The Big Sky Conference is sending quite a few prospects to the 2022 NFL Draft. Schools like Montana State and Eastern Washington have multiple prospects who hope to hear their names called during the three-day event. Here are the scouting reports for all Big Sky Conference prospects.
Big Sky 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports | A-G
The Big Sky Conference scouting reports highlight a number of late-round prospects who could also be undrafted free agents.
Amandre Williams, LB | Montana State
Positives: Athletic linebacker prospect who primarily lined up in a three-point stance for Montana State. Explodes off the snap, displays good change-of-direction skills, and bends the edge with speed. Fluid sliding down the line of scrimmage against the run, quickly pursues from the back side, and uses his hands to protect himself. Agile and flexible. Nicely redirects to the ball handler and immediately alters his angle of attack.
Negatives: Easily disrupted by the initial block. Slow locating the ball.
Analysis: Williams is a diamond in the rough who could be a surprise in camp next summer as a pass-rush specialist and special-teams player.
Andrew Boston, WR | Eastern Washington
Positives: Underrated pass catcher with nice size and reliable hands. Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and nicely times receptions to come away with difficult catches. Extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame and snatches the ball out of the air. Turns it upfield and works to pick up yardage after the catch.
Knows where he is on the field and plays with terrific balance as well as body control. Nicely adjusts to errant throws and makes receptions in stride. Effective downfield blocker who takes opponents from the action and seals open running lanes.
Negatives: Plays to one speed and lacks a deep burst or second gear. Average run-after-the-catch skill.
Analysis: Boston was consistent and productive at Eastern Washington yet is very underrated in the scouting community. He has enough ability and pass-catching skill to latch onto a roster as a fifth receiver.
Ben Bos, C | Weber State
Positives: Hard-working, intelligent center who keeps his head on a swivel, stays with blocks, and works to finish off opponents. Effective with the shotgun snap, gets leverage on opponents, and keeps his feet moving. Effectively uses his hands, correctly places them into opponents, and stays square. Explodes off the snap into blocks.
Negatives: Displays average playing strength and does not get movement run blocking. Lacks the dominant lower body and gets pushed back into the pocket. Limited upside.
Analysis: Bos was a solid small-school center but comes with average size, short arms, and limited athleticism.
Brandon Porter, WR | Northern Arizona
Positives: Versatile skill player who has a burst that he turns on in a single step, quickly gets in and out of routes to separate from defenders, and displays focus as well as concentration. Lays out and extends for the difficult reception and makes the tough catch in a crowd. Immediately turns upfield after the catch.
Negatives: Small, loses out in battles, and is easily brought down at the point by a single defender. Gets lazy running routes. Played just six games the past two years after productive seasons as a freshman and sophomore.
Analysis: Porter previously displayed himself as a productive skill player catching the ball or carrying it. He has size limitations and durability concerns, but he could make a roster as a slot receiver/return specialist.
Braxton Jones, OT | Southern Utah
Positives: Athletic tackle prospect with nice size as well as upside potential. Patient in pass protection, stays square, and uses outstanding body positioning to seal defenders from the action. Slides off the edge, shows good lateral blocking range, and works his hands throughout the action.
Quick, makes proper use of angles, and blocks with terrific lean. Very explosive and keeps his head on a swivel. Keeps defenders in front of him and displays good awareness.
Negatives: Must improve his hand placement. Possesses average playing strength and does not get much movement run blocking.
Analysis: Jones was highly rated coming into the season and rebounded off a poor campaign with a solid performance at the Senior Bowl. He’s an athletic prospect with left tackle potential, but he must get stronger and do a better job using his hands.
Charles Akanno, LB | Idaho
Positives: Tough, explosive linebacker with a terrific head for the game. Breaks down well, uses his hands to protect himself, and displays a burst of speed in pursuit. Remains disciplined with assignments and does more than mindlessly run around the field. Fires through gaps defending the run, sells out on the blitz, and flies around the field. Strong for his size and a hard hitter.
Negatives: Displays a lot of stiffness, which results in tackles being broken. Not a forceful pass rusher and is easily ridden from his angle of attack.
Analysis: Akanno is a hard-charging linebacker who gets the most from his ability, but he comes with limited athleticism and growth potential.
