College Bowl Preview: Texas Bowl
Texas Bowl
December 31, Houston
Missouri (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4)
ESPN, 2:30 p.m. CST
MISSOURI
#12 OLB Sean Weatherspoon, 6-1, 246 – He has been a tackling machine over the last three seasons with the Tigers, as he pulled down 130 in ‘07, 155 tackles in ‘08 and 104 tackles this season. In 51 games under Gary Pinkel, Weatherspoon had 399 tackles, 43.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He also had four interceptions, including two that he returned for touchdowns. He’s a durable player who missed one game in his college career.
Evaluation – Great combination of size, speed and strength, he could play inside or outside at linebacker, and do it in the 4-3 or 3-4. He’s tough-minded, a leader in the defense. He likes the contact and Weatherspoon is also quick and fast enough to handle coverages, both deep and short. A productive college player who will play in the NFL, and likely will be an early second-round selection.
#81 WR Danario Alexander, 6-4, 205 – A first-team All-Big 12 selection, the ‘09 season was the first where he did miss any games because of injuries. There was a wrist injury and three knee operations through his first three seasons in Columbia. This season Alexander broke through with 107 catches for 1,644 yards and 13 touchdown catches. It was enough to earn him second-team All-America honors, pretty remarkable for a guy who wasn’t on the national radar four months ago. Over his 46-game career with the Tigers, Alexander has caught 185 passes for 2,641 yards and 21 touchdowns. He’s run 11 times for 59 yards and he was one for three throwing the ball for 40 yards and a TD.
Evaluation – Alexander’s big senior season has put him on the draft map as he finally realized the potential that he took to Columbia four seasons ago out of Texas. He’s a third-round choice who could sneak into the late second if he impresses teams during the workouts and shows that his injury problems are behind him. He’s got good speed, not top-end, but he plays faster than his 4.5 times.
NAVY
No players being considered for NFL Draft.
Yeah it’s a damn shame the guys from military academies rarely get looked at from NFL scouts or any scouts for that matter. Guess ya can’t blame em, Sucks though! Some of the finest young men in our country go through the Academies, be nice to see some of those guys get paid too.
Too few young people choose to serve, if every Mothers Child had to serve things would be different. As it is now, there are too few doing the work of too many.
JohnNdallas
Nice to see your name again. I am sorry that Mizzou lost….. but NAVY is my TEAM. The cadets are obligated to serve as a officer upon graduation and are there fore not “eligible” for the NFL. It is sad that this is how it works. A year or so ago there was a cadet from AIR FORCE who did get to go to the combine, I do not think he fared very well.
Roger Staubach is the only Navy cadet that was in the NFL… to my knowledge. He graduated from the academy and served a tour or two in Viet Nam, on a Navy patrol boat. He patrolled the rivers, he finished his obligation and then became the best QB Dallas has ever had.