azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Local prospects waiting for call on draft weekend
Andrew Bagnato
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 23, 2004 12:00 AM
Clarence Moore isn't going to bed tonight.
"I won't be able to sleep," Moore said Thursday from his family's home in Ontario, Calif. "I'll probably just stay up all night until the draft comes on (Saturday morning)."
Experts on AZ
What some experts are saying about four prospects with Arizona ties:
Mike Karney, Arizona State fullback: "Very good blocker for the position. He can catch and has good hands, but lacks speed."
- Gil Brandt, former Dallas Cowboys personnel exec and NFL.com analyst
Jason Shivers, Arizona State safety: "Explosive. Flexible - can adjust well on the move. Needs to improve in man coverage. Offers promise on special teams."
- Ourlads' Scouting Services
Marquis Cooper, Washington inside linebacker and Highland High School graduate: "Pound-for-pound, possibly the hardest hitter in the Pac-10 ConferenceHas a nose for the ball, taking a quick initial step with intents on attacking the pigskin."
- NFLDraftScout.com
Clarence Moore, Northern Arizona wide receiver: "Moore had a terrific senior year (1184 receiving yards, 12 TDs), performed well at the NFL combine, and has the size (6-5, 210 pounds) that makes him a real sleeper pick in this year's draft."
- Tony Moss, The Sports Network
As many of Arizona's former college and high school players brace for draft day, one name is conspicuously absent on draft lists. It's interesting to wonder where ASU quarterback Andrew Walter would have fit in this weekend's draft.
Walter mulled the possibility of declaring himself eligible for the NFL, but decided to return for his final season in Tempe.
His decision drew applause from longtime talent analyst Gil Brandt of NFL.com. "In Walter's case, he's so smart to come back," said Brandt, who said he spoke to Walter's parents about the quarterback's draft prospects.
"He knew he wasn't ready. He's going to have a great shot at being a first-round pick next year."
• NFL buzz
• The Republic's mock draft
Moore, a standout wide receiver from Northern Arizona, is among the half-dozen or so former Arizona college and high school players who will be watching and waiting for their names to be called during the NFL draft this weekend.
"It's a great feeling," said Gilbert Highland graduate Marquis Cooper, who starred at linebacker at Washington. "You're like, it's been all these years, and it's right here. But it's all so far away until you get picked."
If the draft experts' raves can be believed, Cooper and Moore may not have to worry about being passed over in the seven-round draft, which concludes Sunday. Cooper, son of Channel 12 (KPNX) sportscaster Bruce Cooper, has been tabbed as a potential third-round pick. Moore, whose rangy 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame intrigues scouts, has seen his stock rise after running a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at this winter's draft combine.
But overall it's a soft year for talent in the Grand Canyon State - no surprise given that Division I-AA Northern Arizona was by far the state's most successful collegiate program in 2003. According to many projections, no Arizona player, prep or collegiate, will be selected before the third round. The first Arizonan selected might be defensive lineman Terry "Tank" Johnson, who played with Cooper at Washington. Johnson is a superb all-around athlete who earned all-state honors in volleyball at Tempe McClintock.
One highly touted local prospect is Arizona State safety Jason Shivers, who decided to forgo his final season of eligibility in Tempe. Shivers, a graduate of South Mountain High, led ASU in tackles three straight seasons. The pros like his speed - he was clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40 - and his sure tackling.
Shivers said it helps when he hears rumors that several clubs have moved him up on their draft lists.
"That makes me feel a little calmer," he said. "But this is a business. I feel like it's kind of up in the air."
Indeed, uncertainty is perhaps the only thing the state's prospects share this week. With speculation swirling on the Internet, television and sports-talk radio, it's easy for a player to become bewildered. ASU fullback Mike Karney isn't sweating the rumor mill.
"My motto is, 'The hay is in the barn,' " he said Thursday from his family's home in Kent, Wash. "I've done all I can do. I'm just waiting to see what happens."
Karney is in an unusual position, literally. Because only about half the league's 32 teams use fullbacks, the market for his services is narrow. But as more teams commit to running the ball, they'll be seeking thick-necked lead blockers such as Karney, who built his 5-11, 254-pound frame by pushing cars.
Karney's best shot may be in New Orleans. The Saints are looking to replace Terrelle Smith, who signed a free-agent contract with Cleveland. Smith, coincidentally, played host to Karney on his recruiting visit to Tempe.
Other Arizonans who have been touted include NAU punter Mark Gould, whose 48.2-yard average in 2003 set a Division I-AA single-season record; wide receiver and kick returner Andrae Thurman of Avondale, who transferred from Arizona to Southern Oregon after being ruled academically ineligible for his final season in Tucson; and running back Larry Croom, who transferred from UA to Nevada-Las Vegas and raised eyebrows by scoring four touchdowns in three postseason All-Star Games.
Another former Wildcats player, running back Clarence Farmer, has been drawing scrutiny. Farmer's career in Tucson was marked by clashes with former head coach John Mackovic and, like Mackovic, Farmer was dismissed from the program in midseason. Farmer's brawny, 231-pound frame and natural running ability intrigue some clubs.
"I love him as a talent," said Tom Hepler of New Jersey-based Ourlads' Scouting Services. "He's a great running back. I think he's got first-round talent. But I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get drafted."
