Tag: Toledo Rockets

Chiefs scouting report: Toledo Rockets DT Darius Alexander

The Kansas City #Chiefs should consider selecting Toledo Rockets defensive tackle Darius Alexander in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs struggle to generate pressure from the interior of their defensive line when Chris Jones isn’t on the field. The team should select a defensive tackle in the 2025 NFL draft to add depth and pass rush potential.

Toledo Rockets standout Darius Alexander might be Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins in disguise. The two possess similar elite physical traits and rare movement skills for their size. Collins is a little taller and longer than Alexander, but the Toledo product still stands out as a freak athlete among this year’s defensive tackles.

Alexander is a tall, thick 6’4″, 310 lb. defensive tackle with long arms. He gets off the line and exchanges gaps quickly for a large lineman. This gives him value shooting gaps and penetrating the backfield with his athletic traits.

Alexander’s pass rush plan includes club-swims, long-arms, push-pulls, spins and swims. His hands display flashes of pop that displace offensive linemen. Alexander uses his length to pry up the guard’s pad level and gradually walk him back into the pocket. His hands are hyperactive but often lack a refined purpose, and he doesn’t have instant-win pass rush moves.

Alexander doesn’t anchor against the run at an elite level. He resets the line of scrimmage by knocking offensive linemen backward but times his anchor poorly. He fails to maximize his length, which leads to missed opportunities to shed blocks. Double teams easily displace Alexander because of his high pad level.

Alexander posts some dominant one-on-one wins in run defense but needs to become more consistent in that area of his game.

Toledo qualified for a bowl game. Even if Alexander opts out to prepare for the draft, there’s still another chance for fans to see him in uniform. He committed to attending the Senior Bowl alongside teammate Maxen Hook. The Senior Bowl is the nation’s premier all-star event, drawing top prospects from across the country.

Chiefs scouting report: Toledo Rockets DB Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would be a nice addition for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII thanks in large part to their elite defense outdueling a talented San Francisco 49ers offense. Kansas City’s defense still features plenty of talent, but the unit took a step back this season. The Chiefs should add new defensive rotational pieces and depth through the 2025 NFL Draft.

Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a tall, 6’2″, 202 lb. safety with good arm length. He played everywhere for the Rockets, including lining up in off-man coverage over the slot option and playing press-man against Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. McNeil-Warren also saw snaps in the box and single-high and two-high coverage shells.

McNeil-Warren won’t offer value in the NFL in single-high and press-man assignments because he lacks the elite range and speed to fulfill those roles against higher-level competition. He anticipates throws and reads and baits quarterbacks into throwing interceptions, which makes him a good fit for Cover 2.

McNeil-Warren mirrors routes well from off-man and quickly closes to limit yards after the catch. He flies downhill with nice burst but takes poor angles to the football. McNeil-Warren is a master of punching and ripping the ball out. Last season, he forced four fumbles. He only received credit for forcing one fumble this season but arguably made two other strips.

McNeil-Warren is an eager run defender and a good wrap-up tackler. He weaves through traffic in the box to reach the running back and stays square when striking his intended target.

McNeil-Warren projects as a fourth-round selection who could get bumped up if he tests well.

Toledo’s regular season is over, but the team’s 7-5 record qualifies them for a bowl game. Recent trends point toward top prospects like McNeil-Warren not participating in those games, but there’s a chance he’ll suit up one last time.

Chiefs scouting report: Toledo Rockets S Maxen Hook

The Kansas City #Chiefs may look to target a player like Toledo #Rockets safety Maxen Hook in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs built one of the youngest secondaries in the NFL, but injuries and expiring contracts in 2025 and 2026 raise concerns. The Chiefs should continue acquiring and developing new talent in their secondary. One of Toledo’s safeties might catch the team’s attention in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Toledo Rockets defensive back Maxen Hook is a fifth-year college veteran and two-time team captain. He lacks elite size but is a respectable 6’1/2″, 207 lbs. with 32 1/8-inch arms. Those are verified measurements from Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy. Hook projects as a fourth-round selection who could bump up a round if he aces the combine testing and interview portions of the pre-draft process.

