Strengths: Dual-Threat Quarterback Powerful arm Excellent mobility Size & strength Escapability Experienced Quick release Weaknesses: Not a natural passer Decision-making Field vision Struggles to work through progressions Runs to quickly Spotty accuracy Can panic at times Didn’t play as well against good defenses Summary: Entering Manuel’s senior season, there were some that were projecting him…

Strengths: Extremely physical Excellent run-defender Good pass-coverage ability Superb as eighth man in the box Instinctive Quickly flies around the field Devastating hitter Can separate the ball from the receiver Athletic enough to cover tight ends and running backs in man coverage Keeps plays in front of him Good blitzer Should be valuable on special…

Strengths: Ability to play press-man coverage Excellent in zone coverage Ball skills and plus hands Very instinctive Great height and length Good in bump-and-run Quick feet Football speed Improved his game Comfortable with ball in the air Recoverability Very physical with receivers Played well against good competition Good tackler Strong in run support Special teams…

Strengths: Road-grading power back Deceptive speed, can break off long touchdown runs Ideal build and size Quickness to the hole Tough, physical runner Excellent yards after contact Arm tackles don’t work on him Great spin move to break free from tacklers Runs behind pads Effective in goal line, short-yardage situations Has good straight-line speed Can…

Career Recap: The redshirt senior Fauria has been a solid player for the Bruins the past two seasons. He started out his collegiate career at Notre Dame before transferring to UCLA. The Los Angeles Times wrote an article that Fauria had been kicked out of Notre Dame, but the full story hasn’t been reported. Fauria…

Career Recap: Brown entered the starting lineup for the Illini as a sophomore in 2011 and became an immediate playmaker. He flew around the field and consistently generated splash plays. Brown had 108 tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, four passes broken up, a forced fumble and an interception. He was tied for…

Strengths: Man-coverage ability Ability to run with receivers in their routes Rarely allows separation Good cover skills Cover-corner ability Change of direction skills Quick feet Good speed Comfortable with ball in the air Great hip flexibility to turn and run Plays well in zone Good size Recoverability Gritty; physical with receivers Confident; has the man-corner…

Strengths: Very strong Physical Excellent hands Superb run-blocker Big target Attacks the middle seam Leaping ability Good route-running Red-zone weapon Asset in short-yardage, goal-line situations Tough to bring down Strong drive-blocker Dangerous seam tight end Weaknesses: Fast enough for the NFL? A Big Ten plodder? Should slim down Lacks good speed May not be a…

Strengths: Elite pass-protector Very reliable Mirrors well with speed-rushers Quick feet Great length Knee bend Fast in his drop Very advanced technique Mobility to hit blocks on the perimeter Gets to blocks on the second level Can anchor against bull rushes Fabulous recoverability Should be a technician in the NFL Flexible to play zone-blocking or…

Strengths: Hard hitter Tackling ability Run defense Physical presence Can separate the ball from the receiver Experienced Durable Quickness Ready to compete quickly Weaknesses: Liability in pass coverage Constantly burned in 2012 Can take bad angles Takes false steps Stiff; struggles to turn and run with receivers Sometimes he doesn’t wrap up Overly aggressive; penalties…