2019 Tropical Bowl
Top Players to Keep an Eye On
By: Alex Khvatov
QB Devlin Hodges (Samford)
– Four-year starter
– FCS career record holder in passing yards (14,584)
– Nickname “Duck”
– Accurate QB
– Displays nice touch
– Quick release
– Good arm strength
– Throws very well on the run
– Impressive improvisational skills
– Played well against top competition
– Undersized, light signal caller
– Sidearm delivery
– Needs to make better decisions, will take unnecessary chances
S Aaron Williams (Nebraska)
– 4-year starter
– Versatile DB
– Good open field tackler
– Displays very good quickness
– Has battled injuries throughout his career
– Smart player who has played in different defensive systems
– Needs to get stronger
– Was the QB of the defense
CB Jerome Smith (ex-Georgia State)
– 3-year starter
– Left the program in the beginning of the 2018 season
– Was one of the top corners in the Sun Belt
– Undersized, projects as a nickel CB at the next level
– Instinctive player
– Great closing speed
– Active in run support
– Can get outmuscled by bigger WR’s
DB Mook Reynolds (Texas A&M Commerce/ex-Virginia Tech)
– Dismissed from Virginia Tech prior to his senior season
– Projects as a nickel corner or SS at the next level
– Versatile DB (most effective playing near the LOS and used on blitzes)
– Good wrap up tackler
– Likes to get physical with slot WR’s and TE’s at the line of scrimmage
– Non-stop motor
– He bites on play fakes, needs to be more disciplined in coverage
WR Jamarius Way (South Alabama)
– JUCO transfer
– Big, physical WR
– Strong hands
– Displays very good leaping ability
– Long arms
– Makes contested catches look easy
– Threat in the red-zone
RB Ryan Fulse (Wagner)
– Transfer from Monroe College
– Big play threat
– Tremendous speed
– Can bounce it outside with ease
– Explosive back
– Struggled against better competition
LB Chase Hancock (Marshall)
– Recorded over 100+ tackles the last two seasons
– Has a nose for the ball
– Instinctive OLB
– Terrific tackler
– Good speed
WR Kwadarrius Smith (Akron)
– Track guy
– Elite speed (somewhere in the 4.3’s)
– Missouri transfer
– Dangerous in the open field
– Excellent deep threat
– Locates the ball well on downfield throws
– Undersized, skinny WR
– Has never put up big numbers
OT Aaron Monteiro (Boston College)
– Has been the starter at LT since his freshman season
– Great size
– Long arms
– Excels as a run blocker
– Gets very good movement in the run game
– Can get out to the second level and block on the move
– Susceptible to inside moves
– Average lateral quickness
– Needs to sustain his blocks better in pass protection
– Projects as a RT at the next level
DE/OLB Ahmad Gooden (Samford)
– FCS All-American in 2017 and 2018
– Disruptive pass rusher
– Undersized DE, projects as an OLB at the next level
– Athletic player
– Good motor
