Scouting Focus: Versatile prospects on display for Gophers, Blue Raiders

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It’s been two games and two wins to start the season for the University of Minnesota football program.

Heck of a way to start what fans hope is a long and fortunate tenure if you’re Head Coach P.J. Fleck.

After a seemingly dominant defensive performance in the season opener against Buffalo, the Gophers made the most of their time in the long week of preparation prior to heading west. On the road in a hostile Power 5 Conference Stadium, Minnesota steam rolled Oregon State, 48-14.

Saturday, Coach Fleck, and the Gophers will play host to Middle Tennessee State. The Blue Raiders enter the contest 1-1 after rebounding from a season-opening loss to Vanderbilt with a 30-23 win over Syracuse.

This week’s Scouting Focus will take a look at a pair of versatile weapons, one that could possibly be a hidden gem of the 2018 NFL Draft.

RB Shannon Brooks

Measurables: 6000 215lbs

Year: Jr

2016: Played in 10 games and started 2… Missed 3 games due to injury… 138 carries for 650 yards and 5 touchdowns; 8 receptions for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns

While Rodney Smith may lead the team in rushing yards and touches, there is an argument that Brooks has been the more dynamic runner of the two in the early goings of the season. He has four scores on the year, three of which (tied career-high) came in the 48-14 thumping of the Beavers. So far this season, the junior from Atlanta has carried the ball 35 times for 150 yards. Smith has 58 carries for 168 yards and a touchdown.

Analysis:

Brooks has a perfect skill set to compliment Smith. While Smith provides a little bit more flash in his movements, Brooks is similar to your old school smash mouth back. He has great power when running in between the tackles and has a detailed understanding of what it means to run behind your pads. He has a low center of gravity on contact.

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However, that’s not to say he can’t put a move on a defender if needed.

While he has good vision, he also has good patience, allowing his blocks to set up before bursting through the hole. A choppy runner through the hole, Brooks doesn’t have a lot of wasted movements in his cuts, putting his foot in the ground and cutting upfield. Like Smith, Brooks is also a good receiver out of the backfield, showing good feet when breaking his routes. If he opts to come out this year, Brooks has the potential to be a three down back in the NFL.

Range: 3^rdround

WR Richie James

Measurables: 5090 176lbs

Year: Redshirt Jr

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports — Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports

2016: Started all 13 games… Third-Team All-American… 105 receptions for 1,625 yards (school record) and 12 touchdowns

For the second time in the last three games, the Gophers secondary will have a talented receiving threat to contain. In the season opener, it was Anthony Johnson, who caught 11 balls for 140 yards and the lone Bulls’ score. This week, it’s Richie James.

James, a three-year starter, has been a force in Conference USA, being named to the All-Conference team the past two seasons. Draft analyst Ty Wurth – a notable fan of James’ game – believes there is more than meets the eyes when watching the electric receiver.

“Despite his small stature, he plays bigger than his frame and handles contact really well… Versatile, as you can use him as both at wide receiver and in the backfield as a running back. He is skilled with the ball in his hands, showcasing outstanding feel and vision in space… He shows the ability to beat press with both his hands and feet when given the opportunity. He’s great in contested situations for his size.” – Wurth

Analysis:

The first thing that sticks out when watching James is just how explosive he is. And it’s not just in his initial release from the line. Every movement is like lightning in a bottle. He has great feet and is a fairly polished receiver. James also displays the understanding of just how to set up his defender prior to breaking off his route.

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He is used similar to how Urban Meyer used Percy Harvin during Harvin’s final year at Florida. There are snaps where he will be lined up as a receiver running a route and the next in the backfield taking a handoff. Most touches he receives from the backfield are outside zone/sweeps or counter plays, which plays into his patience and vision as Wurth noted. The All-Time leader at MTSU, James’ skillset could lead to a Harvin-quese role to start his career.

Range: Late 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Game notes

It was announced earlier this week that Conor Rhoda would be the starting quarterback going forward for P.J. Fleck’s offense. Demry Croft, who was battling Rhoda for the starting job was demoted and has since left the team. Although his status to return and the reason for the discipline was not made clear by coach Fleck.

In two games this season, Rhoda has thrown for 334 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He has completed 19 of his 28 attempts.

The Gophers also announced that the jersey combination will feature a special helmet due to the Mascot Goldy’s birthday coming up. Fleck tweeted the following video that captured the moment of the unveiling of the new helmet.

Celebrate Goldy’s Birthday with us this Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium!! We’re wearing Gold on Gold for @GoldytheGopher!! #RTB #HYPRR #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/Rce3Vwx5un

— P.J. Fleck (@Coach_Fleck) September 13, 2017

Josh Zimmer is the lead NFL Draft analyst and Big Ten writer for NSGC Sports.