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| |  Posted Monday, April 14, 2008 5:49 PM | |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:50 PM
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| | Looking at Vic's latest article describing how Tony Pauline has updated his positional rankings, I noticed a couple names I didn't expect to be there. Pauline has Dre Moore as the 3rd best DT in the draft ahead of Balmer and Laws. Who is he? He's also listing Justin King as the 5th best CB ahead of Antoine Cason and Brandon Flowers. Might these two players sneak into the first round?
'02
Check out my CAP_INFO, and join my new WEBSITE.Coach Del Rio: "Respect every opponnent, and fear nobody." |
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| | | Posted Monday, April 14, 2008 7:53 PM | |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Saturday, November 22, 2008 8:45 PM
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| | DRE MOORE Draft Scout Snapshot: DS Rating on 08/12/07: #13 DT, #128/750 Overall, Projected: 4 rising
2008 Postseason update (04/04/08): Stock: Up. Enigmatic player was inconsistent at the Senior Bowl, looking unblockable in one-on-one drills and disappearing for stretches in 11-on-11 scrimmages and the game. Really tested well at the Combine: 4.84 40, 1.62 10 yd split, 31 reps, 4.55 short shuttle, 7.73 three cone. Has worked himself into a late second round pick.
2007: All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team choice…Started all thirteen games at weak-side defensive tackle, leading the team with six sacks for minus 41 yards, the most by a Terrapin in a season since Shawne Merriman had 8.5 sacks in 2004…Recorded 63 tackles (26 solos) with 8.5 stops for losses of 45 yards and two quarterback pressures…Caused two fumbles and deflected a pass… Also had a 12-yard interception return. 13 GP; 9 GS; 47 TT, 7.5 TFL, 3.5 SK, 1 PBU, 4 QBH in '06. 10 GP; 3 GS; 18 TT, 1 TFL in '05. 8 GP; 0 GS; 12 TT, 1.5 TFL, 1 SK, 3 QBH in '04. Redshirt in '03.
If not for a chance meeting at Independence High School, Moore might have never found football.
Spotted by head coach Tommy Knotts in the hallway during his junior year, Moore's size greatly impressed the coach. After several meetings, he convinced Moore to join the junior varsity. The following season, he would go on to earn All-State honors, prompting a fierce recruiting war for his services.
With his perfect blend of size, speed and agility, Moore is a strong, quick defensive tackle who can tie up the interior of the line. The two-year starter struggled early in his collegiate career, but since the 2006 season, he slowly developed into one of the more feared interior linemen in the Atlantic Coast Conference ranks.
An avid weightlifter, Moore posted the third-highest strength index (a measure of pound-for-pound strength) on the team in the spring of 2006 and the highest strength index in spring 2007 testing. An "Iron Terp" in each of his last four springs, his 365-pound power clean in 2005 was a school record for defensive linemen (broken by Dean Muhtadi in 2007).
In his lone season playing varsity football at Independence High School, Moore was one of four All-State performers on a team that featured National Player of the Year quarterback Chris Leak (Florida). Moore registered 107 tackles (69 solo), 12 stops for losses and three sacks. He was a first-team All-State selection by the Associated Press, adding All-Conference, All-County and All-District for the Patriots and was invited to play in the Shrine Bowl (North Carolina all-stars vs. South Carolina all-stars). His team went 13-0 and beat its opponents by an average score of 51-8 en route to the state championship.
Moore enrolled at Maryland in 2003, spending the year on the scout team after turning down scholarship offers from North Carolina, East Carolina, Wake Forest and Duke. He saw action as a reserve defensive tackle in the final eight games of the 2004 season, making 12 tackles (six solo) with a sack and three pressures.
In 2005, Moore appeared in 10 games, starting the final three contests at weak-side defensive tackle. He posted 18 tackles (eight solo) with a stop behind the line of scrimmage, after recovering from early season right ankle woes that forced him to sit out the Temple clash.
As a junior, Moore started 10 games, including seven at weak-side tackle and three at nose guard. He was in on 47 tackles (23 solo), 3.5 sacks and 7.5 stops for losses. He had four pressures with a forced fumble and also deflected one pass.
Moore's play elevated his senior year, garnering All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team honors. He recorded 63 tackles (26 solo) with six sacks and 8.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also picked off a pass, batted away another and caused two fumbles while starting all thirteen contests at weak-side tackle.