According to Nagy, Hook ran the 40-yard dash in the mid-4.4s in the spring of 2023, which puts him on par with top 100 2024 NFL Draft prospects Cole Bishop, Javon Bullard, and Tykee Smith. Hook’s speed and range in coverage pop on tape, especially when Toledo asked him to play single-high safety.

Hook is a fluid athlete who excels working in space. He reads the quarterback’s eyes to step down and cut off intermediate throwing lanes. After so many years of high-level play, Hook has mastered fulfilling his assignments in coverage and taking proper angles to the football.

Hook’s athleticism and speed help him carry slot receivers vertically in off-man coverage. He’s more comfortable in zone assignments but has the speed and physicality to battle in close quarters.

Hook is a willing run defender with burst that helps him quickly close on the running back. His sideline-to-sideline range and terrific motor make him a threat to run down the ball carrier from anywhere on the field. He occasionally overruns plays in pursuit. Hook lacks the size and power to separate from blocks at a consistent level.

Hook committed to attending the Senior Bowl in early 2025. The event features three days of practice and concludes with a game between two teams comprised of the draft’s top prospects. Former Toledo star cornerback and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Quinyon Mitchell attended the event last winter.

Revisiting Iowa’s three stars in Toledo blowout

As the Hawkeyes gear up for their first road test at Drake, here’s a look back at their three stars vs. Toledo.

Iowa women’s basketball cruised to a 3-0 record on Wednesday night after a thorough 94-57 blowout victory over the Toledo Rockets from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Hawkeyes controlled nearly every facet of the game on Wednesday night as the team shot 31-for-54 (57.4%) from the field, which included 4-for-14 (28.6%) from 3-point range and 28-for-32 (87.5%) from the free throw line.

Iowa secured 39 total rebounds on the night and dished out 18 assists. The Hawkeyes dominated down low, scoring 52 of their 94 points in the paint.

Defensively, the Hawkeyes held the Rockets to 21-of-67 (31.3%) from the field while registering 33 defensive rebounds, six blocks, and six steals to thwart the Toledo attack.

The victory against Toledo was truly a full team effort as five Hawkeyes scored in double figures and every available player received playing time.

Although every player had impactful contributions Wednesday night, three Hawkeyes stood out as difference-makers in the game.

Hannah Stuelke

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hannah Stuelke led the Hawkeyes in scoring with 17 points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 night from the free throw line. She also collected nine rebounds, two assists, and one block on 22:25 of playing time.

Stuelke’s performance is her 39th career game in double figures.

Lucy Olsen

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lucy Olsen continued her torrid start to the season by scoring 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field. Olsen also registered four assists and two rebounds in her 29:58 on the court.

While it is a small sample size, Olsen’s Wednesday performance improves her overall shooting percentage to 51.1% to start her Iowa career and adds to her team-leading 17.7 points per game.

Taylor McCabe

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Scoring a total of 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field, Taylor McCabe was able to provide the Hawkeyes with valuable points from beyond the arc by finishing 4-of-8 from deep. The junior forward also collected four rebounds during her 18:19 minutes of game time off the bench.

McCabe’s performance, in addition to the rest of the team off the bench, is a very promising sight for the Hawkeyes’ scoring depth moving forward.

Iowa returns to action on Sunday as it faces its first road test at Drake from inside the Knapp Center at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

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Eastern Michigan completes Hail Mary, loses when two-point conversion fails

Eastern Michigan completed the Hail Mary but Toledo got the MAC win

Eastern Michigan had a prayer answered against Toledo on the final play of the game. They came up empty while going for the win instead of kicking a PAT to tie and force overtime.

The Eagles trailed the Rockets 29-22 and were down to their last gasp.

Terry Lockett caught a 36-yard pass from Cole Snyder to bring the Eagles within 29-28. A PAT would have forced overtime. Instead, Chris Creighton went for two and the win.

Avery Smith broke up the attempted pass and Toledo, which scored 22 points in the fourth quarter, had a 29-28 victory in MAC play.

Duke one of the finalists to land New Mexico State RB Star Thomas

Duke continues to attack the transfer portal hard in search of more pieces for the 2024 season as they are a finalist for transfer RB Star Thomas.

