2070 Las Vegas Rounders Draft Review
2-18
Spencer Gochanour OT Boston College
6'7" 336 lbs
Spencer Gochanour's draft day started like any other blue chip prospect's draft day. He had the suit, his phone, his agent, and his parents by his side in the green room. As with many drafts, someone starts to slide and that's where this young man's worst nightmare came true. As he watched his peers realize their dreams, his was dashed in 32 painful selections. Day 2 of the draft didn't fare much better until his phone rang right before Las Vegas called his name. The kid is as dumb as a brick, has a short fuse, and a competitive streak that many confuse with a bad attitude. Gochanour is still fairly green which meant with all things considered, no one wanted to roll the dice. This was not the case with Vegas, who felt the risk of him being a total bust was worth the 2.18 risk they wagered. The wager was placed, the dice were rolled, and both fans and detractors can't wait to see the outcome. They thought he was pissy before, wait until they get a load of this kid with a chip on his shoulder.
Camp Notes: Gochanour definitely had a chip on his shoulder in training camp. Things were going well until there was a kerfuffle between Chip and the journeyman OT Bryan Matthews asking the rookie to carry his bags. Chip told the veteran he should carry his own bags until he could carry his weight on the right side of the line. This wasn't the first time Matthews caused trouble at camp after he was vocal about losing snaps to Cooper Hahn last season during Hahn's final season in Vegas. Following the first action of the season, Chip has not only emerged as the starting right tackle for Vegas, but he has also emerged as the face of this offensive line. Chip has blossomed into the man they call The Goocher.
Training Camp:
+6/+5
Judgment Day:
+4/+1
5-12
Roman O'Donnell CB Penn State
5'9" 187 lbs
Vegas really needed to go secondary in the 2nd round but couldn't pass on a blue chip prospect that fell into their lap. Fast forward 3 more rounds and the likes of Roman O'Donnell are the best of the rest. O'Donnell is a hands-on, aggressive cover corner who lacks size and power but makes up for it with tenacity and annoyance. He's not afraid to put a hat on a runner but lacks the size to do it with authority or by himself at times. O'Donnell's slight frame does raise concerns in the durability department but his speed, man, and zone skills are needed in an aging Vegas secondary.
Camp Notes: O'Donnell looked like one of the good news stories early in camp, but the speedster's shining star waned quickly. Size and power are important at this level and the more O'Donnell was challenged by the size and speed of others, the quicker the luster wore off.
Training Camp:
+6/
-1
Judgment Day: 0/
-7
5-19
Drew Beadnell OG Mississippi
6'2" 305 lbs
Beadnell is like any other offensive line pick - it's nothing sexy or exciting unless you enjoy watching large men that enjoy running through other large men. Beadnell is known for doing just that - he projects to contribute significantly in both the run and pass game in Vegas and take the reins from fellow meathead Bart LeFavor at some point soon.
Camp Notes: Beadnell has been working hard in the shadows of RT Gochanour and 2069 3rd-rounder, LG Thames, who both stole the show during camp and through the first pre-season game. The beat reporters point out that Beadnell is not quite the dozer that LeFavor is, but he is 3 times the pass protector. Beadnell has carved out his role as the swing guard of this unit, which may not be as flashy as perennial starting RG but can be a very lucrative career in the CFL.
Training Camp:
+4/0
Judgment Day:
-1/-3
6-11
Alex Anzivino WR Tennessee
5'8" 188 lbs
When you are a short, light WR, you typically are there for your speed. What happens when you are a short, light, and slow WR? Well, you bench more than anyone taller, bigger, or faster than you. Anzivino had a productive college career and finished his senior year with impressive numbers. The numbers weren't record-setting, but considering how small and slow this guy is they should be a record of some kind. Anzivino didn't really impress in drills at the combine either, but his tape speaks for itself. He runs routes with the best talent in this class, he always makes catches beyond the sticks, and he would run through a wall just for an opportunity to make a catch. He's not going to make any appearances on ESPN's top 10 segments, but he's the guy you look to when you absolutely need a catch. Vegas started this draft rolling dice and they have shown no signs of stopping any time soon. The dice are out!
