2023 Colts UDFAs

[throwing BBZ]

19 minutes ago, ColtJax said:

It wasn't just Pinter and Pryor that hit the wall. Kelly looked to be cut material, just flat out horrible. Smith was average on a good day, and even the mighty Nelson was a tackling sled too many times. Everyone hit the wall at the same time, that tells me that coaching, or scheme had a lot to do with it..

 

 Those three were beat up. And they were surrounded by ineptitude.

The TE and RB's failed as blockers just as bad. 

  These are things Steichen and his staff can improve quickly.

[husker61]

48 minutes ago, throwing BBZ said:

 

 Those three were beat up. And they were surrounded by ineptitude.

The TE and RB's failed as blockers just as bad. 

  These are things Steichen and his staff can improve quickly.

and a statue for a qb that couldn’t get rid of the ball fast, that a veteran should easily be able to do.

[Scott Pennock]

Quite a few high RAS scores from these small school prospects but there are only two guys with realistic chances of breaking camp with the first 53:

 

Emil Ekiyor at RG

 

Paxton Brooks at Punter

 

Just my humble opinion of course….

 

 

[Archer]

1 hour ago, Scott Pennock said:

Quite a few high RAS scores from these small school prospects but there are only two guys with realistic chances of breaking camp with the first 53:

 

Emil Ekiyor at RG

 

Paxton Brooks at Punter

 

Just my humble opinion of course….

 

 

I take your general point - doesn’t seem to be the best group of athletes we got in here after the draft.  But, like the Cole Coleman kid from Elon.  He has a real chance in a suddenly crowded secondary.  He and the Cody Chrest WR are the best athletes we signed after the draft by far.  But it’s hard to imagine Chrest competing for more than a PS spot…

[Scott Pennock]

1 hour ago, Archer said:

I take your general point - doesn’t seem to be the best group of athletes we got in here after the draft.  But, like the Cole Coleman kid from Elon.  He has a real chance in a suddenly crowded secondary.  He and the Cody Chrest WR are the best athletes we signed after the draft by far.  But it’s hard to imagine Chrest competing for more than a PS spot…

Pittman, Pierce, Downs, McKenzie, Dulin is pretty set I would think? Carry only 5 so they can carry an extra TE in Mallory…..

 

Moore, Rodgers, Flowers, Brents, Rush and Jones are likely set I would think?

 

Cross, Blackmon, Thomas, Scott are pretty set though your Coleman guy could sneak in as a 5th safety?

[Mr. Irrelevant]

7 hours ago, 1959Colts said:

Mutin might be a player to keep an eye on.

Especially with our lack of depth at LB

 

https://thedailycougar.com/2022/09/13/donavan-mutin-uh-preparation/

 

How UH’s Donavan Mutin ‘became the game’

 

Love for the game

 

When Troutman looks back on his time coaching Mutin at Klein Collins, one thing stands out above the others — the pure love Mutin showed towards football.

“Football’s not just a game to him,” Troutman said. “It is life to him. It became part of his lifestyle. It became part of the culture that he created for himself in becoming a football player.'

Troutman described Mutin as a “sponge” who loves to be coached and soak up every last drop of information he can acquire...

 

Letting nothing slip by

 

There’s a reason why UH defensive coordinator Doug Belk refers to Mutin as the Peyton Manning of the Cougars’ defense.

The same thing Troutman saw from Mutin at Klein Collins, Belk sees every day from the captain of his defense.

“His preparation shows in his performance,” Belk said. “I would say he’s definitely in the top two or three guys that I’ve been around as far the way that he prepares.

 

Mutin’s teammates see it too.

UH senior defensive end Derek Parish needed just one word to encapsulate Mutin’s preparation — immaculate.

“Donnie is going to know where the right tackle is born in the hospital, wherever he was, or the quarterback or the receiver,” Parish said. “He dives deep into it and I think that’s what makes him such a great player.”

While Mutin would not give out all his secret sauce to how he prepares for an opponent, he did reveal that it starts from the moment the schedule drops each season.

 

“I’m watching dudes all offseason,” Mutin said. “When we get our schedule, I’m watching dudes. I’m watching their games from last year. I’m on their roster.”

By doing a deep dive into each opponent on the front end of things, game week becomes a time of fine-tuning his craft rather than scrambling to learn a bunch of information days before he’s put under the bright lights.

“During the week, I’m for sure diving in and just tightening up,” Mutin said. “But a lot of the work goes in on the front end so that when I get to this moment it’s already engrained, it’s already instilled, it’s already cemented.”

Hour after hour, Mutin dissects everything there is to know about the upcoming opponents. 

If an opponent got a new offensive coordinator, Mutin’s going to learn every school that that coach previously coached at, their playcalling style and any other piece of information he can find about that coach. Any returning players on the rosters of UH’s opponents, Mutin will break down each and every game they played in, learning their tendencies. 

 

Nothing gets past Mutin.

