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ARIZONA SENIOR PROSPECTS
Source: NFLDraftScout.com. Updated Sept. 10, 2014.
Categories (left to right): Overall ranking, name, position, position rank, school, class, height, weight, projected draft round (CBSSports.com graphic)
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NFL scouts at tonight’s game between Cal and Arizona will keep an eye downfield most of the game.
Wide receiver prospects are a aplenty, as many as 13 of them.
Cal has six sophomore and junior receivers who are potential NFL material, according to NFLDrafScout.com. Arizona has eight — senior Austin Hill, junior David Richards and Johnny Jackson, and five Class of 2017 players in Trey Griffey, Cayleb Jones, Davonte’ Neal, Nate Phillips and Samajie Grant.
Jackson is now listed as a cornerback.
Sonny Dykes’ “Air Raid” offense has five juniors who have potential to play on Sundays: Chris Harper, Bryce Treggs, Darius Powe, Maurice Harris and Stephen Anderson.
Cal sophomore Kenny Lawler, who caught three touchdown passes against Arizona last year, including a twisting one-handed reception, is rated the No. 10 receiver in his class. Griffey is rated No. 7 and Jones No. 17. The latest projections were published Sept. 10, 2014. The rankings may change because of Jones’ team-leading 16 receptions for 289 yards after last week’s performance against Nevada.
Lawler is a big-play receiver who has three touchdown receptions among his eight catches this season. Harper and Treggs have more than 100 career receptions.
Cal quarterback Jared Goff sprays the ball around the field much like Arizona’s Anu Solomon, who is excelling as a freshman quarterback like Goff did last year.
Five different receivers have at least five receptions, led by Lawler’s eight.
Jones and Grant have emerged as primary targets, combining for 30 of Arizona’s 65 receptions, but Hill, Phillips, Richards and Griffey can always emerge as a leading receiver in a game.
Rodriguez plans to incorporate even more receivers in the system. Neal, a Notre Dame transfer, has not played the last two weeks because of a foot injury.
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JUNIOR PROSPECT RANKINGS
NFLDraftScout.com position ranking. Updated Sept. 10, 2014.
California
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Arizona
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CALIFORNIA SENIOR PROSPECTS
Source: NFLDraftScout.com. Updated Sept. 10, 2014.
Categories (left to right): Overall ranking, name, position, position rank, school, class, height, weight (CBSSports.com graphic)
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“If we get DaVonte’ healthier and if Tyrell Johnson and Jonathan Haden continue to grow in the system, we can have a steady rotation of seven or eight guys that we feel good to put in the game as wide receiver,” Rodriguez said during his Monday press conference.
Cal has two defensive backs among the top 20 at their position among the junior class: Strong safety Avery Sebastian (rated No. 5) and free safety Stefan McClure (No. 14).
Arizona free safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant, who is working his way back from a suspension and may play when Arizona goes six-deep into coverage, is rated the No. 12 senior at his position by NFLDraftScout.com. Also among seniors, strong safety Jared Tevis, free safety Jourdan Grandon and cornerback Jonathan McKnight are also rated among the top 100 at their position.
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.
