Rank Ordering the Big Ten NFL Draft Prospects

Tag: Junior Hemingway


7Mar 2012
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Rank Ordering the Big Ten NFL Draft Prospects

Following the combine, NFL.com assigned each participant a number grade (20-100), which corresponds to projections like so:
20 – 49: Free Agent (UDFA)
50 – 69: Draftable Player (4th-7th)
70 – 84: Eventual Starter (2nd-3rd)
85 – 95: Immediate Starter (1st)
96 – 100: Future Hall of Famer (top pick)
Here’s how the top two-thirds of Big Ten players who attended the combine stack up to one another. Coincidentally, Martin, Hemingway and Molk are listed consecutively at numbers 21, 22 and 23, respectively.
1. 89.7 – DT Jared Crick, Nebraska
2. 89.o – DT Devon Still, Penn State
3. 87.7 – LB Lavonte David, Nebraska
4. 86.0 -OT Riley Reiff, Iowa
5. 85.7 – CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
6. 85.0 – OL Peter Konz, Iowa
7. 83.0 – WR Nick Toon, Wisconsin
8. 82.7 – OL Marcel Jones, Nebraska
9. 79.5 – OL Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
10. 79.5 – DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
11. 76.5 – WR Devier Posey, Ohio State
12. 73.5 – WR B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State
13. 72.5 – DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
14. 69.7 – WR Keshawn Martin, Michigan State
15. 69.7 – RB Dan Herron, Ohio State
16. 68.5 – QB Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
17. 68.2 – FS Trent Robinson, Michigan State
18. 68.2 – DT Mike Daniels, Iowa
19. 64.5 – WR A.J. Jenkins, Illinois
20. 64.0 – DB Antonio Fenelus, Wisconsin
21. 59.7 – DT Mike Martin, Michigan
22. 59.5 – WR Junior Hemingway, Michigan
23. 59.2 – OL David Molk, Michigan
24. 58.0 – OL Michael Brewster, Ohio State
25. 57.5 – OL Jeff Allen, Illinois
26. 57.0 – CB D’ Anton Lynn, Penn State
27. 56.0 – QB Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
28. 54.5 – OL Johnnie Toutman, Penn State
29. 54.0 – OL Mike Adams, Ohio State
30. 53.7 – DL Jack Crawford, Penn State
28Feb 2012
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Wolverines (almost) in the NFL: 2012 Combine Results

Junior Hemingway after the Sugar Bowl
Before the NFL combine began, we took a look at the Michigan invitees, summarizing their strengths, weaknesses and draft projections. With the Combine now in the books, most of what we thought we knew was borne out in the numbers but with a few notable exceptions.
Mike Martin (6’1” 306 lbs.) came up 14 repetitions shy of his goal on the bench press; however, he still demonstrated incredible strength in the event by putting up 225 pounds 36 times, placing him in a tie for sixth overall and second among defensive tackles. Martin also showcased his ability to cover ground by running a 4.88 40-yard dash and registering a 4.25 second 20-yard shuttle.

David Molk’s (6’1” 298 lbs.) 41 repetitions on the bench press was good for second place in the event, only trailing Dontari Poe’s 44. Molk’s arm length measured in at an even 32″, which isn’t all that great, but since Molk plays as a center and not as an offensive tackle, his limited reach likely won’t have much of an adverse impact on his draft status. Agility drills were not on Molk’s combine itinerary due to his injured foot.
Junior Hemingway (6’1” 225 lbs.) reminded everyone why the combine even exists, as he shattered expectations in several events. Hemingway ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash and was a “top performer” in the 3-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and the 60-yard shuttle, all events in which he finished either first or second among the 40 wide receivers. Hemingway also put his strength on display by posting 21 repetitions on the bench press and leaping 124 inches in the broad jump. Basically, Junior Hemingway had an awesome combine. “There aren’t many receivers who did more for themselves than that guy,” an AFC scout said. “He wasn’t even on our radar heading into the event. He is now.”
So I guess you can forget all the stuff Todd McShay and I said about Hemingway not being very fast or explosive. Still, even with Hemingway seemingly transforming into Michael Vick and Molk and Martin showcasing their superhuman strength, all three Wolverines currently project to the later rounds of the draft, according to NFL.com.
21Feb 2012
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Wolverines in the NFL: Pre-Combine Reports

Mike Martin is large.
The NFL Combine begins tomorrow and continues through the 28th. Michigan is represented by Molk, Martin, and Hemingway as they attempt to impress scouts and coaches for the upcoming NFL Draft, which will take place April 26-28. But before we start hearing about Wonderlic scores, forty times, interview impressions, and bench press reps, here’s a look at where Michigan’s participants currently project:

