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Laremy Tunsil

NFL Draft Rumors: Spence, Jack, Cowboys

February 10th, 2016 at 5:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence is an interesting prospect with one of the more unique “red flag” situations in this year’s class. Spence, a former star at Ohio State, was dismissed from the Buckeyes after two positive tests for ecstasy. In 2015, Spence shined for the Colonels, but he’ll now have to answer questions about his history. They say that honesty is the best policy, and that’s exactly the approach that the defensive end will be taking heading into the draft, as Tony Pauline writes for PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

Last year, cornerback Marcus Peters wound up being a first-round pick of the Chiefs despite his own off-the-field issues. Peters’ strategy was to accept just about every interview and visit request from NFL teams and Spence will be taking a page out of his book. It’s probably not a coincidence that Peters and Spence share the same agent.

Here’s more on the NFL Draft, courtesy of Pauline:

  • Decision makers have indicated to Pauline that UCLA’s Myles Jack will go “very early” in the draft. Pauline admits that he, personally, is not a fan of the linebacker, but NFL decision makers are referring to Jack as a “rare athlete.” There are concerns about his size, but scouts are quick to point to Shaq Thompson, the Panthers first round pick in 2015, as an example of a player who was not held back by his statue. Jack, they say, is also a much better prospect than Thompson.
  • In an informal survey of NFL execs, Pauline says that this is the consensus for how the first five picks will go: 1. Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss, left tackle), 2. Jalen Ramsey (Florida State, defensive back) 3. Jared Goff (Cal, quarterback), 4. Jack, 5) Joey Bosa (Ohio State, defensive end).
  • Ramsey going that early would be disappointing to the Cowboys as Pauline hears that the FSU star sits atop their wish list. Dallas owns the No. 4 pick in the draft. Ramsey, a former top ten recruit out of high school, shows promise at both the cornerback and safety positions. Last season, he tallied 3.5 tackles for loss and 10 pass break-ups. In 2014, he had a gaudy stat line of 79 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and12 pass break-ups.
  • Former LSU cornerback Rashard Robinson is drawing a lot of interest and the Raiders and Giants are among the teams impressed by him. Robinson played at LSU in the 2013 season, but a series of issues led to him being jettisoned from the program. Robinson was suspended indefinitely in 2014 and was denied reinstatement to the program in 2015. Robinson has red flags, but he’s also a 6’2″ corner with talent.
  • Safety Keanu Neal (Florida) is getting late first-round consideration from teams. In fact, several teams view Neal as the “best-looking safety in the draft” thanks in no small part to his explosive play. A leg injury slowed him down somewhat in 2015, but scouts are putting more stock into film from the 2014 season when he was healthy.
  • Indiana defensive tackle Darius Latham has promise and, talent-wise, projects as a second/third round talent. However, like Spence, he has some off-the-field issues that need to be addressed. Latham was suspended back in September for a student ethics violation – the second suspension of his collegiate career. The Indiana standout measures at 6’4″, 310 pounds and finished his IU career with 81 tackles, 31 solo, 7.5 sacks (42 yards), 18.5 tackles for loss (66 yards), two fumble recoveries, one interception, seven pass breakups, and two blocked extra points.
  • Stanford linebacker Blake Martinez is generating buzz after he tallied six tackles in the Senior Bowl, Pauline writes.

AFC South Notes: Colts, Titans, D. Robinson

February 4th, 2016 at 10:23am CST by Luke Adams

After spending big on veteran free agents last offseason, Colts owner Jim Irsay doesn’t expect to take the same approach this time around. While Indianapolis will delve into free agency a little if there’s a good fit, Irsay wants to recommit to building the roster through the draft, as Mike Wells of ESPN.com details.

“The draft is where we’re really going to get better,” Irsay said. “I think over the next two drafts, continue to identify guys, particularly defensively, that are going to be key guys going forward.”

