Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

PFDN evaluates the performance of the more promising senior and eligible underclassmen prospects for the next draft:

RB Chris Rainey, Florida, Senior: One of the big questions to this game was how would Alabama’s defense handle the terrific speed of Rainey and Jeff Demps in the backfield?  The answer was with no problem.  Rainey finished the game with 11 carries for 4 yards (.4 per) and 3 receptions for 32 yards (10.6 per).  The Crimson Tide is a well-coached defense with a number of players who will be playing on Sundays.  Rainey found little room to run.  Alabama’s speed on defense enabled them to pursue Rainey on his outside bursts.  Rainey’s finest play was when he caught a short pass over the middle and with his terrific acceleration ran away from Dont’a Hightower for 15 run after the catch yards.  Chris Rainey is a potential fine scatback at the next level.  However, he did not have much of a chance to make big plays against the vaunted Bama defense.

RB Jeff Demps, Florida, Senior: The fastest player in college football had a frustrating night against Bama.  Demps carried the ball 3 times for 4 yards (1.3 per) with 1 reception for 2 yards.  He also returned a kickoff for 28 yards.  Demps flashed his big-play speed on the kickoff return when he exploded through a seam.  Unfortunately, he also injured his ankle on the play (not seriously) and had to leave the game briefly.  Demps has a very small frame, but could help an NFL team primarily as a kick returner with his fantastic speed.   

DT Jaye Howard, Florida, Senior: The Gators’ defensive line was dominated by Alabama’s offensive line.  The result was Alabama rushed for 226 yards (5.3 per carry) and did not surrender a sack.  Howard had the most productive day of the Florida defensive linemen with 8 tackles.  He displayed some quickness and a good motor when helping to bring down Trent Richardson on several inside runs.  Howard struggled to disengage from blockers when trying to mount a pass rush.

RB Trent Richardson, Alabama, Junior: The Crimson Tide rode their horse throughout the game (29 carries for 181 yards (6.2 per), 2 touchdowns and 2 receptions for 27 yards).  Richardson is a big back who can wear a defense down.  He also displayed his fine speed when he burst for a 36-yard touchdown run in the 4^th quarter.  He is the type of back that you can keep feeding the ball to on inside and outside runs.  Richardson will eventually break a big run and that is exactly what he did against Florida.  He consistently fell forward and has the leg drive to push the pile.  The Heisman Trophy candidate can catch the ball out of the backfield, but could use more work in this area.  Richardson had one drop on a short pass over the middle.  PFDN also recalls Richardson dropping an easy touchdown pass in Alabama’s key loss to Auburn last season.  In summary, Trent Richardson looked like a future bellcow back for an NFL team.  He will be a 1^st round pick should he decide to enter the 2012 NFL Draft.

OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, Senior: Upshaw spearheaded the defensive effort with some impact plays (4 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 interception (45-yard interception return for a score) and 1 sack.  Upshaw tossed aside attempted blocks and penetrated the backfield on several occasions.  His sack knocked Florida’s quarterback, John Brantley, out of the game prior to halftime.  Upshaw has a fine combination of quickness and power to defeat an offensive lineman.  A tight end trying to block him was frequently a mismatch.  Upshaw lucked into his interception when he was neutralized on a pass rush, but a poorly thrown short pass was directed right at him.  The versatile Alabama defender had to have been surprised by the pass, but caught it and headed for the end zone.  Upshaw was in the right place at the right time and he capitalized on the opponent’s mistake.  He projects well to the next level because he can play inside or outside linebacker.  Upshaw is comfortable rushing the quarterback standing up with his hand on the ground.

CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, Junior: Kirkpatrick was beaten by Andre Debose on a 65-yard bomb for Florida’s only touchdown.  The talented junior cornerback let Debose get off the line of scrimmage cleanly in press coverage.  Debose outran Kirkpatrick down the sideline and the perfect pass hit him in stride to complete the big play.  He settled down after this play, but was not really tested by Florida’s passing attack.  The Gators were forced to play their backup quarterback in the 2^nd half.  Kirkpatrick made several physical tackles after short completions.  Alabama did an excellent job of limiting Florida’s yards after making the catch and Kirkpatrick did his job in this area.  He is a big and talented cornerback who may have been caught by surprise on the opening play.

NT Josh Chapman, Alabama, Senior: The Crimson Tide stuffed Florida’s run game (15 yards on 29 carries (.5 per carry).  That type of dominance does not happen unless the nose tackle is not giving ground despite occupying more than one blocker.  Chapman held firm in the middle (3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss) and even batted down a couple of passes.  He plays with leverage and has decent quickness.  Chapman’s dirty work helped let Alabama’s linebackers run downhill to defend the run.

WR Marquis Maze, Alabama, Senior: Maze does not play in an offense or have the strong quarterback play to put up big receiving numbers.  He had 2 receptions for 36 yards (18.0 per).  This included a fine sideline reception where he displayed outstanding body control.  AJ McCarron overthrew him when he was open down the sideline for what would have been a big play.  Maze’s biggest impact was a 70-yard kickoff return.  He is strong for his size (5’ 10” and 180 lbs) and can be shifty in the open field.  His speed is obvious, but there is some toughness to him as well.  Maze finished the game with 3 kickoff returns for 123 yards (41.0 per).  He did little in the punt return department.  His indecision in fielding a bouncing punt almost resulted in a fumble.  Maze figures to be a slot receiver and kick returner in the pro game.

S Robert Lester, Alabama, Redshirt Junior: Lester was slow to recognize that Florida was going to throw deep on the game’s 1^st offensive play that resulted in a 65-yard touchdown.  The play-call was excellent and it was perfectly executed.  Sometimes you have to give the opponent credit.  The Alabama free safety is usually difficult to fool.  Lester has excellent range and put himself in position to help his cornerback on a fairly deep pass down the middle of the field later in the game.  He was in on only a couple of tackles, but displayed solid form.   

S Mark Barron, Alabama, Senior: Barron had a quiet game (2 tackles), but there was little too clean up with the terrific play of Alabama’s front seven.  Barron let a receiver slip past him on a seam pass, but the inexperienced Florida backup quarterback, Jeff Driskel, was off-target. 

ILB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama, Redshirt Junior: The active linebacker quickly asserted himself early in the game by diagnosing and limiting a shovel pass.  Hightower finished the game with 4 tackles, but was frequently around the football.  He helped take away short passes by being in good position.  He is moving around better this season after being another year removed from knee (acl) surgery.

TE Michael Williams, Alabama, Redshirt Junior: Williams has the size and strength to block college defensive ends.  His athleticism will not be fully taken advantage of in Alabama’s run-heavy offense.  He still caught 3 passes for 32 yards (10.7 per) against the Gators.  His 22-yard reception down the middle in the 2^nd quarter provided a glimpse of what he could do more of in a pro passing attack.