Spotlight #1: BYU OT Matt Reynolds

Spotlight #2: BYU DE Hebron Fangubo 

1^st quarter

13:14: Fangubo gets to the outside on a screen pass and makes a tackle on a running back trying to spin away. He stops it for a short gain.

8:36: Excellent block on the outside by Matt Reynolds. Destroyed the defensive lineman. He’s very strong.

6:09: Quarterback tries to run to the outside, Fangubo, who is on the outside of the line, is able to react and give chase. He’s not nearly in time however as the quarterback is able to release and complete the pass.

3:20: Fangubo able to get push against a double team, draws the blockers and allows the blitzer to get to the quarterback for a sack.

2:11: UCF’s Darius Nall breaks free for a big sack. He was left untouched on a confusing blitz, but still a nice play by the cancer survivor.

2^nd quarter

11:06: Reynolds very quick to pick up a man in zone blocking.

9:03: Fangubo in on a stuff in the backfield. Gets off the line quick for someone his size and so powerful.

8:21: Fangubo runs to the outside and is able to make the tackle on the quarterback for a small gain and a 3^rd down stop.

4:19: Great pass protection by Matt Reynolds. He swallows up yet another defensive lineman.  

1:23: Reynolds uses his hands so well. He’s so strong and has great technique.

 

3^rd quarter

14:10: Reynolds mirrors his man in protection the whole way. He’s having a great night tonight. He might be older than most prospects and not that athletic, but he’s a starting caliber right tackle in the NFL.

13:31: Missed cut block by Reynolds.

12:39: UCF cornerback Josh Robinson with a big hit to make his man drop a pass. Robinson also had a pick earlier this week. He’s only junior, but he’s a 3^rd year starter and an excellent player and a huge part of this great defense. He could be a day 2 pick or higher in 2013, assuming he stays in school this year.

11:22: Great instincts and awareness by Fangubo to plug the hole to stop the ball carrier for a minimal gain.

4^th quarter

14:11: Fangubo doing everything. Now he bats down a pass at the line of scrimmage.

12:05: Reynolds dominates a guy at the line of scrimmage. Just pushed him back like he was a ragdoll. Just outmuscling him.

10:29: An excellent block by Reynolds paving the way for a rushing touchdown.

10:21: Fangubo has to run to the outside again. He moves well for his size. He forces the quarterback out of bounds.

9:16: Fangubo blocked out of the way on a 3^rd and 1 running play. UCF gets the first.

0:00: Fangubo was an extremely impressive player. BYU runs a 3-4, one of the few teams in college football who does, and Fangubo primarily lines up at 3-4 defensive end. At 6-1 330, he’s best suited for nose tackle at the next level, a position he lines up at occasionally for BYU. He’s extremely mobile for someone his size and he makes plays all over the place, but he’s also disciplined and knows when to stay at home and plug a gap. He’s extremely strong and uses his hands very well. He doesn’t have a ton of moves, but what 330 pounder does. He’s comfortable taking up multiple blocks and plugging multiple gaps and he can still get some push against 2 guys. He’s having a great season so far and if he keeps this up, he’s definitely a candidate to be a late riser in the draft because of how rare true nose tackles are.

As for Reynolds, he had an excellent game. I know it was just UCF, but he looked like a man among boys out there. He uses his hands extremely well and he just gobbled up pass rushers the whole night. He has excellent technique. However, since he’s 24, you expect him to be a man among boys out there, especially against UCF. He’s not the most athlete guy and he’ll definitely need to move to right tackle at the next level. However, I think he’s a plug and play right tackle who can start very early in his career. He is worth a 2^nd round pick.

Another very impressive player was UCF’s Josh Robinson. The small school corner likely won’t come out this year as a mere junior, but he’s someone to look for into 2013. He had an interception, a huge tackle, and was huge in coverage for a UCF defense that ranked among the best in the league coming into tonight and held a potential future pro prospect in Jake Heaps to 16 for 34 passing.