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Positives: Has a tall, angular frame -- much like Kevin Williams (Minnesota) when he entered the league -- with room to carry at least another 20 pounds of bulk without having the added weight impact his overall quickness...Has a tight waist, minimal body fat and a body that looks more like that of a tall linebacker than a squatty defensive tackle...Shows the quick feet and short-area balance to gain reps at defensive end...Has good upper-body muscle development and pound-for-pound, was one of the strongest players in the Atlantic Coast Conference...Has thick calves and thighs...Durable athlete with the size and speed you look for in a down lineman and has developed better read-and-react skills, along with much better consistency, as experience was something he lacked (only played one year of varsity football in high school)...Still a work in progress recognizing the play, but when playing in the short area, he shows a good feel for plays directed at him and a better feel for when to use his limited burst to impact the rush lanes...Did a better job of coming out of his stance and attacking the offensive guard with hands properly extended as a senior...Takes a bit of time to recognize the play, but when he does, he comes off blocks effectively and reacts with good change of direction to the flow of the ball...No longer buries his head (loses sight of the ball) but keeps it on a swivel to react to plays in front of him...Has the lateral range and movement skills to string plays wide working down the line...Has the upper-body strength to rock blockers back with his hand punch, but also showed marked improvement sticking his foot into the ground to anchor vs. inside running plays...Has the power at the point of attack to play with good leverage and had good success in one-on-one confrontations in 2007, thanks to more effective hand usage...Has the power to stack and split double teams, but is only effective when he keeps his pads down and does not get high in his stance (will get pushed back when he gets too tall)...Can stack and shed when he keeps his hands inside his frame...When he plays low in his pads, he has much better success generating power and inverting blockers to disrupt the running game...When he keeps his hands active, he can disengage from blocks quick enough to make the play...His motor is inconsistent, but he shows the hip snap to make plays in lateral pursuit (better in the box, as he does not like going long distances)...Can play the cutback block...When he leaves his feet, he struggles to finish, but when he stays low in his pads and wraps, he can face up and strike with good force...More of a bull rusher due to limited pass-rush moves, but has a quick spin to be effective with his straight-line push (will struggle when he takes a wide path or when asked to execute line stunts)...Needs to use his hands better to protect his feet, but can jolt a blocker or rock back a ballcarrier when he generates a hand punch and also showed better hand usage as a senior when trying to get placement and control the blocker (finally learned how to extend his arms, grab and jerk down his opponent)...Has good speed closing on the quarter, but must show better plant-and-drive agility, as he struggles to recover when outrunning the ball...Shows the burst to defeat a lethargic blocker and seems to be developing a better concept for taking angles in his backside pursuit (still won't chase to far outside the box).
Negatives: Consistency and concentration have been very inconsistent throughout his career...Has good knee bend, but would be more effective working down the line if he played at a lower pad level, as his high stance and adequate hand usage has allowed blockers to gett to his jersey, latch on and control...Played with better urgency as a senior, but does go through long concentration lapses and is not the type that will get involved in plays away from his territory (has the range, but it is rare to see him downfield)...Struggled with academics throughout his career and, due to a combination of marginal instincts and adequate intelligence, he will struggle to digest a playbook or play in a complicated scheme...Has very good timed speed, but until his senior year, he failed to generate much explosion coming off the snap...Needs to show quick-twitch moves, as he will generally look lost or disinterested in his rolling start off the snap...Lacks a good feel for blocking pressure and is not quick making reads, but will close quickly when he does locate the ball...Needs to sink his weight better and take a lower charge off the snap, as he can be pushed back on his heels when he gets too tall and narrows his base...Gets taken down to the ground too much, due to poor hand usage, as he does not use them well to keep blockers away from his body despite his long reach...Needs to translate that weight-room strength to the playing field with a stronger hand punch...Responds better to patient coaching than a hard approach... When he narrows his base, he fails to anchor and the result is minimal success combating double teams...With his long reach, he needs to show better timing getting his hands up at the line of scrimmage to deflect passes...Best playing in tight quarters, as he looks sluggish trying to chase down open-field plays (also leaves his feet at times to try to make the tackle).
Compares To: KRIS JENKINS-Carolina...Aside from similar Maryland background, both have taken strikingly comparable paths to the National Football League. They're late bloomers in high school who went through growing pains earlier in their college careers. Moore is lighter than the more stout Jenkins, but both have strong bull-rush skills to consistently pressure the pocket. Moore was much more consistent as a senior, as he played with better awareness, a trait that was lacking most of his career. He still needs a tough coach to light the fire, but he has the athletic ability to be a dominant run stuffer if he can keep his head in the game.
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In 44 games at Maryland, Moore started 26 contests, including 23 at weak-side tackle and three at nose guard...Recorded 140 tackles (63 solo) with 10.5 sacks for minus-49 yards, 17.5 stops for losses of 64 yards and nine quarterback pressures...Caused three fumbles, deflected two passes and returned an interception 12 yards...His 365-pound power clean is the second-best total ever by a Terrapin player.
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Super Sleeper Team selection by The NFL Draft Report...All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team choice...Started all 13 games at weak-side defensive tackle, leading the team with six sacks for minus-41 yards, the most by a Terrapin in a season since Shawne Merriman had 8.5 sacks in 2004...Recorded 63 tackles (26 solo) with 8.5 stops for losses of 45 yards and two quarterback pressures...Caused two fumbles and deflected a pass... Also had a 12-yard interception return.
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Shared the James M. Tatum Award with Stephon Heyer as the Terps' Lineman of the Year...Played in 13 games, starting vs. William & Mary, Georgia Tech and Virginia at nose guard and vs. North Carolina State, Boston College, Florida State, Clemson, Miami, Wake Forest and Purdue (Champs Sports Bowl) at weak-side defensive tackle...Recorded 47 tackles (23 solo) with 3.5 sacks for minus-6 yards and 7.5 stops for losses of 15 yards... Had four quarterback pressures, a forced fumble and a pass deflection.
