Not sure why some seemed to think he'd disappoint in the 40, but that's about where I expected him - somewhere in the 4.4 range.

The bigger issue was that he never had the inclination (or the coaching, perhaps) to come back to the QB at times of need, to high-point footballs or fight for them with his hands, or to play well against physical press coverage. He's big, athletic and fast, but without any of the softer skills that turn an athlete into a top quality receiver. He doesn't win jump-balls, he doesn't make tough catches over the middle, and he doesn't do the work needed to get open consistently on third and long.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong, but I doubt he'll be able to improve those softer skills to the NFL standard before he gets cut. Any possible distaste for Kelly aside, I thought he should've come back to school.

ignore the fact that many of these throws nearly got him injured. I forget the game, but one pass was so high and he went up for it and got his legs taken out and landed on his neck; I was concerned that he was seriously injured. Luckily he was able to get up after a bit.

Was that the Navy game? I think it might have been.

Our offensive gameplans last year were bizzare to say the least and I don't question the kid's courage or effort and I certainly don't blame him for leaving or his younger brother for not coming.

I just don't think he catches the ball naturally with his hands. He likes to catch over the shoulder, or cradle in his gut. For shits and giggles I watched an ESB highlight reel last night and he didn't make a single tough catch during the entire 4 minute video.

Honestly, I wish all ND students the best, so I hope he'll do well. He's always had tremendous size and speed. I just doubt he has enough other skills to make a roster - hope I'm wrong.

Couldn't think of a quicker way to say "I don't remember the last time he made an effort to beat a DB by catching the ball with his hands, high and away from his body".

The quickest way to summarize ESB is that he rarely catches with his hands in tough situations, and he rarely gives enough effort to beat his defender to the football. If he can catch the ball in stride, he's golden; if it's 50/50, he's fucked. I should've just said that.

Our QB play last year was horrendous and I don't remember a lot of passes that were right at the facemask where he could catch it at the point.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Poor QB play made for ESB not looking too hot last year. I don't think Will Fuller would have looked good last year either.

No, the QB play wasn't good, but ESB didn't exactly help. Unless it was over the shoulder or right between the numbers, he probably wasn't going to make a play. There's a reason they hardly ever looked his way on third down.

There were definitely issues with ESB's hands. The ball wasn't always thrown where it needed to be, but ESB didn't exactly have a great catching radius either.

It will be interesting to find out what the scouts "see"
in ESBs film.

Maybe question his ability on the field and his maturity off of it?

There's nothing more he can do to disappoint at this level.

I don’t know whether to blame his poor production last year on a) his route running or b) his QB. I suppose the All 22 film views would answer that question but I haven’t seen them.

Gee, we’ve never seen that before.

receiver had 111 receptions.

However, WF was #5 in TD receptions at 14.

Remarkable....

PS he was also #11 in the country averaging 20+ yds per reception. #68 in receptions per game at 4.8... (#1 was over 9)

Stanley and Fuller 1st rounders. Kizer 2nd round (arguably 1st round talent before BK sabotaged him with his comments). Nelson and McGlinchey projected 1st rounders.

I think only BK could coach that team to 3 losses.

Not just the offense (although, the offense was incredibly gifted, especially when you include Hunter and Robinson, who had NFL athletic traits but chose not to pursue NFL careers).

By my count, there are already 8 guys from that terribly under-performing DEFENSE in the NFL (plus Ishaq Williams, who played some snaps for the Giants). Tillery, Morgan, Coney, and Hayes will probably join those 8 next year.

Only Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson had comparable rosters that year - and Clemson's best players were mostly underclassmen. Yet OSU thrashed us (albeit after some additional attrition to our depth chart), Clemson got up 21-3, and somehow we lost to Stanford (not to mention our escapes against Virginia, Temple (!), and Boston College).

- Jaylon Smith (generational talent; would've been a top 5 pick if not for injury)
- Sheldon Day (4th round pick; backup on the 49ers)
- Romeo Okwara (regular contributor for the Giants)
- Isaac Rochell (backup on the Chargers)
- Matthias Farley (starter for the Colts)
- Cole Luke (backup on the Panthers)
- Keivare Russell (3rd round pick; backup on the Bengals)
- James Onwualu (played some for the Chargers)

At least the ‘15 team won ten games. The ‘11 team was almost certainly the biggest waste of talent this century.

He ended up with less than 30 catches but 7 TDs.

In the brief window where both he and Deshaun Watson were healthy he had something like 15 catches and 7 TDs in a 4 game stretch

If he can stay healthy and the Texans can sort out their awful OL he will be a great weapon.

Notwithstanding the fact that Kelly's offense does suck.

I see him as maybe a sixth round pick. With a 4.58, I wouldn't have seen him drafted.

Did you expect a slower time?

I never saw that speed on the field. His production wasn't what I expected in his college career. He has, apparently, all the measurables.

Reminds me of Maurice Stovall. If I recall correctly, the Bucs took him late 2nd round.