2021 NFL Draft | MAC Scouting Reports: Buffalo Bulls
Antonio Nunn NFL Draft Scouting Report | Wide Receiver
Positives: Two-year starter who showed consistent improvement in his game. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, displays terrific route-running skills and quickly gets in and out of breaks then stays low on exit. Comes back to the ball, works to make himself an available target, and effectively uses the sidelines.
Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and contorts to the errant throw. Extends to make the reception away from his frame and competes to come away with the catch. Displays quick, strong hands and snatches the ball out of the air. Turns it upfield running after the catch and works to pick up positive yardage.
Negatives: Not a strong or stout receiver, loses out in battles and gets easily brought down at the point. Lacks a second gear and isn’t a true breakaway threat.
Analysis: Nunn was productive the past two seasons and has shown a lot of next-level skill. He’s a potential fifth receiver for the next level and also comes with return skills. If he continues to progress on the field, Nunn could surprise in the NFL.
Jaret Patterson NFL Draft Scouting Report | Running Back
Positives: Two-year starter coming off a record-breaking campaign. Instinctive football player with outstanding vision as well as ball-carrying skills. Quick-footed, displays solid short-area quickness and sets up defenders then makes them miss. Consistently keeps the play in bounds to pick up as much yardage as possible and runs north and south. Slides off defenders to keep plays alive, does not go down without a fight, and handles a lot of carries.
Runs behind his pads with excellent lean, aggressively attacks defenders, and drives his shoulders through opponents. Falls forward when tackled. Effectively helps the quarterback sell ball fakes. Patiently waits for blocks to develop, finds the running lanes, and weaves his way through the traffic, finding the open spot in the defense. Effectively uses blocks everywhere on the field.
Negatives: Does not display himself as a creative ball carrier nor will he pick up a lot of yardage off initial contact. Plays to one speed and does not show a burst. Benefited from an outstanding line at Buffalo.
Analysis: Patterson was a terrific college ball carrier who showed up every week and consistently produced. He comes with average size and play speed and is not as highly rated as many think, but Patterson possesses the skills necessary to make an NFL roster as a fourth running back.
For information on Buffalo guard Kayode Awosika, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
For information on Buffalo EDGE Malcolm Koonce, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
Ray Thomas-Ishman NFL Draft Scouting Report | Guard
Positives: UMass transfer who was used at both tackle and guard. Possesses good size and strength and works blocks. Stays square, blocks with a nasty attitude, and turns defenders off the line of scrimmage. Explosive, anchors in pass protection, and keeps his head on a swivel.
Negatives: On the ground too often and must improve his blocking balance. Ineffective blocking in motion and late getting to the spot. Stiffness hurts his ability to finish blocks.
Analysis: Thomas-Ishman was highly regarded by scouts prior to the 2019 season before his campaign quickly came to a halt. He played well this season at Buffalo and comes with next-level size, but he’s a practice-squad prospect who must polish his game and mechanics.
Tyrone Hill NFL Draft Scouting Report | Safety
Positives: Full-time starter the past two seasons who made an impact on special teams. Stays with coverage assignments, displays solid ball skills between the numbers, and works hard to get involved in the action. Keeps the play in front of him, works well with cornerbacks and displays a nice move to the throw.
Feisty, fires up the field defending the run, and wraps up tackling. Drives his shoulders through ball handlers and has a physical nature to his game.
Negatives: Loses a half-step transitioning with opponents when lined up over the slot receiver. Not a stout tackler. Possesses average long speed.
Analysis: Hill is a solid safety in all areas of the position but lacks next-level size as well as play speed. Best when the action is in front of him. He’s a zone safety whose greatest value is on special teams.
Zachary Lefebvre NFL Draft Scouting Report | Tight End
Positives: Two-year starter who showed consistent improvement in his game. Uses his hands to separate from defenders, extends, and snatches the ball away from his frame. Possesses good eye/hand coordination, shows strong hands, and is very reliable.
Keeps the play in bounds and works to pick up positive yardage. Fundamentally, sound blocker who stays square and works to finish off opponents. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage and effectively uses his frame to shield away opponents.
Negatives: Average athlete who lacks the speed to split the seam. Occasionally takes his eyes off the ball, which results in passes slipping through his hands.
Analysis: Lefebvre is a solid pass catcher as well as blocker, and though he lacks elite size and play speed, he’s effective enough in both areas and could catch on as a third tight end.
2021 NFL Draft | MAC Scouting Reports: Miami RedHawks
Daniel Godlevske NFL Draft Scouting Report | Center
Positives: Four-year starter at center who broke in with the first team as a freshman. A smart and nasty lineman with average physical skills. Explosive at the point, blocks with proper lean, and stays square. Shows ability as a position blocker and seals defenders from the action.
Keeps his head on a swivel and works well with linemates. Always looking for someone to hit. Effective with the shotgun snap. Quick out to the second level and squares into linebackers, removing them from the action.
Negatives: Not really light on his feet or effective pulling across the line of scrimmage. Lacks a dominant base and occasionally gets pushed back off the line.
Analysis: Godlevske is an intelligent blocker who gets the most from his abilities yet lacks great upside. He’s a free-agent prospect who could make a roster in the proper scheme.
Jack Sorenson NFL Draft Scouting Report | Wide Receiver
Positives: Underrated receiver who was a productive player the past three seasons. Displays tremendous route discipline, follows the quarterback across the field and makes the reception in stride. Extends and exposes himself to the big hit in order to come away with the catch.
Possesses strong hands and consistently extends to make the reception away from his frame. Runs sharp routes, separates from defenders, and turns upfield running after the catch. Nicely adjusts to the errant throw and possesses good eye/hand coordination.
Negatives: Small and loses out in battles. More quick than fast and lacks a second gear.
Analysis: Despite very productive seasons as a sophomore and junior, Sorenson was ignored by scouts. He’s reliable in all areas of the game yet lacks next-level speed. Sorenson will be a terrific free-agent pickup and offers possibilities as a fifth receiver as well as returning punts.
Manny Rugamba NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Iowa transfer who started the past two seasons. Physical, aggressive and works hard throughout the action. Quick up the field defending the run and sacrifices his body making the tackle. Quick flipping his hips in transition, mixes it up throughout the route, and displays good hands for the interception. Fires up the field and works to get off blocks defending the run.
Negatives: Really must improve his backpedal and be more consistent with his footwork. Hesitates transitioning with opponents, does a lot of face guarding, and blows coverage assignments on occasion. Gets a bit grabby and handsy with opponents.
Analysis: Rugamba was given late-round grades by scouts coming into the season and possesses the size as well as the speed to play at the next level. His game was very inconsistent, and he displayed little progress as a senior, making him more of a developmental prospect.
Mike Brown NFL Draft Scouting Report | Safety
Positives: Two-year starter who has flashed next-level ability since his junior season. Effectively reads and diagnoses the action, takes solid angles to plays, and fires up the field defending screen passes or the run. Squares into ball handlers and wraps up. Breaks down well and displays solid ball skills as well as good hands for the interception.
Negatives: Lacks the explosive closing burst to the action out of his plant. Not a stout wrap-up tackler.
Analysis: Brown was a productive three-year player for Miami but wasn’t graded coming into the 2020 season despite a terrific junior campaign. He plays to one speed, but he has the size and intellect to be used as a traditional strong safety or in a zone system.
For information on Miami (OH) tight end Tommy Doyle, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.