Austin Pettis,Leonard Hankerson & Wide Receiver notes: 2011 Draft

Ourlads observations of the wide receivers at the Senior Bowl


WR: Vincent Brown (San Diego State) – 5110, 184. Long arms, 33 ¼” and
big hands 10 ½”, both positive traits. Solid week of practice impressing
scouts with his natural hand placement on the ball. Smooth and fluid in his
movement. Somewhat of a long strider but had some quickness in and out of
his breaks. Plucks the ball in a congested area. Has some shake down the field
after catch. Dwayne Harris (East Carolina) – 5097, 200. Big hands 10”.
Struggled to adjust to passes from new quarterbacks and his return skills were
off in practice. Nerves may have gotten to the Conference USA Player of
the Year. His hands were inconsistent as was his route running. Niles Paul
(Nebraska) – 6007, 225. Helped himself out on his ability to cover kicks.
Along with his physical play at receiver, special teams may be his ticket to a
roster on the next level. Austin Pettis (Boise State) – 6024, 205. Big hands
10”. A possession receiver who is physical going across the middle and will be
an asset blocking defensive backs. Good week of practice using his body to
screen off defensive backs so he could make the catch. Good concentration
and focus to catch the seam routes in a crowd. Good body control and pattern
ease of movement. Titus Young (Boise State) – 5112, 174. Confirmed
suspicions about his explosiveness in and out of his cuts. A hand catcher who
can pluck the ball and make the over shoulder catch. Has the speed to get
behind the secondary and make a play. Will reach and extend for an off
target pass. Quick feet to avoid press coverage. Dane Sanzenbacher
(Ohio State) – 5111, 181. Was a late addition to the North roster to replace
Villanova’s Matt Szczur who signed a baseball contract. He made the most of
his opportunity by catching five passes for 62 yards in the game. Consistent
hands. Catches the ball away from his body. Quick in and out of cuts. Slot
type receiver. Edmond Gates (Abilene Christian) – 5115, 189. Pulled a
hamstring on Tuesday and did not participate in practices or the game. A
speedy but raw receiver. Leonard Hankerson (Miami) – 6015, 205. Long
arms 33” and big hands 10 5/8”. Demonstrated receiving consistency catching
the ball during the week. On game day he didn’t catch the ball clean at times
and had some drops. That being said, he caught five passes for 100 yards and
a touchdown in the South’s win. Will extend and lay out for a ball. Good
adjust to off target passes. Catches the ball in a crowd. Ronald Johnson
(Southern Cal) – 5111, 186. Worked as a punt and kickoff returner and split
end in practice. Showed decent hands and the ability to block in space.
Flashed his deep speed and quickness. Generally ran good pass routes. Jeremy
Kerley (TCU) – 5092, 188. A slot type speed and space player who can
make a defender miss in an open area. Quick in and out of his routes. Caught
a touchdown pass from Ponder late in the game. A talented return specialist who
is elusive and slippery. Greg Salas (Hawaii) – 6011, 206. Hand catcher who
reaches and extends for the ball. Good sized possession receiver who has some
run after catch ability. Runs good routes and can read coverages. Courtney
Smith (South Alabama) – 6040, 220. Long arms 33 ¾”. A big developmental
receiver with raw tools. Had his ups and downs during the week, including
inconsistent hands. Jock Sanders (West Virginia) – 5070, 179. Late addition.
Dropped crosser in game when he tried to cradle the ball instead of catching it in
his hands. Undersized target who flashes some explosiveness as a slot receiver