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ESPN Staff Writer- National recruiting analyst and analyst for ESPNU
- More than a decade of college and pro coaching experience.
- Graduated from Indiana and Nebraska-Omaha
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ESPN Analyst- Senior National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN.com
- Coached in four professional football leagues
- Graduated from Eastern Kentucky and Marshall
Senior seasons are here for the 2015 class. Here are 10 under-the-radar prospects poised to become household names.
DE Canton Kaumatule
ESPN 300 rank: 48
Kaumatule missed the majority of the 2013 season due to a pair of injuries. Now back and healthy, the 6-foot-6, 270-pound prospect has the chance to make a big jump during the season and at the Under Armour All-America Game. The only sophomore named to the 2012 USA Today Preseason All-USA team in 2012 is the younger brother of Stanford defensive end Luke Kaumatule. The Cardinal and Oregon Ducks are considered the favorites to land No. 48 Kaumatule.
Scouts' Edge: Kaumatule hasn't lost a step with his ability get off the football and disrupt in the first couple scrimmages of the 2014 season. He's pursued the ball with relentless effort and proper angles while showing little signs of rust. Kaumatule made key tackles with his long reach and seems ready to reach his potential this season.
OT Abdul Bello
ESPN 300 rank: 69
The Florida State commitment played football for the first time in 2013 after coming to the U.S. from Nigeria. Now with a season and spring under his belt, along with a year in a strength and conditioning program, the Under Armour All-American is ready to dominate in the trenches.
Scouts' Edge: Bello's progression on the field from spring practice to the fall preseason has been substantial in his ability to pop out of his stance in either run or pass situations. His finishing strength has really improved as well. Bello will enhance his run blocking as he continues to gain experience and develops more awareness.
QB Sam Darnold
ESPN 300 rank: 81
The USC commitment missed seven games as a junior due to a fractured foot. Now fully healthy, the 6-foot-4, 209-pound Darnold enters the 2014 season as a prospect that could take the next step on the field. Darnold completed 29 of 46 passes in three games as a junior for 337 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, along with rushing for more than 300 yards and five scores.
Scouts' edge: Darnold displayed improved consistency and polish this summer in passing events as has undervalued athleticism. Early season film review also shows a quicker, more fluid delivery and better timing on intermediate passes. We expect a prolific senior season for the future Trojan.
DT Darian Roseboro
ESPN 300 rank: 165
He has gained more than 20 pounds since his junior season, and is reportedly faster according to the Lincolnton (N.C.) High coaching staff. In three seasons on varsity, Roseboro has more than 300 tackles, 50 tackles for loss and 25 sacks while doubling as a fullback. He committed to Michigan on Aug. 29.
Scouts' edge: Roseboro has added more bulk to his frame with improved strength to anchor and hold his ground when teams run directly at him. His quick first step and lateral agility still allow him to defeat blocks with quickness and locate the runner in a timely fashion.
RB Chris Warren III
ESPN 300 rank: 183
Warren missed the majority of 2013 with an ACL injury. Now closing in on 245 pounds, he has the chance to prove that not only is he healthy, but he has retained his athleticism. The son of former NFL running back Chris Warren burst onto the scene as a freshman after being offered by Baylor. The versatile prospect is considered a Texas lean with Texas Tech, Iowa, Stanford, Washington and Oregon fighting hard to upset the Longhorns.
Scouts' edge: After adding size, Warren has maintained his foot quickness and ability to set up defenders in tight quarters. From an injury standpoint, there seems to be minimal loss in lateral agility.
WR Terrell Chatman
ESPN 300 rank: 245
Chatman burst onto the scene in 2013 flashing the ability to make the high-flying catch. Now with more experience, strength and confidence following a 23 reception, 327-yard junior campaign, Chatman is in position to have a breakout senior season. He committed to Miami on July 4 over offers from Arizona State, Georgia, Louisville and a number of others.
Scouts' edge: Chatman has been a big-play vertical threat thus far in his team's preseason action. His route-running appears more polished as is his explosion off the line. This guy can stretch the field and get behind coverage, and his added strength should help him win even more jump-ball matchups.
QB Kyle Shurmur
ESPN 300 rank: 265
Headed into his second year at La Salle College High (Wyndmoor, Pa.), Shurmur hasn't been seen on the circuit like many other signal-callers. Now 6-4 and 215 pounds and more comfortable as a second year starting varsity quarterback, the son of Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is poised for a big jump in 2014. The ESPN 300 prospect completed 180 of 307 passes for 2,472 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2013.
Scouts' edge: Shurmer's pocket presence and ability to keep his eyes downfield with pressure around him has been a visible improvement in his team's early season scrimmages. He has developed very good size and looks to have increased his arm strength and the ability to make all the necessary college throws.
S Justin Dunning
ESPN 300 rank: 289
Dunning has returned from junior-season ACL injury to show well at The Opening. After tallying 62 tackles and five interceptions in 2012, earning 4A All-State honors, big things were expected in 2013 before the Texas A&M commit injured his knee in the season opener. Now adding 15 pounds of muscle to his frame and showing that he has retained his range and quick reactions, Dunning is set up for a huge senior season.
Scouts' edge: Dunning showed his range and athleticism in 7-on-7 tournaments this summer and no signs of slowing down from last season's injury. In early season scrimmages he was covering ground fast and reacting quickly to route development. With increased size, we expect a bigger box presence from him on run support this season as well.
ILB Johnathon Sutton
ESPN 300 rank: 295
After a standout sophomore season, The North Carolina pledge had his junior season shortened by an ACL injury. With his recruitment now on the back burner, Sutton is now looking to prove again why he is considered one of the Southeast's top linebacker prospects.
Scouts' edge: Sutton really hasn't lost a step in his time back on the field this preseason. Mentally, the cobwebs are gone as he's instinctively taking proper angles in pursuit to find the football. His lateral agility seems strong as well as his ability to pop and tackle ball-carriers.
DE Arden Key
ESPN 300 rank: 54
Up to nearly 230 pounds since his junior seasaon, the South Carolina commit has the chance to show that he is truly an elite pass-rushing prospect, should he retain his excellent first step with the added size. Coming off a foot injury that kept him out of the spring and summer camp and combine circuit, Key is a classic late-bloomer that has gone from a 190-pound skinny sophomore to a prospect now looking like a future 6-6, 260-pound pass-rusher that will make an early impact on the Gamecocks' defense.
Scouts' Edge: Key was a one-man wrecking crew in his opening game of the season. His increased size and strength were immediately evident and he has not lost a step of quickness. Aside from creating havoc off the edge with his explosive first step and long wingspan, Key showed the ability to split the double team and penetrate inside for big production behind the line of scrimmage. His athleticism was impressive but his effort and motor were just as eye-popping. If this game was a hint of what's to come for key, he is poised for a huge season.