Braxton Miller only played wide receiver for one season of college football, but the attention to detail and personal development in his craft put the former Ohio State quarterback even further into the brains of NFL scouts and analysts at the Senior Bowl.
Miller served as an main headliner in Mobile, Alabama, where he earned Practice Player of the Week honors for his precise route running and elite speed. He had NFL brass buzzing all week, among them the astute Dane Brugler of CBS Sports. In his latest mock draft, Brugler has Miller staying in his home state and getting selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 24th overall pick.
"I put him in my top 50 a few weeks ago before the Senior Bowl so I already thought he was in the top 50 mix, but after seeing him live at the Senior Bowl it would not shock me at all if someone in the later portion of the first round takes a chance on him," Brugler told Eleven Warriors Monday about Miller. "A developing player as a rookie and then competing to be a starting wide receiver by Year 2."
Brugler—like many other analysts—was impressed not only with Miller's performance at the Senior Bowl, but all Buckeyes in attendance. Adolphus Washington, Nick Vannett and Tyvis Powell all were heavy contributors in the game, which the South Team won 27-16.
Brugler joined us to break down each Buckeye at the Senior Bowl, including Noah Spence, who played his final season of college ball at Eastern Kentucky in 2015 after a rough exit from Ohio State.
Braxton Miller – Wide Receiver
As mentioned above, Miller stole the show in Mobile. His pure athleticism put him a cut above any other skill player there.
"He's twitched up, he's explosive," Brugler said. "That type of setting allows his athletic gifts to be on full display during 1-on-1 drills. Cornerbacks just didn't have any chance."
Miller only recorded two catches for eight yards in Saturday's game, but he showed his explosion on a 31-yard kickoff return. He also fielded a punt and took a handoff on a reverse. Brugler said Miller's skill set can certainly be an asset at the next level, but he just needs to gain more experience in game settings at the position.
"It's a different thing when you're asked to go over the middle and make a catch knowing you're about to get popped by a linebacker," Brugler said. "That's just a different ask to make for a guy like Braxton Miller who just hasn't done it before. I think there definitely will be a learning curve in that respect."
Miller remains in Brugler's top 50 prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft, a projection that could rise if the two-time Big Ten Player of the Year puts up huge numbers in the 40-yard dash and other drills at the NFL Combine later this month.
"If he runs a 4.38 (40-yard dash) and he's not happy with that, maybe we'll see him run again at Ohio State Pro Day and see what he can do there," Brugler said.
Nick Vannett – Tight End
Vannett, like Miller, was underutilized in Ohio State's offense in 2015. The tight end only recorded 19 receptions for 162 yards in his senior season and did not reach the end zone.
The paltry numbers can't change, and Brugler slots Vannett as the top senior at his position in this draft class.
"Leaving the Senior Bowl, Vannett was definitely my top senior tight end," Brugler said. "I think he really separated himself among the other tight ends. He's not the most athletic, he's very similar to (Jeff) Heuerman last year, but he's not quite the same athlete. He's a step below."
Vannett led the North with 58 receiving yards in the Senior Bowl and blocked well to show the versatility that comes with his 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame.
"Hunter Henry out of Arkansas is probably going to be the first tight end drafted, but he's a receiving tight end," Brugler said. "For a team that wants the dual threat tight end, a guy that can block and line up in line and do different things, Vannett is probably the most well-rounded tight end in his class."
Brugler projects Vannett as a fourth-round talent, but could see him bump up to the third depending on a team's need because he is among the best options in a weak tight end talent pool.
Adolphus Washington – Defensive Tackle
A dark cloud hung over Washington's draft stock prior to the Senior Bowl because of the abrupt halt to his college career. The defensive tackle was suspended by Urban Meyer for the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame after he was cited for solicitation Dec. 10.
That is something the former defensive end will have to answer to likely for the rest of his life, but especially in the months before the draft. However, Washington did his best to show what he brings between the lines at the Senior Bowl, Brugler said.
"I thought going into it, when you hear Adolphus Washington, heard his name, the first thing that came to your mind was that incident which prematurely ended his college career," Brugler said. "But after the first day of practice, I think what Adolphus was doing on the field spoke far more than that incident.
Brugler continued: "He was excellent in 1-on-1 drills, snap quickness, burst off the ball. That short area of quickness to beat blockers in space, he really took a few of these linemen to task."
In a draft class loaded with defensive tackles, Brugler sees Washington as a second or third round talent. Washington needs to improve on his second or third moves on the inside, sticking with his pursuit if his first technique doesn't do the job.
He'll face questions about his off-field incident all throughout the evaluation process, but how he stacks up among talented big guys on the interior like Jarron Reed and A'Shawn Robinson from Alabama, Louisville's Sheldon Rankins, Penn State's Austin Johnson and others will go toward determining where he hears his name called in April.
