Jake KirkPatrick of Texas Christian ~ 6.3/305
"Possesses an average build for the center position, but negates some of his strength because of his high pad level off the snap. Allows himself to get too upright off the football and lacks the power to generate a pop on contact and move anyone off the snap as an in-line guy. However, he does do a good job quickly working his hands through the play, gaining inside position and using his lateral quickness to seal. Has the athleticism to stay on blocks through contact and works hard in order to create a crease and likes to finish his man. Did do a better job at the Senior Bowl playing with better bend and leverage and was a much more effective anchor. Has the ability to do it, just needs to show it's not consistently part of his game.
Showcases good awareness in the pass game. Works well in tandem with his guards and consistently keeps his head on a swivel, locates blitzing backers and quickly redirects in order to pick up his man. Again, doesn't generate much of a pop with his punch and can be overwhelmed on contact by strong interior linemen. However, he showcases good lateral agility through contact and in space and has enough athleticism to stick to mirror. Isn't real heavy handed and will allow defenders to fight their way through contact. But works his hands and feel in rhythm, maintaining his balance and can be tough to beat laterally.
Impression: Lacks ideal leverage and power in all areas of his game, but is an above-average athlete with quick hands and good body control when asked to mirror in space. Needs to continue to get stronger, but has the athleticism to fight his way onto a roster as a later round/free agent type kid."
Showcases good awareness in the pass game. Works well in tandem with his guards and consistently keeps his head on a swivel, locates blitzing backers and quickly redirects in order to pick up his man. Again, doesn't generate much of a pop with his punch and can be overwhelmed on contact by strong interior linemen. However, he showcases good lateral agility through contact and in space and has enough athleticism to stick to mirror. Isn't real heavy handed and will allow defenders to fight their way through contact. But works his hands and feel in rhythm, maintaining his balance and can be tough to beat laterally.
Impression: Lacks ideal leverage and power in all areas of his game, but is an above-average athlete with quick hands and good body control when asked to mirror in space. Needs to continue to get stronger, but has the athleticism to fight his way onto a roster as a later round/free agent type kid."
"Kirkpatrick was a basketball and baseball player in high school and most likely would have wound up at Texas A&M as a non-athlete if he had not (to his parents' chagrin) transferred high schools before his senior year to play football. Despite some growing pains learning a new sport, he played well enough in one season to earn a scholarship offer from TCU.
Kirkpatrick saw his first action as a redshirt freshman in 2007, appearing in nine games as a reserve lineman and special teamer. As a sophomore he backed up Blake Schlueter, who was an eventual seventh-round pick for the Denver Broncos. He played in twelve games and again contributed on special teams. Kirkpatrick entered the starting lineup as a junior and had a great season, named second-team All-Mountain West, first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and a finalist for the Rimington Trophy -- which he won as a senior while also earning first-team all-conference and helping his team finish a perfect 13-0.
The Horned Frogs' rushing offense increased their production after Kirkpatrick took over the starting center spot from Schlueter. He projects to be a late-round draft pick because, with the tools to be a starter at the next level, he is an unfinished project needing time to develop his abilities.
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Strengths: Explodes quickly off the ball and gets a good push in the run game. Has good awareness and makes quick decisions. Gets outside quickly and block on sweeps and stretch plays. Effective zone blocker. Holds his ground and is tough to shed. Adept at chipping a down lineman and getting to the second level. Neutralizes targets when blocking downfield, staying square and taking on defenders head-up. Responsible for calling out pre-snap blocking assignments. Shows proper knee-bend. Keeps his head on a swivel, adjusts to find the most dangerous pass rusher. Fights well with his hands to keep linemen in front of him. Good lateral agility and can recover after facing a bull rush.
Weaknesses: Does not show great aggression as a pass blocker. Reaches too much and can lose his balance. Does not churn his legs once engaged. Does not sustain blocks long enough and tends to quit on the play. Can be beat with a good swim move. Does not show proper technique to cut-block, allowing defenders to disrupt the play. Lacks experience pulling. Can be beat off the snap by a strong bull rush because he lacks an elite anchor."
