Arizona State at UCLA – Prospect Preview
By Jeremy Baird
Nov 2, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebackers Anthony Barr (11) and Jordan Zumwalt (35) during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Rose Bowl. UCLA defeated Colorado 45-23. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday November 23, 7:00 EST, Fox
UCLA Offense
Quarterback #17 Brett Hundley (6’3” 227lb SO) is one of the most intriguing prospects in the country. He’s got a strong arm, good pocket awareness, and great mobility. When he’s in a rhythm there are few better. However, his youth can get the best of him at times. When pressured too much, he can get flustered and his accuracy goes in the toilet, as was evident in games against Stanford and Oregon. His mobility can give him a false sense of confidence. He can escape, but when the run isn’t there, sometimes he will force a throw he shouldn’t make. Sometimes it pays off, but other times it ends up in the opponents hands. Hundley would be best served to stay another year and prove he’s an elite QB. Current Projection: 2015 1st Round
Left Guard/Tackle #56 Xavier Su’A-Filo (6’3” 304lb JR) is a bruiser. He stays low and blows up his opponents. He’s a natural guard, but due to injury, he’s spent the last month at left tackle where he’s held his own. When at guard he looks at ease keeping defenders in front of him and away from Hundley, but at tackle he has to work a lot harder. With teammate Simon Goines injured and suspended, it looks like Su’A-Filo will spend the rest of the season at tackle. He will have his hands full with Carl Bradford coming after Hundley. Current Projection: 4th Round
Arizona State Defense
Defensive Tackle #90 Will Sutton (6’1” 290lb SR) was dominant in 2012. In 2013 he put on some weight to help his NFL stock. It’s difficult to judge if the added girth is having the desired effect. His TFL stats are way down, but Arizona State’s rushing defense is much improved. Sutton still penetrates, but is playing more of a space eater role in the defense. The thought that he was going to develop into Ndamukong Suh is gone, but he’s still very much a solid NFL prospect. Where he gets drafted will depend on how much bigger and stronger teams think he can get. Current Projection: 3rd Round
Outside Linebacker #52 Carl Bradford (6’1” 233lb JR) is an explosive pass rusher who beats offensive tackles with his speed. Bradford can cover a lot of area laterally. He can cover the flat, and get after a running back going away from him. His weakness is when he has to turn his hips in coverage. If he’s going to be a rush-end in the NFL he will have to get bigger. Current Projection: 5th Round
Arizona State Offense
Running Back #1 Marion Grice (6’0” 200lb SR) is an upright runner with who hits the hole with purpose. His running style is reminiscent of Terrell Davis. He doesn’t have great moves, but enough speed to break a big run. Grice is also a dangerous weapon receiving out of the backfield. He’s a tough matchup for linebackers in coverage, and has good awareness and hands. Grice is a former junior college transfer who continues to get better. He could be a great value for whatever team drafts him. Current Projection: 6th Round
Wide Receiver #21 Jaelen Strong (6’4” 205lb SO) is another JC transfer for the Sun Devil’s who’s had a big impact. And Strong is big. He uses his size well along the sideline and over the middle. Even after being hampered by injury for three games, he still is ASU’s leading receiver by far, and the next two are running backs. Good, not great speed, but he gets open consistently. Strong will have to have big game, as Taylor Kelly is sure to face pressure against an aggressive UCLA defense. Current Projection: 2015 2nd Round
UCLA Defense
Defensive End #99 Cassius Marsh (6’4” 266lb SR) is a hard-nosed player with NFL pedigree (father and brother). He’s a decent pass rusher (2 sacks) with inside and outside moves. His best attribute is how he scraps the line and affects the run game. He makes plenty of tackles, but more often clears the way for UCLA’s linebackers to make the tackle. He’s the kind of player that makes the players around him better. Current Projection: 4th Round
Outside Linebacker #11 Anthony Barr (6’4” 248lb JR) is a very special player. He can beat tackles on a speed rush, bull rush, and split doubles teams. He’s one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the country, but is far from a one-trick pony. He has the strength to take on linemen in the run game, and the speed to drop back in coverage. His versatility allows defensive coordinator Lou Spanos to mix up his blitz and coverage. A converted running back, it is assumed the already impressive Barr will continue to get better. Current Projection: Top 5 Pick