ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997 TAG: 9704180059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING THE ROANOKE TIMES
Virginia Tech's coaches are the only ones still touting defensive end Cornell Brown as an impact player in the NFL.
Perhaps few players awaiting the 1997 NFL draft have seen their stock plummet more drastically than Virginia Tech's Cornell Brown.
A consensus All-American his junior season who was advertised as the Hokies' best defensive player since Bruce Smith, Brown now must wonder when - or even if - his name will be called in this weekend's draft.
This is the same guy who seriously considered forgoing his senior season to enter the '96 draft.
Noted draft analyst Mel Kiper rates Brown as the No.19 defensive end and projects he won't be taken until the sixth round. Tech's two-time Outland Trophy candidate also made Kiper's list of the 30 most overrated draft prospects.
Kiper, who in a December 1996 report listed Brown as a round 2 pick, contends the Lynchburg native's size - 6 feet 1, 244 pounds - and lack of closing speed make him unsuited to play end or outside linebacker in the pros.
``In reality,'' Kiper said , ``he's not ideally suited for either spot. [He] lacks the closing speed to compensate for his size problem at end. And you really would have to question his ability to hold up in coverage as a true outside linebacker.
``That's why it's easy to come to the conclusion that Brown is a great college player who doesn't look nearly as impressive when you try to target him for a pro scheme.''
What's Brown have to say about all this?
Nothing. When reached Thursday at his Blacksburg apartment, Brown said he'd talk ``probably later'' about his draft chances. He could not be reached for further comment.
Of course, that's nothing new. Brown has refused to speak to most of the media since the middle of his somewhat tumultuous senior season. He missed two games after knee surgery and another via suspension for his alleged part in a brawl involving Hokies football players and a Tech track athlete.
Brown was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery in the incident. His case has yet to be heard in court.
Furthermore, Brown's senior numbers didn't come close to matching his superb junior season. After making 103 tackles and ranking among the nation's leaders in sacks (14) and tackles for losses (25) in 1995, Brown had to 58 stops, eight sacks and five tackles for losses this past season.
Brown didn't exactly enhance his stock at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February, posting an unspectacular 4.98-second time in the 40-yard dash. More than one NFL scout has questioned his ability to play pass coverage as a linebacker, a phase of the game in which he has virtually no experience.
So Brown, whom most experts predicted would have been a second- or third-round choice if he'd declared for last year's draft, is now much lower on most lists.
One team which that be interested in Brown's services is Carolina. The Panthers' 3-4 defensive scheme could have a spot for a ``tweener'' like Brown.
``I think Cornell would fit in real well in the 3-4,'' said John Ballein, Tech's recruiting coordinator, who deals with NFL talent hounds hunting Blacksburg. ``Carolina likes him. I think Carolina is going to take him, maybe as high as the third round. Wait and see.''
Frank Beamer, Tech's head coach, said the NFL shouldn't sell Brown short.
``I've said all along that Cornell would be a great one at the next level, and I still believe that,'' Beamer said. ``He'll be playing for somebody on Sunday. Bet on it.''
Kiper said Brown never will be a Bruce Smith, Buffalo's No.1 pick in the 1985 draft.
``You never want to count him out,'' Kiper said, ``but I don't see him figuring as anything more than a possible situational type and special-teamer in the NFL. Maybe in a 3-4 he could develop at outside linebacker, but his lack of 40 speed will still be working against him.''
Among Tech draft hopefuls Brown figures to be no better than fourth in line. Quarterback Jim Druckenmiller is projected as a sure-fire first- or early second-round pick. The next likely to go are free safety Torrian Gray and center Billy Conaty.
Kiper projects Gray to be picked midway through the third round and Conaty to get a call late in round 5. ESPN's draftnik has Hokies offensive tackle Jay Hagood going behind Brown in round 6. Kiper says tight end Bryan Jennings and defensive tackle Waverly Jackson are seventh-rounders.
Kiper lists Tech's Brian Edmonds as the No.6 fullback, but doesn't expect his name to be called in the seven-round draft. Cornerback Antonio Banks has an outside shot at being drafted.
Tech could set a school record for number of players drafted. The most was five in 1992.
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM THE ROANOKE TIMES. Cornell Brown (58), aby CNBdefensive end, stayed for his senior season at Virginia Tech, but
his popularity among NFL scouts and draft experts has fallen from
the second or third round to as low as the sixth round as the draft
approaches this weekend. KEYWORDS: FOOTBALL