Iupati, Mitchel, Gronko, Others Visit Steelers

Idaho guard Mike Iupati heads a list of six college draft prospects s who will visit the Steelers today. Iupati, who is 6 feet 5 and 331 pounds, has been selected as the Steelers first-round draft pick in many mock drafts. The other five players visiting today are Maurkice Pouncey of Florida, rated the best center in the draft, defensive linemen Clifton Geathers of South Carolina and Linval Joseph of East Carolina, South Florida wide receiver Carlton Mitchel and Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski.

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Draft Diamond: Jeff Moturi of UTEP

UTEP wide receiver Jeff Moturi might be under the radar to some fans of college football or the NFL Draft, but the NFL scouts know all about him. Not only did he show them his skills at UTEP and in the Texas vs. the Nation Game, he also had a very good Pro Day.

At his pro day Moturi was 5’11”, 183 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. He measured a 30.5” vertical jump, a 9’10” broad jump and did 18 reps of 225.

“When I was at the Texas vs. the Nation Game and I was talking to scouts, they didn’t understand why I wasn’t going to the combine and I didn’t either,” said Moturi. “I know I am an under the radar guy, and I have used that as motivation.”

Moturi had a very productive college career and as a junior was

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Draft Diamond: Jeff Moturi of UTEP

UTEP wide receiver Jeff Moturi might be under the radar to some fans of college football or the NFL Draft, but the NFL scouts know all about him. Not only did he show them his skills at UTEP and in the Texas vs. the Nation Game, he also had a very good Pro Day.

At his pro day Moturi was 5’11”, 183 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. He measured a 30.5” vertical jump, a 9’10” broad jump and did 18 reps of 225.

“When I was at the Texas vs. the Nation Game and I was talking to scouts, they didn’t understand why I wasn’t going to the combine and I didn’t either,” said Moturi. “I know I am an under the radar guy, and I have used that as motivation.”

Moturi had a very productive college career and as a junior was

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Draft Riser: Trevor Theriot, UCLA

Trevor Theriot, a former Newport Harbor High standout, leads the fullbacks eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft in speed, agility and strength after marks he set last week during his Pro Day at UCLA.

Theriot, a former Bruins fullback who is ranked No. 22 at his position by NFLDraftScout.com, ran a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He had a 6.78 in the three-cone drill and a 4.26 in the 20-yard shuttle run. He also recorded 34 reps when bench-pressing 225 pounds. The marks lead all fullback eligible for the NFL Draft, April 22 to 24.

Still, Theriot (5-foot-11, 237 pounds)  is against great odds to be drafted. Just one fullback was drafted in last year’s draft. Fullbacks are becoming a rare breed, as the NFL is more of a pass-happy league.

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Draft Buzz: NT Troup A Scarce Commodity

Torell Troup, who is currently in Atlanta for a private visit with the general manager of the Falcons, Thomas Dimitroff, did not major in economics. However, the former Central Florida Knight will reap the benefits of one of the most fundamental concepts a freshman learns in ECO 101.

It’s difficult for teams not to take “the best player on the board” when they make their selections, but sometimes the laws of supply and demand dictate that they do. This happens most frequently with quarterbacks—they’re the hot toys before Christmas (think Cabbage Patch Dolls, Tickle Me Elmo or the latest iProduct). This causes teams to reach.

Expect the same to happen this year with nose tackles, as nearly half the league is set to employ a 3-4 defense. Teams like the Buffalo Bills are in year one of their transition and simply don’t have the personnel, while a club like the New

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Draft Buzz: Curtis Steele Draws Interest

A potential diamond in the rough, running back Curtis Steele is drawing interest from the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders.  The NFL Draft Bible touched base with the former Memphis Tiger in a phone conversation earlier today and learned a visit with the Raiders is expected shortly.  There is nothing official with the Texans in terms of a visit or workout, but it is no secret that Houston will be looking for a running back come draft week.  Steele, a Tennessee native, worked out for the Tennessee Titans in March.  Not only is Steele a fan of the Titans, but they play 15 minutes away from his home, so it’s safe to say he would be happy to hear his name called by the hometown team.

Draft Buzz: Charles Scott Visits With Patriots

LSU product Charles Scott informed us he visited with the New England Patriots earlier today before jumping on a flight back to Baton Rouge.  According to Scott the visit “went well”.  It has been a busy week for the former Bayou Bengal—he visited with the Philadelphia Eagles and worked out for the Cleveland Browns earlier in the week.  He will tack on some more frequent flyer miles tomorrow when he heads to Indianapolis for a medical re-check.  The 238-pound Scott—AKA Chuck the Truck—is the NFL Draft Bible’s 16th ranked running back and is projected to go on day three of the draft.  Scott was not cleared medically to participate in the Senior Bowl and did not do the bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine because of his shoulder injury.

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Draft Buzz: Lamarr Houston Accepts NYC Invite

Lamarr Houston revealed to the NFL Draft Bible that he has accepted an invitation to New York to be part of the draft festivities.  Houston said in a phone conversation that he is excited to visit the Big Apple.  Because of his versatility the former Texas Longhorn is of interest to all 32 teams—Houston has experience playing both defensive end and defensive tackle, which should allow him to fit in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme.  As for what teams he has visited with or worked out for, Houston is playing it close to the vest. Currently, Houston is the 11th ranked defensive tackle by NFL Draft Bible and holds a late second/early third round grade.

NFL: Vikings Plan B…Matt Hasselbeck?

Charley Walters, of the Pioneer Press, reports the Minnesota Vikings’ lone remaining option to find a starting quarterback, should QB Brett Favre retire, would seem to be Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck. If the Seahawks made Hasselbeck available for the right deal, a trade would be expected either immediately before or after the NFL Draft.

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