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Appeared in 10 games, starting at weak-side defensive tackle vs. Boston College. North Carolina and North Carolina State...Sat out the Temple clash with a right ankle sprain... Finished with 18 tackles (eight solo) and a stop for a five-yard loss.
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Played in the team's final eight games as a reserve defensive tackle, recording 12 tackles (six solo) with a two-yard sack, 1.5 stops for losses of four yards and three quarterback pressures.
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Redshirted as a freshman, performing on the scout team...Named scout team player of the week three times, earning the recognition vs. The Citadel, Clemson and North Carolina State.
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2003: Suffered a concussion in fall camp.
2005: Sat out the Temple game (10/05) with a right ankle sprain.
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Campus: 4.82 in the 40-yard dash...490-pound bench press...Bench pressed 225 pounds 36 times... 670-pound squat...365-pound power clean...34 1/2-inch vertical jump...4.65 20-yard shuttle...32 5/8-inch arm length...10 5/8-inch hands...Right-handed...16/25 Wonderlic score.
Combine: 31 reps on 225-pound bench...4.84 40-yard dash...28-inch vertical jump...8'9" broad jump...4.55 20-yard shuttle...7.73 three-cone drill.
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Attended Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) High School, playing football as a senior for head coach Tommy Knotts...Did not play organized football until he was asked to join the junior varsity as a junior...Became one of four All-State performers on a team that also featured National Player of the Year quarterback Chris Leak (Florida)...Registered 107 tackles (69 solos), 12 stops for losses and three sacks...First-team All-State pick by the Associated Press, adding All-Conference, All-County and All-District for the Patriots...Invited to play in the Shrine Bowl (North Carolina all-stars vs. South Carolina all-stars)...His team went 13-0 and beat its opponents by an average of 51-8 en route to the state championship.
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Graduated in December 2007 with a degree in Family Studies...Son of Lois and Melvin Moore...Born 6/09/85...Resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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| 03/18/08 - The upcoming NFL Draft and offseason conditioning were the focus Monday at the Steelers' South Side facility. On a day when the Steelers started voluntary workouts for their returning players, the team also hosted a pair of college prospects, including West Virginia defensive tackle Keilen Dykes. In addition to Dykes, Maryland defensive tackle Dre Moore met with Steelers coaches and scouts. Yesterday was the first day that college players eligible for the draft are allowed to visit NFL teams. Teams are allowed to host as many as 30 players before the draft. Both interior lines are areas that the Steelers figure to target in the draft, which will be held April 26-27. They haven't attempted to upgrade either through free agency, as the team has only signed running back/kick returner Mewelde Moore and linebacker Keyaron Fox. Dre Moore is the more highly touted of the two prospects the Steelers met with Monday. The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder led Maryland with six sacks last season and was a first-team all-ACC selection. Dykes, who is 6-4, 295 pounds, had three sacks and four tackles for losses for the Mountaineers in 2007. - Scott Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |
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| 01/23/08 - On the South's defensive line, Maryland defensive tackle Dre Moore has made quite an impression and could fly under the radar. The 6-4, 306-pound lineman blew up just about every O-lineman in individual drills and opened up the team portion Tuesday by running through a guard and holding himself back because he would have crushed Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson had it not been practice. Speaking of Woodson, someone's going to draft a fine quarterback when he flies off the draft board in April. He's more polished than any passer at the Senior Bowl. Here's only one word I can use to describe Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge's practice Tuesday: Ouch! This may be a golden opportunity fluttering in the wind, much like his passes, as a last-minute invite for Ainge is turning into a bummer. LSU wide receiver Early Doucet stood out during Tuesday's session. (It helped that most of his passes came from Woodson.) He's displaying why he's been coined a first-round talent despite a lackluster season for the Tigers. Doucet has a hamstring injury, however, and may not play Saturday. - Larry Holder, Sun Herald |
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| 01/23/08 - Senior Bowl Wednesday South Team Practice: Dre Moore, DT, Maryland: Showed a good burst in one-on-one drills, getting up into his man's pads, lifting and bull rushing Cody Wallace, Steve Justice, and Mike McGlynn into the pocket. McGlynn's the only player who showed any anchor this week, however. During scrimmages Moore almost totally disappeared, not getting off the snap quickly, unless he happened to slant into the play. |
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| 01/23/08 - Senior Bowl Wednesday South Team Practice: Maryland's Dre' Moore enjoyed a strong Wednesday practice, as well. In a draft that very much levels off at defensive tackle after the two elite prospects (Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis), Moore is among the country's best combinations of size, strength, and quickness. He struggles with consistency, too often only showing flashes of his ability instead of actually making the play, but there is no denying his potential. Moore had an impressive series during individual drills against Cody Wallace and Steve Justice and later followed that up with an impressive showing against tough-guy Mike McGlynn. Moore's inconsistency reared its head a bit during the scrimmage, but, as a whole Moore helped himself today. |
