Anthony McCoy, TE

McCoy isn't the next flashy athlete out of Southern Cal. He's a big tight end with soft hands for the short to intermediate routes who will make his presence felt most in the NFL as a blocker.

Starting for the first time in his career as a junior, McCoy earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 accolades in 2008 despite catching only 22 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. He was not recognized in 2009 despite proving to be a significantly more dangerous option. McCoy once again caught 22 passes, but led the Trojans with an average of 20.8 yards per reception (457 yards) and scored the second touchdown of his career.

Scouts will disregard McCoy's gaudy average in 2009, as he simply lacks the agility and straight-line speed to be a consistent game-breaker. He does rank among the position's better inline blockers, however, which could result in a second-round grade from some clubs.

To earn this high of a selection, however, McCoy may have to prove to scouts his football intelligence and willingness to do the extras - he was suspended before and after the regular season for academics. He was not allowed to participate in USC's defeat of Boston College in the Emerald Bowl due to the second infraction.

Release: Slower than many of USC's offensive linemen off the snap. Good use of hands and lateral agility to gain a clean release. Lacks the straight-line speed to challenge the seam, but has at least adequate short-area quickness to generate separation.

Hands: Best attribute as a receiver might be his soft hands which allow him to pluck the ball out of the air. Can extend outside of his frame or reach behind to make the tough grab. Able to make the contested reception with defenders draped over him.

Route running: Lumbers off the line of scrimmage, has marginal elusiveness in the open field and lacks the straight-line speed to challenge defenses down the seam. Size and choppy steps as a route-runner allow him to gain separation. Presents a huge target in the middle.

After the catch: Only marginal elusiveness after the catch. Slow and lacks agility to make defenders miss. Good vision following blocks, however, and is a strong runner that defenders have to want to tackle in order to bring him down. Delivers a good stiff arm and can surprise defenders with decent leaping ability.

Blocking: His most impressive skill. Provides a good initial pop as a run blocker and works to sustain his blocks. Long arms and stout frame make him a legitimate presence as a blocker in the running game. Takes his role as a blocker seriously and provides almost a second offensive tackle on some occasions. Hustles downfield to make the extra block. Good lateral agility and upper-body strength to hold up in pass protection.

Intangibles: Big, long-limbed athlete looks the part of an NFL tight end. Isn't a star in the making, but a complementary role player here and at the next level. Hasn't taken his academic requirements seriously. Has been suspended on multiple occasions for academic concerns, including prior to his senior season and before the Emerald Bowl, which ended his collegiate career prematurely.

NFL Comparison: Anthony Becht, ex-Jets/Steelers/Texans

McCoy was slowed by an ankle injury for the second half of the 2009 season and finished with 22 catches. He averaged 20.8 yards per catch.

McCoy started all season at tight end as a junior in 2008. Overall in 2008 while appearing in 13 games, he had 22 receptions for 256 yards (111.6 avg.) with a TD. He made 2008 All-Pac-10 honorable mention. He had 2 catches for 21 yards at Virginia, then had a 5-yard reception at Oregon State. He added a 10-yard catch against Arizona State, then caught a 21-yard TD pass at Washington State, making a nice spin move and escaping 2 tacklers to score. He caught 2 passes for 22 yards at Arizona and also picked up a fumble late in the fourth quarter deep in USC territory and advanced it 23 yards. He caught 4 passes for 53 yards versus California, had 2 receptions for 26 yards against Notre Dame and had 4 catches for 50 yards at UCLA. He made 5 catches for 48 yards versus Penn State.

McCoy was a backup tight end and played on special teams as a sophomore in 2007. Overall in 2007 while appearing in all 13 games, he caught 2 passes for 18 yards (9.0 avg.) with a touchdown. He had a 2-yard TD reception at Nebraska and hauled in a 16-yard pass against Washington State. He sat out most of 2007 spring practice with an ankle sprain.

McCoy saw brief action in 3 early games (Arkansas, Arizona, Arizona State) and then against Michigan in the Rose Bowl as a backup tight end as a freshman in 2006, his first year at USC, but did not catch a pass. He strained his hamstring prior to the Oregon State game and was sidelined for the rest of the regular season.

2009: Suspended before the season for poor grades, and again after the regular season, missing the Emerald Bowl.

Made 2005 Super Prep All-American, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West honorable mention, Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team and Fresno Bee All-Area first team as a senior wide receiver, tight end and defensive lineman at Bullard High in Fresno (Calif.) … He had 70 receptions for 1,210 yards (17.3 avg.) and 15 TDs and made 65 tackles, 14 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 15 deflections in 2005 … As a junior in 2004, he was a Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass second team and All-League honoree while catching 54 passes for 850 yards (15.7 avg.) with 7 TDs and getting 10 sacks … Current Trojan Nick Howell also prepped at Bullard … He also was an All-League basketball player at Bullard.