Talent Watch: Insight Bowl

This years Insight Bowl had Iowa, squaring off against Oklahoma. I really enjoyed watching this game, because it featured a battle between two prospects, who have a lot of talent. For Oklahoma, there was OLB/DE Frank Alexander. For Iowa, there was OT Riely Reiff, and WR Marvin McNutt.

Riely Reiff OT: I really wanted to get a good look at Riely in this game, not only because he is a top takle prospect, but because he was going up against a top pass rushing prospect. Riely did a very good job against Frank in terms of pass blocking. He didn't give up a single sack to Alexander. He did give up a sack to someone else though. He was beat pretty bad on that play. He was bull rushed right back into the QB. He also missed an assignment on one play, where he stuck with a guy that he was supposed to pass off. He didn't show anything special in the running game. Besides a few mistakes, it was a very AVG game for Reiff. The GGM Round Prediction: 1-2

Marvin McNutt WR: Marvin was a victom of bad QB play, a good CB, and a falling sky cam. Between the 3, he never really got going. He has great size to be a Plaxico type receiver, but doesn't have any kind of speed at all. Based on what I saw in this game, it will be hard for him to gain separation in the NFL. If he can't separate, he needs to be more physical. He has only been a WR for a short time, and has a lot of upside. He will be a project for anyone who takes him... but give him a year or two with some good coaches, and watch out. McNutt finished the game with 48 receiving yards off of 4 receptions. His stats for the year are: 1315 receiving yards, 12 receiving TD off of 82 receptions, and 54 rushing yards. The GGM Round Prediction: 2-3

Oklahoma

Frank Alexander OLB/DE: I really wanted to watch Frank Alexander for much of the same reasons as Reiff. As far as pass rushing was concerned, he never beat Reiff one on one. This drops his stock for me a little bit. Where he did flourish, was against the run. He was able to come off of Reiff's blocks a few times to make big tackles around the line or behind it. If he couldn't get to the passer, Alexander got his hands up to disrupt the pass. He is very good at keeping the point of attack. Frank ended the game with 3 tackles, 1 for a loss, and 2 passes batted away. His stats for the year are: 54 tackles, 19 for a loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 INT, 8 passes broken up, 7 QB hurries, and 3 forced fumbles. The GGM Round Prediction: 2-3