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| 01/21/08 - Senior Bowl Monday South Team Practice: Dre Moore, DT, Maryland: Tall for an interior lineman, he struggles to get low quickly in drills. That translates on the field to an inability to maintain leverage. OG Robert Felton took advantage of that, moving him wide to open up a rushing lane. |
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12/28/07 - PLAYERS TO WATCH T Dre Moore - Defensive tackle hasn't been a strength for Maryland in recent years, but Moore earned his first-team All-ACC selection by emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the line. His six sacks led the team, and he also forced two fumbles and picked off a pass. If he and the defensive line can hold their own and give the talented Terrapins linebackers room to maneuver, this defense can do a lot of damage to the opposition. |
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| 12/28/07 - A strong, quick defensive tackle who can tie up the interior of the line ... a first-team All-ACC selection this season ... his 17.5 career tackles for loss are tied with Erin Henderson for the most among active Terps ... scheduled to appear in the 2008 Senior Bowl ... has appeared in 43 career games, starting 25 of the last 28 contests ...as a Senior (2007): Ranks second on the team in tackles for losses (8.5) ... leads the team with six sacks, the most by a Terrapin since 2004 (Shawne Merriman, 8.5) ... tied for 13th in the ACC and 77th in the nation in sacks per game (0.50) ... mark is second in the league among all defensive tackles ... leads all Maryland defensive linemen with 59 stops ... tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (2) ... averaged 6.5 tackles over the last six regular-season games ... started all 12 games. - Maryland Football |
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| 11/27/07 - 2007 AP All-ACC First-Team: DT-Dre Moore, Maryland - In his final season as a Terp, Moore developed into a force in the middle of the Maryland defense. He led the Terps with six sacks, the most by a Maryland player since 2004 (Shawne Merriman, eight), and recorded 59 stops, including 8 1/2 tackles for loss. He also forced two fumbles and recorded his first career interception. Moore is only the second Maryland defensive tackle to earn first-team All-ACC honors in the last eight seasons (also Randy Starks, 2003). - Maryland Sports |
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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Joined: 10/1/2000 12:00:00AM |
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| | | Posted Monday, April 14, 2008 7:58 PM | |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Saturday, November 22, 2008 8:45 PM
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| | JUSTIN KING - he has gone flying up boards due to workouts. interesting if you read the newswires at the bottom, you can see he was getting a lot of negative press during the season. workout warrior perhaps? Draft Scout Snapshot: 2008 Postseason update (04/04/08): Stock: Up. Expected to be among the most impressive all-around athletes at combine and was so…his 4.31 40 and other solid tests put him into top 50 consideration despite a disappointing junior season. His vert improved to 37.5" at his pro day.
2007: Started all thirteen games at right corner-back, ranking 12th in the nation and second in the league with 17 passes defended (two interceptions for 6 yards in returns, 15 break-ups)…Recorded 49 tackles (36 solos) as the team ranked 11th nationally in total defense (308.23 ypg), seventh in scoring defense (17.54 ppg) and 39th in pass defense (214.46 ypg)…Had a fine first half of the season, as he did not allow any receptions in either the Illinois and Wisconsin clashes, giving up 227 yards on 18 grabs (12.6 avg) through the first six games…However, in his final seven contests, he saw his main pass coverage assignments haul in 32 passes for 490 yards (15.3 avg) and six touchdowns (for the season, the opposition caught 50 balls for 717 yards, 14.34 avg, and six scores)...13 GP; 13 GS; 30 TT, 1 INT, 6 PBU; 2nd team All-Big 10 in '06. Charged with criminal trespass, a felony, disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, and a summary charge of harassment in April '07 incident where several people (incl. other Penn State players) pushed into off-campus apartment. Charges were later dropped for lack of evidence. Some claimed he was peace-maker. 12 GP; 5 GS; KR: 3-40-13.3-0; Rush: 18-227-12.6-0; Rec: 10-126-12.6-2; 11 TT, 2 PBU in '05.
One of the top deep coverage cornerbacks in college football, King has also demonstrated outstanding skills performing on offense as a split end and on special teams as a gunner and returner. He has also shown the same accomplishments in the classroom, having graduated in December 2007 with a 3.0 grade point average, earning Dean's List and Academic All-Big Ten Conference accolades.
After playing on offense and defense as a true freshman, he went on to start every game at right cornerback the last two seasons. During that time, he deflected 21 passes and intercepted three others. After a stellar performance at the 2008 NFL Combine, King proved that athletically, he is more than ready to take on the daunting task of playing professional football at the young age of 20.
Playing for Penn State seemed to be a natural thing to do for King, whose step-father, Terry Smith, played as a wide receiver for head coach Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions for 1988-91. Smith would coach King during his playing days at Gateway High School. The youngster announced on the night of Nov. 15, 2004 that he would enroll at Penn State, arriving on campus in January 2005.
Shortly thereafter, King began contacting other premier players across the nation who were considering Penn State, asking them to join him to help PSU win Big Ten Conference and national championships. Within days of King's announcement, other top prep players began giving Paterno their commitments, including Derrick Williams, the nation's top-rated player. Before he finished "campaigning," King and fellow Gateway High tight end Jon Ditto were joined by 13 other prep prospects from Western Pennsylvania to wear a Nittany Lions uniform.
