Tag: Samori Toure

Aaron Rodgers: Packers rookie WRs ‘look the part’ physically

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure: “Physically, they definitely look the part. All three of them.”

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers stressed patience with the team’s three rookie receivers but was also complimentary of the way Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure looked physically early on in the process.

“Physically, they definitely look the part. All three of them,” Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday. “All of them have physical gifts.”

In terms of size, Rodgers said Watson (6-4, 208) and Doubs (6-2, 204) are obviously “bigger,” but he cautioned ruling out Toure, who is 6-1 and 191 pounds: “The seventh-round pick got a lot of stuff to him.”

Watson, one of the top athletes in the draft class, is physically comparable to former Packers receiver Javon Walker. By size and overall athleticism, Watson has few real comparables.

Doubs wasn’t able to do much of the pre-draft testing, but he’s over 200 pounds and can run.

Rodgers was with the trio of receivers for the team’s mandatory minicamp last month and will reconvene with everyone when training camp kicks off in late July.

Rodgers said “deep breaths” will be necessary for all involved, and he pleaded with outsiders to trust the coaching staff, the veterans in the receiver room and the rest of the supporting staff to develop Watson, Doubs and Toure into contributors for the Packers.

Facing Joe Barry’s defense – and the team’s starting three cornerbacks, to be specific – will be a serious challenge for the Packers’ young and evolving passing game this summer.

“It’s going to be great. There’s no better teacher for them than going up against our top three corners,” Rodgers said. “So those guys will get a real quick initiation into the NFL.”

In fact, Rodgers freely admitted it “could be a long training camp for the offense. I like the way our defense is looking and playing.”

“It’ll help us get better,” Rodgers said.

The Packers will eventually need contributions from the rookies.

“Let’s, everybody, take a nice, deep, long breath,” Rodgers said. “Trust the training camp time we have. Trust the coaching staff. Trust the relationships. Trust the guys in the room, like Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins to help these guys out.”

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WR Samori Toure could be hidden gem of Packers’ 2022 draft class

Seventh-rounder Samori Toure might have been the Packers’ last draft pick, but he has the all-around skill set to fight his way onto the 53-man roster.

The Green Bay Packers selected 11 players in the 2022 NFL draft. The hidden gem of the draft class could be Samori Toure. The Packers selected the Nebraska wide receiver with the 258th overall pick.

Toure tore up Big Sky Country in Missoula as a member of the Montana Grizzlies. In 2019, Toure recorded 87 receptions and set the program record for receiving yards in a season (1,495). The Oregon native also caught 13 touchdown passes.

Toure finished that season on an absolute terror. During the final six games of the season, Toure caught 48 passes for 905 yards and 10 touchdowns. In that six-game span, Toure had four 100-yard receiving games, including a record-setting 303-yard game. Toure also had three games where he hauled in three receiving touchdowns.

In his lone season in Lincoln, Toure was the top pass-catcher for Nebraska. Toure caught 46 passes for 898 yards and five touchdowns. He led the Big 10 in yards per reception (19.5) and tied the program record for 100-yard receiving games in a season (five). 

“One year player at the University of Nebraska after transferring from Montana,” Brian Gutekunst said in a sitdown with Packers.com. “Another polished guy. Had a lot of success at both schools. He stepped up his level of competition this past year, and watching him flourish at Nebraska as he had in the past really gave us confidence that he could come in here and make a difference.”

Toure joins what’s now a crowded wide receiver room that consists of Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Sammy Watkins and Amari Rodgers. 

With a lack of “top-end” talent at the position, snaps will be up for grabs and Toure has the talent to work his way into the rotation.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Toure said. “I’m going to have to go out and compete…I’ll never shy away from competition. I’m ready to go.”

The quickest way for Toure to see the field is on special teams. He has experience as a kick returner and has the speed (4.44) to carve out a role as a gunner.

