As a Cal football fan, I’ve been doing my own scouting and evaluation for years. What determines a “scout”? Todd McShay of espn has said that Jamarcus Russell was the greatest QB prospect in the history of the draft. He also said that Desean Jackson would be nothing more than a kick returner and a 4th receiver on any team. I did disagree with those opinions then, but since I haven’t had the forum back then to voice my opinion I have no recourse to back me up.
Without further ado, here are some players I believe could make good pros:
Mychal Kendricks (OLB/ILB): Kendricks displays great speed and instincts. While he’s not listed as a tall LB, he is stout. When you watch a Cal game, he consistently makes plays all over the field and is perhaps the best LB Cal has had, or maybe even a bit better, than Desmond Bishop, whom I was a huge fan of while he was at Cal and is proving to be Green Bay’s best LB. While not quite as big as Bishop, Kendricks speed will be a huge asset at the next level.
draft projection: 3rd round
Marvin Jones (WR): Jones has excellent size and hands to go along with average speed. He is one player who has suffered the most from Cal’s inconsistent QB play but I believe, if given a good QB, he could be a very consistent player at the next level.
draft projection: 6th round
Nice Hair!
Mitchell Schwartz (LT): Schwartz is the best tackle the Bears have had since Ryan O’Callaghan and his pro future is very bright despite his relative obscurity on a national level. He has good size and adequate speed to be a RT at the next level. Some NFL team will have landed quite a good long term tackle prospect who still has his best physical days ahead of him as he came into Cal and did not redshirt.
draft projection: 5th round
Sean Cattouse: Cattouse shows good reading ability and is a hard hitter. At times he has been out of position, but I think he’s ability to defend the pass is better than that of last year’s third round pick and former teammate, Chris Conte. Has had issues with concussions and injuries, but when healthy he has displayed better coverage abilities than Conte did at the collegiate level.
draft projection: 7th round