After finishing fourth in the Big 12, the Iowa State Cyclones still have a surprising number of prospects who will likely hear their names called at the 2022 NFL Draft. Here are the scouting reports for one of the top running back prospects, a late-round QB flyer, and more.
Iowa State 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Breece Hall and Brock Purdy are the two most well-known Iowa State prospects in this year’s draft. However, there are some additional scouting reports for some other players we might see drafted during the 2022 NFL Draft.
Breece Hall, RB
Positives: Nice-sized ball carrier with a complete game. Displays tremendous instincts as well as running vision. Resilient and works runs hard. Patiently waits for blocks to develop, consistently turns it upfield, and gets a lot of momentum going. Possesses a burst through the hole, runs with proper lean, and grinds it out on the inside.
Strong, breaks tackles, and picks up the difficult yardage. Displays great football intelligence, finds the open space in the defense, and pops up out of nowhere when nothing seems to be available. Effectively helps the quarterback sell ball fakes. Terrific pass catcher out of the backfield. Productive blocker when called upon.
Negatives: Lacks true perimeter speed and cannot beat defenders around the outside despite his 40 time. Gets in trouble when he tries to run laterally. Doesn’t improvise when plays break down.
Analysis: Hall was a tremendous ball carrier for Iowa State the past two seasons and often carried the unit on his shoulders in 2021. He’s a big back who can handle a lot of carries as well as effectively catch the ball out of the backfield. If he learns the play to his 40 time, Hall will be a dangerous running back in the NFL.
Want more information on Hall? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Breece Hall, Iowa State RB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Brock Purdy, QB
Positives: Playmaking college quarterback who is patient, remains poised in the pocket, and goes through progressions. Quickly locates open wideouts, uses all his targets, and spreads the ball around. Puts touch on throws when necessary and flashes the ability to drop deep passes into the receiver’s hands.
Possesses outstanding field vision, improvises when plays break down, and occasionally looks like a magician with the football. Elusive, escapes the rush, and picks up yardage carrying the ball when necessary.
Negatives: Lacks a big-time arm and cannot drive deep throws, which results in lost opportunities. Lacks pocket stature. Sprays throws and is often high of the mark when he tries to put extra speed on passes. Struggles getting the ball downfield and through tight windows.
Analysis: Purdy is an intelligent quarterback who makes good decisions and is accurate in the short and intermediate field. His lack of size and arm strength poses limitations. Still, Purdy could be a competent backup on Sundays.
Want more information on Purdy? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Brock Purdy, Iowa State QB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Charlie Kolar, TE
Positives: Smart, dependable tight end with reliable hands. Displays terrific focus as well as concentration, makes the difficult catch with defenders draped on him, and takes a big hit yet holds onto the throw. Comes back into the clearing to make himself an available target, uses his frame to shield away opponents, and makes the tough catch in a crowd.
Gets vertical, extends his hands, and possesses outstanding eye/hand coordination. Adjusts to errant throws, possesses soft hands, and makes the reception in stride. Quickly releases off the line into pass routes and uses his hands to separate from defenders. Displays outstanding blocking vision, stays square, and shows ability as a position blocker.
Negatives: Must improve his overall playing strength. Plays to one speed. Not effective as a downfield pass catcher.
Analysis: Kolar is an intelligent tight end who catches the ball extremely well and has the frame teams want in a blocker. He possesses the upside to develop into a three-down tight end. But he’s a year away from becoming a complete player at the position.
Want more information on Kolar? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Charlie Kolar, Iowa State TE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Chase Allen, TE
Positives: Massive tight end who stands out as a blocker. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame, and looks passes into his hands. Blocks with proper leverage and lean and attacks assignments. Explosive, fires off the snap, and controls opponents once engaged at the point of attack.
Negatives: Plays to one speed and lacks a burst. Nothing more than a short-range pass catcher.
Analysis: Allen is a tough, hard-nosed player who would be an effective third tight end in the NFL as a blocker and occasional short-range target.