Junior Hemingway:
Expected to be a late round pick or an undrafted free agent, Hemingway is the 36th rated wide receiver according to ESPN, the 39th to Todd McShay and the 46th to CBS. Hemingway, of course, isn’t very explosive, fast or agile, but his big body and jump ball skills have caught the eye of NFL scouts. Hopefully Junior is able to stick around the NFL for a few years and earn some money since his family home was recently burglarized and many of his personal items were stolen while he was in Atlanta training for the combine (watch news coverage here).
David Molk: Molk and Martin share the same goal: break the combine’s bench press record. While Molk remains ambitious in the weight room, he won’t be running or participating in agility drills at the combine due to his foot injury. “It kind of kills me, because that was what I was always really good at,” Molk said. “I could kill all of those drills.” Agility drills or not, Molk’s athleticism/mobility is not lost on NFL scouts, who have him pegged as a good fit with a zone blocking team. Still, at 6’2” 286 lbs., Molk’s ability to compete against the behemoth defensive tackles of the NFL remains a point of concern for scouts, and most projections have Molk as a later round draft selection. Molk is currently the fifth ranked center to ESPN and the sixth to CBS. He also will likely face questions about his health during interviews after suffering four injuries to his right leg since 2009. Watch Molk rehab that leg and train with Mike Barwis in this video.

Mike Martin: After drawing rave reviews while in Mobile, Alabama practicing for the Senior Bowl, Martin is considered an early round selection by some and a mid-round selection by others. Scouts cite strength, intelligence, toughness, technique and quickness among his strengths while noting size and reach as weaknesses. Thanks to his video editing abilities, Martin gives us a three minute peek into his daily grind via his Twitter:

Kevin Koger – who was outspoken about his combine snub – and Steve Watson are scheduled to participate in the “regional NFL combine” on March 3. Meanwhile, RVB will focus on rehabbing his injured foot while preparing for Michigan’s Pro Day on March 15.
10Feb 2012
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ESPN: Big Ten sending 45 to NFL combine

Over at ESPN’s Big Ten Blog, Adam Rittenberg compiled a list of Big Ten players who were invited to the 2012 NFL combine. Participants were chosen by a selection committee whose goal was to invite “every player that will be drafted in the ensuing NFL Draft.” Unfortunately, Michigan doesn’t compare too favorably when the 45 names are broken down by team since David Molk, Mike Martin, and Junior Hemingway are U of M’s only invitees.
Wisconsin: 8
Penn State: 7
Iowa: 7
Michigan State: 6
Ohio State: 4
Nebraska: 4
Michigan: 3
Northwestern: 1
Purdue: 1
The combine will take place in Indianapolis from February 22-28.
23Jan 2012
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All-Star Game Recaps

Kevin Koger caught only one pass for eight yards in Saturday’s East-West Shrine game, but he impressed during the week leading up to the event and is the first player mentioned in a Sports Illustrated article identifying the game’s 10 best practice performers. Koger played fullback and H-back for the West, notching a key block on Tyler Hansen’s quarterback draw touchdown run and showing some awareness by picking up a botched snap exchange. SI writer Tony Pauline has this to say about the four-year starter:

“Koger was lost for much of the past three seasons in a Michigan offense that had little use for a tight end, but he displayed NFL ability in a big way. Koger was a dominant blocker all practice long, stopping opponents dead in their tracks. He made a terrific 25-yard reception down the seam in scrimmage, displaying natural pass catching skills. Koger lacks the foot speed to be a true down field threat, but at a position that’s thin on talent in April’s draft, he could be the biggest sleeper of them all.”

SI’s list of practice standouts also praises Iowa cornerback Shaun Prater and Michigan State wide receiver BJ Cunningham. Junior Hemingway wasn’t mentioned in the article, and he didn’t get to play in the Shrine Game, either, due to a hamstring injury. Koger’s West team won the game, 24-17.

Michael Shaw tried to turn some NFL heads while playing in the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game in Tuscon, Arizona last week. His Stars (East) team was defeated on a late touchdown from the Stripes (West), 24-21, but Shaw gained 29 yards on seven carries in the game, including a 16 yard run. In an interview with the Tuscon Citizen, Shaw spoke positively of Rich Rodriguez, saying that he expects his former coach to compete well against Oregon and USC in the Pac 12. He also spoke about his running style and what he’s trying to prove to NFL scouts.

“I want to show them that I’m an every-down back. I have speed, but I don’t want speed to be my crutch. I love to run inside. I love to be physical.”

Martavious Odoms caught one pass for 23 yards in the Battle of Florida All-Star Game. His South team, coached by Miami Hurricanes legend Howard Schnellenberger, was rolled, 51-3, by Bobby Bowden’s North squad. Marell Evans was scheduled to compete in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday, but no statistics appear to be available for him (EDIT: According to Evans’s Twitter, he made 9 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass breakup. -Thunder).