King was rated the nation's top cornerback and the top player in Pennsylvania at Gateway High School. He played in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl, was the 2004 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player-of-the-Year and a first-team All-State selection by numerous media outlets. He shared the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Player-of-the-Year honor and was a member of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 and the Harrisburg Patriot-News Platinum 33 squads. He was co-winner of the Mercury Award, presented annually to the top player in Western Pennsylvania, and was a Parade All-American.
King led the team to an 11-2 mark in his senior season and the Western Pennsylvania District 7 Class AAAA title game. He rushed for 1,902 yards and 33 touchdowns on 208 attempts, and also had nine receptions for 180 yards and three scores. Defensively, he collected 25 tackles and an interception. As a junior, King rushed for 1,763 yards and 29 touchdowns. For his career, he carried the ball 544 times for 4,519 yards, the third-highest total in District 7 Class AAAA history, and scored 59 touchdowns. King also was an accomplished sprinter on the track-and-field team for two years.
A Freshman All-American selection by The Sporting News as a multiple-position true freshman in 2005, King started five of 12 games as a slot receiver/split end, in addition to seeing reserve duty at right cornerback. He delivered 11 tackles (9 solos) with two pass deflections. He gained 227 yards on 18 carries (12.6 avg), 126 yards with a pair of touchdowns on 10 receptions and 40 yards on three kickoff returns (13.3 avg).
With the graduation of Anwar Phillips, King concentrated on right cornerback duties in 2006. He totaled 30 tackles (22 solos) with six pass deflections and an interception. He earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference and second-team All-Big Ten accolades.
King's 2007 season was actually two-phased, as the first-team All-Big Ten Conference pick started the year showing excellent coverage skills, allowing 18 catches for 227 yards (12.6 avg) with no touchdowns through the first six games. He did not allow any receptions vs. Illinois and Wisconsin. The second half of the campaign saw him struggle considerably, as he was charged with 490 yards and six touchdowns on 32 grabs (15.3 avg). He finished the year with 49 tackles (36 solos), 15 pass deflections, two interceptions and a fumble recovery while starting all 13 games.
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Positives: Has a tight waist and hips, with good leaping ability and a smooth running stride...Shows proper timing moves to make plays on the ball in flight, doing a good job of extending and riding up the receiver to reach around and deflect the pass... Fluid in his backpedal, showing quickness, control and proper pad level on his breaks...Smooth turning in transition and flashes suddenness when closing...Maintains position on the receiver in man coverage, whether playing, trailing, covering or allowing cushion on the pass...Has better ball reaction skills to the thrown ball than vs. the run, showing the timing and a break on the play, with excellent hand/eye coordination to disrupt receivers in their routes...When he sees the play develop, he shows good urgency getting to the thrown ball (too reluctant to attack vs. the run, though)...Lacks the strength to be effective in press coverage, but has the speed to stay with the receiver throughout the deep patterns (needs to not allow so much cushion, though, as he is better playing off the hip of his man rather than challenging them with room)...There is almost no wasted motion in his backpedal, thanks mostly to his loose hips...Has the burst to close on plays in a hurry and gets his hands on a lot of throws due to good timing...Snatches the ball naturally as a receiver and could see playing time on offense (tends to trap the ball when going for the interception, though)...Shows good acceleration staying with receivers on deep routes...Has good hip swerve in his change of direction during man coverage and eats up a lot of ground tracking the ball in flight...Displays a better feel and awareness to instinctively react to throws in his zone than when asked to play near the line of scrimmage (gets lost in trash)...Has good suddenness in his plant-and-drive to transition quickly...Shows very good elevation when going for the high point on the thrown ball...Has the sudden closing burst to prevent long gains on throws underneath...His hip agility is evident in how quickly he can change direction without having to throttle down...Might get out-jumped by bigger receivers, but will do whatever he can to ride up on the opponent to deflect the pass.... Must develop wrap-up tackling skills, but is a decent hitter working in space...On offense, he hit the seam quickly as a receiver and has the lateral quickness to make the initial tackler miss.
Negatives: Has just adequate upper body muscle definition and while he could use more bulk on his frame, the additional weight could affect his timed speed...Has marginal strength and seems to shy away from contact when asked to provide run support...More of an ankle biter as a tackler, as he does not get in good position to wrap and secure...Takes too much chances with his cushion (too confident in his closing speed) and the bigger receivers had great success in gobbling up that cushion, getting behind him and making plays in the end zone on him in 2007...Must show better concentration on the field, as he tends to throttle down when not involved in the action and it is rare to see him search out hats working near the line of scrimmage...Must develop thicker skin, as he lets one bad play affect him throughout the game...Not a natural hands catcher and could have some vision issues, as he struggles to get in position and turn around to look the ball in on deep routes...Lacks pop on contact and is more of a drag-down type of tackling, hoping to hold on until help arrives (will let others make plays near the X's, as he refuses to get near offensive linemen)...Gets caught out of position often, especially when he eyeballs the quarterback for as long as he does...Susceptible to play-action, pump fakes and double moves (not the most instinctive guy on the field)...Makes plays on the ball rather than staying with his pass coverage assignment and while he has good timed speed, the explosive recovery burst is very inconsistent...Marginal playing in press coverage, as he will get his hands placed properly to mirror, but does not generate the punch to reroute...On the rare chances of playing in run support, blockers easily engulf him, as he does not have the upper body strength to shed or slip under blocks...Has good leaping ability, but will lose more than a fair share of jump ball battles vs. bigger receivers...Good at reaching around to deflect the pass, but a lot of those deflections could have been interceptions if he did not try to trap or body catch the ball...Questions arise about his courage, as he does not like contact, especially vs. the running game.
