Rookie Free Agents

[texaschief]

Here's where we're going to post the undrafted free agents as we hear of them.

Kalvin McRae, RB Ohio (30th ranked RB)

Strengths:
Natural runner with good vision and instincts...Strong and runs hard...Tough and durable...A pretty good receiver out of the backfield...Has decent awareness as a blocker..Excellent production...Hard worker..Team leader...Has a lot of experience.


Weaknesses:
Below average size and bulk...Does not have great speed and lacks a burst...Poor ball security...Doesn't have much wiggle and won't make people miss...Has lots of mileage on his tires...Did not always play against top competition...Limited upside.

Notes:
Was a four-year starter...The Bobcats all-time leading rusher...A jack-of-all-trades who does everything well but nothing great..A terrific mid-level college player who simply doesn't have the physical tools to project as anything more than a backup.

Connor Barth K North Carolina (8th ranked K)

Strengths:
Decent size...Has plenty of leg...Clutch and handles pressure really well...Can also kickoff....Has developed good accuracy and consistency...Productive...Experienced.

Weaknesses:
Has trouble with the longer attempts..Some of his kicks come out a little low...Had had too many of his attempts blocked..Struggled with accuracy early in his career.

Notes:
Younger brother Casey is also a kicker and walked-on with the Tar Heels...Was a first-team All-American in high school...Was a four-year starter..Holds the Tar Heel record for most field goals made....Deserves a camp invite....Underrated prospect.

Derek Lokey DL Texas

6'1 293- I watched this guy a lot at Texas. While Okam would've been a better DT at Texas, I really liked Lokey. He showed up a lot and you heard his name making tackles as the games progressed. He has a non stop motor and is pretty athletic for a DT. I've heard that he could translate to a FB in the NFL. That would be interesting to see a 300lb. FB. lol

Ricky Santos QB New Hampshire

Strengths:
Extremely productive...Great leadership abilities..Intense and competitive and is a true gamer...Good touch and timing...Pretty accurate...Quick delivery...Has decent mobility and can make plays with his feet...Is very tough...Has a lot of experience.

Weaknesses:
Did not play against top competition...Lacks the ideal size that you look for...Does not have a very strong arm...Can be reckless at times...Makes iffy decisions when under duress...Worked from the shotgun and has to adjust to a pro style offense.

Notes:
A four-year starter...In 2006 he won the Walter Payton Award as the top player in I-AA football...His cousin, Bobby Santos, races in the NASCAR Busch Series...Prolific college player who was dominant at his level but lacks the physical tools you look for in a NFL signal caller...Stats and intangibles could get him in somebody's camp.

[hermhater]

Didn't we sign Connor Barth yesterday?

[texaschief]

Steve Oktavien LB Nebraska

Strengths:
Superb athleticism...Very good timed speed...Explosive with a burst...Good tackler and shows some power...Has sideline-to-sideline range...Good pass rusher/blitzer and makes a lot if impact plays behind the line...Has fluid hips and does a nice job in coverage...Real intense with a fantastic motor...Versatile..Still has some upside.

Weaknesses:
Health and durability are major concerns....Does not have great size or bulk...Has some trouble taking on and shedding blockers...A little inconsistent...Questionable instincts and awareness...Lacks top ball skills..Does not have a ton of experience.

Notes:
His sister, Dayana, was a three-time track All-American in the discus and hammer throw at South Florida and competed in the '04 U.S. Olympic Trials...Was originally slated to attend the U of Illinois out of high school but wound up at William Rainey Harper (Ill.) College, where he went on to become one of the top JUCO recruits in the country as well as a track standout in the 400-meter relay and discus...Dealt with an assortment injuries in 2004, 2005 and 2006 but was finally able to show just how good he can be when healthy as a senior...Could be a pleasant surprise for someone and a steal if he can just manage to steer clear of the trainer's room.

Johnny Dingle OT West Virginia

Maurice Purify WR Nebraska

Strengths:
Excellent size and great bulk with a solid frame...Has long arms and big hands...Is strong and physical...Very aggressive with great ball skills and body control...Can make the spectacular catch...Decent athleticism...Knows how to use his size to his advantage...A fantastic leaper...Can be a terror in the redzone...Pretty productive.

Weaknesses:
Not very explosive and lacks a burst...Will struggle to separate..Is not real elusive and won't do much after the catch...Does not have reliable hands...Is not a great route runner...Not nearly as good of a blocker as he should be...Only two years of DI experience...He won't stretch the field vertically...Has some character concerns.

