Johnson has good hands and is a reliable target for quarterbacks. He is a good route runner and has the ability to create separation from defenders with his size and physicality. Johnson is also a willing blocker in the run game, which is an underrated aspect of his game.

One area where Johnson could improve is his speed. He is not the fastest receiver on the field, but he makes up for it with his size and strength. He may struggle to separate from faster corners at the next level, but his physicality should help him make up for it.

A player comparison for Johnson would be a poor man’s Mike Evans. Like Evans, Johnson has good size and strength, but lacks top-end speed. If he can improve his route running and develop his game, he could become a solid possession receiver at the next level.

Band members at East Carolina University have decided that they are going to join in Colin Kaepernick’s protest, because why not value human rights for everyone?

As an alum of that University I can tell you first hand that Greenville, NC is definitely not the racial utopia of the United States. If anything I’d say that it is closer to the exact opposite- especially if people don’t think you are a college student.

Protesting for human rights is definitely something that needs to be happening in Greenville. Again, this is coming from someone who lived there for five years.

However, because ECU students protested for human rights ESPN Radio will not play the game:

This is something else – ESPN Fayetteville radio won't carry ECU-USF because of the band protest pic.twitter.com/2UwHgkfZBZ

— Mark Armstrong (@ArmstrongABC11) October 4, 2016

Someone told me today that people have the First Amendment rights to be #AllLivesMatter, intellectually dishonest, and flat out racist. And you know what? That person was right.

This is nothing more than the 2016 version of “your name is Toby” but there is nothing people can do if they don’t hold the power. In this position Colonial Media CEO Jeff Andrulonis has the power to block the ECU Game from ESPN Radio because he feels offended. You can guess why he might really be offended.

Just another reminder one can be fired, dropped, or fined for expressing support for the basic human rights of people in this country.

That is very sad.

And that is why this will never end.

So why is it an automatic outrage when someone exercises it in this manner?

Once again, these protests are not about the military or the flag. It is about unarmed black men and women being murdered by law enforcement and no one in this country doing anything about it on a legislative level. You’re offended they’re kneeling and guess what? They’re offended people are dying for broken tail lights, selling mixtapes, having car issues, or just being black.

Here are the band members kneeling:

Here's a quick photo of #ECU band members kneeling – University just released a statement on the matter. pic.twitter.com/zeTzcsHfz0

— Tyler Graddy (@TylerGraddyKN) October 1, 2016

As an alum and former resident of Greenville I will say that my five years in Greenville I experienced the worst racism I have ever received in my life. I totally applaud these students for standing up for their rights as AMERICANS because from first hand knowledge I know how they are treated in Greenville the minute they aren’t identified as ECU students.

I personally have had a crime I will not disclose happen to me directly in front of a police officer and never received justice. I know exactly why those students were compelled to knee. I know the exact mixture of emotions of helplessness, desperation, bravery and bravado that it takes just being in your skin at times at that University.

Those “offended” alums do not half of the problems some of us went through (and some still go through) living in a high crime town like Greenville as young black students. You want to fit in like everyone else but simply you are never treated as such. There is always an extra eye, an extra policy, or a flat out rejection of your presence.

If America was the place we all pretend it is to be there would be no need for symbolic gestures. There would be no need for an entire demographic of the population to feel terrorized by its own law enforcement. There would be no National Anthem written by an admitted racist and slave owner.

Until we fix these problems America, you better get used to seeing people take that knee.

ECU’s Shane Carden accounted for six touchdowns as ECU hung 55 points on UNC in the big win. Carden completed 32 of 47 passes for 376 yards 3 touchdowns and ran in another 3 scores on the ground. The game will give the Junior a big boost going into the second half of the season and into his Senior year.

With that said, how does he stack up as a draft prospect currently?

The positives:

1. Athletic, option quarterback
2. Not a “running quarterback” but can take big chunks when he has to (think Aaron Rodgers)
3. Comes from a spread option offense but throws at a respectable 70% completion rate

What can be improved:

1. Turns the ball over at a high rate against stiff competition
2. Tends to let a lot of air get under his deep ball
3. Doesn’t stand tall to pressure, has to get more comfortable stepping up to pressure. Sidearms too many throws on the run when he doesn’t have to.

All in all, with another solid year Carden projects to being a low fourth round to fifth round choice, with an outside chance of cracking the third round in next years class. He’s compared to Aaron Rodgers by local reporters though personally I see more Ryan Tannehill in his game.

Then… Skip decided that South Florida was a more attractive option and hit the road. And you know what they say: With big money comes big expectations.

USF has struggled, primarily due to not having a breath of talent on offense (Quarterback…) and the increased competition in the Big East.