"I think Adolphus performed well next to those guys so I think he's probably somewhere in the top 64, top 70, somewhere in that mix," Brugler said. "Obviously the incident, that's something he'll have to answer for. I'm sure he did at the Senior Bowl and at the combine he'll definitely have to answer for it then."
Tyvis Powell – Safety
It is difficult for safeties to make a name for themselves in an all-star game setting, because typically defenses use base concepts that keep them back in coverage. In 1-on-1 practice drills designed to showcase the offense, safeties can often look bad.
Powell neither hurt nor helped his stock in Mobile, according to Brugler.
"He's very average all the way around," Brugler said. "That's not a negative, but I don't think he stood out in any one way during practice and that. But I do give him credit, being a junior he took advantage of that. Being a redshirt junior and having already graduated, he could attend the Senior Bowl. So I do give him credit for accepting that invitation and competing. I don't think he hurt himself, I don't think he necessarily raised his stock at all."
Powell left Ohio State even though he had a year left of eligibility, but felt ready after winning Big Ten and national championships to go with earning his degree.
"He had a pretty solid week and I think he kind of matched what he put on tape the last four years at Ohio State," Brugler said.
Joshua Perry – Linebacker
A groin injury held Perry out of Senior Bowl practices after just one day, which left Brugler and other analysts disappointed for not getting to see more of the former Buckeye captain and linebacker.
"It's unfortunate for Perry because I thought he was one of the better linebackers in Mobile and unfortunately we didn't get to see much of what he can do," Brugler said.
Perry put plenty on tape during his time at Ohio State, however, leading the Buckeyes in tackles in 2014 and finishing second behind Raekwon McMillan last season. Plus, Brugler said, Perry's finely sculpted frame caught the eye of all at the Senior Bowl.
"I know even though Josh missed most of the week, he killed the weigh-in," Brugler said. "He was almost 6-foot-4, 253 (pounds), almost 33-inch arms. Even though it wasn't an ideal week for him, it was still a good experience for him I'm sure."
Perry missed an opportunity due to his injury to show what he can do, but is a highly sought after prospect for the way he carries himself on the field and off it. Brugler sees Perry's draft projection varying based on a team's scheme, because his size could lean some franchises to think he could do more than just play linebacker.
"He looks like a defensive end. He has long arms and I think he can fit different schemes," Brugler said. "Whether it's a 3-4 and he can occasionally put his hand on the ground or you drop him in space. I think that versatility is really key for him. I think that's what really makes Joshua Perry such a draftable prospect."
Noah Spence – Defensive End
Spence left Ohio State after the 2013 season after multiple failed drug tests, a problem he combatted in therapy before getting a second chance at Eastern Kentucky. His 7.5 sacks tied Joey Bosa for the team lead in 2013, when he earned first team All-Big Ten honors. Spence's talent was never the problem, but he carries considerable question marks because of his drug history.
Spence dominated the Senior Bowl, showing how dangerous a potential defensive line that included him, Bosa and Washington could have been had all stayed at Ohio State through 2015.
"It would have been unfair," Brugler said. "Noah Spence, he was the best player at the Senior Bowl. Plain and simple. He's a top 10 talent."
After quarterback, the NFL is putting a further emphasis on offensive tackles and pass rushers, with the game becoming more passing oriented in recent years. Spence perfectly fits that pass rushing mold, so Brugler would not be shocked if a team took a chance on him early."
"If not for the baggage, he would go in the top 10. And he still might, because his talent is that great," Brugler said. "The NFL wants pass rushers."
Teams might shy away from Spence because of his off-field issues and exit from Ohio State, which not only raises questions about if he is past it but also deprived the Buckeyes from what would have been a terrifying front four.
"That defensive line at Ohio State would have just been nasty with Bosa and Spence on the edges and the talent they had in the interior," Brugler said. "It's unfortunate we couldn't see it, but Spence is one of the top prospects in the draft. It'll come down to how comfortable teams are with the off-field stuff with him. It would not shock me at all if he still goes top 10 even with that baggage because that talent is so great."
The talent from Ohio State's 2015 squad is well documented, a direct result of nine players leaving eligibility on the table and a senior class that recorded 50 wins in its last four seasons.
Buckeyes will dominate the NFL Draft, but it won't only be due to the young talent that left the program. The upperclassmen, led by Miller, provide plenty of intrigue with just how many players will go in the early rounds. And, it shows how much skill Urban Meyer had to work with in 2015.
"That Ohio State Pro Day is going to be a mini scouting convention with the amount of scouts and NFL personnel and coaches that are going to be on hand," Brugler said.
Pro Day—which is typically held by Ohio State in March—will no doubt be a highly attended affair for NFL brass, a last ditch effort for Buckeyes to show what they can do ahead of the NFL Draft. The draft opens April 28 in Chicago.