Duke football is far from being done constructing its roster for the 2024 season. It seems they still have a ways to go.

Recently, Bruno Fina, an offensive tackle who played last season at UCLA, hit the transfer portal and came out on the other side as a Duke Blue Devil.

Duke is now looking to boost its running back room, it appears. On3’s Pete Nakos reported on Wednesday that Manny Diaz’s team is one of four finalists for New Mexico State transfer tailback Star Thomas.

Thomas was a second-team All-Conference USA selection this past season. He rushed for 633 yards in 2023 and added four rushing touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Throughout his career, he’s tallied 1,171 yards and 9 TDs on the ground along with 351 receiving yards and five scores as a passing weapon.

Duke’s competition includes newly minted ACC foe California, a sleeper team to win the SEC in Ole Miss, and the Toledo Rockets.

Thomas would be a welcome addition to Duke’s running back room. Since Jordan Waters’ departure to the NC State Wolfpack, the Blue Devils have been searching for a more proven option alongside Jaquez Moore, and Thomas certainly fills that role.

 

Lane Kiffin and the Rebels feel like the team to beat, but with Duke making the list as a finalist, we’ll see how things shake out when the dust settles.

12 takeaways from National team Senior Bowl practice day 2

From Bo Nix to Devontez Walker, here are 12 takeaways from the second day of practice for the first National Team at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl

We are back in Mobile for another day of action at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. After a hard-hitting day one of action for the National team, they are back for another round of competitive one-on-ones and team drills to gear them up for the Senior Bowl game this Saturday at noon CST (NFL Network).

Managing Editor Tyler Forness has boots on the ground in Mobile, giving us insights on both teams as the 100+ NFL draft prospects duke it out to gain draft positioning.

Here are 12 takeaways that he took from day two of the National Team’s Senior Bowl practice.

11 takeaways from National team Senior Bowl practice day 1

Vikings Wire Tyler Forness gives insight on day one of practice for the Reese’s Senior Bowl’s National Team

The road to the NFL Draft has started as the Reese’s Senior Bowl is underway in Mobile, Alabama this week. Vikings Wire Managing Editor Tyler Forness has boots on the ground in Hancock-Whitney Stadium, home of the South Alabama Jaguars, giving us a first-hand look at the prospects who hope to live out their dreams as NFL players in April. 

For some, it’s a foregone conclusion that they will hear their names called as the draft rolls around. For others, they will have to earn that right. Forness will give us his insights as this week of practice goes along and highlight names that fans of all teams, not just the Minnesota Vikings, should keep their eye on. 

We start with the National Team, who ended their practice Tuesday morning.

Vikings 2024 NFL draft scouting report: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell

Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell was a ball hawk at Toledo. What do his 2024 NFL Draft prospects look like?

Welcome to SKOL Search!

This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.

The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.

Former Florida defensive back transfers to Toledo Rockets

Former Florida Gators defensive back finds new home with the Toledo Rockets

The offseason has been full of departures for the Florida Gators and another member of the 2023 football roster is on his way out the door to head north.

Florida defensive back [autotag]Jadarrius Perkins[/autotag] announced his commitment from the transfer portal to become the newest addition to the Toledo Rockets football program. Perkins entered the portal after the conclusion of college football’s Week 1.

Perkins is transferring from Florida as a graduate student after earning his degree in Education Sciences back in August.

The defensive back made this statement when he entered the portal, thanking the Florida Gators.

“I want to appreciate Dan Mullen and Scott Stricklin for giving me the opportunity to be a Gator, something I’ll remember and cherish forever,” Perkins wrote. “With that being said I have decided to enter my name in the Transfer Portal as a Graduate. A really unfortunate situation I love all of my teammates that has kept me up throughout everything.”

“I dropped everything to go and chase my dreams,” Perkins said in his announcement. “They thought I was crazy.”

Perkins appeared in 23 games throughout his career at UF, but only made one appearance this past season in the road loss to the Utah Utes in Week 1. The graduate student collected 40 tackles, including three for a loss, and a lone interception.

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