3 defense. Right now has a 6th round grade.


DE Cameron Heyward (JR) – Heyward is a dominating defensive linemen that can play end and also tackle and there are thought that he will declare early. Right now if he does declare he could be a 1st round pick.


DE Thaddeus Gibson (JR) – Gibson plays defensive end, but many think he will play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense because he is a very good pass rusher. He could come out early, but might want to return for his senior season. He has a 3rd round grade if he does declare for the 2010 NFL Draft.


CB Chimdi Chekwa (JR) – Chekwa is thinking about declaring early, but should come back to work on his game. He is a good athlete, but needs to become a better overall football player. If he does declare would be a 3rd round pick.


S Kurt Coleman – Coleman is a good overall football player who is a good tackler who can cover as well. He is on the short side for a safety but is a playmaker in the secondary. Right now he has a 4th round grade.


S Jermale Hines (JR) – Hines has come on this season and there are thoughts that he will declare early. He should stay for his senior season and get more experience.


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