Hailing from the little-known Tusculum College, quarterback Bo Cordell has spent the past few seasons rewriting the school record book and racking up ridiculous amounts of yardage.

Since his freshman year at Tusculum, Cordell has been the starting quarterback for the Pioneers. Before breaking his foot three games into the 2011 season, every sub-division award watch list that included quarterbacks had his name on it. He was named the 2011 Preseason National Division II Football Most Valuable Player by Lindy’s Sports Magazine and was on the shortlist of players to watch for the 2011 Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II’s version of the Heisman).

What really got Cordell on NFL radars, though, was his 2010 season. During his sophomore campaign, Cordell led all NCAA divisions in total offensive yards per game (425.45), passing yards per game (423.36) and completions per Keep Reading...]]>

You may not know this name, but you certainly should.

Hailing from the little-known Tusculum College, quarterback Bo Cordell has spent the past few seasons rewriting the school record book and racking up ridiculous amounts of yardage.

Since his freshman year at Tusculum, Cordell has been the starting quarterback for the Pioneers. Before breaking his foot three games into the 2011 season, every sub-division award watch list that included quarterbacks had his name on it. He was named the 2011 Preseason National Division II Football Most Valuable Player by Lindy’s Sports Magazine and was on the shortlist of players to watch for the 2011 Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II’s version of the Heisman).

What really got Cordell on NFL radars, though, was his 2010 season. During his sophomore campaign, Cordell led all NCAA divisions in total offensive yards per game (425.45), passing yards per game (423.36) and completions per game (35.82). He broke several school records, including total passing yards (4,657) and passing touchdowns (38) in a single season. During a showdown with Catawba, Cordell put up an astounding 510 yards through the air. His entire 2010 season was summed up when he was named the 2010 NCAA II National Statistical Champion.

Combining an NFL-caliber arm with impressive confidence and leadership, Cordell does a good job of standing strong in the pocket and delivering a consistently-accurate ball. He possesses good pocket awareness and uses his eyes/feet to make time for himself. Even when on the run, he keeps his eyes downfield and doesn’t immediately bail out the defense by tucking the ball. Cordell excels at finding his check downs and doesn’t force too many passes into coverage. Although he doesn’t have a rocket-like arm, his passes have some zip that allows him to put the ball into tight spaces. He’s not a supreme athlete, but has the mobility and instincts to make plays on the ground.

Despite his overwhelming stats and stature as an elite Division II gunslinger, Cordell’s game isn’t without a few holes.

Regardless of his athleticism, Cordell has a tendency to rely too heavily on his feet when the pocket collapses. It may work sometimes against Division II foes, but his lack of elite speed isn’t going to allow him to escape NFL defenses. He needs to do a better job of standing his ground and either delivering the ball quicker or getting rid of it. Cordell’s pocket presence isn’t the best, but his offensive line at Tusculum does a great job of giving him time to throw. Several of his interceptions came from overthrown deep balls, showing that he doesn’t have a terrific grasp of downfield accuracy. He also has a knack for putting too much air under the ball when throwing deep.

He doesn’t have ideal height for an NFL quarterback at 6’1’’ and doesn’t help that with a three-quarters release. Especially when he’s on the run, Cordell does have a tendency to throw sidearm. Cordell has thrived in Tusculum’s spread offense, where he takes snaps almost exclusively out of the shotgun. He will need time to develop a better grasp of going through progressions and learning how to take snaps from under center.

The biggest concern surrounding Cordell heading into the 2012 season is whether or not he’s completely recovered from his broken foot. Although he’s already announced that he’s back to full health and performed exceptionally during spring scrimmages, it’ll be interesting to see if the injury lingers.

As long as he can stay healthy and continue to build on his past performances, Cordell could find a way onto NFL draft boards before season’s end. He may not be worth more than a late-round flier, but he’ll have a reasonable chance to make a roster at the next level.

These are the exact same videos I’ll be basing my writeups on (I just cut them this past week). The first two are from his final year in college, the last four are from his rookie season in the NFL.

Please feel free to leave your opinions and insights in the comments section.

Although Air Force spokesman David Cannon couldn’t divulge as to why Clark was disenrolled, he did confirm that the Falcons’ four-year starting running back has been kicked out of school. Several other unnamed sources, however, said that his departure was due to the drug investigation.