Kirkpatrick saw his first action as a redshirt freshman in 2007, appearing in nine games as a reserve lineman and special teamer. As a sophomore he backed up Blake Schlueter, who was an eventual seventh-round pick for the Denver Broncos. He played in twelve games and again contributed on special teams. Kirkpatrick entered the starting lineup as a junior and had a great season, named second-team All-Mountain West, first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and a finalist for the Rimington Trophy -- which he won as a senior while also earning first-team all-conference and helping his team finish a perfect 13-0.
The Horned Frogs' rushing offense increased their production after Kirkpatrick took over the starting center spot from Schlueter. He projects to be a late-round draft pick because, with the tools to be a starter at the next level, he is an unfinished project needing time to develop his abilities.
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Strengths: Explodes quickly off the ball and gets a good push in the run game. Has good awareness and makes quick decisions. Gets outside quickly and block on sweeps and stretch plays. Effective zone blocker. Holds his ground and is tough to shed. Adept at chipping a down lineman and getting to the second level. Neutralizes targets when blocking downfield, staying square and taking on defenders head-up. Responsible for calling out pre-snap blocking assignments. Shows proper knee-bend. Keeps his head on a swivel, adjusts to find the most dangerous pass rusher. Fights well with his hands to keep linemen in front of him. Good lateral agility and can recover after facing a bull rush.
Weaknesses: Does not show great aggression as a pass blocker. Reaches too much and can lose his balance. Does not churn his legs once engaged. Does not sustain blocks long enough and tends to quit on the play. Can be beat with a good swim move. Does not show proper technique to cut-block, allowing defenders to disrupt the play. Lacks experience pulling. Can be beat off the snap by a strong bull rush because he lacks an elite anchor."
"Bio: Two-year starter awarded all-Conference honors and named to several All-American teams since his junior campaign.
Positive: Tough, explosive center who does the little things well. Quickly gets into blocks, stays square, and shows the ability to adjust. Plays with a nasty attitude, will take out several defenders off a single snap, and works hard until the whistle blows. Explosive at the point, stays square, and seals defenders from the action. Keeps his head on a swivel, effectively quarterbacks the offensive line, and picks up stunts or twists thrown by the opposition. Effective with shotgun snaps.
Negative: Not a dominant run blocker who gets movement at the point of attack. Not light on his feet and marginally effective blocking in motion.
Analysis: Kirkpatrick has flown under the radar in the scouting community the past two seasons. He lacks great upside but gets the most from his abilities and has enough skill to make an NFL roster."
Positive: Tough, explosive center who does the little things well. Quickly gets into blocks, stays square, and shows the ability to adjust. Plays with a nasty attitude, will take out several defenders off a single snap, and works hard until the whistle blows. Explosive at the point, stays square, and seals defenders from the action. Keeps his head on a swivel, effectively quarterbacks the offensive line, and picks up stunts or twists thrown by the opposition. Effective with shotgun snaps.
Negative: Not a dominant run blocker who gets movement at the point of attack. Not light on his feet and marginally effective blocking in motion.
Analysis: Kirkpatrick has flown under the radar in the scouting community the past two seasons. He lacks great upside but gets the most from his abilities and has enough skill to make an NFL roster."
"Positives: Solid run blocker... Reasonably good short area quickness... Solid lateral movement and slide... Can get position and seal off the defender... Flashes a solid anchor... Flashes good hand play and a quick punch... Can explode into his blocks but lacks real power... Gets in front of stunts and blitzes... Can get to the second level... Aggressive... Does a solid job staying on his blocks... Does best work in short area.
Negatives: Gets too high, rises too quickly and plays too upright... Doesn't play with very good leverage in the running game... Hands get too wide... Hand punch is reasonably quick but lacks any real force... A little awkward in space... Will stop his feet on contact... Slow to reset versus bull rushers... Technique gets sloppy and will try to maul everyone, inconsistent technique... Needs to get stronger... Short arms."
Negatives: Gets too high, rises too quickly and plays too upright... Doesn't play with very good leverage in the running game... Hands get too wide... Hand punch is reasonably quick but lacks any real force... A little awkward in space... Will stop his feet on contact... Slow to reset versus bull rushers... Technique gets sloppy and will try to maul everyone, inconsistent technique... Needs to get stronger... Short arms."