“I’ve had special teams snaps throughout my career at Montana,” Toure said. “That’s something I can be really good at it. I’m going to put a lot of focus towards it entering the NFL.”

Toure is a balanced route runner. He’s a fluid athlete and is sharp in and out of his breaks. He enters his routes with smooth acceleration. He does a great job of setting up double moves by using subtle head movements and has the long speed to get behind the defense. Toure is a very effective downfield threat with his burst and ability to stack cornerbacks. He has natural tracking skills. 

The Nebraska wide receiver has some juice after the catch with his quickness and toughness. He has long strides that eat up a lot of grass. Toure has the vision of a running back and does a great job of fighting for each yard. 

It’s no secret that Matt LaFleur likes his wide receivers to be good blockers out on the perimeter. Toure is able to lock up defensive backs on the outside and shows the “want to” for that side of the game.

With his ability to play on special teams, Toure will make it difficult for Green Bay to keep him off the 53-man roster. 

On top of all that, Toure checks all the boxes as a wide receiver. He’s a big-play threat. He’s a polished route runner with reliable hands. 

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler listed Toure as Green Bay’s day three pick that could surprise.

From Brugler:

The third wide receiver drafted by the Packers in the class, Toure has the talent to out-play Doubs and possibly compete with Watson for early playing time. The Montana transfer averaged 19.5 yards per catch in 2021 and tested well above average, which matches the tape. Toure’s phone was blowing up in the later rounds with teams hoping to sign him as a free agent, and the Packers decided to bypass the competition and make him a draft pick.

Toure was a record-setting receiver at his high school in Portland. He set receiving records at Missoula. In his lone season at Nebraska, Toure led the Big 10 in yards per reception and tied the program record for 100-yard receiving games in a season. He’s been a playmaker wherever he goes. It would not be surprising to see him develop into a playmaker for the Packers.

NFL Draft: Samori Toure take 258 overall

The third and final Husker taken in the 2022 NFL Draft will be playing next season on the frozen tundra!!

Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure will be headed to the NFC North to start his professional football career. The Portland, Oregon native was selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft with the 258th pick by the Green Bay Packers. In 2021, Toure had 46 catches for 898 yards and five touchdowns. He was an Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten selection by the media as well. Before coming to Nebraska, Toure had played at FCS Montana, where he set numerous school records such as Single-Season Receiving Yardage Record (1,495 yards), Single-Season Receptions Record (82 catches), and Single-Game Receiving Yards Record (303 yards vs. SE Louisiana) which also set the FCS playoff record for Receiving Yards in a Game. He was the third receiver taken by Green Bay after Christian Watson with pick 34 and Romeo Doubs with pick 132

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A pair of Huskers could be drafted earlier than expected

Could this offensive duo hear their names selected earlier than expected in the NFL draft?

With the NFL draft just around the corner, we’re focusing on two offensive players from the 2021 Nebraska football team that are set to make the jump to the professional level.

Of the NFL draft prospects, Cam Jurgens and Samori Toure could be the duo that is drafted higher than expected. At least that is how Pro Football Focus sees it just over a week from the draft. Jurgens ranks as the No. 93 player on their board but he could creep up to the top of day two. Toure wasn’t ranked but keep an eye out for him on day three.

Here is how PFF sees it:

Cam Jurgens, Center

AP Photo/Al Goldis

What PFF Says…

Jurgens is another scout’s favorite. One source projected him for the second round.

He didn’t allow a sack in 2021 and tested extremely well, running a 4.92-second 40-yard dash (96th percentile) with a 1.71-second 10-yard split (92nd), 34-inch vertical leap (6th), 9-foot, 11-inch broad jump (100th), 4.49-second short shuttle (84th) and 7.19-second 3-cone drill (99th) at 6-foot-3, 304 pounds.

Samori Toure, Wide Receiver

Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

What PFF Says…

Another scout’s favorite, Toure is a Day 3 pick who could go as high as the fourth round, per a source. He has good size at 6-foot-1, 191 pounds and hit the necessary marks in his testing with a 4.48-second 40-yard dash (61st percentile) and 6.77-second three-cone drill (84th).

Toure was used in the slot and dropped just two passes on 75 targets in 2021. He caught 46 passes for 896 yards with five touchdowns, including 13 catches for 552 yards and four scores on deep balls. He earned a 99.6 deep ball grade last season.

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Packers host official pre-draft visit with Nebraska WR Samori Toure

Nebraska WR Samori Toure joined the list of players to go on an official pre-draft visit with the Green Bay Packers.

The Green Bay Packers will host Nebraska receiver Samori Toure on an official pre-draft visit, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Toure will also visit the Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs.

Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network previously reported “heavy interest” from the Packers in Toure (6-0, 191).

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Toure as the No. 42 overall receiver in the draft class and a likely priority free agent. The Packers could be using the visit to sell Toure on coming to Green Bay following the draft.

A transfer from Montana, Toure caught 46 passes for 898 yards and five touchdowns at Nebraska during the 2021 season. He produced five catches of at least 50 yards and led the Big Ten in yards per catch. He also tied the school record for games with at least 100 receiving yards (5).

During the 2019 season at Montana, Toure caught 87 passes for 1,495 yards and 13 touchdowns and was named a first-team All-American.

He wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but did flash intriguing athleticism at the Nebraska pro day. Toure ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds (1.64 10-yard split), hit 34.5″ in the vertical leap, covered 10-4 in the broad jump and finished the short shuttle in 4.22 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.77 seconds.

From Brennen Rupp of Packers Wire: “He’s a big-play threat. He’s got the ideal length.  He’s a polished route runner with reliable hands. He has special teams experience as a kick returner.”

Toure is an Oregon native. He spent six years at the college level and turned 24 years old in March.

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Chiefs among several teams hosting Nebraska WR Samori Toure on top-30 visit

The #Chiefs are set to host Nebraska Cornhuskers standout WR Samori Toure on a top-30 visit per report.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a visit lined up with a Nebraska Cornhusker who was a standout at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

According to NFL Network’s Michael Yam, the Chiefs are among five NFL teams who have a top-30 visit scheduled with Nebraska WR Samori Toure. He’s also set to visit the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears. Four of those five teams made the playoffs last year, and the one that didn’t is now run by former Chiefs exec Ryan Poles. It gives the sense that NFL teams are a bit higher on Toure’s ability than the media is.

Toure began his journey at the University of Montana, where he posted 155 receptions for 2,488 yards and 20 touchdowns over the course of three seasons with the Griz. He transferred to Nebraska for the 2021 college football season, appearing in 12 games for the Cornhuskers, recording 45 receptions for nearly 900 yards and five touchdowns.

During the pre-draft circuit, Toure turned heads at East-West Shrine Bowl practices with his hands and route-running ability. He showed out during the game too, helping the East team attempt to rally with five catches for 32 yards, including two touchdown grabs. They’d fall just short of that goal, losing 25-24 to the West team.

Listed at a hair under 6-1 and 191 pounds, Toure was one of the most notable 2022 NFL Scouting Combine snubs. He did go through on-field drills and timed events at the Nebraska pro day earlier this month, posting a 4.48s 40-yard dash, a 34-inch vertical, a 124-inch broad jump, a 6.77s 3-cone and a 4.22 shuttle run.

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Packers among teams with ‘heavy interest’ in Nebraska WR Samori Toure

The Packers are one of five teams expressing a lot of interest in Samori Toure, Nebarska’a big-play wide receiver.

The Green Bay Packers are one of five teams expressing “heavy interest” in Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.

Toure, a transfer from Montana, tied the Nebraska school record with five 100-yard receiving games in 2021. He caught 46 passes for 898 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 19.5 yards per catch and producing five catches of at least 50 yards.

Among his 100-yard games in 2021 were a 150-yard performance against Ohio State and a 113-yard finish against Wisconsin over back-to-back games in November. He caught a touchdown in each game. At the Shrine Bowl, Toure caught two more touchdowns.

The Nebraska receiver slotted in at No. 91 in Packers Wire’s “Unpacking Future Packers” countdown.

“His football instincts shine through his production, route landmarks, blocking technique, and ability after the catch,” Shane Coughlin, the Director of College Scouting for the Shrine Bowl, told Brennen Rupp of Packers Wire. “He’s a long, athletic, and tough perimeter receiver with slot experience and room to add weight and power. The route pacing and controlled movements would fit a west coast offense perfectly.”

Toure (6-1, 191) has a Relative Athletic Score of 8.3. He hit 34.5″ in the vertical leap, covered 10-4 in the broad jump, finished the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds and completed the three-cone drill in under 7.0 seconds.

Toure, a native of Oregon, turned 24 years old in March. He could be a Day 3 pick or a priority free agent following the draft.

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Report: 49ers interviewed WR prospect from Nebraska

The #49ers interviewed an intriguing WR prospect, Samori Toure per Matt Maiocco.

The 49ers could be in the market for a wide receiver in this year’s draft. One player they may target at that spot is Nebraska’s Samori Toure, who interviewed with 49ers WR coach Leonard Hankerson on Monday per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.

Toure has size that would be unique to the 49ers’ receiving corps at 6-3, 191 pounds, and he put together a nice college career with three seasons at Montana before transferring to Nebraska for his final year of eligibility.

With the Grizzlies he was outstanding with 155 catches for 2,488 yards and 20 touchdowns. He had a good redshirt-freshman year and a strong sophomore campaign, but he broke out in his third year with 87 receptions for 1,495 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Perhaps the most impressive part of his resumé though is that he carried his productivity over to his one year of FBS play. With Nebraska he had 898 yards and five touchdowns on 46 receptions. Most encouraging for him though is how well he fared over Nebraska’s final three games vs. No. 5 Ohio State, No. 15 Wisconsin and No. 16 Iowa.

He went for 4 catches, 150 yards and one touchdown against the Buckeyes. Then he had seven for 113 and one in Wisconsin, and six for 67 to close the year vs. Iowa.

He’s not an exceptionally explosive athlete, but he’s smooth and more physical than his 191-pound frame might indicate. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Kyle Shanahan took a liking to a player like Toure and used one of the team’s Day 3 picks to bring him in to compete for a job in a relatively thin 49ers receiving corps.

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Threat Assessment: 3 Cornhuskers who could be game-changers vs. Oklahoma

Oklahoma and Nebraska will play each other for the first time in a decade. Here are 3 Cornhuskers the Sooners need to beware of in the 50th anniversary of the “Game of the Century.”

The Oklahoma Sooners and Nebraska Cornhuskers will meet for the 87th time on Saturday. The Cornhuskers roll into town to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “Game of the Century,” as the teams will meet for the first time in over a decade.

But much of the preseason excitement about this matchup fizzled out when Nebraska fell to Illinois 30-22 in week 0. After the loss, our very own John Williams broke down the playoff implications of an irrelevant Nebraska team.

With a nonconference schedule considered one of the weakest in the Big 12, the Sooners needed a relevant Nebraska team to bolster their strength of schedule… Fans will be hyped for the Sooners’ matchup with the Cornhuskers. When Nebraska comes to Norman, there will be a lot of energy and excitement to renew the storied rivalry. However, after an upset loss to one of the lower-tier teams in the Big 10, the matchup has lost some of its intrigue.

However, the fact remains that Nebraska is (or at least it’s supposed to be) the most formidable opponent Oklahoma has faced during nonconference play. That means it’s time for another threat assessment.

Here’s who you and the Sooners need to keep an eye on this weekend.

Up Next: A Nebraska Wide Receiver to watch out for.

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