Scout.com Player Evaluation: |
STRENGTHS | Backpedal Quickness | Body Control | Closing Speed |
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AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT | Size |
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Bruce has good backpedal and body control and great closing speed. He's good at jamming at the line of scrimmage and recovers well. Needs to put on a little more weight. -Brandon Huffman |
ESPN scouting report (6/6/11):
Bruce is a talented, two-way skill prospect who will most likely get recruited to play defensive back at the next level. Has just adequate size for a major level corner and will need to continue adding bulk and building up his upper-strength. Speed is good but he does appear quicker than fast and feel his long- speed will be challenged at the next level. Needs to become crisper and more polished in his footwork at corner but overall is a very fluid athlete with naturally good feet and agility. Shows he can stop-start sharply and mirror over receivers tightly in off-man and in and out of their breaks. Would like to see him sink more in his pedal and become more balanced; can get on his heels quickly off the line versus more explosive receivers. Shows he can recovery though from wasted transitional movement with good quickness and burst out of his pedal. Jumps routes effectively and has a nose for finding the ball. Overall a very active underneath defender who comes up quickly on perimeter run and pass support. Closes strong and makes solid contact as a tackler. Is reliable in the open field. Offensively he is a guy that is very quick into and out of his breaks as a WR and is capable of sperating vs. one-on-one coverage. Has quick hands, but also double catches and can be a body catcher at times. Is a candidate to play as a slot receiver for the next level. Also possesses terrific return capabilities and this gives him value. Bottom line, Bruce has some weaker areas that could be exposed early on at corner, but we feel it's the position with the most upside. He has some natural quickness and talent to develop at the next level. A utility guy on offense with good feet, vision and cutback skill that adds to his versatility as a prospect.
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Rivals update:
Bruce said he expects to meet with defensive tackles coach
Mike Tuiasosopo, who recruits his area from the Buffaloes' staff, in early January.
"I took an unofficial visit to Colorado in the spring and they have a good program," Bruce said. "They have a new coach, Coach
Jon Embree, and I can see that he is trying to do a lot of great things and Colorado is a beautiful state. I am originally from Denver, so it would be nice to be back in my home state."
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Also of note is that Bruce's dad played at Cal. My worries are primarily them and also UCLA, which is sniffing around.