The NFL Draft will be taking place this weekend, the time of year where dreams will come true for over 200 future professional football players. While this year is not the strongest crop of UConn Husky graduates, there are a few that have a shot at either getting picked or making a camp squad.
Julian Campenni, DT
In recent weeks, hype has been building around Campenni. We even covered him this past week in an article where scout Emory Hunt noted why he gives Julian a second round grade and compares him to Stephen Paea. Campenni has the potential to go a bit higher than previously expected, especially given his stoutness at the point of attack and his ability to stay aware during the course of plays. His biggest issue, funnily enough, is the sheer depth of the DT position this year - those names may push him down the board. Campenni probably will not get picked until Day 3, but do not be surprised if he ends up being some team's 5th or 6th round pick. I've heard the Cowboys may be sniffing around.
Links:
Footballdialogue :: NFL Draft Prospect Interview- UConn – NT Julian Campenni
Julian Campenni Could Be A Steal in the NFL Draft
Andrew Adams, S
I am still stunned that Andrew Adams has received so little pre-draft hype. An athletic senior safety with his interception totals should have gotten more run than Adams has throughout this process. I still think he may end up finding a fit on a roster as a third safety, a la ex-Patriot James Sanders, who had a long, fulfilling career filling in gaps and serving as a spot starter. If Reggie McClain can get picked late, I think Adams has a shot of sliding into Round 7 as well. Perhaps the Panthers, the team that gave young Robert a chance way back when, and again this past season, will select Adams, who is earning some pub as a potential sleeper pick, as well. NFL.com's Chad Reuter has projected him going in the 6th round to the Dallas Cowboys.
Links:
Player Spotlight: Andrew Adams, UConn " NUC Sports Magazine
Andrew Adams - Connecticut Huskies - Rotoworld.com
Andrew Adams, FS, Connecticut, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com
Andrew Adams, FS, Connecticut - NFL Draft player profile pages at CBSSports.com and NFLDraftScout.com.
Graham Stewart, LB
Emory Hunt was not only impressed with Campenni - he liked Stewart as well, noting that he looked much more fluid at Yale's Pro Day once he was healthy. "I'm a fan of Stewart's tape," Hunt said. Stewart has the athletic ability to be a nice special teams demon to start in the NFL, and potentially could evolve into a serviceable strong side linebacker down the road. While I still don't see the hip flexibility or coverage skills to necessarily portend a ton of hype, Stewart still has a chance to get his name called on Day 3. More likely, though, he will end up auditioning for teams as a undrafted free agent. The Jaguars seem like an intriguing fit for him.
Links:
Graham Stewart Ready for the Next Step
Graham Stewart | Connecticut, ILB : 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile
NFL Draft Scout
Junior Lee, S
The Huskies' third safety, Lee did very well for himself at the UConn Pro Day, running a 4.5 and performing well in drills. Lee has some tape in man coverage which should appeal to many teams looking for versatile cornerback/safety hybrids. The Houston Texans took a shot on a similar prospect a while back in Jumal Rolle, someone caught between positions who has excelled on their team. I could see Lee getting a similar shot there given his dynamic athleticism and measurables.
Links:
Recent news on Junior Lee - Connecticut Huskies - Rotoworld.com
Junior Lee 2016 player profile, game log, season stats, career stats, recent news In-depth NFL Draft news complete with Senior, Junior, Sophomore and Freshmen rankings.
Colts worked out UConn safety Junior Lee - Stampede Blue
According to the National Football Post's Aaron Wilson, the Colts worked out UConn safety Junior Lee.
Junior Lee - Pro Football Rumors
Junior Lee has worked out for the New York Giants and Jets.
Junior Lee Interview - NFL Draft Blitz
An interview with UConn S Junior Lee
Junior Lee | Connecticut, SS : 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile
NFL Draft Scout
Marquise Vann, ILB
Vann is in that weird space of being a very good college player but not quite accomplished enough to make the jump to the NFL - at least not yet. His 4.7 40 was not good enough for a player who barely hits the 220-pound mark on the scale, and he underwhelmed the past two years for the Huskies. I think Vann is good enough in coverage to get a shot on a team that utilizes smaller linebackers effectively, but he is going to need to commit to explosive training and.or strength training to make that roster. The Broncos could end up as a fascinating place for him to land.
Links:
Marquise Vann | Connecticut, ILB : 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile
NFL Draft Scout
Kenton Adeyemi, DE/DT
Adeyemi is a player who I figured would pop up on more NFL radars at this point. The big 3-4 defensive end prospect did well at his Pro Day but is still not mentioned as being draftable. That being said, his performance as a Husky will likely earn an invitation to a team's camp, and from there all bets are off.
Adeyemi might be an intriguing fit for the Patriots, a team in-market for a swing 3-4 defensive end and 4-3 defensive tackle. They just cut Dominique Easley and the likes of Matt Ioaniddis, Jihad Ward, and Lawrence Thomas, all cast in a similar mold to Adeyemi, are on their radar. If New England decides to wait a bit, Kenton could get a great opportunity in Foxboro.
Links:
Kenton Adeyemi | Connecticut, DT : 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile
NFL Draft Scout
Kenton Adeyemi Interview - NFL Draft Blitz
An interview with UConn DE Kenton Adeyemi.