Colin Newell, IOL
Positives: Versatile interior blocker with nice size. Sets with a wide base, fires off the snap into blocks, and engulfs defenders at the point of attack. Explosive, gets movement as a run blocker, and works to finish off opponents. Keeps his feet moving, keeps his head on a swivel, and works well with linemates. Can slide in space.
Negatives: Lacks blocking balance. Gets upright in his stance. Limited athlete.
Analysis: Newell is experienced at both guard and center. However, he lacks the strength to be a power gap lineman and the movement skills to be used in a zone scheme.
Eyioma Uwazurike, DL
Positives: Large, athletic lineman with tremendous upside. Plays with proper lean and excellent pad level and is fluid moving in any direction. Explosive, works his hands throughout the action, and holds the point against double-team blocks.
Moves well for a big man, flashes power, and bull rushes blockers off the line of scrimmage. Easily changes direction and alters his angle of attack, flows down the line of scrimmage, and gets outside the box to defend the run. Gives terrific effort.
Negatives: Very inconsistent. Gets out-positioned from plays by a single blocker. Lacks great first-step quickness. Not much of a pass rusher.
Analysis: Uwazurike is a defensive lineman who caught my eye three years ago. While he showed flashes, he never really took his game to the next level. He possesses the size and athleticism to be used as a conventional defensive tackle or even as a two-gapper. But Uwazurike must really start to show progress on the field to make an impact on Sundays.
Greg Eisworth II, S
Positives: Explosive playmaking safety with an underrated game. Effective facing the action, quickly diagnoses plays, and works well with cornerbacks. Displays a burst to the ball out of his plant, flashes athleticism, and gives great effort. Flies up the field to defend the run and squares into tackles.
Negatives: Must improve his backpedal. Often too quick up the field and gets caught out of position. Plays faster than his 40 time yet lacks next-level speed.
Analysis: Eisworth was a productive safety who comes with solid size but poor speed. He must be a bit more disciplined in his game. However, he offers potential in a zone system or as a traditional strong safety.
Jake Hummel, LB
Positives: Instinctive linebacker who gets the most from his ability. Breaks down well and diagnoses plays before they unfold. Tough run defender who plays faster than his 40 time and has a burst of speed. Takes proper angles to the action, moves well laterally, and gives a lot of effort.
Negatives: Lacks true pursuit speed. Gets caught up in the trash and occasionally gets caught out of position. Not quick flipping his hips in transition.
Analysis: Hummel is a hard-working linebacker who makes plays with his head and hustle more than his athleticism. He lacks upside but could be an eighth linebacker on Sundays if he plays well on special teams.
Mike Rose, LB
Positives: Hard-charging linebacker who plays tough, physical football. Instinctive, relentless, and plays with an all-out attitude. Remains disciplined with assignments, does not bite on ball fakes, and diagnoses plays before they unfold. Fires up the field to defend the run, sells out, and plays with reckless abandon. Displays decent range and gets depth on pass drops. Covers a lot of area on the field.
Negatives: Lacks great speed in backside pursuit and cannot catch ball handlers in the open field. Possesses average skill in coverage and is late getting to the spot.
Analysis: Rose is a tough, efficient linebacker whose ability to read and diagnose gives him an advantage over opponents. He lacks great playing speed. However, he offers possibilities at a variety of inside or middle linebacker positions and will add depth on a roster.
Sean Foster, OT
Positives: Big-bodied right tackle who is best in a small area. Sets with a wide base, sinks his butt at the line of scrimmage, and stays square. Strong, quickly gets his hands into defenders, and turns opponents from the line as a run blocker. Patient in pass protection, knocks edge rushers from their angles of attack with terrific punch, and plays heads-up football.
Negatives: Must do a better job using angles in pass protection. Lacks agility, which hurts his ability to finish blocks. Missed half of last season with an injury.
Analysis: Foster was a hard-working tackle at Iowa State and comes with next-level size. However, he has poor athleticism and limited upside.