Overview

Leaving after only his redshirt sophomore season, many college football fans haven't had much of an opportunity to watch Finley in action. Scouts, however, are quite high on Finley's upside. A sure-handed pass catcher with the body control and competitiveness to make the tough catch and the athleticism to make defenders miss, Finley is an improving blocker with the physicality and determination to eventually stand out in this area. Finley's upside is as high as any tight end in the 2008 draft.

Coached by Finis Vanover at Diboll High ...a four-year starter at tight end ...also played defensive end, wide receiver, safety, punter and kicker ...owns school career records with 316 receptions, 30 TD catches and 2,217 receiving yards ...named first-team 3A all-state by the Texas Sports Writers Association and second-team 3A all-state by The Associated Press as a senior ...also tabbed first-team all-district (21-3A) ...played primarily TE, WR and safety, and recorded 36 catches for 878 yards (a school single-season record) and 10 TDs that year ...also punted for a 37.9-yard average, kicked off and played an average of 101 snaps per game. ... Helped Diboll to a 6-5 record and the bi-district finals in 2004 ...named first-team all-district as a junior ...set school records with 13 TD catches and a 98-yard TD reception that year ...led team to 8-4 record and the 3A Division II area finals in 2003 ...named District Offensive Player of the Year in football and District MVP in basketball as a sophomore ...also an all-state selection in basketball (small forward) ...averaged 24 points and 20 rebounds through 22 games as a senior ...led Diboll to an 18-4 record in that span ...had a season-high 48 points versus Kountze ...led Diboll to a 33-3 record as a junior.

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Analysis

Positives: Long, rangy, athletic build. ... Room to add considerable additional muscle mass. ... Natural receiver with soft hands to pluck passes out of the air. ... Rare body control for a player his size. ... Can contort in the air to adjust to the poorly thrown pass. ... Good leaping ability and can high-point the pass. ... Competes well for the ball. ... Good acceleration and top end speed for the position. ... Can make defenders miss and generate positive yardage after the catch. ... Improving blocker. ... Good physicality at the point of attack. ... Good hand placement. ... Emerging talent who is only going to get better.

Negatives: Lacks top strength at the point of attack. ... Isn't yet stout enough as an inline blocker and will need time and effort in the weight room to add the size and strength to emerge as an all-around tight end. ... Leaves after only two seasons of playing action and has only 16 career starts.

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Q & A

Growing up, who was your favorite NFL player and why?

Michael Irvin. The way he caught the ball.

In college, what player hit you the hardest? Who was the recipient of your best hit?

Michael Griffin.

What TV-show marathon will keep you on the couch all day?

Martin.

What are the five most-played songs in your iPod? What's the one song you hope nobody ever finds out is in your iPod?

Yolanda Adams, Lil Boosie, Marvin Gaye, Donnie McClukin, B.B. King.

What celebrity would play you in the movie version of your life and why?

Denzel Washington.

What is one thing your teammates don't know about you?

That I like to watch Tom & Jerry.

What reality TV show would you like to be on and why?

King of the Hill.

What's your proudest moment in football? Proudest moment off the field?

When we won the National Championship.

When you play Madden, what team do you use? Do you put yourself on the team?

Cowboys; No.

Who has been the biggest influence on your football career and how?

My grandma.