Interview with Alex Brown of OptimumScouting.com

With the college football season close to over, and a number of teams already realistically (if not mathematically) out of the playoff race, it is time to consider the potential prospects that will be part of the 2013 Draft Class. Alex Brown who is the head central scout for www.optimumscouting.com has kindly agreed to take part in an interview with us.

This will be happening through e-mail so don't worry no character limits to abide by. Personally I would like for the questions to be sent off by next weekend (8th/9th). Please submit your questions below.

As the central scout Alex covers a limited number of conferences so can question's please be limited to:
FBS level: SEC, Big 12
FCS level: Missouri Valley and Southland
DII: Lone Star Conference and MIAA

Thanks to Alex for agreeing to do this with us.

Back near the end of September you wrote "Geno Smith is every bit, worthy of the top 5 pick that RG3 warranted" quite a lot has changed since then, how do you currently feel about Smith's chances of being a top 5 pick?

1) Jarvis Jones or Jadeveon Clowney next year, who do you think is the bigger impact player in the NFL?


2)No quarterback is good enough in terms of value to go number one overall, so do you see teams picking spots 1 to 5 trying to trade down?


3)Who are the best five techniques available in the draft that could replace Justin Smith of the 49ers in the long term, would Sheldon Richardson be one?

4)I don't rate Aaron Murray at all, but is he a first rounder?

5) Does Collin Klein have an NFL future?

6) Justin Hunter, Cordarelle Patterson, Da'Rick Rogers, who has the best NFL talent?

7) Is Baccari Rambo now considered the best safety in this class ahead of Eric Reid?

8) Is Sharrif Floyd a better 5 Technique DE or a defensive tackle in the 43?

9) Nick Florence, does he have NFL potential?

10) Justin Gilbert had some early season hype, is he a great corner, or just a speedster?

As the central scout Alex covers a limited number of conferences so can question's please be limited to:
FBS level: SEC, Big 12
FCS level: Missouri Valley and Southland
DII: Lone Star Conference and MIAA

My apologies for not putting that up before Niner.

I've edited now

It's always good to see players with British connections make it into the NFL, what do you think of Tom Wort's chances of success?

Are there any prospects in the Lone Star Conference and MIAA that you think have a shot of making it to the NFL?

Do you think that EJ Manuel has any future in the NFL?

Would you say there is a good offensive lineman class this year?

Who would be the person you expect to climb/fall up/down the draft boards before the draft?

Are you on board the Johnny Football bandwagon?

Pr4wn wrote:Are you on board the Johnny Football bandwagon?

... I've never heard of a Johnny Football... there is nobody on Texas A&Ms rosters with that name

Do you think there is a lack of skill position talent in this year's draft, especially considering the players who have come out in the past couple of drafts such as Newton, Luck, RG3, Richardson, Martin, Julio, Green

was BRUUUUUUUUUCE a worthy round 1 pick last year.

cherriesfan wrote:

was BRUUUUUUUUUCE a worthy round 1 pick last year.

No

cherriesfan wrote:

was BRUUUUUUUUUCE a worthy round 1 pick last year.

Due to West Virigina playing in the Big East while Irvin was there and moving to the Big 12 this season Alex probably won't have scouted him so this won't be asked.

Barrett Jones has managed to play Tackle, Guard and Centre during his time at Alabama, which do you consider to be his best position and how much does that versatility boost his value?

What do you make of Tyrann Mathieu's decision to declare for the draft, and where do you see him being taken?

Roughly 24 hours to get any questions in.

Do you have any players who you think are being massively underrated by everyone?

Which teams do you believe had the best and worst drafts this year?

What school out of each of the SEC and Big12 would you say under performs badly in terms of record whilst always producing quality NFL talent?

Who do you think was the worst 1st round pick last year?

BRUUUUUCEEEEE

Probably Aj Jenkins considering he hasn't caught a pass I think

Haven't heard much out of Dontari Poe in Kansas I dont think. But then again everyone there is having a stinker

bambamwillis wrote:BRUUUUUCEEEEE

Probably Aj Jenkins considering he hasn't caught a pass I think

Has Jenkins even played? I know they hadn't given their rookies a single snap a few weeks ago.

Have got some of Alex's answers but will wait for them all before they go up on the journal. I will say though that they are probably the best answers we've had.

Derbyblue wrote:Have got some of Alex's answers but will wait for them all before they go up on the journal. I will say though that they are probably the best answers we've had.

Cheers for the update Derby. Will look forward to it