“He looks for the little things,” Parish said. “He’s down with the details.”

What is Mutin’s secret to his ability to notice the smallest of things that the average player and even some coaches miss when studying an opponent?

It all goes back to his unconditional love for the sport of football.

“His attention to detail comes back to him loving the game,” Troutman said. “That comes back to him not only playing the game but being part of the game.”

 

 

Ballard did say in his after draft presser that they thought there were good LBs in UDFA. He was probably thinking of Mutin but didn’t at that point in time know whether we got him. 

[Archer]

4 hours ago, Scott Pennock said:

Pittman, Pierce, Downs, McKenzie, Dulin is pretty set I would think? Carry only 5 so they can carry an extra TE in Mallory…..

 

Moore, Rodgers, Flowers, Brents, Rush and Jones are likely set I would think?

 

Cross, Blackmon, Thomas, Scott are pretty set though your Coleman guy could sneak in as a 5th safety?

Yeah, we’re getting ahead of ourselves.  There will be competition and unforeseen moves.  Jones is no sure bet.  Moore or someone could be traded.  We could have season-ending injuries in TC.  Someone could unexpectedly retire during his rookie contact.  That crap happens…

[lollygagger8]

On 4/29/2023 at 7:43 PM, James said:

 

[lollygagger8]

I hope Ekiyor is competition for Fries at Guard, and/or competition for Kelly at Center 

 

 

Hopefully both. 

[stitches]

Scouting report on Emil Ekoyor from Dane Brugler:

https://theathletic.com/4387692/2023/04/10/nfl-draft-mock-the-beast-dane-brugler/

 

7. EMIL EKIYOR JR. | Alabama 6024 | 314 lbs. | 5SR Indianapolis, Ind. (Cathedral) 1/22/2000 (age 23.26) #55

 

BACKGROUND: Emil (eh-MEAL) Ekiyor (ECK-ee-or) Jr. grew up just outside downtown Indianapolis, where he was introduced to various sports at a young age. He enrolled at Cathedral High School, a private Catholic school and started all four years on varsity. After earned the starting left guard job as a freshman, Ekiyor moved to right tackle as a sophomore. He then moved to left tackle as a junior and helped Cathedral to the state playoffs, earning first team All-League honors. Ekiyor again led the program to a postseason bid as a senior in 2017 after moving to center, his fourth position change in four years. He became the first U.S. Army All-American in Cathedral’s history. Ekiyor also lettered in basketball.

 

A four-star recruit, Ekiyor was the No. 3 center in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 1 recruit in Indiana (just ahead of Cameron McGrone and Ekiyor’s Cathedral teammate Markese Stepp). He was the highest-ranked offensive line recruit to come out of Indiana since 2011. Ekiyor received an offer from Michigan after his freshman season, followed by multiple high-level offers like Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee and USC. He officially committed to the Wolverines midway through his junior season but continued to visit programs like Alabama and Florida State. Midway through his senior season, Ekiyor decommitted from Michigan and flipped to Alabama. His father (Emil Sr.), who came to the U.S. from Nigeria at age 15, played defensive end at UCF (1991-95) and went undrafted in the 1996 NFL Draft. He was signed by the Buccaneers and played six seasons in the NFL for the Colts, Falcons and Raiders before settling in Indianapolis, where he runs a foundation and also coaches high school football (was an assistant coach for his son at Cathedral). Ekiyor’s mother (Andrea “Nikki” Ekiyor) played college basketball at Indiana State and Tennessee State. Ekiyor graduated with his degree (August 2022). He accepted his invitation to the 2023 Senior Bowl

 

STRENGTHS: Owns proportionate thickness on his body with long arms … balanced footwork and stays under control on pulls and combos … displays knee bend and functional play strength to leverage the point of attack … latches on and runs his feet to physically move defenders when his hand timing is on point … alert to twisting linemen and processes moving parts quickly to make split-second adjustments … consistently finishes as if his job depends on it and always looks for work when not attached … durable and plays through pain (Evan Neal: “Emil’s a real tough dude … (the) kind of guy you want playing next to you.”) … didn’t miss a game the last three seasons and played his best football as a senior.

 

WEAKNESSES: Overaggressive puncher, leaving him leaning and lunging when he doesn’t connect … needs to introduce more patience in his pass sets and keep his weight back … can be walked backwards by long-armed linemen when he gives away his chest … his weight will drift out in space at times, and he needs to do a better job with his balance to adjust to shifty linebackers … battled through numerous college injuries: missed 2021 spring practices because of hernia surgery; underwent a knee scope (July 2021); separated his left shoulder in the Cotton Bowl (December 2021) … played all five positions in high school but was almost exclusively a right guard in college (95.6 percent of his career snaps at Alabama came at right guard).