Now it looks like Skip may be done. The school issued a very cryptic statement regarding Mr. Holtz’ employment:

“I know Skip, his staff and the players are working diligently to get that next win, and to find sustained success. Certainly, the results, in terms of wins and losses to date, are disappointing to everyone involved with our program — the coaches, the players, athletic administration and our passionate fans. Our expectations for this program are very high. I also know this team has a lot of football left to play and great opportunities in front of it. We’re only six games into a 12-game regular season.”

“We are going to provide all the support possible for our football program, including employment contracts that reflect our commitment to success. Many factors come into play when considering contract terms, including conditions in the national coaching marketplace. In Skip’s case, multiple BCS schools sought his coaching services at the end of both the 2010 and 2011 seasons. As a result, we felt it was important to maintain the stability and continuity of leadership in our football program and extended Skip’s contract.

“As has been our practice in the past, we will evaluate the status of each of our 19 programs at the conclusion of their respective seasons. We’ll identify where we are as a football program at that time and continue to build from there.”

Davis completed his first 26 passes to set an NCAA record that was previously shared by Tennessee’s Tee Martin in 1998 and Cal’s Aaron Rodgers in 2004. Both players completed 23 in a row.

Davis also came into the game having completed his final 10 passes against Memphis last week, and his 36 total completed passes in a row also broke Rodgers’ mark of 26 consecutive passes spanning two games.

Yahoo

I always thought that Dominique Davis was a “square peg” in the Air Raid offense, especially with the lack of a great receiver. ECU’s struggles in the post Skip era can be directly attributed to the fact that most of the players recruited were recruited for the Pro Style offense.

Even though Davis is playing for the Alma Ma, I have to say that Rodgers’ mark is still more impressive. You have to remember that Rodgers did it against USC in the peak of their dynasty, and his incompletion came on a pass that he threw away to avoid a sack. It is still an impressive mark nonetheless by Dominique Davis and is something he can hang his hat on for a long time.

So to jump on the bandwagon a little, here are five sleeper players to keep an eye on in the 2011 NFL Draft:

1. Ahmad Black Safety Florida

Playing in the SEC kinda of disqualifies you from being a sleeper, but Ahmad Black is a guy that doesn’t get the attention he should probably be getting right now.  Playing next to the flashier Will Hill, Black gets overshadowed a bit but when it is all said and done he may be the better pro.  Being undersized will hurt his draft stock but with guys like Bob Sanders and OJ Atogwe getting released do not be surprised if someone trades back into a round to grab Ahmad.

2. Dwayne Harris WR ECU

Yes, the homer pick but playing in the C-USA you don’t get much shine, and Harris is a guy that many have not heard of but will soon.  Though his official title was wide receiver, Dwayne Harris was Mr. Do It All for ECU, returning kicks, catching passes, getting handoffs, and even throwing once every now and then.  Harris is a guy that may never be a star in the NFL but he will quietly impact games with his returns and knack for making big catches in big moments.  In every aspect he reminds me of Antwaan Randle-El.

3. OLB Mason Foster Washington

Guess who led the Pac 10 in tackles this year?  That would be Mr. Mason Foster.  Foster is a guy who is just flat out productive.  While that does not always translate into the same kind of pro career Foster is a guy with a nose for the football and pretty good football instincts.  He won’t be a starter from day 1 but with a year or so in the right system he can become a very productive pro.  Some 4-3  team is going to grab Foster in round 3 or 4 and won’t be sorry they did.

4. Jacquizz Rodgers RB/WR Oregon State

EDIT: I a commenter reminded me that James got a medical redshirt so he wont be in the draft.  (But my sentiments remain the same)

I have to put both of the Rodgers brothers on this list, as I really like both of their pro chances.  If I had to lean to one I’d lean to RB Jacquizz being the better of the two but both are extremely explosive players and will find a niche whether it is in the return game or on one of the NFL’s quasi spread offenses.

The same people who slept on Chris Johnson back in 2007 are sleeping on another Pirate and that is Dwayne Harris.  Harris, who played quarterback in high school has emerged into a top receiver in Conference USA.  It is just a matter of time before he is running all over pro teams.

Why do I think he will do so well in the NFL?  It comes down to the fact that his game is so multifaceted.  While some receivers are one trick pony’s and rely on speed or size alone, Harris has a whole bag of tricks to pull from.

He’s a fantastic receiver that can burn you deep, or 10 yards at a time.  He’s a threat on kick and punt returns with his elusiveness and quickness, and if you put him in the wildcat he could very well throw the ball over the top, with accuracy too.

One look at Dwayne’s game and I guarantee you’ll be reminded of Josh Cribbs and Antwaan Randel-El.

Please just check out the clip below: