Dartmouth and Princeton were the two powerhouses of the Ivy League Conference last season, but they are not the only programs sending prospects to the 2022 NFL Draft. Here are the scouting reports for all draft-eligible prospects from the Ivy League.
Ivy League 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
The Ivy League scouting profiles include a late-round quarterback prospect and some interesting offensive projects.
Aaron Shampklin, RB | Harvard
Positives: Smallish running back who creates yardage and displays himself as a solid receiver out of the backfield. Patient, waits for blocks to develop, and has a burst through the running lanes. Can turn it on in a single step, runs with good lean, and keeps his feet moving. Quick-footed, makes defenders miss, and keeps plays alive.
Possesses outstanding vision as well as instincts. Terrific receiver out of the backfield who adjusts to errant throws and makes receptions in stride. Helps the quarterback sell ball fakes. Will pick and choose his spots, weaves through the traffic, and keeps the play in bounds. Easily cuts back against the grain, changing direction on a dime without losing momentum.
Negatives: Lacks strength in his running and doesn’t break many tackles. Easily brought down at the point of attack.
Analysis: Shampklin is a potential scatback/third-down ball carrier who is most effectively utilized in space and as a pass catcher.
EJ Perry, QB | Brown
Positives: Athletic signal-caller who projects as an RPO quarterback. Patient and displays outstanding pocket awareness as well as overall field sense. Shows a sense of timing, does not make receivers wait for the ball to arrive, and consistently keeps his eyes downfield. Sells ball fakes, throws with an over-the-top delivery, and possesses a quick release.
On the same page as receivers, spreads the ball around to all his targets, and effectively places passes. Mobile, easily gets outside the pocket to avoid the rush, and picks up yardage with his legs. Remains poised as the pocket collapses around him. Effectively commands and controls the offense.
Negatives: Lacks stature and cannot withstand the rush. Lacks a big-time arm and cannot drive passes. Lacks height and has throws batted away. Not averse to throwing into coverage and forcing passes.
Analysis: Perry was a productive Ivy League quarterback but comes with size and arm strength limitations. His ability to make plays on the move and pick up yardage with his legs will be attractive for certain systems. That may secure a place for Perry in camp this summer.
Isaiah Johnson, S | Dartmouth
Positives: Nice-sized safety who is best facing the action. Instinctive, plays disciplined football, and stays within the system. Possesses an aggressive style, attacks ball handlers, and wraps up tackling. Smooth flipping his hips in transition, tracks the pass in the air, and works hard to break up throws.
Negatives: Lacks speed and quickness. High-hipped defender.
Analysis: Johnson is a tough, instinctive safety who flashes ability but has speed limitations. He’s a strong-safety type who may be able to play in a zone system, though Johnson lacks great upside.
Jeremiah Tyler, LB | Princeton
Positives: Safety-sized linebacker with limited upside. Explosive, displays a burst of speed, and shows a lot of athleticism on the field. Breaks down well, effectively uses his hands, and fluidly moves in any direction. Fluid pedaling in reverse, gets depth on pass drops, and throws his body around the field to make plays.
Negatives: Marginally effective in pursuit and does not run ball handlers down from the back side. Not a strong wrap-up tackler and has ball carriers running through his arms. Easily knocked from the action by the initial block.
Analysis: Tyler was a terrific leader on the football field and gives great effort, but he lacks the size for linebacker and the speed necessary for safety.
Melvin Rouse II, WR | Yale
Positives: Undersized receiver with small hands and short arms. Displays good route discipline, tracks the pass in the air, and uses his frame to shield away defenders. Agile, sells routes, and flashes the ability to pluck the ball out of the air away from his frame. Plays faster than his 40 time and displays a burst of speed.
Negatives: Not a stout receiver who can take a big hit. Needs space to work, lazily gets in and out of breaks, and must improve his route running.
Analysis: Rouse is an undersized prospect who spent time at both cornerback and receiver for Yale, but he comes with limited upside.
Mike Roussos, WR/CB | Columbia
Positives: Versatile prospect who was used at cornerback and receiver and also returned kicks. Feisty, plays with excellent awareness, and gives effort. Quickly releases off the line of scrimmage, runs solid pass routes, and uses his frame to separate from defenders.
Works to make himself an available target, displays a lot of quickness, and is effective when he extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame. Finds the running lanes on kick returns and turns it upfield.
Negatives: Plays to one speed and lacks a burst. Dropped a lot of catchable throws last season. Unnecessarily lets the ball get inside him. Must do a better job getting past the sticks on third and fourth down.
Analysis: Roussos was a jack of all trades but master of none for Columbia. He possesses adequate size yet has never really developed at any single position.
Prince Emili, DT | Penn
Positives: Smallish 3-technique tackle with outstanding quickness. Plays with proper pad level, fires off the snap with a great first step, and uses his hands extremely well to protect himself. Easily changes direction, moves well laterally, and plays with balance as well as body control. Fires through the gaps, gets a lot of momentum going, and possesses a closing burst. Rarely off his feet.
Negatives: Struggles getting off blocks and gets driven off the ball by a single opponent. Possesses more of a short burst of speed and doesn’t get outside the box to make plays.
Analysis: Emili was a small, hard-working Ivy League defensive lineman with poor measurables and limited upside.