Camp Notes: Anzivino's inability to showcase his skills during combine drills carried over to camp. The young wideout lost reps to the other young guys trying to secure a roster spot and struggled when he did get opportunities. Anzivino may not even work his way into the lineup for pre-season reps. The Rounders may have crapped out on this roll of the dice.
Training Camp:
+3/
-1
Judgment Day:
-1/-7
6-18
Van Harrison CB Illinois
6' 0" 200 lbs
Harrison made a name for himself at U-of-I as a shut down corner. He never achieved ball hawk status because he simply has no hands, but he became known for his ability to sniff out a play and break up passes in crucial moments. "The Rat" is not the most athletic secondary prospect, but he has pro speed and a nose for the ball. Harrison projects to a strong safety in Vegas due to his ability to man up, disect plays, and lay the lumber. His knack for finding the ball and punishing whoever has it or wants to catch it can lead to some missed tackles occasionally, but he's still steady tackler and asset in the run game. Harrison either has no clue how to play zone or bails on his zone responsibilities in search of the ball or big hit, so his opportunities at CB or as an every down Safety may be limited at the next level unless he can learn to be disciplined.
Camp Notes: Harrison excelled during camp while transitioning from CB to SS. His ascension stalled in his first action of the pre-season and currently looks to be in the thick of a roster spot battle in a crowded secondary.
Training Camp (CB to SS):
+5/+1
Judgment Day:
-1/-5
7-10
Elias Wilkerson OT Texas - El Paso
6' 5" 314 lbs
Wilkerson is a raw talent out of UTEP who may have done himself a disservice by choosing to go to school near family. This Tulsa product wanted to play in Texas and UTEP gave him his shot, which may have cost him some development during his 4-year college career. Wilkerson amassed enough tape for CFL scouts to see his potential, but while Wilkerson has the size and the numbers to play LT in the league, he has to show significant strides in his development this next year to fulfill his life-long dream of playing in the CFL.
Camp Notes: The Goocher and Thames stole the show during training camp with Beadnell stealing the rest of the eyes trying to find a training camp story on the offensive line. Meanwhile, Wilkerson was putting in work and gaining favor among the Rounders' coaching staff. While the staff is excited about the Goocher, they are just as excited about this kid who will be the swing tackle and understudy behind LT Turner.
Training Camp:
+4/+1
Judgment Day:
+2/+8
7-17
Perry Forrester LS Northwestern
6' 3" 251 lbs
Known more for his contributions in class at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern, Forrester is a big guy that can't block and isn't athletic enough to be a receiving tight end at the collegiate level, much less in the CFL. What he can do is snap the ball accurately and to a place holder in 1.17 seconds. A number like this doesn't just get you a job as a long snapper in the CFL, it gets you drafted to do that job.
Camp Notes: Forrester beat out Upshaw for the LS roster spot and despite improvement during training camp, regressed a little to start the 2070 pre-season. Everyone says, "Fuck Kickers!", kickers say, "Fuck Long Snappers!".
Training Camp:
+4 Long Snapping
Judgment Day:
-2 Long Snapping
Notable UDFAs
Otis Pierce CB Missouri
6'0" 201 lbs
Pierce was on the Rounders' draft board but further down than the available picks allowed. Pierce was moved to SS during camp where his man and run skills could be utilized better. In his first game as a Rounder (only 32 plays), he led the team in tackles and assists while logging one of the defense's 2 interceptions. Pierce saw limited action in his 2nd pre-season game but still managed to record 2 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble on 8 snaps. Someone get this kid more reps.
Judgment Day (CB to SS):
+2/+6
Gus Cheramie RB Oregon State
5'10" 198 lbs
Cheramie was an afterthought, but with a 92 volatility and a rating of 39/39 seemed like a worthwhile gamble in late free agency. The 24-year-old was developed and demonstrated an impressive ability to hit the hole during his free-agent workouts. Cheramie didn't get many looks during his first pre-season game but will get more opportunities to supplant Rocco as RB3 this pre-season.
Judgment Day:
+4/+7_________________
ROF Division Champions: 2039 - 2043, 2045, 2047, 2054, 2056 - 2060, 2063, 2066-2067
WFC Conference Champions: 2018, 2041, 2042, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062-2063
CFL Champions: 2018, 2041, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062
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