The NFL’s top wide receivers have been evolving in recent seasons and it’s currently having an impact on how we evaluate and value certain traits at the position. Two drafts ago, Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell was considered the next Dez Bryant due to his inability to create consistent separation and strong ball skills, highlighted…
The Chargers have made heavy use of the tight end in their passing designs over the past decade, with stalwart Antonio Gates breaking the record for touchdowns by a tight end earlier this season. At 37, however, Gates is nearing the end of his career, which made the 2016 second-round selection of Arkansas’ Hunter Henry…
The 4-0 Texas Christian University Horned Frogs are in prime position to contend for the Big 12 Championship and a potential playoff berth. Head Coach Gary Patterson returns to his winning pedigree following a losing season: Gary Patterson after losing years: 2004: 5-6, 2005: 11-1 2013: 4-8, 2014: 12-1 2016: 6-7, 2017: — Dan Wolken…
A few weeks back, one member of the football media world decried the inclination to look ahead to the 2018 quarterback draft class before the 2017 draft even took place. Basing his argument on the uncertainties that exist from one year to the next, and how development is not linear, it was way too early…
Evaluating Cam Robinson led to a wide variety of opinions on how good he was currently and how much better he could be in the future. It led some prominent media analysts to compare him to Ereck Flowers, or dismiss his chances of playing offensive tackle altogether, and project him inside to guard. Studying Robinson’s…
Series Introduction: A scheme fit is when a player’s traits and abilities line up with a certain coach’s style and scheme. Imagine if every NFL team could draft a player that fit perfectly into their scheme. That would benefit both the teams and the players simultaneously, as general managers and coaches wouldn’t be putting a…
Click here for a full explanation of methodology and categories used in the chart above. About the class: In today’s NFL, right tackle is as much of a priority as left tackle because of the evolution of pass rushers. Some of the best edge players in the NFL are playing left defensive end or outside…
O.J. Howard’s announcement this week that he will attend the Senior Bowl in Mobile was a headline addition for an already solid group of tight ends. Evan Engram, Cole Hikutini and Gerald Everett could all potentially hear their names called on the draft’s second day, while Jeremy Sprinkle appears to be a solid day three…
A variation on the traditional i-formation, an offset i-formation is when the fullback lines up shaded to one side of the offensive line rather than directly behind the quarterback. This is frequently labeled a Strong I or Weak I formation. The offset position of the fullback makes it easier for them to make a block…
The Auburn Tigers continued their resurgence from early season struggles with a decisive blowout win against the 17th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. Mark Schofield breaks down how the Tigers ran up the score through a series of well-designed plays. After just three weeks, the sharks were already circling. The Auburn Tigers began the season with a loss…
In his preview of the 2017 NFL Draft EDGE defender class, Jon Ledyard examines the redshirt seniors available to NFL teams. The first in a five part series, Jon looks at EDGE players who can set the edge, rush the passer, and defend the run. Over the next several weeks, I’ll be producing five articles highlighting around…
When Arkansas rolled into AT&T Stadium Saturday night they were hoping to knock off fellow undefeated SEC West opponent, Texas A&M. They kept step by step with their opponent until the Aggies strung together two quick drives to put away Arkansas. Mark Schofield shows how the Aggies gained the upper hand and never looked back. Two surprising undefeated SEC West…
In scouting SEC tape Mark Schofield has uncovered a very interesting wrinkle in the Arkansas play-action passing game. Here he breaks down how the Razorbacks enjoy success despite a sluggish start running the football. For the past few years, one of the core elements of the Arkansas Razorbacks’ passing game has been boot action off of power…
Film work complete, Mark Schofield is ready to make his predictions for the coming Southeastern Conference season. Will Tennessee finally break through in the SEC East? Can Alabama hold off the LSU Tigers? Also, what players look to take home hardware at the end of the season? As we near kickoff of the college football…
The Georgia Bulldogs enter 2016 with a veteran offense and the return of star running back Nick Chubb to go along with a new coaching staff. Mark Schofield looks at how new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will utilize Chubb on the power toss. There is new blood at the helm of the Georgia Bulldogs for the…
Facing both player and coaching personnel changes, the Missouri Tigers’ defensive line dominance is officially threatened. But, as Mark Schofield writes, they still have the roster and the schemes to continue to dominate if they execute. In this piece, Mark analyzes the different schemes the Tigers use to fluster opponents. Over the past few seasons,…