Conlan Beaver, OT | Montana
Positives: Nice-sized college left tackle who is best in confined quarters. Sets with a wide base, keeps his head on a swivel, and picks up stunts and blitzes. Strong run blocker who squares into opponents and turns them off the line. Explosive, keeps his feet moving, and plays with a nasty attitude. Works blocks and gives effort to finish plays.
Negatives: Does not display consistent hand placement, lacks footwork off the edge, and struggles handling speed rushers. Possesses short arms. Marginal skill blocking in motion.
Analysis: Beaver possesses next-level size, yet he’s a limited athlete with marginal upside. He’s a right tackle or guard prospect who may struggle to get off a practice squad.
Daniel Hardy, DL | Montana State
Positives: Super productive pass rusher who primarily came out of a three-point stance at Montana State. Quick off the snap, plays with proper pad level, and works his hands throughout the action. Consistently gets leverage on opponents, keeps his feet moving, and displays a good change of direction. Nicely collapses down the line of scrimmage in pursuit and rarely off his feet.
Negatives: Out positioned from the action rather easily knocked around by tight ends on running downs. Possesses an average closing burst.
Analysis: Hardy’s production was off the charts last season as he totaled 16 sacks as well as 24 tackles for loss. He’s a somewhat athletic defensive end from the small school level who must learn to stand over tackle and develop a complete game.
Dylan Cook, OT | Montana
Positives: Nice-sized college left tackle with potential on the blind side. Keeps his head on a swivel, always looks for someone to hit, and works well with teammates. Quickly sets up in pass protection, keeps his feet moving, and is fluid sliding laterally. Displays good lateral blocking range and stays square.
Adjusts and redirects to pick up the blitz. Slides his feet exceptionally well. Displays outstanding vision, sees the blitz, and picks up stunts. Patient in pass protection and seals defenders from plays. Blocks down well and smothers opponents on running downs.
Negatives: Lumbers around the field and isn’t quick out to the second level. Not a dominant run blocker who moves opponents off the line. Possesses short arms and small hands.
Analysis: Cook was a strong-side blocker on the college level but has the ability to move to the left side in the NFL. While his short arms are a limitation, Cook deserves consideration at guard at the very least.
Eric Barriere, QB | Eastern Washington
Positives: Athletic RPO quarterback who is patient and displays outstanding awareness in the pocket and overall field sense. Elusive, senses the rush, and steps up to avoid defenders. Possesses a live arm as well as a quick release and gets rid of the ball with a flick of his wrist.
Drives passes downfield and gets the ball through the tight windows. Knows where receivers are on the field, takes the safe underneath outlet, and only leaves the pocket when completely necessary. Legitimate threat to pick up yardage with his legs.
Negatives: Inconsistent going through progressions and stares down the primary target on occasion. Does not consistently release the ball with proper footwork. Can be all over the place with throws and must really improve his downfield accuracy. Poor size and limited growth potential.
Analysis: Barriere is an athletic quarterback with the ability to make plays with his arm or legs. He’s a diminutive passer with small hands as well as poor accuracy, but at the very least, Barriere should get practice-squad consideration.
Gavin Robertson, S | Montana
Positives: Downhill safety with nice size. Terrific run defender who chases the action hard and an explosive hitter who drives his shoulders through ball handlers. Fires up the field, possesses a straight-line burst of speed, and brings ball handlers down in the open field. Tracks the pass in the air, displays a sense of timing on pass defenses, and possesses good hands for the interception. Works well with cornerbacks to bracket receivers over the middle of the field.
Negatives: Late reacting to the action. Lacks speed to the flanks and does not display range on the field.
Analysis: Robertson is a one-dimensional safety with limited upside. He projects as either a zone or strong safety and must stand out on special teams.
George Tarlas, EDGE | Weber State
Positives: Explosive small-school pass rusher with average size and speed. Quick, mobile, and easily moves about the field. Easily changes direction, nicely redirects, and collapses down the line of scrimmage defending the run. Rarely off his feet, very quick, and defeats blocks by tight ends. Bends off the edge as a pass rusher and possesses a closing burst. Fundamentally sound. Relatively effective dropped off the line of scrimmage and playing in space.
Negatives: Lacks defensive-end size and linebacker speed. Out-positioned from the action by larger opponents. Does not display great first-step quickness.
Analysis: Tarlas is a hard-working prospect who gets the most from his ability, but he may not have a true position at the next level. He’s a situational pass rusher who must play well on special teams.