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Rodney Ketterlen is contributing to BTSC during the NFL Scouting Combine, providing some insight into his football-related evaluations. Currently embattled in a legal dispute with the NFL, his scouting service is on temporary hiatus.
Most view North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron as the thoroughbred of tight ends; the next Vernon Davis. His outstanding 40-yard dash time at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine is a big part of that reason.
A blind scout could see Ebron's talent. What other scouts might miss is what Ketterlen Super Scouting picks up - his tangential value exceeds just inline blocking and seam receiving.
Ebron is poised to become one of the most versatile players in this draft. He has the ability to play tight end but what KSS has uncovered is his previously unseen potential to become an excellent long-snapper.
We say this because he has an outstanding hand-size-to-inseam ratio. That indicates to us the width of his legs and his shoulders are narrow enough, he's able to snap between his legs using maximum force.
Commonly, evaluators associated with the NFL look for linemen due to their need to assist in taking on the heavies down the field after a punt. The problem with those linemen is their legs are usually thick enough and their chest broad enough it creates a much wider stance - in other words, the amount of space in their shoulder-width-apart stance is wide enough they are naturally forced to rob themselves of power on their snap.
That creates what Ketterlen Super Scouting refers to as "The Funnel." Ebron has a narrower base, but big enough hands (pinke to thumb) he can create an outstanding amount of ground torque on the ball through his funnel. The narrow space between his legs forces his shoulders to remain straighter, thus adding power to the great rotation on the ball, delivering a perfect spiral from his backside. It also adds a more fluid drive instead of just unchecked power.
Ebron should absolutley be seen as an outstanding tight end prospect, but don't be surprised if you see teams give him a look as a long-snapper. He could end up being one of the great all-time two-way players of all time.