Let’s check in on the rest of the teams in the AFC South…

  • According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, NFL personnel executives say there’s a real chance that the Titans will select Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil with the first overall pick in this year’s draft, assuming the team keeps the pick and doesn’t trade down. Having drafted Marcus Mariota a year ago, Tennessee doesn’t need a quarterback, so Tunsil or Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa look like the most logical targets for the club.
  • Jaguars running back Denard Robinson is extension-eligible for the first time this offseason, and tells Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com that he “definitely” wants to stay in Jacksonville. “It’s a great place and I enjoy it, enjoy the coaches and everything,” Robinson said. Still, the former fifth-round pick acknowledged that there have been no discussions with the Jags about a new deal so far.
  • The NFL has been tentatively planning to play a game in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium in 2016, and it appears that game will feature the Texans and Raiders, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. The Raiders are a logical candidate to be the “home” team since they’re currently without a stadium lease, while the Texans have a growing fan base in Mexico and have expressed interest in being a part of the league’s international series.

Draft Notes: Tunsil, No. 1 Pick, Reynolds

January 22nd, 2016 at 9:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ole Miss early-entry tackle Laremy Tunsil‘s drawn comparisons to Tyron Smith from NFL scouts, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. Miller projects the three-year Rebels starter to go No. 1 overall to the Titans if they keep the selection.

“He’s Tyron 2.0. Big, mean, athletic. The total package,” an NFC scout told Miller.

Mel Kiper Jr. still has Ohio State’s Joey Bosa going No. 1, with Tunsil slotted in at No. 3. Both draft analysts also have Bosa, Cal quarterback Jared Goff and Florida State corner Jalen Ramsey in their respective top 5s. But Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner resides in Kiper’s premier quintet, while UCLA linebacker Myles Jack lands in Miller’s.

Here’s the latest about the 2016 draft.

  • Miller hears the from multiple GMs the Titans do intend to unload their pick for a team that needs a quarterback. A “flat” draft class similar to the one that led the Chiefs to take underwhelming left tackle Eric Fisher at No. 1 in 2013 is pushing the Titans to dangle the pick for the chance at acquiring multiple starters in a draft where a single can’t miss difference-maker doesn’t appear to reside.
  • Scouts at the East-West Shrine Game do, however, expect a trade to occur and a quarterback to be the first pick. The primary answer on who the Titans will receive a picks bounty for has been Goff, whom Miller has going off the board to the Browns at No. 2.
  • NFL scouts are viewing Navy yardage machine Keenan Reynolds as a slot receiver, Albert Breer of NFL.com reports. The East team has the FBS all-time quarterback rushing leader playing at running back, however. Like many former run-first collegiate QBs, Reynolds will have to answer questions about his pro position, according to evaluators. “He’d be a slot receiver or running back in the pros. Very productive college player, but he’s different than [former Indiana quarterback Antwaan] Randle-El or [ex-Penn State signal-caller Michael] Robinson,” an AFC scouting director told Breer.
  • Nate Sudfeld‘s generated some buzz at the Shrine Game, and Breer’s getting the impression a good performance in Saturday’s game will result in the Indiana quarterback being a middle-round pick. At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Sudfeld has the experience as a three-year Hoosiers starter and the pedigree in having older brother Zach Sudfeld in the NFL. An AFC scouting director pegged him as a “Day 3 type” of player due to sub-optimal arm strength to go with solid accuracy on short- and mid-range throws. “He makes quick decisions, but he’s got an average arm — he’s not strong down the field. He’s accurate on short and intermediate throws and he took care of the ball at Indiana,” the evaluator told Breer.

 

FSU CB Jalen Ramsey, Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil To Enter NFL Draft

January 5th, 2016 at 1:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Florida State junior cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil have both declared their intentions to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Both players are potential top-five draft picks in this year’s class.Jalen Ramsey

“Today, after having in depth discussions with my parents, my coaches and others whom I hold dear to my heart, I am announcing my decision to pursue my dream, forgo my senior year of football at Florida State and declare for the 2016 NFL Draft,” Ramsey said in his statement.

Ramsey started all 41 games of his FSU career and finished collegiately with 180 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 23 pass breakups, and three interceptions. In an early mock draft from Todd McShay of ESPN.com (Insider req’d), Ramsey is pegged to go No. 4 to the Ravens, who could use help in their secondary. McShay hails Ramsey as one of the most “complete players” in the 2016 class.

