Scouting the MAC - Buffalo

Tony Pauline
Draft Analyst WriterThe Buffalo Bulls had a .500 record last year, missed out on the postseason and did not have a player selected in the draft. I expect all three of those things to change next April, as the Bulls are building a solid program with a lot of next-level talent and the program will contend for the MAC title this year.
I grade two Buffalo seniors as potential second-day picks: receiver Anthony Johnson and linebacker Khalil Hodge.
Johnson, who considered entering last April’s draft, has excellent size and incredible hands. He’s a big-play wideout and a go-to guy who cannot be stopped. He’s consistently making deep receptions and presents himself as a vertical receiver.
But does Johnson have true vertical speed?
That’s a huge question and why some scouts grade him as a late-round pick. Johnson needs a big senior campaign, a solid showing at a postseason All-Star game such as the Senior Bowl and good predraft workouts to be an early-round selection. Regardless, he has next-level talent.
Hodge is a similar prospect in the sense that scouts feel he lacks next-level speed, but I disagree.
The middle linebacker shows great quickness and instincts in run defense, firing to ball carriers and bringing them down at the point of attack. I love his ability to make plays in the box and in lateral pursuit. He displays terrific speed out to the flanks, and I would expect Hodge to be one of the higher-rated inside linebackers next April.
Keep a close watch on quarterback Tyree Jackson. He’s a big pocket passer with a rocket arm and great next-level possibilities if he hashes out his fundamentals.
NFL Prospects - Buffalo |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade |
Round |
Full Name |
Pos |
Year |
# |
3.72 |
2-3 |
Anthony Johnson |
WR |
5Sr |
83 |
3.63 |
3rd |
Khalil Hodge |
ILB |
5Sr |
4 |
3.15 |
FA |
Charles Harris |
DE |
5Sr |
92 |
3.05 |
FA |
Cameron Lewis |
CB |
4Sr |
39 |
3.02 |
FA |
James O'Hagan |
C |
5Sr |
77 |
3.00 |
FA |
Tyree Jackson |
QB |
3Jr |
3 |
2.98 |
FA |
Justin Brandon |
DT |
3Jr |
90 |
2.93 |
FA |
Chris Ford |
DT |
5Sr |
58 |
2.90 |
FA |
Kamathi Holsey |
WR |
4Sr |
86 |