 

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Alabama, Ekiyor was a staple at right guard in former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s balanced offense. After an uneven junior season, he put above-average play on his 2022 tape (zero penalties) and separated himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the SEC. As both a run blocker and pass protector, Ekiyor quickly establishes leverage with his low pads and upward blows, driving his feet through engagement with his stubborn hands. Though he plays with outstanding awareness and finish, he will get himself in trouble when he overextends, and savvy NFL defensive tackles will use his impatience against him. Overall, Ekiyor finds himself in compromised positions when his punch hands get off-schedule, but he moves well with the processing and core strength to be effective in multiple schemes. He has NFL starter talent with guard-center versatility.

 

GRADE: 4th Round

[DougDew]

44 minutes ago, stitches said:

He has NFL starter talent with guard-center versatility.

His size and movement sounds more like an NFL C than a G.  JMO.

[stitches]

41 minutes ago, DougDew said:

His size and movement sounds more like an NFL C than a G.  JMO.

Yeah, I've seen him listed as OC prospect... but his experience at RG specifically might help him in his early battles for a spot on the roster and possibly even for starting spot. 

 

 

[stitches]

 

[DoubleE Colt]

6 minutes ago, stitches said:

Yeah, I've seen him listed as OC prospect... but his experience at RG specifically might help him in his early battles for a spot on the roster and possibly even for starting spot. 

 

 

How much would it suck to be that "but one" at the moment!

[stitches]

Here's a list with all the rumored UDFA signings:

 

https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/29/colts-2023-nfl-draft-undrafted-rookie-free-agent-tracker/

 

[stitches]

Here's an interesting one:

 

 

 

Paxton Brooks is actually the 5th ranked punter in Dane Brugler's guide... and 4th ranked punter by Lance Zierlein... Might be worth following what happens with this one.. Lance's report on him:

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/paxton-brooks/32004252-4f15-8746-9bc0-113c743ec027

 

PAXTON BROOKS, Punter

TENNESSEE

 

Prospect Info

COLLEGE Tennessee

HOMETOWN Lexington, SC

CLASS Senior

HEIGHT 6’ 5’’

WEIGHT 201 lbs

ARM 31 1/2’’

HAND 9 3/4’’

 

Player Bio

Brooks was rated as the second-best punter recruit in the 2018 class coming out of Airport High School in Lexington, South Carolina. He was a kickoff specialist (23 touchbacks on 52 kickoffs) and backup punter (1-34-34.0) as a true freshman with the Volunteers before taking over the starting punter job in 2019 (30-1,260-42.0, four fair catches, 11 inside the 20, two touchbacks; 46 touchbacks on 64 kickoffs). Brooks also excelled in 2020 (49-2,138-43.6, 18 fair catches, 17 inside the 20, four touchbacks; 27 touchbacks on 40 kickoffs) and 2021 (45-1,982-44.0, 26 fair catches, 18 inside the 20, three touchbacks; two touchbacks on nine kickoffs). He forced 20 fair catches on 38 punts in 2022, averaging 39.1 yards per boot (38-1,486, 11 inside the 20; 30 touchbacks on 94 kickoffs, two coverage tackles). Brooks was a two-time Academic All-American during his career. -- by Chad Reuter

 

Overview

Long-levered punter with loads of experience for the Vols. Brooks has modest leg strength relative to many of the NFL punters we see, but he can kick with hang-time and has excellent touch to drop it inside the opposition’s 20-yard line. Brooks will need to prove he can boom a few punts to create confidence in teams who already like his touch.

 

Strengths

• Able to generate NFL-caliber hang-time.
• Allowed a total of 16 punt returns for 19 yards over the last three seasons.
• Just one touchback during senior season.
• Able to play punt-and-catch with gunners on coffin-corner punts.

Weaknesses

• Might lack the leg strength to dig his team out of a bind.
• Can be a little too deliberate with his touch-to-toe at times.

 

[Scott Pennock]

According to my calculations we have 114 players either on the roster or attending the rookie minicamp. That means the team will have to pare down roughly 24 players before officially listing a 90-Man Roster...........

 

This is also where you could see a veteran (Foles for example) or a guy who stuck throughout the off-season (Jalen Wydermyer) get released after the mini-camp to make room for the new blood.

[fire cartier]

On 4/29/2023 at 7:16 PM, James said:

OL Harris Lachance, BYU   ,   watch  BYU OL/Offense vs Notre Dame Defense (2022) he look good. 

 

 

[Defjamz26]

On 4/30/2023 at 5:00 PM, DoubleE Colt said:

Joey Fisher was another guard projected to go around 4/5 round and went undrafted too.....maybe it was wasn't a very good class this year in the eyes of GMs 

Oh I’ve been on record as saying it wasn’t a great IOL class. I just didn’t think a guy who had a great final year at Alabama would go undrafted. 

[Scott Pennock]

London Harris - lb from Texas State in on a tryout fits the mold of Ballard

 

33+ inch arms, ran well and has that explosive 1.57 second 10 yard split with a good vertical and broad jump. 
 

We shall see if he gets signed to the 90 man