Tunsil is a highly talented offensive lineman and, football-wise, there’s little question about his ability to succeed at the next level. However, teams will be asking about a summer incident in which Tunsil was arrested on charges of domestic violence against his stepfather. Still, at At 6’5″ and 305 pounds with considerable upside, most mock drafts have Tunsil listed as a top-five pick. McShay has Tunsil slated at No. 7, though other pundits have him pegged a bit higher.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Draft Updates: Ramsey, Goff, Underclassmen

December 5th, 2015 at 6:35pm CST by Luke Adams

With five weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, not many teams are looking ahead to the draft yet, but the NCAA year is winding down and many underclassmen are determining whether or not to declare their intent to enter this year’s draft class. Here’s the latest on a few prospects:

  • Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey and his family have spent “meaningful time” vetting potential agents as he considers entering the draft, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. That’s no surprise, considering Ramsey is a potential top-10 pick.
  • A pair of receivers, Florida’s Demarcus Robinson and Pitt’s Tyler Boyd, are strongly considering entering the draft, according to Getlin (Twitter links). Getlin adds that one of Boyd’s family members has been looking into possible representation.
  • Sources close to Cal quarterback Jared Goff indicate that there’s a 99% chance he’ll enter the draft, and wide receiver Kenny Lawler is expected to declare as well, writes Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net. Bengals receiver Marvin Jones has been a common point of comparison for Lawler, per Pauline.
  • Boise State edge defender Kamalei Correa, who has received second-day grades, has been interviewing agents and is very likely to enter the draft, says Pauline. Maryland defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson and San Diego State cornerback Damontae Kazee are also likely to enter the draft, according to Pauline.
  • Indiana guard Dan Feeney, Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Mississippi defensive back Tony Conner are waiting to hear back from the advisory committee before making a decision on the draft, per Pauline.
  • Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil, defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche, and receiver Laquon Treadwell are all expected to enter the draft, says Pauline.
  • Other underclassmen considering making the jump to the NFL, according to Pauline:
    • Texas A&M defensive end Daeshon Hall
    • Alabama cornerback Eddie Jackson
    • Louisville safety Josh Harvey-Clemons
    • Mississippi tight end Evan Engram

Extra Points: Tunsil, L.A., Jags, Sam

June 27th, 2015 at 4:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are some items from across the NFL lexicon on Saturday afternoon.

  • Oxford, Miss., police arrested potential top-5 2016 draftee Laremy Tunsil after the star Ole Miss offensive tackle punched his stepfather, reports ESPN.com’s Brett McMurphy. The tackle, who as of now is projected by ESPN’s Todd McShay to go fourth next year, turned himself in. “We can confirm that Laremy Tunsil turned himself in and was arrested for a misdemeanor, domestic violence-simple assault,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement. “The incident occurred Thursday night and involves Laremy defending his mother against his stepfather.” A source close to the situation told McMurphy that Tunsil’s stepfather punched his mother and the Rebels junior retaliated.
  • After reports surfaced Friday that the now-well-traveled Michael Sam resurfaced with the Montreal Alouettes, the former Rams draft choice confirmed this today on his Twitter account. The defensive end missed two weeks of time with the CFL club that’s now 0-1.
  • In light of the scathing indictment of the Oakland stadium proposal our own Ben Levine relayed earlier today, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suspects this could further complicate matters in the Los Angeles-in-2016 derby.
  • Even after No. 3 overall selection Dante Fowler Jr.‘s ACL tear, four Jaguars rookies will see major time this season, writes Steven Ruiz of USA Today. T.J. Yeldon, A.J. Cann, James Sample and Michael Bennett, taken in the second, third, fourth and sixth rounds, respectively, are set for “significant” playing time this season. Bennett would look to compete for depth behind starters Sen’Derrick Marks and Jared Odrick, while Sample will tussle with Sergio Brown at free safety.
  • The Packers will begin ex-Michigan linebacker Jake Ryan on the inside in their 3-4 scheme, reports Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A fourth-round pick, Ryan played on the strong side for three seasons with the Wolverines, before moving to the middle as a senior.
  • Veteran Andre Fluellen has around a 30% chance of making the Bills‘ 53-man roster, opines ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak. Although the Bills used a four-man line during minicamp, they are expected to use plenty of 3-4 concepts, where Fluellen would slot at end instead of the inside spot he played with the Lions.