Two local prospects are among the 333 players who were invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine, which runs through Tuesday in Indianapolis. Here is a breakdown of the two who will represent the Beacon Journal’s coverage area:
JOHNNY ADAMS
Hometown: Akron.
High school: Buchtel.
College: Michigan State.
Position: Cornerback.
Year: Senior.
Age: 23.
Size: 5-foot-11, 178 pounds.
NFLDraftScout.com projection: Sixth- or seventh-round pick.
Notes: Started 39 of the 54 games in which he appeared at Michigan State. Compiled 157 tackles, 24 pass breakups and 11 interceptions. Finished ranked fourth in school history with 230 interception-return yards, fifth with 35 passes defended and 10th with 11 interceptions. Earned All-Big Ten honors in each of the past three seasons (the coaches voted him to their first team twice and second team once; the media voted him to their second team twice). Received a bachelor’s degree in sociology in December 2012.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s take: “I think in terms of Johnny Adams, here’s a kid who started out the year, had a pretty high grade and struggled at times,” Kiper said last week during a conference call. “That’s the thing. You looked at him and there were some games where he didn’t play as well as I thought he could have and should have. He’s got very good ball skills for the most part. Here’s a kid who plays with a lot of confidence out there. He seems to be a guy that when you bring him in, could I think allow you to think he’s a third, fourth guy. He’s a nickel guy in this league where you need five corners more than likely starting the season. … You need so many corners now. That’s going to help Johnny Adams probably be a fourth-round type of pick. So I would say Round 4 for him.”
BRIAN WINTERS
Hometown: Hudson.
High school: Hudson.
College: Kent State.
Position: Offensive line.
Year: Senior.
Age: 21.
Size: 6-foot-4, 310 pounds.
NFLDraftScout.com projection: Third- or fourth-round pick.
Notes: Set a Kent State record by starting all 50 games (34 at left tackle and 16 at right tackle) since he joined the program in 2009. Named first-team All-Mid-American Conference as a senior, second-team All-MAC as a junior and third-team All-MAC as a sophomore. Became one of three MAC players selected to participate in the Senior Bowl last month in Mobile, Ala.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s take: “Brian Winters from Kent State, he’s a guy that you look at as a tackle but you knew the way he was at Kent State, the way he played the game at Kent State, the way he went about his business, he would be a guy who could be a right tackle or a guard, not a left tackle [in the NFL],” Kiper said last week during a conference call. “So I’d say as a guard in this league, there’s no question he’s going to help a team. Where he goes, I think probably third round. I thought second round at one point. I’m thinking more third. So he’s going to be, I think, a nice addition. He’s going to be a guy that starts for a long time in this league and gives you solid performances.”
— Nate Ulrich