The academy’s investigation into drug use involved 31 cadets, including several scholar-athletes. Air Force has a zero tolerance policy regarding drug use, which is why Clark was sent packing only a week before graduation. It’s unclear as to whether or not Clark will have to repay the money for his education.

With 3,594 rushing yards to his credit, Clark was only 18 yards shy of former Air Force quarterback Dee Dowis’ all-time school rushing yards Keep Reading...]]>

Only one week before graduation, Air Force’s No. 2 career rusher, running back Asher Clark, has been removed from the academy as part of an investigation into illegal drug use.

Although Air Force spokesman David Cannon couldn’t divulge as to why Clark was disenrolled, he did confirm that the Falcons’ four-year starting running back has been kicked out of school. Several other unnamed sources, however, said that his departure was due to the drug investigation.

The academy’s investigation into drug use involved 31 cadets, including several scholar-athletes. Air Force has a zero tolerance policy regarding drug use, which is why Clark was sent packing only a week before graduation. It’s unclear as to whether or not Clark will have to repay the money for his education.

With 3,594 rushing yards to his credit, Clark was only 18 yards shy of former Air Force quarterback Dee Dowis’ all-time school rushing yards record. Clark has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in the past two seasons, including 1,110 yards in 2011. Throughout his career, he also amassed 24 touchdowns while picking up 5.7 yards per carry.

What a tough way to learn a valuable life lesson.

Georgia Southern’s own one-man wrecking crew, Russell comes into his senior season with few lingering questions about his abilities as a play-maker and plenty of high expectations.

Throughout the 2011 season, Russell proved to be a constant thorn in the sides of opposing offenses. His dominance was rewarded when he was named as a second-team FCS All-American. Although his 67 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and one blocked kick were impressive, there was one stat that stood out above the rest: his 16.5 tackles for loss.

Put simply, Russell lives in opposing offenses’ backfields. He has the penetrating power that not even double teams can contain and can be found roaming the backfield on almost every play. More often than Keep Reading...]]>

Considered one of the most dominant FCS prospects heading into the 2012 college season, Georgia Southern defensive tackle Brent Russell has spent the majority of his football career in opposing backfields.

Georgia Southern’s own one-man wrecking crew, Russell comes into his senior season with few lingering questions about his abilities as a play-maker and plenty of high expectations.

Throughout the 2011 season, Russell proved to be a constant thorn in the sides of opposing offenses. His dominance was rewarded when he was named as a second-team FCS All-American. Although his 67 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and one blocked kick were impressive, there was one stat that stood out above the rest: his 16.5 tackles for loss.

Put simply, Russell lives in opposing offenses’ backfields. He has the penetrating power that not even double teams can contain and can be found roaming the backfield on almost every play. More often than not, teams are forced to chip block him with backs and often draws triple teams, which also opens holes for other defenders to penetrate through. His swim move is deadly, helping him power past blockers and wreak havoc on the opposing offense’s timing. Many times, Russell manages to find his way behind the line before the play has time to develop, forcing quarterbacks and running backs into tough situations.

At times, however, Russell can take plays off and seems satisfied in a stalemate with his blocker. Especially when he doesn’t get an instant jump on his blocker during passing plays, Russell settles with holding his ground and attempting to clog passing lanes. When the play goes outside, Russell doesn’t offer much in the way of the pursuit but will flatten out and work his way down the line. There were several instances where Russell bit on play action, which can be a downside to his aggressive playing style.

Another concern could arise regarding Russell’s character as the draft draws nearer. The monster defensive tackle has been suspended before for violating team rules, which will grab scouts’ attention. Especially considering how many character issues have hindered small-school prospects as of late, Russell will definitely need to keep his hands clean in 2012.

Although some will question whether Russell’s dominance can continue to the next level, it’s promising to see that this big fish in a small pond is making such a huge impact for his team. He’s consistently seen as the standout talent game in and game out and can be expected to shine on tape on a weekly basis.

As more people begin to take notice of Russell’s overwhelming presence along the defensive line, his draft stock will start to skyrocket. Barring a wretched 2012 season, Russell could hear his name called as early as the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Russell is a man among boys at Georgia Southern and shouldn’t have too much trouble grabbing NFL coaches’ attention in 2012.