NEPD Staff Contributor: Jeff Fidler
Every year we have players go under the radar for whatever reason. Some are over shadowed by teammates, some are small school guys. But the good ones have a way of separating themselves. They do it in a variety different ways. Highlight plays to get noticed, a career of full production & a multi skill set to help a team in more than one way. It just so happens that Trenton Cannon checks all those boxes & more.
Cannon is a dynamic RB/Returner from Virginia State. He has shot area quicks & explosive burst to jet past defenders. A versatile skill set that can make an impact in a number of ways including helping in the return game. Cannon avg over 7+ ypc for his career while being the focal point on offense. He has 3rd down, special teams factor back written all over him.
Some notable achievements…
Virginia State’s all-time leading rusher
1st Team All-Conference (CIAA) as a running back and kick returner
Candidate for The Harlon Hill Award (Division II College Football Player of the Year) … Two-time All-CIAA 1st Team (2016 and 2017)
One of four players nominated for black college football player of the year.
1)Can you talk a little bit how you ended up at Virginia state?
I originally started at Shepherd University. I transferred and walked on Virginia state spring 2015 for a better opportunity to play.
2)When I look at a player I try to look for traits that translate to the next level. What are your traits the translate?
Traits that I have that Translate to the next level are my athleticism, speed and versatility
3)What do you miss most about your hometown?
My favorite Hometown memories that I miss the most will probably be the family cookouts and get-togethers
4)Do you look at other running backs and try to take any of the good qualities for yourself?
I do like to take certain parts from good running backs like Bell with the Steelers. He is one of the most patient running backs I’ve ever seen.
5)Name one of your favorite all-time TV shows?
One of my favorite TV shows of all time is Martin.
6)In 2017 you were nominated & one of the finalists for the black college football player of the year, what does that mean to you?
Being nominated for Being nominated for the black college player of the year means a lot knowing that I was nominated as one of the four best hbcu players in 2017.
7)What’s the biggest off-the-field obstacle you had to face?
Biggest off the field obstacle was graduating college. I had to juggle a busy football schedule 18 credits but I graduated in December.
8)Regardless of competition what are some good running back traits?
Some good running back traits are decent speed patience explosiveness blocking and receiving ability.
8)I noticed that your receiving production increased this past year. Was that a product of the game plan or something that you’ve been practicing on & have gotten better with on your own?
I will have to say a little of both with increased production and just working on that part of my game.
9)Have any teams contacted you?
I have had the chance to a good amount of teams in contact me through the process.
10)Who are your music favorite artists?
Two of my favorite artists J Cole and Future
11)What are you looking for pre-snap and post now from the defense?
Pre-snap I watch for the alignment of the defense & where the linebackers are. I’m thinking score every time the ball is in my hand. I let the play develop. And look for any opening up front to make it past the defensive line and linebackers and most of the time use my speed to do the rest.
Post snap I’m looking for changes in the defense alignment and if there are any cutbacks before I reach the lane
Twitter: @cannon25
Instagram: cannon25
email: trentoncannon@gmail.com
Here are some of Cannon’s highlights …
This from Benjamin Allbright
This draft reminds me a lot of 2011.
None of these are perfect, or a skillset comparison.
Just a funny superficial symmetry between the two classes.
Gonna be more QBs go early than should.
You’ve got a Heisman winner whose personality/character gets perhaps unfairly questioned (Cam/Baker).
A raw, athletic, big-arm poor stats guy who never put it together in college (Locker/Allen).
A smart, what you see is probably what you get QB, who doesnt really have that much room to grow as a passer (Ponder/Rosen).
And a very young kid with size, tools and intangibles, but still has a lot of growing to do as a QB (Gabbert/Darnold)
An athlete who some are questioning his ability to translate to the NFL game (Lamar Jackson/Kaepernick)
A lesser known QB with a middling arm, but all the intangibles (Lauletta/Dalton)
A QB who is most likely a product of his coach and system. Mallet/Rudolph.
Patriots Mock Draft.
1 Traded for pick 10 with Raiders.
1 Traded for pick 10 with Raiders.
1 10th pick Mike McGlinchey OT Notre Dame
2 Traded to Houston for picks 80 and 98 of 3rd round.
2 Mike Hughes CB UCF
3 Dorrance Armstrong DE Kansas
3 Deon Cain WR Clemson
3 Kyle Lauletta QB Richmond
6 Akrum Wadley RB Iowa
6 Ja Von Rolland Jones OLB Arkansas St.
7 Sam Jones OG Arizona St.
mock draft 4/13: 1 of 3
1st:Leighton VanderEsch ILB-OLB
1st: traded for 3rd ,4th and 5th
2nd:DJ Chark WR
2nd Duke Ejiofor DE
3rd:Austin Corbett G-C
3rd:Tyquan Lewis DE
4th:Troy Fumagalli TE
5th:Chase Edmonds RB
6th:Chad Kanoff QB
6th:Parry Nickerson CB
7th:Tarvarius Moore S
1st:Lorenzo Carter OLB
1st:Isaiah Oliver CB
2nd:Fred Warner OLB-ILB
2nd:Rasheem Green DE-DT
3rd:Tyrell Crosby OT
6th:Logan Woodside QB
6th:Troy Fumagalli TE
7th:James Butler RB
This from LJ Chaney VP of College Scouting and Development
Iowa TE Noah Fant broke school records at the TE position during their early spring testing.
Vert: 42.1” (record)
Pro agility: 3.95 (record)
Fant was tied for first in the nation with 11 TD receptions among TEs. 2019 draft eligible.
Draft:
1st – Derwin James – S
1st – Leighton Vander Esch LB
2nd – Orlando Brown Jr. – LT
2nd – Dallas Goedert TE
3rd – PJ Hall – DT
6th – Dimitri Flowers RB – HB/FB
6th – Genard Avery LB
7th – Ade Aruna DE
Sign:
James Harrison
Michael Floyd
Johnny Manziel
Hidden Gems – most underrated players in the 2018 NFL Draft
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-hidden-gems-underrated-prospects-in-the-draft?utm_content=buffer05965&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=college
One that is shown in the CB section but not mentioned is Darious Williams of UAB. The Patriots visited and scouted UAB at the end of Aug and also attended their Pro Day. Williams was named to PFF’s All American 1st Team Defense in 2017 along with
Edge: Sutton Smith – Northern Illinois
Edge: Nick Bosa – Ohio State
DL: Maurice Hurst – Michigan
DL: Will Geary – Kansas State
LB: Joe Giles-Harris – Duke
LB: Roquan Smith – Georgia
LB: Ja’Whaun Bentley – Purdue
CB: Joshua Jackson – Iowa
CB: Darious Williams – UAB
FLEX: Denzel Ward – Ohio State
S: Derwin James – Florida State
S: Tarvarius Moore – Southern Miss
PFF had him rated at 92.5 the 2nd highest overall score for CB’s in 2017
Here is his Pro Day
5’10” 184 lbs
40 4.44
3 Cone 6.85
20 Shuttle 4.34
Vert 39″
Broad 10’2″
Bench 13
He had 5 Int’s 15 PBU’s 4 TFL’s 38 Solo Tackles in 2017
Nice article, I like this kid, he’s definitely a draft sleeper! High value, low risk.
3 Fumbles on 174 Carries = 1 Fumble for every 58 carries.
That’s a hard pass for me even as an undrafted free agent.
Fumble Breakdown by game
http://www.theciaa.com/sports/fball/2015-16/players/trentoncannonxj9k?view=gamelog&pos=rb
He seems like an interesting guy and football player . Maybe the Patriots can get him late with a 6th or 7th round pick.