Compares To: ANWAR PHILLIPS-New Orleans...Like the player he replaced in the Penn State lineup, King lacks aggression in his game and does everything he can to shy away from contact or lend support to the running game. He has great timed speed, but gets overconfident with it and allows too much of a cushion. Just look at what big receivers like Ohio State's Brian Robiskie, Indiana's James Hardy and Michigan State's Devin Thomas did to him in 2007. Like Phillips and Alan Zemaitis, King has gotten great publicity at PSU, but he has to show better courage, instincts and production on the field. Honestly, with his speed and past experience, it might be wise just to convert him to receiver.
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King is the last Nittany Lion to play on both sides of the ball in a game (2005)...Started 31 of 38 games at Penn State, including 26 at right cornerback...Recorded 90 tackles (67 solos) with a fumble recovery, 23 pass deflections and three interceptions for 6 yards in returns...Rushed 18 times for 227 yards (12.6 avg), caught 10 passes for 126 yards (12.6 avg), including two touchdowns and returned three kickoffs for 40 yards (13.3 avg).
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All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection...Started all thirteen games at right corner-back, ranking 12th in the nation and second in the league with 17 passes defended (two interceptions for 6 yards in returns, 15 break-ups)...Recorded 49 tackles (36 solos) as the team ranked 11th nationally in total defense (308.23 ypg), seventh in scoring defense (17.54 ppg) and 39th in pass defense (214.46 ypg)...Had a fine first half of the season, as he did not allow any receptions in either the Illinois and Wisconsin clashes, giving up 227 yards on 18 grabs (12.6 avg) through the first six games...However, in his final seven contests, he saw his main pass coverage assignments haul in 32 passes for 490 yards (15.3 avg) and six touchdowns (for the season, the opposition caught 50 balls for 717 yards, 14.34 avg, and six scores).
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Second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection, adding Academic All-Big Ten and PSU Dean's List honors...Took over right cornerback duties, starting all thirteen games...Made 30 tackles (22 solos), as he deflected six passes and intercepted another...Helped PSU's defense rank in the top 15 nationally in rushing (87.5 ypg, seventh), scoring (14.4 ppg, ninth), total defense (284.5 ypg, 15th) and pass efficiency defense (105.9 rating, 14th).
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Joined the team in January, participating in spring drills...Earned Freshman All-American first-team honors as an all-purpose back by The Sporting News...Played on both sides of the ball during the initial seven games, but when split end Derrick Williams suffered a season-ending injury at Michigan, King focused on offense the remainder of the year... Started as the team's slot receiver vs. Cincinnati, Minnesota, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State...Also played behind Anwar Phillips at right cornerback...Caught ten passes for 126 yards (12.6 avg) and two touchdowns...Gained 227 yards on 18 carries (12.6 avg) and 40 yards on three kickoff returns (13.3 avg)...Recorded eleven tackles (9 solos) and deflected two passes.
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2008: Could not complete agility tests at the NFL Combine due to cramps in his calves.
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Campus: 4.38 in the 40-yard dash...305-pound bench press...Bench pressed 225 pounds 14 times... 475-pound squat...40-inch vertical jump...3.72 20-yard shuttle...31 5/8-inch arm length...8 1/2-inch hands.
Combine: 4.31 in the 40-yard dash...1.47 10-yard dash...2.5 20-yard dash...4.32 20-yard shuttle...7.07 three-cone drill...34-inch vertical jump...10'7" broad jump...Bench pressed 225 pounds 14 times.
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Attended Gateway (Pittsburgh, Pa.) High School, playing football for his step-father, former Penn State wide receiver Terry Smith...Smith also serves as the school's athletic director...Rated the nation's top cornerback and the top player in Pennsylvania...Played in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl, was the 2004 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player-of-the-Year and a first-team All-State selection by numerous media outlets...Shared the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Player-of-the-Year honor and was a member of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 and the Harrisburg Patriot-News Platinum 33 squads...Co-winner of the Mercury Award, presented annually to the top player in Western Pennsylvania, and was a Parade All-American...Led the team to an 11-2 mark in his senior season and the Western Pennsylvania District 7 Class AAAA title game...Rushed for 1,902 yards and 33 touchdowns on 208 attempts, and also had nine receptions for 180 yards and three scores. Defensively, he collected 25 tackles and an interception...As a junior, he rushed for 1,763 yards and 29 touchdowns...For his career, he carried the ball 544 times for 4,519 yards, the third-highest total in District 7 Class AAAA history, and scored 59 touchdowns...Also was an accomplished sprinter on the track-and-field team for two years.
