Seahawks: 2020 and 2021 highlights for undrafted rookie QB Levi Lewis

Levi Lewis is one of the undrafted rookies that will be hitting the field at the VMAC today for the first time in a Seattle uniform. 

Despite all the Desmond Ridder hype, in the end the Seattle Seahawks didn’t pick a quarterback in the 2022 NFL draft. However, they did add one to their roster shortly after it was over. Louisiana Lafayette’s Levi Lewis is one of the undrafted rookies that will be hitting the field at the VMAC today for the first time in a Seattle uniform.

Let’s get to know his game better. Here’s a look at his 2020 and 2021 highlights.

2020

2021

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Texas Football: Series history against Louisiana-Lafayette

This will be the third matchup between the two programs.

It’s officially game week in Austin, Texas.

The Longhorns will be beginning a new era with first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian and redshirt freshman quarterback Hudson Card.

The expectations for the 2021 season are as high as they’ve ever been, considering Sarkisian is one of the top offensive-minded coaches in the game. On top of that, the target on the Longhorns’ back got a tad bigger with their decision to move to greener pastures in the SEC.

No. 21 Texas will have to face No. 23 Louisiana-Lafayette in their season opener on Sept. 4. It marks the first ranked matchup the Longhorns will have since 1984. Billy Napier’s squad is full of experienced players and they’re fresh off of a 10-1 season in 2020, including a win against Iowa State.

In regards to the series history between the two programs, this will be the third time that Texas and Louisiana have played each other. In 2000, Mack Brown and the Longhorns defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns 52-10. In 2005, Texas defeated Louisiana 60-3.

Each matchup has served as the season and home opener for the Longhorns. If Texas is able to escape with a win, their season opener record will improve to 106-20-3. It would also give Sarkisian his seventh-straight win in a home opener.

4 under-the-radar draft prospects the Jaguars should target

Jags Wire contributor Robert Ricks previews some low-key players the Jags should take a look at in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft will kick off on April 23-25 and teams are scrambling through their draft sheets to find the next great prospects.

While the first round can be full of notable names and predictable landing spots, the later rounds can be full of pleasant surprises to the fans but maybe not so pleasant for the prospects themselves.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will need to do everything possible to make sure that they make the correct picks as they look towards a complete retooling of the roster.

The football world has been accustomed to hearing the names of guys like former Louisiana State University quarterback Joe Burrow and Ohio State linebacker Chase Young, however, here are a few non-household names that the Jaguars can look to target in the later rounds:

Kevin Dotson, OG, Louisiana-Lafayette

(AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)

The guard out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette could help a struggling spot on the Jaguars’ offensive line. More of a fifth or sixth round target, Dotson came in as PFF’s No. 1 rated guard with a 92.1 grade in 2019 and hasn’t finished lower than No. 19 in his career.

The Jaguars have been flawed at the guard spot with Andrew Norwell having a tough time with run blocking and A.J Cann completely struggling at the position as a whole.

Dotson would make for a nice late-round project as he has the build and upside to be a quality guard in the NFL. His pass protection will be problematic from the start as he gets matched up against NFL talent, but if he fixes those issues, he could be a great asset to the Jaguars’ offensive line.

Philadelphia Eagles have pre-draft meeting with Louisiana-Lafayette OT Robert Hunt

Philadelphia Eagles have a pre-draft meeting with OT Robert Hunt

The Philadelphia Eagles are preparing to land a stud wide receiver in the NFL Draft but depth for the league’s best offensive line must be addressed next week as well.

The Birds lost Jason Peters and Halapoulivaati Vaitai in free agency but will have 2019 first-round pick Andre Dillard to take over the reins at left tackle.

With Brandon Brooks returning from injury, Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson a year older, the Eagles could start to look for reinforcements along the offensive line.

According to the Draft Wire, the Eagles held a virtual predraft meeting with Louisiana-Lafayette offensive tackle Robert Hunt.

The 6-foot-5, 323 pound Hunt has experience at guard and was a four-year starter for the Ragin’ Cajuns, but he’s raw and must improve his footwork if he wants to become a competent starter in the NFL.

Despite combine snub, Kevin Dotson is a target for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks will reportedly host guard Kevin Dotson on a private workout after he was not given a combine invite.

While most of the players expected to get drafted in 2020 participated in the NFL combine, there are always a few diamonds in the rough who weren’t invited who end up finding their way onto an NFL roster and having success.

The Seahawks are known for their ability to uncover those hidden gems, and they already have their eye on a big one: Louisiana-Lafayette guard Kevin Dotson, who was considered by many to be the biggest combine snub and who reportedly has a private workout already scheduled with the Seahawks.

Dotson is an imposing six-foot-four, 321 pound figure who is underdeveloped, but projects by many to be a future starter.

The Seahawks have a plethora of young guards, including Phil Haynes, Jordan Simmons and Demetrius Knox – not to mention Ethan Pocic and Jamarco Jones – who can play guard as well.

Adding to the mix can never hurt however, with injuries and cap space a concern for many of the team’s expected starters.

Dotson won’t be a high draft pick, but as a late round flyer or an undrafted signing, he could be a nice developmental project for Mike Solari and the rest of the Seahawks staff.

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Chargers set to have private visit with Louisiana-Lafayette OL Kevin Dotson

The Los Angeles Chargers are bringing in an AP First-Team All American guard for a private visit.

