Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: NFL Safety Ryan Clark's Motivational Workout

2012 NFL Draft: Emil Igwenagu Scouting Report

Emil Igwenagu (Pronounced: eh-MEAL ig-wen-AH-goo) came to the University of Massachusetts in 2007 as a running back/linebacker hybrid player before eventually taking over as a fullback/H-back type of player. While he never had a defined role at the collegiate level and never put up eye-popping statistics, his actions earned the respect of his teammates who named him team captain and the eyes of NFL scouts that saw his potential.

He earned invites to both the NFL Combine and the East-West Shrine Game. At the Shrine Game the Jaguars were one of the teams that reportedly spoke to Igwenagu and continued to get exposure and talks with NFL teams when he played in the Senior Bowl the following week.

Star-divide

Emil Igwenagu
Position: Fullback
Height: 6-1
School: Massachusetts
Weight: 245
Age: 22
Projected Round: 5th-7th


Pros: Good size for a fullback (size comparable to Greg Jones). Plenty of athleticism including ability to make plays out of the backfield. Good, natural hands away from the body including the ability to keep concentration in traffic. Team captain.

Cons: Level of competition at UMass in the Colonial Athletic Association at the FCS level. Lack of experience at any one given position. Struggled with some blocks during the all-star practices against higher competition.

---

At some point in time the Jaguars are going to need to replace Greg Jones at fullback and with Jones due $3.4 million in 2012 at age 30 (turning 31 in April) it might need to be sooner rather than later. Montell Owens is certainly not a blocking fullback and while Brock Bolen is serviceable in the area, he's much more of a special teamer and out of the backfield type of player than a traditional blocking fullback.

Igwenagu offers the potential of a large, blocking fullback in the mold of Greg Jones to take over and fill the role that has allowed the Jaguars to be such a dominant running team over the last decade or so.

Comment 20 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

Sounds like a good character guy

But the Jags have a lot more pressing needs than FB. If he was a UDFA he would obviously be a take but in the draft probably not.

SCALP'EM
Jesus is Lord!

by Thunder64 on Feb 11, 2012 5:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

He was used as a TE a lot at the Senior Bowl practices. He’s got LONG ass arms. They look cartoony.

by Alfie Crow on Feb 11, 2012 6:56 PM EST reply actions  

Eh, this would be nice, but we have more pressing matters. Like our WR core, which is composed of a bunch of people we pulled from the streets.

Ready To Rise

by NoChorus on Feb 11, 2012 7:09 PM EST reply actions  

I'd rather just get rid of the fullback position...

…in the majority of our formations, and just use a good sized blocking tight end to go in and do it. This is once Greg jones leaves.

Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10

Follow Me On Twitter

by rhettchrystal on Feb 11, 2012 11:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

There's a huge difference...

between using a TE as a blocker in the run game and using a FB as a lead blocker from a schematical point of view. You’d think it be different for the RB too considering when using a FB his eyes have something to follow. More times than not, a TE’s job is to get to the second level and block a LB or a DB, usually leaving the player being blocked just enough time to shed that block and make a play on the ball carrier. While a FB typically engages the player he is supposed to be blocking right before the RB gets there leaving less time for that said player to shed his block and make the tackle.

by kjones407 on Feb 12, 2012 6:26 AM EST up reply actions  

Yea and?

…easy to learn, with a week of practice, he’d be fine. Can’t be Potter, because he’s too slow. Would have to draft a guy, who’s around 250 who can block and catch.

Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10

Follow Me On Twitter

by rhettchrystal on Feb 12, 2012 9:48 AM EST up reply actions  

So you're suggesting...

they move him to the TE position if Gene was to draft him? Why?

by kjones407 on Feb 12, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions  

No...

…he’d be third tight end and full back, depends on the formations.

Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10

Follow Me On Twitter

by rhettchrystal on Feb 12, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions  

It takes a heck of a lot more than just a week of practice to be a fine lead blocker.

by Alfie Crow on Feb 12, 2012 11:57 AM EST up reply actions  

Yes,

but to be serviceable…a week or 2 is all that’s needed, and then he’ll need to be polished.

Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10

Follow Me On Twitter

by rhettchrystal on Feb 12, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Then why don’t teams just find random dudes every year and just “train them for a week or 2” to be fullbacks?

It’s not that simple.

by Alfie Crow on Feb 12, 2012 6:28 PM EST up reply actions  

If he's already a good blocking tight end,

the switch to full back won’t be hard, because it’s similar, the cashier at your local gas station will need more time to learn it obviously.

Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10

Follow Me On Twitter

by rhettchrystal on Feb 12, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions  

It’s actually not similar. At all.

Tight ends are in-line blockers. Fullbacks are not. They’re entirely different things and neither is easy to pick up in a week or two.

by Alfie Crow on Feb 12, 2012 8:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Engaging a defender

and driving him away from the play is the same no matter where you are. Yes the fullback is more mobile, and will have to make the lead block, which can determine if the back gets a good run, or gets stuffed at the line, but I don’t think the transition is that tough.

Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10

Follow Me On Twitter

by rhettchrystal on Feb 12, 2012 10:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Jag’s take him in the first. JK, but seriously it was just talk I’m sure.

I need my meds.

by viralencore on Feb 12, 2012 8:09 AM EST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Big Cat Country:: Jacksonville Jaguars news, commentary, speculation and fun, all from a fan's perspective

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Jacksonvillejaguars2_small
Jaguars 2012 my opinion
Small
Chastin West
Small
Brian Robiskie ?
Small
Blaine Gabbert: What Can Be Done? (Part 1)
015_small
My issue with college football
Small
Blaine Gabbert Video Sampler Platter
Small
Interested in joining an all-time NFL mock draft?
Hurricane1_small
2012 Game-by-Game Predictions
Kiwi-new2_small
Mullayo's May 53 man roster
Chester_cheeto_small
The New QB Dilemna

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Manager

77312417837578290_small River City Rage

180103_10150110239888826_529758825_6295646_8155374_n_small Adam Stites

Image_small Alfie Crow

Editor-in-Chief

Img_6121_small silencecs

Contributor

404931_2894108066464_1073166201_32535141_1775032715_n_small CaliforniaJag

32213_924639348222_5111476_51082025_729592_n_small T.Holmes

Twitter_pic_small Shane Clemons

Small Michael Appelbaum

P9260123_small Jagfan89

Cole_small theeCodyTaylor