University of Florida Transfer Quarterback Not Named Cam Newton

A tall, athletic quarterback that started his collegiate career off at the University of Florida only to transfer to another school twice; No I’m not referring to Cam Newton, I’m talking about Josh Portis. Josh Portis is a name that not many people have ever heard of, but I consider him one of my sleepers at this year’s NFL Combine.

Here is a little background information on Josh Portis:

Portis is a 6’3, 211 pound, dual threat quarterback out of California University of Pennsylvania. Coming out of Taft High School in Los Angeles, California, Portis chose to attend the University of Florida. He was ranked by Rivals.com as the 4^th best dual-threat QB coming out of high school, and the 13^th best player in the state of California in 2005. After one year at the University of Florida due deep depth at quarterback, he decided to transfer. He ended up at the University of Maryland where he played sparingly in the 2008 season after having to sit out his 2007 season due to the transfer. After the 2008 season, Portis transferred to the Division II school, California University of Pennsylvania which is located just south of Pittsburgh, PA. Being from the Pittsburgh area, many students from my high school attend Cal U, but it’s not really known as an athletic powerhouse although their football team has been bery good in recent years. Portis dominated the Division II competition in 2010 when he set school records with 3421 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns. His domination continued into 2011 where he put up another set of impressive stats. And now he has received an invite to the 2011 NFL Combine.

Similarities to Cam Newton:

His collegiate football career resembles that of Cam Newton. They both started off at the University of Florida playing quarterback, and both saw limited action. Newton and Portis both ended up transferring to two more universities after Florida. Newton was a five star prospect coming out of high school according to Rivals.com and Portis was a four star. Portis was also involved in an academic cheating scandal while he was at the University of Maryland, just like Newton was at Florida. The similarities are there.

Portis at the NFL Combine:

This Sunday I am excited to see what Portis does at the NFL Combine. It was reported that he ran a 4.57 second 40 yard dash coming out of high school. If he could run under a 4.6 second 40 yard dash at the Combine, he would definitely turn heads. He has a strong arm, and the build to go along with it. He could gain some more weight but once he gets into a NFL weight training program, the pounds will come. He does have some off-the-field character issues, which most recently stem from a theft charge in 2010. But with time, maturity, and proper mentorship that could be cured. It also doesn’t hurt that Portis is the cousin of Washington Redskins runningback, Clinton Portis. So when watching the combine this weekend or hearing about it on ESPN, and you see that a quarterback from a small southwestern PA school puts up impressive numbers, you won’t be surprised if you took time to read this blog.

Blaise Taggart's Pre-Combine Top 5 QB's, RB's, WR's in the 2011 NFL Draft

This is the first publishing of Blaise Taggart's top 5 quarterbacks, runningbacks, and wide receivers for the 2011 NFL Draft. After the NFL Combine, I will publish an updated version of each of the lists.

Top 5 QB

1. Cam Newton, Auburn

2. Ryan Mallet, Arkansas

3. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri

4. Andy Dalton, TCU

5. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

Quick Overview: Some people thought I was crazy when I said I had Cam Newton as my second overall quarterback right after the season concluded. Newton was second to Andrew Luck, who ultimately decided to stay another year at Stanford. After Newton's public workout, many people have elevated him to the top quarterback spot where I already had him. I am anxiously awaiting to see what Gabbert does at the NFL Combine. I am a huge fan of Mallet. At 6'7, Mallet has the frame and arm to be a great quarterback, although he does need to work on his footwork, but his arm strength makes up for the lack of footwork. Dalton is in my top 5, which you will not see in many other's top 5. Dalton's accuracy has caught my eye, and as everyone knows, he was a winner at TCU in college. An Kaepernick is such a great athlete, and he is also intelligent. With NFL coaching, he could become a solid NFL quarterback.

Top 5 RB

1. Mark Ingram, Alabama

2. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois

3. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech

4. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State

5. Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh

Quick Overview: This list might change after the combine. Ingram is a great running back that makes great plays. His Heisman trophy just shows what kind of player he is. Leshoure reminds me of another Illinois runningback, Rashard Mendenhall. Williams has the most upside out of anyone on this list. He tore up the ACC, and has the athletic ability to be an all-pro in the NFL. Thomas is your prototypical NFL sized, explosive back who could climb up my top 5 runningbacks chart as the pre-draft process continues. Dion Lewis reminds me of MJD and Ray Rice. Lewis, who I have seen in person many times, is the most underrated runningback in this draft. His low center of gravity propels him to be successful in the NFL.

Top 5 WR

1. Julio Jones, Alabama

2. A.J. Green, Georgia

3. Jon Baldwin, Pittsburgh

4. Austin Pettis, Boise State

5. Greg Little, North Carolina

Quick Overview: People will go into shock when they read my top 5 wide receiver list. I believe that Julio Jones will be a better professional wide receiver than A.J. Green. You can quote me on that and talk to me in three years. Green has great athletic measurables, but I think that Julio Jones is such a rare combination of size and speed, and he knows how to win. Jones was the number 1 receiver coming out of high school, and I believe that is still the case. Baldwin is also a great combination of size and speed. I played Baldwin in high school, and he is quite the athlete. If he improves his route running ability, he could be just as good as Jones and Green in the NFL. Pettis is higher on my list then many other expert's lists but I believe he is solid wide out. His hands are one of the best pairs in the draft. Little is just like another UNC player, Hakeem Nicks, and Nicks has worked out in the NFL thus far.

Super Bowl Prediction

Well, the most awaited sports day of the year has arrived. Two of the most storied franchises, squaring off in the most prestigious game known to mankind. Let's get down to it. I think that this will be one of the most exciting Super Bowls in my recent memory, although the Steelers vs. Cardinals Super Bowl was a pleasant surprise. You have the Steelers who bring the best run defense led by the best DC in the league, Dick LeBeau, and on the opposite side you have the hottest team throughout the entire playoffs with an offense that seems unstoppable. I see this game coming down to a couple of stops by both defenses and may even swing on a defensive TD. All in all, when it's said and done here is my prediction:
Packers 27
Steelers 23

MVP: Clay Matthews

I chose Matthews as my MVP because I think he'll make one or two plays that swing the game, possibly a fumble recovery or a game changing sack.

I don't think this game will disappoint the masses by any means.