The Chargers are looking to shore up their offensive line this offseason. While the offensive tackle position should be the main focal point, adding more pieces along the interior is also a necessity.

With that, Los Angeles appears to be intrigued by one of the guards in this year’s draft.

According to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo, the Bolts will bring in former Louisiana-Lafayette guard Kevin Dotson for a private visit.

Dotson, the AP First-Team All American, started all but one of his 53 games at right guard. Despite standing out at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he was not invited to the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.

The 6-foot-4 and 310 pounder is a tough, durable and reliable competitor. Dotson is sufficient in sustaining blocks by showing exceptional power and hand placement, along with the foot quickness. He is a very strong finisher and regularly takes opponents to the ground through the whistle.

Dotson, one of Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked guards in the run-blocking department, has the skillset to come in and compete for starting reps in Year 1.

Chargers 2020 NFL Draft Target: Louisiana-Lafayette OL Robert Hunt

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez puts Louisiana-Lafayette OL Robert Hunt, a potential draft target, under the microscope.

Over the next few months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up into the 2020 NFL Draft. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.

Today, we are taking a look at Louisiana-Lafayette offensive lineman Robert Hunt.

Honors and Awards

  • All-Sun Belt First-Team (2019)
  • Outland Trophy watch list (2019)
  • All-Sun Belt Second-Team (2018)

Strengths

  • Rare combination of athleticism, strength and mobility. Very wide base and burly build.
  • Displays incredible power on initial contact. Knocks defenders off balance with initial hand punch and devastates defenders to the ground.
  • Lateral quickness to slide with outside speed rushers and ride them out of play.
  • Sinks hips and can anchor, rarely giving up ground. Uses arm length and extension to keep defensive lineman off his frame, maintains spacing.
  • Sets up his blocks in space by using angles and quickness. Rangy run blocker, can cut off inside penetration, or locate blocks early at second level. Moves well when pulling.
  • Adequate reaction skills to diagnose and pick up blitzes.
  • Aggressive blocker that attacks his assignment. Flashes a mean streak and a desire to finish blocks.
  • Experience at guard and tackle.

Weaknesses

  • Gets in good initial position, but often loses his leverage, playing too upright.
  • Strong hands at the point of attack, but needs to do a better job with placement. Can be too high or wide.
  • Forgets his feet sometimes and chooses to use his reach.
  • Often caught lunging at defenders to engage or land his punch.

Summary

Hunt is a big man with a unique athletic skill-set for the position, showing above-average balance, lateral agility to handle speed, and power at the point of attack. In the run game, he uses a strong grip to move bodies to create lanes and his nasty temperament sees him taking defenders to the ground. His footwork technique is still a work in progress and he needs to be weary of his pad level.

Chargers Fit

Based on his physical traits and athleticism, Hunt profiles as a solid starting right tackle at the next level. He has experience at guard, but his athleticism and pass-protection skills could allow him to be a plug-and-play on the right side, opposite of Russell Okung. If tackle doesn’t pan out, he could easily kick inside. Hunt’s tools suggest a bright future, assuming he receives the necessary coaching and development by the Chargers coaching staff.

Projection: Late 2nd-Early 3rd

Louisiana at Appalachian State odds, lines, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Sun Belt Championship Game betting odds between the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and Appalachian State Mountaineers.

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt West) and Appalachian State Mountaineers (11-1, 7-1 Sun Belt East) meet in the Sun Belt Championship Game for the second consecutive season. We analyze the Louisiana-Appalachian State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Louisiana at Appalachian State: Three things you need to know

1. App State has the SBC Offensive Player of the Year in RB Darrynton Evans, who posted 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, while also adding three scores through the air and a kickoff return for a touchdown. He had 218 all-purpose yards with a 97-yard kickoff TD in last season’s title game vs. the Ragin’ Cajuns.

2. These teams hooked up Oct. 9 in Lafayette and it was surprisingly a defensive battle, going in favor of App State by a 17-7 count. The total on that game was set at 69.5.

3. The Ragin’ Cajuns rank eighth the nation in total yards (500.3) and 12th in points scored (38.8). The Mountaineers rank 18th in the country in rushing yards (226.0) and 11th in points scored (38.9).


College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!


Louisiana at Appalachian State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Appalachian State 33, Louisiana 27

Moneyline (ML)

App State (-223) is a little too expensive for a battle between two 10-win teams. While the Mountaineers are at home, remember, they fell to Georgia Southern in Boone last month. The Ragin’ Cajuns (+180) have some tremendous weapons in QB Levi Lewis and RB Elijah Mitchell, and this game really could go either way if the turnover battle is heavily skewed in one direction.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on an outright win for App State will return a profit of $4.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS. App State (-6.5, -110) is a tempting play at less than a touchdown, but Louisiana (+6.5, -110) has the horses to either win this one outright, or make it a one-possession game. The Mountaineers won their final three games by a combined 86 points, but that was against the dregs of the SBC and not a quality team like Louisiana. My lean would be with the Cajuns, ever so slightly, but I am not playing it.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 56.5 (-115) is your best bet if you’re looking to play the SBC title game. These teams each have explosive running backs capable of housing it every time. Evans and Mitchell have combined for 34 total touchdowns, but there are other players capable of big plays, too, including Ragas and RB Raymond Calais for ULL, and QB Zac Thomas and WR Thomas Hennigan for App State.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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