Georgia Tech will have their hands full with a tough BYU opponent this weekend.
On Saturday at 3 p.m., tune in to NESN to watch some top NFL draft prospects when BYU (4-4) takes on Georgia Tech (3-4).
BYU has been a nuisance to teams all year, taking games to the last minute with Utah, Boise State, Oregon State and Notre Dame. The FBS-Independent team will travel to Bobby Dowd Stadium in Atlanta to take on a struggling Georgia Tech squad.
The Yellow Jackets broke a three game losing streak on Saturday, beating the anemic Boston College Eagles. The option-offense led squad has had a tough schedule having to play Virginia Tech, Miami, Middle Tennessee and Clemson early in the season. They'll try to continue to turn their luck around against the Cougars.
Both teams have top NFL talent on their rosters, led by a raw, but intriguing defensive end from the Provo, Utah private school.
Ezekiel Ansah, BYU, Defensive end
Ansah is a long, raw defensive end who has a boatload of potential, but not a lot of game experience to go off of. Ansah came to BYU as a track athlete and decided to give football a try as a sophomore. Now a senior, the 6-foot-6 270-pound Ansah is a freak athlete who's only beginning to see his potential as a football player. He uses his long arms and athletic build to get around offensive linemen, and could be viewed as a clean slate without any bad habits for NFL coaches to work off of. Keep Ansah's name in mind for next February's NFL scouting combine, when he'll be sure to make waves with his speed and athleticism. The Accra, Ghana native has been timed at 10.9 seconds in the 100 meter dash according to the Deseret News. Ansah's an incredibly smooth athlete for his size and plays all over the BYU defense at end in three-man and four-man fronts, standing up outside at linebacker and even playing some nose tackle in obvious passing situations. Ansah could afford to bulk up, and has room to on his thin frame. The sky is the limit for Ansah, and it will be up to NFL teams to decide how early they want to gamble on his upside. Ansah will no doubt receive comparisons to Jason Pierre-Paul and Chandler Jones while he's being evaluated.
Check out the video below of Ansah playing against Notre Dame last Saturday.
Cody Hoffman, BYU, Wide receiver
Hoffman is an intriguing, junior possession receiver, who could leave early for the NFL draft after this season. He's a smooth route runner and already looks like a polished player just three years into this college career. Hoffman won't dazzle with his speed or agility after the catch, but he's a big bodied player who should be able to come in and contribute right away. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Cougar has 49 receptions for 620 yards and three touchdowns on the season after breaking out last year with 943 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hoffman uses his long arms and stellar hands to create a large target for his quarterbacks, and isn't afraid to go over the middle and make contact with opposing defensive backs.
Check out Hoffman playing against Utah from earlier this year in the video below.
Braden Brown, BYU, Tackle
This senior tackle isn't getting a lot of notice in NFL draft circles, but the former high school tight end has great athleticism and premier size for a pro offensive linemen. Brown excels in pass blocking, keeping his pad level low, keeping defenders in front of him and showing great footwork. He could afford to build up his strength a little more in the run game, but he has room to fill in at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds. Brown has a mean streak in him, and is a rare offensive lineman who looks good in space when he's asked to kick out on screens or when he has to pull block. He uses his long arms well to keep defensive ends at bay, and doesn't get beat often by speed rushers using his quick feet. HBO's Hard Knocks star and former Miami Dolphins tight end Les Brown is Braden's brother, so he has an NFL pedigree.
Rod Sweeting, Georgia Tech, Cornerback
Sweeting has shown some nice ball skills, but gets beat far too often deep because of lack of top end speed. Sweeting is also tight in the hips and stays too high in his backpedal. He does a nice job when he's asked to press and looks best when his man is in front of him, rather than having to turn and run. Sweeting gets targeted an awful lot for a NFL-bound corner.
Check out Sweeting against Virginia Tech earlier this year in the video below.
Omoregie Uzzi, Georgia Tech, Guard
The aforementioned option offense isn't exactly great practice for an NFL draft prospect. Uzzi spends much of his time on the ground after cut blocking at the snap, but shows enough upside otherwise that he should be getting looks in the late rounds. Uzzi isn't getting a great deal of pass blocking experience, but looks comfortable when the Yellow Jackets do throw the ball. Uzzi keeps his knees bent well and is great at finding his man in space while run blocking.
Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech, Outside Linebacker
Attaochu is still a very raw pass rusher, who tries to get by on his speed and athleticism alone. He doesn't use his hands or length well at all, and doesn't have the strength at this point to generate much of a bull-rush. Attaochu shows promise in pass coverage and has great balance, lateral fluidity and quickness.
Check out Attaochu against Virginia Tech earlier this year in the video below.
Photo via Facebook/BYUFootball
