NFL Rutgers Football

To go along with Louisville's 2006 Big East Football Championship, and a nifty pair of Big East Golf Championships, Louisville is also this years winner in the 2007 NLF Draft among Big East teams. The Cardinals were able to land four players on NFL teams in this years draft. They were followed by Pittsburgh and Rutgers with three each, Syracuse and Cincinnati with two each, South Florida and Connecticut each had one player drafted, and dammit I'm missing someone here. Let's see....oh yeah, West Virginia with zero players drafted. Ugh!

Another sign that the Big East is crawling out of obscurity, this was the first year since 2004 that the Big East had two players drafted in the first round. The 16 players drafted this year also compares favorably to 11 Big East players being drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft.

Next years draft should consume more high profile players from the Big East with the likes of Brian Brohm, Steve Slaton, Mario Urrutia, and Pat White all eligible.

Previously at the Fanhouse:

West Virginia Shut Out in the 2007 Draft
College Eye for the NFL Guy: Dan Mozes
College Eye for the NFL Guy: Brandon Myles
College Eye for the NFL Guy: Brian Leonard
College Eye for the NFL Guy: Tanard Jackson
College Eye for the NFL Guy: Darrelle Revis

NFL scouts think they know Brian Leonard, and they are probably right.....

Can a guy a little too small for a NFL fullback and not quite fast enough to be an NFL running back find a home in the NFL? More to the point, is there a star in Brian Leonard's future, or will he be relegated to being the best special teams demon sine Don Beebe?

Brian Leonard: Running Back/Fullback, Rutgers

What NFL scouts are saying:

NFL.com

Positives: Solidly built with above-average strength, thick thighs and calves, good bubble, tight waist, broad shoulders and good arm-muscle definition ... Has excellent speed for his position, showing the upper body strength and leg drive to create and maintain a rush lane as a lead blocker ... Has a good short area burst through the creases and the change-of-direction agility to make the initial tackler miss ... Shows the plant-and-drive agility to make precise cuts ... Has very good balance and body control throughout his stride, demonstrating fluid flexibility and quickness getting to top acceleration

Negatives: When he gets too erect in his stance, he will lose some base and get pushed back through the rush lane ... While Leonard has had success bouncing outside to gain yardage in the past, he was used mostly on runs between the tackles as a senior ... Seems to have the speed to get outside, make the cut and turn it up the field, but he tends to lose his body lean and get too high in his stance, leaving his feet exposed for shoestring tackles

Probably Getting Drafted...

Most likely on the first day, but depending on team needs (our favorite get out of jail free phrase) could fall to an early second day draft pick.

Guy Who Watched Him for Four Years is Saying