Texas vs. The Nation has gone from a game full of small school and unknown prospects, to a game with good talent from big and small schools alike.  Several players that played in this game in recent years like Pierre Garcon and Johnny Knox have gone on to be star players in the NFL, and the scouting world has taken notice.  The Nation’s practice had a better pace today, and there was more action to report on from coach Schnellenberger’s squad.  Let’s take a look at who stood out in the Nation practice today.

QB
Jonathan Crompton(Tennessee) continued to be the star quarterback at this game.  He was throwing with good velocity once again today, and made quick decisions with the football.  Sometimes Crompton threw behind his receivers, but he would coach them up and discuss the play when they reunited back in the huddle.  He is clearly a leader, and doesn’t seem overwhelmed by the process here in El Paso.  Crompton can throw well on the run, and keeps his eyes downfield when he breaks the pocket.   

Rusty Smith(Florida Atlantic) holds on to the ball too long, and his reads come late which leads to more broken up passes.  He was throwing with more zip and intention today, but failed to really wow me.  He gets good depth when he drops back, and knows how to throw low and away from coverage.  His motion seemed more natural today, as he was just flinging the ball around the field.     

Tim Hiller(Western Michigan) had a bad day of practice.  Often he would drop back and just never throw the ball.  He was too indecisive in the face of the rush during 11-on-11 drills.  When he was throwing 1-on-1’s with the receivers he seemed more focus.  If he can just stand in the pocket and not feel pressure he can zip the ball with ease.  However, he feels the rush early (even when it’s not there) and looks to bail on a play ASAP.  When he does actually let the ball go, it’s usually to a checkdown receiver.  We’ll see if Hiller can have a better day tomorrow when facing a rush.   

RB
Alfonso Smith(Kentucky) had consistent hands as a receiver out of the backfield today.  I liked the way he kept his legs moving after contact, and did not give up easily on a play.  He did what I call the “Thurman Hop” today, where he would grab the back of his linemen’s jersey and hop-cut behind them like Buffalo Bills RB Thurman Thomas used to do.  When the time was right, Smith would cut in or out and gain yardage in the open field.  At the end of practice he was a little shaken up because he lowered his head and ran into a defensive back and a safety.  He walked away under his own power, but you could tell he was hurting.       

Curtis Steele(Memphis) is my favorite running back here, and after two days of practice it’s clear why.  He showed good hands as a receiver and was quick to get his head around for the catch.  He needs to work on his pass protection skills, but you can say that about nearly every running back I’ve seen over the last three weeks.  He has a good stutter step, and doesn’t lose much speed when he changes direction.  I like the way he runs with balance, vision and agility.  His feet are among the best I’ve seen this season covering the All-Star games.  The best play to demonstrate that today was when he ran off tackle, got to the second level and it looked like he may be tripped up.  Instead, Steele pulled his foot out of the grasp of a defender and jump cut to the outside for a big gain.   

Dominique Lindsay(East Carolina) didn’t look quite as polished as a receiver when compared to his teammates.  He didn’t flatten out his routes when coming out of the backfield, and thus was running right into coverage instead of giving himself space to work with after the catch.   

Toney Baker(North Carolina State) does not have much wiggle and really struggles to run outside the tackles.  When he’s forced to the outside he dances too much and thus loses yardage every time.  Baker loses too much momentum when he has to change direction.  He is a hard charging runner, and can split through the line when the hole is huge.  Baker is not much of a receiver and tends to fight the ball. 

Mike Rinfrette(FB - Wake Forest) caught a couple of passes, but doesn’t really wow you as a runner or receiver.

Chris Zardas(FB - Massachusetts) did not make it into my notebook today.

WR/TE
Marcus Easley(Connecticut) showed good hands early in practice and was getting low for passes.  During 1-on1 drills he high pointed a pass on the sideline with a defender draped all over him.  He tends to run his routes out of control, and lacks the balance to make crisp cuts.   

Donald Jones(Youngstown State) needs to learn how to drive back to the ball on a comeback route.  Coaches were working with all the Nation receivers on that skill, and it looked like Jones had the most to learn out of the group.  He looked good when running slant and go routes, and turns his head around quickly to secure the incoming pass.   

Scott Long(Louisville) high pointed a beautiful pass today that Jonathan Crompton fit between two defenders.  Long can catch a hook route, and with his back to the defender, juke around with a nice shoulder fake. 

Preston Parker(Northern Alabama) is out with an injury. 

Brett Hamlin(Buffalo U.) is an intriguing player that has shown improvement from day one to day two.  He’s coming back to the ball better, but his routes in general are not very crisp.  He tends to round out his routes, and does not sell the fake enough so usually defensive backs are draped all over him.

Kyle Williams(Arizona State) is the most polished receiver out of this group.  He is a great option on wide receiver screens because of his quickness and agility after the catch.  He has a fantastic stutter and go move to get open deep, but could work on his ball tracking ability.  When working in the end zone he knows how to use a slight arm bar to create space and get open.

Dedrick Epps(TE - Miami) was out with an injury.

Jason Harmon(TE - Florida Atlantic) didn’t have as many “wow” plays as he did yesterday, but he still was a walking highlight play.  Harmon is very athletic, and spun around in the air to make two grabs over the middle today.  Every time a tough catch was needed, Harmon came up with the right play.  He also scooped one off the turf, and showed good body control when working the sidelines.