2008 UDFA List: Defense
Here’s part two of the UDFAs the Jets are bringing in today for practice … the Jets seem serious about finding a defensive back and an athletic linebacker who can contribute on special teams. Mattison is an interesting option at DE as well …
The names and information of the defenders after the jump.
Nate Lyles – SS – Virginia
Metrics – Height: 5’11″ Weight: 203 40 Time: 4.48
Scouting: Was sidelined with a neck injury in 2005, is a player-coach type and clearly one who Coach Al Groh recommended to Mangini. During last summer, Nate Lyles switched out of his regular practice jersey, of his own will because he made mental mistakes and wanted to reprimand himself. Groh says of Lyles that he is “a very, very conscientious player. Very conscientious. Very easy to coach. And fun to coach.” Groh grew accustomed to Lyles knocking on his office door during summers and asking if there were tapes he should view. This is a Mangini guy through and through and one who would fall in line quickly with secondary leader Kerry Rhodes.
Curtis Cutts – SS – Central Michigan
Metrics – Height: 6’0″ Weight: 216 40 Time: 4.62
Scouting: His agent is Joe Linta, a guy known for finding “upside” guys like Russ Hochstein, Ray Ventrone, Jacob Bender & Joe Flacco. Cutts tore a pectoral muscle and says he’s ready to go. Before his injury in 2007, Cutts stood a good chance of getting drafted. Cutts is a dedicated and hard-worker, which is what Mangini likes from his practice squadders. Read more about Cutts here.
Zach Catanese – FS - Arizona State
Metrics – Height: 6’2″ Weight: 225 40 Time: 4.60
Scouting: Catanese was considered a 4th-6th round pick in 2007, before Catanese tore his left ACL and meniscus in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24, 2006 and was too much of an injury-risk by NFL teams last year. With a years worth of rehab, Catanese might be ready. A good sized player, Catanese is an on-field leader, and was one of the best tacklers in his time at Arizona State.
Alfred Phillips – CB – Wagner
Metrics – Height: 5’11″ Weight: 195 40 Time: 4.47
Scouting: Three time Mid-Major All-American at Wagner College on Staten Island. 17 interceptions, 32 passes defensed and showed great kickoff and punt return skills. Cover corner who plays with attitude and is physical at the line, turns and runs well with receivers down the sideline. A bit small and may lack the strength to handle larger receivers. Not a great tackler and could project to a slot corner.
Brandon Renkart – LB – Rutgers
Metrics – Height: 6’3″ Weight: 236 40 Time: 4.59
Scouting: Versatile, impressive looking athlete, but undersized and would be best suited as a special teams player initially. With patient coaching he might payoff well for the Jets. Recruited as a QB, Renkart has played in a number of positions, from receiver to before making him a linebacker. Renkart is still learning to recognize blocking schemes and pass routes and how to react. He needs effort and dedication, but Renkart is a very smart athlete and could have some impressive potential.
Kenwin Cummings – DE/LB – Wingate
Metrics – Height: 6’2″ Weight: 266 40 Time: 4.94
Scouting: D-II prospect, Cummings was known in college for his ability to create sacks and tackles for loss, and in 2006 he had 9 sacks and 17.5 TFL, as a senior he follwed up with 7.5 sacks and 18 TFLs. Has run faster than the 40 time listed in Pro Days. Cummings faces an uphill battle as a D-II player.
Rodrick Johnson - ILB - Oklahoma State
Metrics – Height: 6’2″ Weight: 254 40 Time: 4.87
Scouting: The Jets need to identify a player who they can build into an eventual replacement for Eric Barton, who is now over 30. Johnson isn’t fast or big enough to be an edge-setting LB, so he would likely play inside in the 3-4. Johnson suffered statistically as a senior because he played as a DE due to injuries to the Cowboys.
Jacob Owens - DE - Fairmont State
Metrics – Height: 6’5″ Weight: 272 40 Time: 4.88
Scouting: Ranked as one of the 40-50 best Defensive Ends in the country. Not exceptionally quick but will hustle and chase from behind. Can get stood up on run plays. Productive in D2, 31.5 tackles for loss in the past three years.
Bryan Mattison - DE - Iowa
Metrics – Height: 6’3″ Weight: 290 40 Time: 5.05
Scouting: Mattison was a three year starter at Iowa and comes from a football family. His father is a coach who worked for the Ravens. Mattison was a team captain and played exclusively as a LDE and ranked second with four forced fumbles on his team. He was in on 61 tackles (27 solos) and became the fourth Hawkeye to lead the team in sacks in back-to-back seasons, collecting nine for minus 54 yards.
2 Responses to 2008 UDFA List: Defense
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MB927LI says:
Sounds good, I love the competition
Rodd Johnson impressed me more than anyone else in this group and is perfectly sized to take on blockers and allow a guy like Harris to wreak havoc.
I was also a fan of Catanese and it seems they are bringing in a ton on bodies to compete for places in the secondary.