Stephen Skelton of Fordham ~ 6.5/240
"A tall, thinly built tight end prospect. Possesses a broad set of shoulders and has the frame to add more weight, but looks a bit thin legged through his lower half. Lines up a lot off the line from a two-point stance where he possesses a slightly above-average first step for the position and has the kind of strider speed to get down the seam. Exhibits above-average straight-line speed and can get behind linebackers and run away from them in coverage.
Does an excellent job consistently plucking the football with his hands. Rarely lets the throw get into his frame and showcases good body control and concentration when asked to adjust. Has a good feel for the pass game, does a nice job finding soft spots and sitting down underneath. Seems a bit impatient at times as a route runner when he knows he can outpace defenders, rounding off his breaks and prematurely drifting into his route to simply outpace his man. However, when matched up with a corner, he does a much better job stemming his route cleanly, dropping his pad level and sharply/cleanly getting out of his break. Generates a good initial burst for himself and snaps his head around quickly in order to find the football.
However, isn't real natural from a three-point stance at this stage. Consistently stands upright off the football and routinely his first movement off the ball is upward instead of into his route. Doesn't do a great job avoiding the bump and doesn't do a great job keeping his pad level down. Has a little run after the catch ability. Runs hard, can be sudden when asked to break a tackle and then will finish runs. Has a strider gear once he gets going in space.Isn't afraid to work the middle of the field, will maintain focus even with defenders bearing down on him and is willing to take the hit and hold onto the football.
Is going to need time to mature as a blocker. Lacks ideal base strength, gets too high out of his stance and isn't real heavy handed through contact. Will need to get strong and learn to play with more leverage to ever have a shot at moving defenders off the football. More of a finesse/seal guy only at this stage.
Impression: A nice pass-catching tight end prospect who runs well for the position and has a nice set of hands. Needs to learn to play lower as a blocker and off the line from a three-point stance, but has a shot to develop. A nice late-round pass-catching threat with some upside."
Does an excellent job consistently plucking the football with his hands. Rarely lets the throw get into his frame and showcases good body control and concentration when asked to adjust. Has a good feel for the pass game, does a nice job finding soft spots and sitting down underneath. Seems a bit impatient at times as a route runner when he knows he can outpace defenders, rounding off his breaks and prematurely drifting into his route to simply outpace his man. However, when matched up with a corner, he does a much better job stemming his route cleanly, dropping his pad level and sharply/cleanly getting out of his break. Generates a good initial burst for himself and snaps his head around quickly in order to find the football.
However, isn't real natural from a three-point stance at this stage. Consistently stands upright off the football and routinely his first movement off the ball is upward instead of into his route. Doesn't do a great job avoiding the bump and doesn't do a great job keeping his pad level down. Has a little run after the catch ability. Runs hard, can be sudden when asked to break a tackle and then will finish runs. Has a strider gear once he gets going in space.Isn't afraid to work the middle of the field, will maintain focus even with defenders bearing down on him and is willing to take the hit and hold onto the football.
Is going to need time to mature as a blocker. Lacks ideal base strength, gets too high out of his stance and isn't real heavy handed through contact. Will need to get strong and learn to play with more leverage to ever have a shot at moving defenders off the football. More of a finesse/seal guy only at this stage.
Impression: A nice pass-catching tight end prospect who runs well for the position and has a nice set of hands. Needs to learn to play lower as a blocker and off the line from a three-point stance, but has a shot to develop. A nice late-round pass-catching threat with some upside."
"Bio: Three-year starter who finished his senior season with 42/443/3 after career numbers of 63/634/6 as a junior.
Positive: Adequately sized tight end with a solid game. Bends his knees, blocks with leverage, and gives effort. Stays square and controls opponents at the point of attack. Fluid releasing off the line into pass routes. Is quick to top speed, moves well on the field, and effectively catches the ball away from his frame.
Negative: Lacks the downfield speed to be a consistent threat in the secondary. Has a tall, thin build and cannot finish blocks.
Analysis: Skelton, brother of Arizona quarterback John Skelton, is a solid developmental prospect who projects as a third tight end as he physically matures and adds bulk to his frame."
Positive: Adequately sized tight end with a solid game. Bends his knees, blocks with leverage, and gives effort. Stays square and controls opponents at the point of attack. Fluid releasing off the line into pass routes. Is quick to top speed, moves well on the field, and effectively catches the ball away from his frame.
Negative: Lacks the downfield speed to be a consistent threat in the secondary. Has a tall, thin build and cannot finish blocks.
Analysis: Skelton, brother of Arizona quarterback John Skelton, is a solid developmental prospect who projects as a third tight end as he physically matures and adds bulk to his frame."
"Overview: The younger brother of former Fordham and current AZ Cardinal's QB. Over his career, Stephen Skelton recorded 127 receptions for 1,313 yards and ten touchdowns, all career-highs for a Fordham tight end. He is seventh on the school's all-time receptions list and tied for eighth in career touchdown receptions.
2010: Skelton posted 42 catches for 443 yards and 3 TDs, the drop off at the QB position and increased scrutiny from defenses reduced his numbers.
2009: He emerged as a pass-catching tight end in 2009, hauling in 63 passes from his brother John, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, for 634 yards and six touchdowns. The 63 receptions are the most all-time for a Fordham tight end and the fifth best total in school history. Skelton ranked fourth in the Patriot League in receptions per game (5.7), 31st in the NCAA FCS, and ninth in the conference in and 81st in the NCAA receiving yards per game (57.6).
2008: Skelton appeared in all eleven games as a sophomore, starting ten and caught 22 passes for 236 yards (10.7 yards/reception) and one touchdown.
2007: He played in seven games as a freshman, both at tight end and on special teams with one tackle on special teams.
Strengths: Skelton has a high football IQ, a rangy frame, above average athletic talent, reliable hands and is a dependable route runner.
Weaknesses: Skelton could use more time in the weight room, he is not a poor blocker, but is an area that could use development. Skelton is not explosive after the catch and will not always be able to get separation from LBs at the next level unless he really sharpens his getting more rapidly into and out of his breaks.
Projection: While Skelton is a long-shot to be drafted a strong pro day or if he can get into the Hula or Shrine Game that would give him a chance at the late rounds."
2010: Skelton posted 42 catches for 443 yards and 3 TDs, the drop off at the QB position and increased scrutiny from defenses reduced his numbers.
2009: He emerged as a pass-catching tight end in 2009, hauling in 63 passes from his brother John, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, for 634 yards and six touchdowns. The 63 receptions are the most all-time for a Fordham tight end and the fifth best total in school history. Skelton ranked fourth in the Patriot League in receptions per game (5.7), 31st in the NCAA FCS, and ninth in the conference in and 81st in the NCAA receiving yards per game (57.6).
2008: Skelton appeared in all eleven games as a sophomore, starting ten and caught 22 passes for 236 yards (10.7 yards/reception) and one touchdown.
2007: He played in seven games as a freshman, both at tight end and on special teams with one tackle on special teams.
Strengths: Skelton has a high football IQ, a rangy frame, above average athletic talent, reliable hands and is a dependable route runner.
Weaknesses: Skelton could use more time in the weight room, he is not a poor blocker, but is an area that could use development. Skelton is not explosive after the catch and will not always be able to get separation from LBs at the next level unless he really sharpens his getting more rapidly into and out of his breaks.
Projection: While Skelton is a long-shot to be drafted a strong pro day or if he can get into the Hula or Shrine Game that would give him a chance at the late rounds."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Stephen Skelton
Stephen Skelton is looking like a very Late Round Fringe Guy...but one who may very well catch on.
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.
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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