Here's another man's view. Former UConn defensive star Sean Mulcahey on SNY.
UConn is coming off a banner 2013 NFL Draft with five players selected setting a school record in one draft. UConn defensive end Sean Mulcahy breaks down the seniors .After reviewing the spring game and looking ahead to 2014, here are the possibilities of more UConn players in the NFL.
Rs Sr. #51 DL Tim Willman 6’4” 267lbs
A good motor and even a better teammate are two essential qualities that the NFL looks for. That just gets you in the door. Willman needs to improve everything in order to get selected in next years draft. He needs to be a starter and average 0.5 sacks per game, and 1.0 TFL per game. His weight needs to increase, speed needs improvement as well as strength. He has the perfect coach in Hank Hughes to prepare him for this.
Rs Sr. #79 OT Jimmy Bennett 6’9” 306lbs
Bennett will get looks if he stays healthy and improves. His size alone will get him invited to a camp, but he has to work with offensive line coach George DeLeone more. Coach DeLeone has a great track record for offensive linemen in the NFL and improvements in strength and speed can only help his prospects with solid blocking in the run game and passing game. He needs to be the anchor in the 2013 UConn offensive line that features a 1,000 yard caliber back and 2,500 yard passer. He cannot give up more than 5 sacks this season.
RsSr. #59 DT Shamar Stephen 6’5” 323lbs
Injuries in Stephen’s past will concern the scouts, but he is exactly what defensive coordinators look for in a defensive tackle in a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme. What is it that he has? He has tremendous size and athleticism. He needs to make more plays behind the line of scrimmage. Speed and strength are good and Stephen needs a little improvement for his position. He needs to move the line of scrimmage every play and he will get noticed.
RsSr. #50 OG/C Tyler Bullock 6’4” 313lbs
Keys to Bullock having a shot next year are very similar to all the offensive linemen. Stay healthy, every game and be a leader in the unit. He needs to limit the sacks every game, average a pancake a game and scouts will be interested.
RsSr. #69 OG Steve Greene 6’5” 308lbs
Same goals for Bennett and Bullock apply here. Watching Greene grow over the past couple of seasons is promising. Scouts and offensive line coaches would like to see more of a mean streak out of all the linemen, especially Greene. If Greene can separate himself from the rest of the group as a mauler, he will certainly get noticed.
RsSr. #77 OT Kevin Friend 6’6” 304lbs
Friend must show improvement in his athleticism in 2013. More specifically, improved knee bend and flexibility to regain leverage vs. shorter DE/LB’s (Ex; Trevardo Williams). Same goals apply with his above teammates as well. He has to play physical.
RsSr. #52 LB Ryan Donohue 6’0″ 236lbs
Donohue has to be a starter and he has a great young coach in John Wholley to teach him the way. He must be able to slide right in where Jory Johnson and Sio Moore have vacated. This will help Yawin Smallwood as well and continue to allow him to make plays in the middle. Donohue’s size is fine, he can always get stronger and faster. The key is being a smart linebacker who makes plays every single quarter of every single game.
Sr. #29 CB Taylor Mack 5’9” 175lbs
I really like Mack at the corner spot. I saw a lot of great plays last season when he filled in at the nickle or even when Gratz or Wreh-Wilson was out. He did give up some big plays, but that is going to happen to every corner. He had a great short-term memory, and when teams challenged him due to fear of Gratz and Wreh-Wilson, he rose to the challenge. Stronger and faster will only help this NFL prospect.
RsSr. #25 RB Martin Hyppolite 6’0” 217lbs
Has stay healthy! This poor young man has been dealt a bad hand. Hopefully, his recovery is going well and can return strong this season or medical for 2014. He was on his way until an auto accident after this past season. He has all the tools to be that big back, he just needs to remain healthy and produce.
RsSr. #13 Kicker/Punter Chad Christen & #86 Punter Cole Wagner
These two are good and with two solid seasons and improvements in leg strength; these two will get invited to a camp next year. Wagner must have 10+ punts inside the 20-yard line and average 42-yards per punt. Christen must be perfect in extra points and nearly perfect from the 30=yard line and in. He must make some 50 yarders and display his leg strength. A game winner under pressure would go a long way too.
