As I’ve said before, now is a great time to be a college football student-athlete because you have so many options to continue playing the sport you love. Between the XFL kicking off in February and the USFL kicking off its second season in mid-April, coupled with what we’ve seen the past two seasons in the European Football League, there’s a lot to look forward to after college. if you want to keep seeing opportunities. We cannot forget the great work done in the various indoor leagues, such as the Indoor Football League and the National Arena League.
Obviously, the NFL and CFL are the two well-known professional leagues, but not all players are ready to enter these leagues right away and make an impact. That’s why, in this week’s edition of The Hunt Report, I wanted to take a look at a few players who could transition right away, and others who could benefit from alternate leagues as a starting point. before jumping into NFL and CFL opportunities down the line.
For last week’s hunting report, be sure to click here.
European Football League
We have reached the league game in the ELF, and we get the Hamburg Sea Devils and the Vienna Vikings in the final game. Both teams have been the most consistent throughout the season. We featured some of their players earlier in The hunting reportbut here are two more to watch in this game. What makes these two players special is that they are more than likely the key game we will see on the perimeter.
CB Justin Rogers (Hamburg Sea Devils)
- Age: 24
- Middle School: UTEP
- Height: 5-11
- Lester: 185
A click-and-close type wedge, Rogers has above-average burst and quickness for the position. It can sit and drive on the football and get extremely close to the road. As one of the best returners in the ELF, he has the ball skills to make quarterbacks pay. What will be interesting to see in this game is how he is able to balance patience and aggression against Vienna’s incredible passing attack. So far this season, he has had five assists, which leads the team.
WR Jordan Bouah (Vienna Vikings)
- Age: 27
- Middle School: Saddleback College
- Height: 5-11
- Lester: 185
Bouah reminds me so much of Victor Cruz in the way he is able to drive his hips in and get in and out of his breaks. It’s both as a road runner and when he has the ball in his hands. He has very good strength to outplay physical defensive backs on the course and at the point of capture. I also like how he tracks the ball deep and can be considered his best deep threat because of that ability. If Vienna wants to win the title, better believe that he will take some deep shots at Bouah in this game.
college football
RB Keon Edwards
- Middle School: Western University
- Height: 5-10
- Lester: 230
Edwards is a bulldozer of a back, with a very good initial burst through the hole. He has a bit of a straight style, but has enough quick feet to be able to change direction with no problem. With his initial burst through the hole, he is able to not only hit, but also maintain his top speed throughout the game. He just finished a season of 1,264 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021 and has already off to a great start for 2022, rushing for more than 100 yards in each of his three games this year. Next game: September 24 against Waterloo
QB Larry Harrington
- Year: Senior
- Middle School: Langston University (OK)
- Height: 6-1
- Lester: 190
I’m a big fan of the QB intangibles, and Harrington has those particular traits you’re looking for in the job. He was coached well at Langston by coach Quinton Morgan, and he’s been a big reason the Lions are consistently ranked in NAIA polls. He has very good touch and placement on throws deeper in the field and shows good skill when the picture changes after the shot. Last week was probably his most complete game, throwing for 420 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. There’s a ton of room for growth and development in his game and from a physical standpoint, but as I mentioned earlier there are plenty of options for him to get all three as professional player. Next game: September 24 vs. Arkansas Baptist College
WR DeAngelo Hardy
- Year: Junior
- Middle School: North Central (Illinois)
- Height: 6-0
- Lester: 200
Look, I’m not throwing that name around here as a 1:1 comparison, but more of a stylistic comparison. Hardy’s play and fluidity reminds me a lot of former Kutztown star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Reed. Again, stylistically compared to Reed. Hardy has a knack for going lean when navigating his routes in traffic, especially on lean posts and corners. His fluidity shows when he has the ball in his hands, as he is a formidable runner in the open field. He’s someone to keep under your hat for 2024. Next match: September 24 vs. Elmhurst University
OL Xavier Cason
- Year: Senior
- Middle School: Emporia State
- Height: 6-4
- Lester: 311
Cason manages the left tackle position for the Hornets and handles it very well. He has a very good body composition, which really sets me apart coming from a smaller program. It’s a well-crafted perspective. I like his ability in the running game, and he does a fantastic job when he needs to block or directly block a defender. His pass pro eyes are solid, as he is not fooled by stunts and twists. It will be interesting to see where he ends up, position-wise, as a pro. I believe he is more of a next level guard. Next game: September 24 vs. Pittsburg State
QB Noah Mitchell
- Year: Senior
- Middle School: California (Pennsylvania)
- Height: 6-3
- Lester: 220
The Vulcans have a talented passer, arguably the best in the PSAC, in Mitchell. I like how he’s able to put the ball up high, definitely showing no fear of playing the big game. He gets really good speed on his passes, putting it in front where a receiver doesn’t break stride. Steadily improving each year, he’s off to a great start to the season, throwing seven touchdowns for just one interception. He’s going to end up in someone’s playoff all-star game when all is said and done. Next game: September 24 against Edinboro
C.B. Eddie Morales III
- Year: Graduate student
- Middle School: monmouth
- Height: 5-10
- Lester: 185
Morales is a fantastic Soccer player. I emphasized the role of the football player because you can just tell he played a lot of it growing up. From an instinctive, conscience and overall game point of view, it has it all. He makes an impact both in coverage and in the return game, as one of the best punt returners in FCS. He’s a three-time All-Big South performer with six interceptions and 22 pass breakups on his resume. Morales is capable of playing both man and zone coverage, and should have a home inside as a slots defender. Next game: September 24 against Villanova
LB Michael Scott
- Year: Senior
- Middle School: South Dakota
- Height: 6-2
- Lester: 240
More of a classic SAM backer, Scott does a pretty good job as an attacking point defender. He is able to stack and clear blocks well, set a physical advantage over the run, disengage from a block and stop. He started his career at Tulane in 2017, then at Iowa Western CC in 2018 where he played defensive end before transitioning to linebacker at Akron in 2019, and has settled in well. He broke out this year in the season opener against Kansas State and has four tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups and 14 solo saves so far this season. Next game: September 24 against Villanova
RB Alfonzo Graham
- Year: Senior
- Middle School: Morgan State
- Height: 5-9
- Lester: 180
Graham is explosive in every way. His eyes and his feet are constantly in unison. It is thanks to this marriage between the two that he is able to get out of trouble if a problem arises. He has the game-changing ability to snatch a piece of play on any given carry, putting the defense in constant conflict as they approach him when he carries the ball. More importantly for the next level, he has ability and experience in the second leg. It reminds me a lot of current Tennessee Titan and former Virginia State star Trenton Cannon. Next game: October 1 vs. Virginia University-Lynchburg