NFL DraftScouting Reports

Blue Chip Diamonds: 2020 All Star Game Considerations

Madre Harper the hard hitting SIU prospect is a player we feel will be on NFL scouts big boards at the end of the year.

Blue Chip Diamonds: 2020 All Star Game Considerations

(CGS, Dream Bowl, HBCU Spirit Of America & more) 

By Matt Anzio 

  • LB/ ST   Trevon Short (Scouting Notes)
  • Fairmont State 
  • Height: 6’ 2      
  • Weight : 225 lbs  

Awe inspiring, big play capability, and is a facet of his game that makes Short a player to watch. Running, recovering fumbles almost the length of field for a defensive score, or blocking a FG as time expired for the win, is what separates him from others. He is a double digit tackle monster straight up hustler on the D & special teams.  His instincts and burst to be around the ball happen consistently. He reads plays fast with the reaction time of a coyote. The savage attack of an apex predator that can flip the hips move laterally like a strong safety. 

Played in ten games as a starting LB his junior season for the Fairmont Falcons. Finished the season with 53 tackles, 33 solo, 8 TFL & 4 PBU’s in 2018. His season high came against 10th ranked Notre Dame! Had 8 tackles against Shepherd, 7 of which were solo.  He is building on his impressive resume this season. With 44 tackles, 8.5 TFL  & a career high 13 tackles in one game. Including 9 solo, 4 ast & 3 ½ tackles for loss. Then had a huge day against  GSC  having a fumble recovery for a defensive TD. 

Short has improved every single year he strapped on a helmet. He is a playmaker that can contribute against the run the pass a special team stand out. Should be high up on the list of consideration for the fact that so many teams value these over 6ft LBs that can cover. Hybrid type like a monster safety that can sit in the box all day. Square up against 300 lb lineman & beat them with speed, power athleticism. Teams need LB’s that can drop into coverage all the time these days as well. Get the best of both worlds with Short . Think he will be a front seven gem to watch out for this All Star Season. 

  • DL Cam Kitchen (Scouting Notes)
  • Delaware University    # 99 
  • Height: 6’ 3        
  • Weight : 290 lbs  

Coming off A Huge Defensive 16- 10 win over New Hampshire. 

Where  Kitchen had his share of the defensive fireworks. With 6 tackles, 3 PD’s 2 sacks, one of which was for a fumble recovery. Part of a defense that is really starting to get rolling on all cylinders. Now 4-3 as they get ready to take on Richmond on 10/26/19. A matchup that has been exciting over the years but the Blue Hens won last Oct 43 – 28. 

Gotta say it again, absolutely love the recruiting Delaware has been doing over the last several years. They have produced quality on both sides of the ball but the Defensive Prospects have a certain toughness a relentless tenacity to their play. Have come to expect heavy hitters on the front & back end of the D. 

Strong base, powerful push very difficult to contain. Can shed blocks with one arm while securing the tackle with the other. Be a perfect D lineman against the run  but is above average interior pass rushing force.  Blasts off the line stays low with a lean like he was playing for Bama.  That same type of diving attacking that limits yd’s, 1st downs most of all points.  Such a special talent he can be utilized even off the edge in certain front’s. When you have DT size with Edge type short area burst timing along with athleticism. There should be many of Pro team with an interest in yet another defensive star from the Blue Hens. Have to commend everything  they are doing in Delaware building & coaching  an exciting product on the field. 

  • CB  Madre Harper (Scouting Notes)
  • Southern Illinois # 25 
  • Height: 6’ 2    
  • Weight: 190 lbs

Man Corner outside capabilities  on either side of the field covering X & Y wide out’s on an island. Runs stride for stride with some fast pass catchers. Big wide outs, explosive ones , dual threat. It’s safe to say” been there & done  that before” for Harper just a seasoned vet having another solid year. 

  Played in 10 contests for the MVFC Salukis of Southern Illinois with 46 tackles on the year.  His 46 tackles was the best of any cornerback & was tied for 5th on the Salukis Defense as a junior in 2018.   This is a hard nose physical DB that thrives on the outside.  Put e in position as a man CB, Plays as  tight OJ’s gloves.

 Harper is one of the new  breed of corners that is perfect for the outside. To cover the larger faster pass catchers intermediate or on deep routes.  Can play zone coverage but where he has the most improvement is in man. He sticks to opponents like pine sap with smooth hips, knees  change of direction. Closing/ make up speed plays the ball with a natural tendency. Recognizes the runs or fakes doesn’t get fooled easily. Navigates his way through trash to locate the ball carrier. Strong technically sound tackler that can drop even the most beastly of backs. A long, large, athletic, intelligent versatile corner, the  future looks bright for Harper. 

On the heels of the Youngstown upset  That he didn’t have a turnover like fellow DB Draft Prospect Jeremy Chinn. Those 2 guys have helped lead a secondary that seems to be getting take aways on a weekly basis. 

  •  DL  Ryan Earith (Scouting Notes)
  • South Dakota State ( Jackrabbits) # 90 
  • Height : 6’ 4 ½  
  • Weight: 255  lbs  

Was the All Missouri Valley Football Conference 2nd D line Team last season.

