Scouting Blog

Here are a couple of players who stood out during week one of CFB season.

Rodrigues Clark, RB, Memphis

Memphis fans are going be okay losing Kenneth Gainwell because Rodrigues Clark is stepping up to the plate. I really liked the run Clark had in the second quarter against Arkansas State where he ran roughly 30 yards into the end zone. The thing to like about Clark is his speed and explosion. When he gets an opening, he attacks the hole and outruns safeties. He is only a sophomore but got on the field as a true freshman with the Tigers despite a loaded backfield. Clark is also a good student off the field and has been on the AAC’s all-academic team. He also has decent size at 200 pounds and has a six-foot frame. He could probably fill it out a bit more and keep his speed.

Brenden Knox, RB, Marshall

Knox showed some things in Marshall’s week one opener against Eastern Kentucky. What I like about Knox is his elusiveness. He has a nifty slide step, which he uses to make tacklers miss. I also like his heart by pushing the pile and showing power. He is a high effort player and that is big for a player who I think would be drafted in the later rounds. He already has a decorated career as Conference USA’s MVP; so, you can’t question his production. Knox has a good frame at six feet and 223 pounds. He is a redshirt junior this year, but would be smart to come out this year instead of sacrificing another year of wear and tear in college.

Brady White, QB, Memphis

You would probably be surprised to know White has more touchdown passes already at Memphis than Paxton Lynch. That is not something to overlook. White showed against Arkansas State that he is an effective quarterback in the red zone. What I like about White’s game is his accuracy as a pocket quarterback. He might be more accurate than conference foe Shane Buechele. I like the way he places the ball to his go-to receiver Damonte Coxie. The two have put up big numbers together, but against Arkansas State I saw White completing some tricky sideline passes. I would be interested to see White in an offense with a good tight end in the NFL. White had a good relationship with coach Mike Norvell as he followed him from Arizona State all the way to Memphis. White is also decorated in the classroom.

T.J. Carter, CB, Memphis

T.J. Carter was not really in the frame against Arkansas State. He shut down NFL future receiver Jonathan Adams. I saw him line up on the outside and he played good press coverage. The senior corner will probably be more of a slot corner in the NFL, and I think he has done the job for the Tigers. He was an early bloomer having five interceptions as a freshman. He has not had as many interceptions the rest of his career though. He did a good job early in his career of preventing QBs from throwing to his side. He has also been second-team all-AAC cornerback.