Notes:
Highly-touted JUCO transfer from San Francisco City College..His nephew is former Colorado tailback Bobby Purify...Was arrested in '06 on two counts of assault and one count of resisting arrest and then just five weeks later he was arrested again for suspicion of drunken driving...Ironically he was a criminal justice major...He has some physical tools to work with but will need to keep his nose clean off the field.

[hermhater]

Johnny Dingle.



That's got to be a joke right?

[bigpoppachief]

Lokey could be a beast and octavien I have always liked and hated texas playing nebraska because of him

[Catfan]

As a longtime KC fan living in New Hampshire, I find it interesting that the pros are questioning the competition Santos faced in college, especially since Joe Flacco (18th overall pick) faced the same compeition. Santos was undefeated against IA competition, including victories over Rutgers, Northwestern and Marshall. The local papers here do a good job covering UNH football, but the best place to find info on Santos is probably the New Hampshire Football Report: www.nhfootballreport.com. Go Chiefs!

[hermhater]

Lokey could be a beast and octavien I have always liked and hated texas playing nebraska because of him

I don't watch much college ball, so I will take your word for it.

Unless MU is on the teams just don't really interest me that much.

As a longtime KC fan living in New Hampshire, I find it interesting that the pros are questioning the competition Santos faced in college, especially since Joe Flacco (18th overall pick) faced the same compeition. Santos was undefeated against IA competition, including victories over Rutgers, Northwestern and Marshall. The local papers here do a good job covering UNH football, but the best place to find info on Santos is probably the New Hampshire Football Report: www.nhfootballreport.com. Go Chiefs!

Thanks for the info, maybe we will pick this guy up and bring him to camp!

[texaschief]

Jonal Saint-Dic LB Michigan St.

Chris McDuffie OG Clemson

Strengths:
Has excellent size and bulk...Very strong and powerful...Good drive blocker...Stout at the point of attack...Decent mobility and range...Physical and aggressive with a great motor...Is very tough....Plays with a nasty demeanor...Still has some upside.

Weaknesses:
Not a great athlete...Is not a natural knee bender...Poor balance...Needs to keep his weight in check...Poor technique and footwork..Questionable awareness...Ran into off-the-field trouble...He does not have much starting experience...Durability?

Notes:
Prepped at Hargrave Military Academy....Redshirted in 2003 and played defensive tackle his first couple of years before moving to the offensive line in 2005....Was just a one-year starter...Charged with a drug offense in '04...Has an elbow injury that needs to be checked out....Might be a bit of a big school sleeper because he basically only had one full college season to really showcase himself as a starter.

Sean Bailey WR Georgia

Mike Cox FB Georgia Tech

Strengths:
Excellent size and bulk...Very strong and physical...Outstanding lead blocker...Can hold his ground in pass pro...Aggressive with a killer instinct...Decent receiver out of the backfield...Smart with nice awareness...Has a non-stop motor..Hard worker.

Weaknesses:
Is not a smooth athlete..Lacks ideal timed speed and doesn't have a burst..Offers very little as a runner and didn't get many chances to carry the ball...Must learn to keep his feet moving on contact...Was not productive..Has some durability issues.

Notes:
Was a three-year starter in the ACC...Underwent shoulder surgery before the '07 season...Could make a roster with the right team but more often than not the NFL is looking for versatility from their fullbacks these days....One-dimensional blocker.

Luke Swan WR Wisconsin

Strengths:
Adequate height and bulk...Excellent route runner...Fantastic leaping ability....Nice body control and ball skills...Very smart with good awareness..Decent athlete with reliable hands...Gives nice effort as a blocker..Hard worker with a non-stop motor.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the timed speed you look for...Not explosive and lacks a burst...Is not real strong or physical and gets pushed around...Has some health / durability concerns..Offers very little after the catch..Real limited experience and production.

Notes:
A former walk-on...Only about a season and a half of starting experience...Missed over half of his senior season with a torn hamstring that required surgery...Better athleticism than he is given credit for and might still have some upside...Could be brought in as a late round developmental type...Profiles as a possession receiver.

Larue Rumph LB NCST

[Canada]

I hope we sign Cox and Dingle!! Those would be some great jerseys to get!!

[texaschief]

I hope we sign Cox and Dingle!! Those would be some great jerseys to get!!

don't forget Saint-Dic