Jackrabbits having success  with  their Defense , Earith is intigate piece to that ever improving unit.   Was the team leader in sacks with 5.5 last season shows no sign of letting up. Athletic lean but strong  his intrial 1st step  hand work that knows how to use his leverage. Intelligent player  that has the instincts play recognition to decipher between run & pass plays. Had 1.5 sacks against The FCS Champion MVFC Conference  NDSU.  Good understanding of staying in his lane containing blocks or taking  advantage of weakness. None stop engine gives everything he got every down. 

Prototypical 43 defensive end that has shown enough power for interior play in an odd technique or 5 man front. Ideally like Earith fits  the D – End spot that lacked an abundance of talent ,  last year.  Has the get off footwork the hand work has improved every season.Strong tackler finish plays strong. 

How fitting to feature a Jackrabbit on the week that College Gameday heads to Brookings South Dakota. Getting ready for their hated MVFC Conference foes North Dakota State Bison. Only the 3rd time that ESPN’s iconic pregame has traveled to a Missouri Valley Football Conference  Site. The only time when the 2 teams are ranked in the top 10. Bison are ranked # 1 & the Jackrabbits are # 3 

a win for the Jackrabbits would be monumental. The O gets alot of glory but the D as whole & the DL is special. Earith is a big part of that over since his Sophomore year.  He has been a mainstay on that unit ever since…

  • FS/SS  Bikembe Kearney (Scouting Notes)
  • Winston Salam State    # 35
  • Height: 5’ 11    
  • Weight: 190 lbs  

Through 6 games played thus far in his Senior stint he has 22 tackles, 1 sack & 2 fumble recoveries.  He performs like a star when the lights are on. He had 7 tackles , 4 sole & a PBU in the 2nd round of the D 2 Playoffs against a FCS  powerhouse North Alabama.  Stats where a bit unclear from last season when he was a Jr. with a couple games being canceled due to the devastating Hurricane. When you go back to study the previous couple of seasons. As a Sophomore he had 45 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBU & a defensive score. Even dating back to his Redshirt Freshman year he had 32 tackles,  1.5 TFL & 2 PBU’s. Undoubtedly proving that he is a playmaker. When your dealing with the last line of defense need that type of hustle.  Has played free as well as strong safety . Patient against the run taking the perfect angles while redirecting, backpedaling moving laterally comes as fluent as the rain. A player that keeps the play in front of him doesn’t get fooled easy on fakes or counters. 

Kearney posses the intuitive  characteristics the football intelligence to help lead a Pro level squad in the secondary. Has the understanding with the confidence to help direct his teammates & put himself in  the right situations. 

Runs in the low 4.5 range  think he can run in the 4.4 by his pro day. Kearney shows upper & lower body strength. He can bench 325 pounds while squatting 465.  An excellent football resume that he keeps building on week after week. When you combine Intelligence, athletic ability & production. Add in a work ethic rarely seen in today’s athletics. Believe you got yourself a true gem that should be observed by NFL, CFL, Arena, Europe & any other pro organizations. 

  • Jonah Williams (Scouting Notes)
  • Weber  State  #94
  • Height : 6’ 5  
  • Weight : 275 lbs 

A two time All Big Sky D line Performer.

Who has been to the FCS playoffs all 3 years & looks like he will be once again.  Had 132 tackles 17 TFL  7.5  leading into his final year with the Wildcats.  Had 42 tackles, 7 TFL , 1 FF & a QBH in 2018.  Has played in 39 games for the Wildcats.  So far this season the stats aren’t complete but had 18 tackles thru 3 games. On pace to have his best year to date. 

This year as part of a Weber State front seven that has been causing issues for opposing Offenses.  A D line that handles their business  allow the LB’s & secondary to win the individual battles. 

 Nothing selfish about Williams on the ball field  Lean mean strong pass rushing machine. With elite level get off & a professional swim move that just seems so natural. For this big athletic true Edge rusher that is going to surprise some people when he has his pro day numbers.  He will most likely receive more attention then if he was on  many other FCS teams. Being on a program that looks to be a contender in the FCS Playoffs. 

 A Weber State team that has been producing some Pro talent all over the field.  Is currently 3-0 in Big Sky Conference play 5-2 overall on year. With players like Tarlas # 44  with Junior DL # 91 Jared Schiess just to name a few.  Williams is the OG of the outstanding DL group. A great program that continues to find defensive prospects to get to the next level. 

  • LB Brice Borgeson (Scouting Notes)
  • Northwestern State #53 
  • Height :  6’ 2              
  • Weight :  237lbs

As a Junior had 39 tackles with a season-high 7 tackles in one game against 

Got an engine like a Honda Accord just keeps  going thru the whistle on defense & special teams. Borgeson  can get downhill in a hurry attacking gaps like a rabid beast. First step of a pro with the size, strength & speed to be moved all over. In the middle ,strong or weak side he  will add some needed  depth because of lack of limitations.  Has the speed with his explosion to the ball carrier. 

The Height to battle some big TE’s or big H backs trying to work down the seam. 

Excellent in pass rush, run stop  or dropping back instanasily when needed in coverage situations.  Natural knee bender that can benefit from staying even lower but is always in the vicinity of the action. 

Well rounded LB that will help in many facets of the game. He definitely stands out when you pop on the film.  From High School to College Borgeson  has been a playmaker. That has obviously never lost his passion for the game.    

A weapon in the pass rush arsenal, explodes off the line like a grenade drops the runnier just as furiously.  Another player like the above mention Trevon Short from Fairmont. Borgeson has all the attributes the skills that pro scouts are in search of.                      

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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