"Strengths: Good upper body strength and lateral quickness. A smart, intelligent player who picks up stunts and blitzes well. Understands pass protection schemes and helps out teammates in protection when needed. Good initial quickness to get into position to make a block. Strong punch both at the POA in pass pro to shock defenders.
Weaknesses: Plays with inconsistent leverage. Loses his feet on occasion when getting to the second level. Struggles to anchor versus bull rushers. Doesn't possess great lower body strength to drive defenders off the LOS at the POA once he locks onto them.
Projection: Fifth rounder. Kirkpatrick should be a solid backup at the next level and be given the opportunity to develop into a starter."
Weaknesses: Plays with inconsistent leverage. Loses his feet on occasion when getting to the second level. Struggles to anchor versus bull rushers. Doesn't possess great lower body strength to drive defenders off the LOS at the POA once he locks onto them.
Projection: Fifth rounder. Kirkpatrick should be a solid backup at the next level and be given the opportunity to develop into a starter."
"Jake Kirkpatrick did not play too much football in high school and the 6-3, 305 pound center spent quite a bit of time learning behind some talented linemen at TCU. It was not until his redshirt junior season in 2009 when Kirkpatrick stepped into a starting role. Prior to that he was a sparsely used backup center and saw some action on special teams. Kirkpatrick needed that time to develop his game and for the past two years he has been the anchor of the Horned Frogs' offensive line. And it has been over the last two years when the TCU offense turned from a decent unit that tried to help the stellar defense into a group that could win games on its own.
The success starts with the offensive line and the line goes through Kirkpatrick. Even as a first year starter, Kirkpatrick was one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy. A year later Kirkpatrick would win the award given to the nation's top center. In 2009 TCU was sixth in the nation -- allowing a mere 0.92 sacks per game -- and it was Kirkpatrick who was calling all of the blocking schemes. The Horned Frogs also set a single season record by tallying 498 points and 5,937 yards of total offense. As a senior Kirkpatrick paved the way for the nation's ninth best total offense and fourth best scoring offense.
Kirkpatrick received plenty of accolades during his two years as a starter. He was named to numerous All-American teams and bringing home the Rimington Trophy is about as good as a center can do. He is not the strongest center in this class, but he may be the smartest on the field and there should only be a few centers who hear their name called before Kirkpatrick."
The success starts with the offensive line and the line goes through Kirkpatrick. Even as a first year starter, Kirkpatrick was one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy. A year later Kirkpatrick would win the award given to the nation's top center. In 2009 TCU was sixth in the nation -- allowing a mere 0.92 sacks per game -- and it was Kirkpatrick who was calling all of the blocking schemes. The Horned Frogs also set a single season record by tallying 498 points and 5,937 yards of total offense. As a senior Kirkpatrick paved the way for the nation's ninth best total offense and fourth best scoring offense.
Kirkpatrick received plenty of accolades during his two years as a starter. He was named to numerous All-American teams and bringing home the Rimington Trophy is about as good as a center can do. He is not the strongest center in this class, but he may be the smartest on the field and there should only be a few centers who hear their name called before Kirkpatrick."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Jake KirkPatrick:
When I evaluate any prospect, 1% of it derives from my own analysis of The Tape, and 99% of it is my evaluation of the evaluators: Those guys, quoted and linked, above, whose expertise DWARFS mine.
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Jake Kirkpatrick is not a natural Croucher, and he lacks both the Power to Drive in the Run Game, and the Strength to Anchor in the Pass Game.
However, he does bring excellent Lateral Agility to the table and displays good Flanking Speed on Pulls + Traps.
He could very well be a complete failure. But if he can get on a Zone Blocking team and learn to really squat in his Crouch ~ which he flashed some ability to do in the Senior Bowl ~ he could develop into a pretty good Center.
Project.
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As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
***
Jake Kirkpatrick is not a natural Croucher, and he lacks both the Power to Drive in the Run Game, and the Strength to Anchor in the Pass Game.
However, he does bring excellent Lateral Agility to the table and displays good Flanking Speed on Pulls + Traps.
He could very well be a complete failure. But if he can get on a Zone Blocking team and learn to really squat in his Crouch ~ which he flashed some ability to do in the Senior Bowl ~ he could develop into a pretty good Center.
Project.
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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