Andrew Bagnato
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 23, 2004 12:00 AM
Clarence Moore isn't going to bed tonight.
"I won't be able to sleep," Moore said Thursday from his family's home in Ontario, Calif. "I'll probably just stay up all night until the draft comes on (Saturday morning)."
Experts on AZ
What some experts are saying about four prospects with Arizona ties:
Mike Karney, Arizona State fullback: "Very good blocker for the position. He can catch and has good hands, but lacks speed."
- Gil Brandt, former Dallas Cowboys personnel exec and NFL.com analyst
Jason Shivers, Arizona State safety: "Explosive. Flexible - can adjust well on the move. Needs to improve in man coverage. Offers promise on special teams."
- Ourlads' Scouting Services
Marquis Cooper, Washington inside linebacker and Highland High School graduate: "Pound-for-pound, possibly the hardest hitter in the Pac-10 ConferenceHas a nose for the ball, taking a quick initial step with intents on attacking the pigskin."
- NFLDraftScout.com
Clarence Moore, Northern Arizona wide receiver: "Moore had a terrific senior year (1184 receiving yards, 12 TDs), performed well at the NFL combine, and has the size (6-5, 210 pounds) that makes him a real sleeper pick in this year's draft."
- Tony Moss, The Sports Network
As many of Arizona's former college and high school players brace for draft day, one name is conspicuously absent on draft lists. It's interesting to wonder where ASU quarterback Andrew Walter would have fit in this weekend's draft.
Walter mulled the possibility of declaring himself eligible for the NFL, but decided to return for his final season in Tempe.
His decision drew applause from longtime talent analyst Gil Brandt of NFL.com. "In Walter's case, he's so smart to come back," said Brandt, who said he spoke to Walter's parents about the quarterback's draft prospects.
"He knew he wasn't ready. He's going to have a great shot at being a first-round pick next year."
• NFL buzz
• The Republic's mock draft
Moore, a standout wide receiver from Northern Arizona, is among the half-dozen or so former Arizona college and high school players who will be watching and waiting for their names to be called during the NFL draft this weekend.
"It's a great feeling," said Gilbert Highland graduate Marquis Cooper, who starred at linebacker at Washington. "You're like, it's been all these years, and it's right here. But it's all so far away until you get picked."
If the draft experts' raves can be believed, Cooper and Moore may not have to worry about being passed over in the seven-round draft, which concludes Sunday. Cooper, son of Channel 12 (KPNX) sportscaster Bruce Cooper, has been tabbed as a potential third-round pick. Moore, whose rangy 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame intrigues scouts, has seen his stock rise after running a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at this winter's draft combine.
But overall it's a soft year for talent in the Grand Canyon State - no surprise given that Division I-AA Northern Arizona was by far the state's most successful collegiate program in 2003. According to many projections, no Arizona player, prep or collegiate, will be selected before the third round. The first Arizonan selected might be defensive lineman Terry "Tank" Johnson, who played with Cooper at Washington. Johnson is a superb all-around athlete who earned all-state honors in volleyball at Tempe McClintock.
One highly touted local prospect is Arizona State safety Jason Shivers, who decided to forgo his final season of eligibility in Tempe. Shivers, a graduate of South Mountain High, led ASU in tackles three straight seasons. The pros like his speed - he was clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40 - and his sure tackling.
Shivers said it helps when he hears rumors that several clubs have moved him up on their draft lists.
"That makes me feel a little calmer," he said. "But this is a business. I feel like it's kind of up in the air."
Indeed, uncertainty is perhaps the only thing the state's prospects share this week. With speculation swirling on the Internet, television and sports-talk radio, it's easy for a player to become bewildered. ASU fullback Mike Karney isn't sweating the rumor mill.
"My motto is, 'The hay is in the barn,' " he said Thursday from his family's home in Kent, Wash. "I've done all I can do. I'm just waiting to see what happens."
Karney is in an unusual position, literally. Because only about half the league's 32 teams use fullbacks, the market for his services is narrow. But as more teams commit to running the ball, they'll be seeking thick-necked lead blockers such as Karney, who built his 5-11, 254-pound frame by pushing cars.
Karney's best shot may be in New Orleans. The Saints are looking to replace Terrelle Smith, who signed a free-agent contract with Cleveland. Smith, coincidentally, played host to Karney on his recruiting visit to Tempe.
Other Arizonans who have been touted include NAU punter Mark Gould, whose 48.2-yard average in 2003 set a Division I-AA single-season record; wide receiver and kick returner Andrae Thurman of Avondale, who transferred from Arizona to Southern Oregon after being ruled academically ineligible for his final season in Tucson; and running back Larry Croom, who transferred from UA to Nevada-Las Vegas and raised eyebrows by scoring four touchdowns in three postseason All-Star Games.
Another former Wildcats player, running back Clarence Farmer, has been drawing scrutiny. Farmer's career in Tucson was marked by clashes with former head coach John Mackovic and, like Mackovic, Farmer was dismissed from the program in midseason. Farmer's brawny, 231-pound frame and natural running ability intrigue some clubs.
"I love him as a talent," said Tom Hepler of New Jersey-based Ourlads' Scouting Services. "He's a great running back. I think he's got first-round talent. But I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get drafted."