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Graduated in December 2007 with a degree from the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences...Son of Allison Smith...Stepfather, Terry Smith, was a standout wide receiver at Penn State from 1988-91 and is the head football coach and athletic director at Gateway High School...Born Justin Thomas King on 5/11/87 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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| 03/30/08 - King has been building a buzz since the combine and continued the momentum through his pro-day more than a week ago. He ran in the low 4.3s at the combine then looked outstanding in position drills during his individual workout. King comes off a disappointing junior season and was graded as a third rounder after he declared for the draft. Scouts are rethinking that opinion as King's combination of athleticism, intelligence (he graduated from PSU early) as well as his high character now has him on the verge of breaking into in the first round. Surprised or not surprised? King's efforts last year, although arguably mediocre, still earned him a spot on the All-Big Ten team. And unlike some of his former teammates, he managed to stay out of trouble (yeah, he was at the scene that one time, but all witnesses say he was a peacemaker) and earn a degree in three years. Fans have seen him at his best before... even if the James Hardy performance seems to live in infamy. All the recent praise must be a relief to King after '07, but he insists he's taking it day by day. "I hope I've been able to prove in the off-season that I'm a first-round guy but I really don't think the scouts saw my season as being as bad as a lot of people made it out to be," King told BWI. - Lisa Baratta, PennLive.com |
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| 03/19/08 - Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert were at Penn State's pro day Tuesday, further fueling speculation that the team has a strong interest in cornerback Justin King. "He worked out very well," was the most Colbert would say about King. But it was more than would be offered by Tomlin, who declined comment. King, who declared for the NFL Draft after completing his junior season, was asked to assess the meaning of the strong Steelers presence. No other pro head coach was present. "I don't know. You've got to ask them," King said. Informed that Tomlin and Colbert weren't saying much, King smiled and said, "OK." The most King would elaborate was to say, "I met with those guys, Coach Tomlin. Great meeting. And just go from there." King's agent, Eric Metz, hopes the presence of the high-ranking Steelers was significant. "I'd like to think so, being that we're (he and King) both Pittsburgh guys," Metz said. "He looked pretty good in black and gold in high school, so, you never know. Maybe lightning strikes twice." - Sam Ross Jr., Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |
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| 02/27/08 - On the other side of the stopwatch, cornerback Justin King put up a sizzling 4.31, but teams going back to the film will see a very raw talent who fails to play strong enough to handle pro receivers. He won't go as high in the draft as some might project based on his workout Tuesday. - Chad Reuter, NFLDraftScout.com |
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| 02/24/08 - Question about speed...“I haven’t run here. I run on Tuesday. I think I’m going to run real fast. I’m not going to put any numbers on it.” How much thought did you give to returning for your senior season? “I gave it some thought. I sat down, prayed about it, talked to my family about it, my coaches. At the end of the day, I had to make my decision and I didn’t feel like going back for another year.” What is your style of play? “I feel like I’m a good overall corner. I tackle well. I use a lot of my speed and athleticism. My technique can get better. That’s about it.” “I feel like I need to improve on my transition out of my backpedal to close on receivers a little bit faster and playing the deep ball. I feel like if I master those two things I can propel my football skills to another level.” Best-case scenario where does he hope to go in the draft? “Hopefully high.” What do you consider high? “(laughs) Anywhere in the first round.” - NFL Combine Transcript |
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| 02/20/08 - Draft Scout 02/20/08 Riser: Penn State cornerback Justin King elected to enter the draft after his junior season despite struggling, at times, in high profile conference match-ups this year. If he is able to work out as well as some project, the decision may end up being a good one. King, who reportedly has 4.3 speed and a vertical jump of over 40 inches, could be among the draft's most impressive overall athletes. |
| 02/11/08 - PRO POTENTIAL: CB Justin King - Though his stock dropped in scouts' eyes when he was beaten badly in matchups with Indiana's James Hardy and Ohio State's Brian Robiske, King opted to come out early. He is an outstanding athlete who could also help on special teams, but he needs work on his pass coverage technique. King will likely go in the middle rounds after once looking like a first-rounder early in his college career. |
| 01/25/08 - Former Penn State cornerback Justin King plans to sign with agent Eric Metz in the next few days. Like King, Metz is a Gateway High School and Penn State graduate. King, who is working out in Arizona, is bypassing his senior year of eligibility to enter April's NFL draft. He has been projected as a second-or third-round selection by the NFL advisory committee. Metz represents two current Steelers starters -- guard Kendall Simmons and defensive end Brett Keisel. Metz also counts Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, a former Steelers offensive coordinator, among his clients, as well as 2007 first overall pick JaMarcus Russell of the Oakland Raiders. - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |
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| 01/13/08 - Justin King has opted to declare himself eligible for the NFL draft. "We ended up writing down the pros and cons on a sheet of paper and it really could have gone either way," King's stepfather, Terry Smith, said Sunday. "In the end, we felt the pros of leaving early would outweigh the pros of staying. We just couldn't come to a gut-instinct decision on this because we were torn both ways. This was the method he used to choose Penn State out of high school. Smith said the feedback from the NFL advisory board was that King would be a second- or third-round pick. "The advisory committee had no bearing on the decision," he said. "Justin has always been taught to control his destiny. With having a degree, he's in charge of that. Money, or going in the first round is not the issue. He wants the opportunity to play in the NFL, which he's going to get. From there he has to make the best of it." Smith said the possibility of injury in a senior season factored in the decision to leave early. King, who has completed his degree, had said before the season he would consider leaving Penn State with one season of eligibility remaining. King finished the season with 49 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, 15 passes broken up and 17 passes defensed. - Sam Ross Jr., Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |
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| 01/13/08 - Penn State junior cornerback Justin King has played his final game for the Nittany Lions. Terry Smith, King's stepfather and the head coach at Gateway High, told FightOnState.com and Scout.com that his son intends to enter the 2008 NFL Draft. The first day underclassmen can officially declare for the 2008 Draft is Tuesday. King set two goals for himself when he left Gateway High in Monroeville, Pa., for the greener pastures of State College. According to Smith, a former Penn State receiver, King believes he has accomplished both of those goals. “He wanted to get an education and a degree from Penn State, which he did. - Bob Lichtenfels, Fight On State/Scout.com |
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| 12/26/07 - High hopes have dwindled down to beating Texas A&M to save a little face. Penn State’s two most notable Class of 2008 members, Justin King and Derrick Williams, will have plenty of unfinished business, win or lose Saturday night. King and Williams were the two most sought after recruits perhaps in Penn State history. Their impact in the 2005 season was nearly perfect. What has followed has been nothing more or nothing short of mediocre. King has flirted with the NFL, Williams has shown glimpses of brilliance, but for every two steps forward, he sometimes takes four back. In King’s case, it’d be silly to think he’s 100-percent ready to enter the NFL. At times this season he’s looked unresponsive to some assignments, he doesn’t play the run as well as he’d like to, and his coverage was suspect, at best, in games against Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Even against Buffalo he had trouble late in the contest. But, given the chance to work out at a combine or during a pro day at Penn State, he could impress enough to slide into the bottom of round one of the NFL draft. Does Penn State need him in 2008? Yes, but not as much as King needs the Nittany Lions to improve upon some areas. - Eric Thomas, Carlisle Sentinel |
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12/11/07 - Penn State junior cornerback Justin King is considering skipping his senior year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft in April. His stepfather, Gateway High School football coach Terry Smith, said yesterday that King has sent his paperwork to the NFL advisory committee to find out where he could be drafted. King, who graduated from Gateway, will earn his bachelor's degree in letters, arts and sciences from Penn State Dec. 22, just 35 months after enrolling. He will play in the Alamo Bowl a week later against Texas A&M. Many figure the postseason game will be King's final one in a Penn State uniform. "I'd say it's 50-50 right now," said Smith, a receiver who played for coach Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions from 1988-91. "Justin's got to decide if he wants to come back and pursue a master's degree for free in 2008, or whether he wants to get paid and test the waters of the NFL." Smith said he expects King to make his final decision shortly after the Alamo Bowl. The deadline for underclassmen to file for the NFL draft is Jan. 15. "When Justin comes home for a day or two after the bowl game, his mom [Alison] and I are going to sit down with him and kind of plot his course in life," Smith said. "Still, this decision of whether to stay or go is strictly Justin's. He has to figure out what he wants to do." - Ron Musselman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The last Big Ten cornerback to come out early and go Round 1 was Ohio State's Chris Gamble in 2004. Gamble was a multi-purpose CB/KR/WR selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 28th overall selection in 2004. Since 1999, the highest drafted Big Ten junior CB was the Bills' 2001 selection of Ohio State CB Nate Clements with the 21st pick. That year, 3 Big Ten CB's - Clements, Wisconsin's Jamar Fletcher & Minnesota's Willie Middlebrooks all went between picks 21 & 26 in Round 1. |
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| 11/25/07 - CB Justin King leads the Big Ten with 17 passes defensed but has been burned by so many big plays that he will likely return for his senior season in 2008 rather than chance applying for the NFL Draft as his stock has plummeted. |
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| 11/20/07 - 2007 First Team All-Big Ten: Junior cornerback Justin King (Pittsburgh) leads the Big Ten with 17 passes defended. |
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| 11/18/07 - STILL NEEDS WORK: CB Justin King had allowed yet another opposing receiver to have a big day as Michigan State WR Devin Thomas had seven catches for 138 yards and three touchdowns. |
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| 11/07/07 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: CB Justin King leads the Big Ten and is third in the nation with 17 passes defended, but he has also given up his share of big plays in recent weeks. He will be challenged again by Temple WR Bruce Francis. |
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| 11/04/07 - STILL NEEDS WORK: CB Justin King was called for two pass interference penalties and continues to struggle along with rest of the Penn State secondary as Purdue QB Curtis Painter threw for 255 yards. |
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| 10/31/07 - Penn State's defense, No. 2 last week in most categories, was belted for 37 points against the Buckeyes. Cornerback Justin King has struggled the last two weeks with Indiana's James Hardy and Ohio State's Brian Robiskie. He's a guy Dorien Bryant and Purdue might attack. |
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| 10/31/07 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: CB Justin King must find a way to stop Purdue WR Dorien Bryant after getting beat repeatedly by Indiana WR James Hardy and Ohio State WRs Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline in the previous two games. |
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