Draft scout: N.C State's Chubb stars, Florida State's James stumbles

Sep 23, 2017 - 10:16 PM Led by pro prospects Bradley Chubb and Jaylen Smith, North Carolina State outlasted No. 12 Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., on Saturday, winning 27-21 in a contest sure to shake up the polls and potentially NFL scouts' rankings.

Chubb, NFLDraftScout.com's No. 1 defensive end for the 2018 draft and top-rated overall senior prospect, only confirmed his ranking with one of the more dominating performances by a defender in a high-profile game this season.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound edge rusher recorded two sacks and landed several other heavy hits on FSU true freshman quarterback James Blackman, showing a wicked combination of snap anticipation, initial quickness, refined hand play and a high-revving motor. All that could help him earn a similar grade as former Tennessee Volunteers star Derek Barnett, the 14th overall pick last spring by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Like Barnett, Chubb is a full-service defensive end, playing just as well against the run as the pass.

When necessary, he unselfishly took on blockers to create tackle opportunities near the line of scrimmage against Florida State. On back-to-back plays in the red zone late in the second quarter, Chubb showed excellent lateral agility to avoid a would-be blocker to make a tackle. He strung out another play to the sideline for a minimal gain, forcing a field goal attempt -- one of five for the Seminoles, who managed just one touchdown.

Not to be outdone, his teammate, Samuels -- currently ranked third on NFLDraftScout.com's board at fullback and projected as just a seventh-round pick -- was very nearly as effective on offense, scoring the 37th and 38th touchdowns of his illustrious career while splitting time between wide receiver, tight end and running back.

The 5-foot-11, 223-pounder hauled in double-digit receptions for the second time this season, catching 12 passes for 64 yards and the deciding touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Samuels, who began the season with 15 receptions (for 85 yards and a touchdown) in a loss to South Carolina, also rushed five times (for 11 yards and a score) and even completed a 25-yard pass in Saturday's win, showing off the human Swiss Army knife-like versatility that is sure to intrigue creative offensive coordinators throughout the NFL.

Possessing a compact frame with good quickness, agility and excellent hand-eye coordination, Samuels proved a mismatch in the passing game, generating space against FSU's notoriously speedy linebackers and fighting through arm tackles by future high draft picks in FSU's secondary to create yardage after the catch.

While North Carolina State's top NFL prospects shined on the big stage, the Seminoles' most exciting talent -- redshirt sophomore safety Derwin James -- made a notable mistake, allowing Wolfpack wideout Jakobi Myers to shake him in the middle of the field that resulted in the game's biggest play, a 71-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

James dropped back on the play, eyeing junior quarterback Ryan Finley, who delivered a strike between Florida State's 6-2, 211-pound safety and the trailing cornerback. With James bearing down him, Myers initially lowered his shoulder and appeared poised to accelerate toward the sideline, causing the defender to get flat-footed in preparation for the hit.

Instead, Myers deked to his right, racing past a stumbling James and the rest of Florida State's pursuing defense for the long score that gave back North Carolina State the momentum shortly after the Seminoles' only touchdown of the day.

The raw athleticism that has scouts so intrigued by James showed up a little later, although unfortunately for him and the Seminoles, it did little good in this contest. A penalty erased a third-quarter interception by James, and he also showed off his natural playmaking ability with a 49-yard kick return in the fourth quarter as the Seminoles attempted a late comeback.



Rob Rang is a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, a collaboration between The Sports Xchange and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.