According to Adam Schefter via his Twitter page, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy says that the pinched nerve in his throwing shoulder is making progress and he hopes to throw at the NFL scouting combine in a couple of weeks.

McCoy suffered the injury on Texas’s first possession against Alabama in the national championship game and he didn’t return. After visiting with the esteemed Dr. James Andrews, McCoy was given a two-week recovery period.

But if he can’t throw at the combine (which takes place almost two months after he suffered the injury), then red flags about his health will certainly be raised. There was some talk that the type of injury he suffered was career threatening, but if he throws well at the combine, those doubts will obviously be erased.

McCoy doesn’t have great arm strength as it is, but a good showing at the combine will keep his stock from plummeting as we get closer to April’s draft. Personally, I hope he’s healthy and has the opportunity to compete in the NFL because he showed during his four years at Texas that he’s got great character. The NFL could use more of those kinds of players.

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In a recent posting on the Jaguars’ official web site, offensive lineman Uche Nwaneri lambasted NFL draft prospect Tim Tebow.

From the Florida Times Union:

So Nwaneri posted his five points on Tebow, with capital letters:

“1. He can’t throw, PERIOD.

2. He can’t read any coverage other than probably cover 2 or man.

3. The QB Wildcat WILL NOT WORK IN THIS LEAGUE. PERIOD.

4. He doesn’t know how to take a snap from center.

5. HE CAN’T THROW, and that’s really something you either have or not.”

Nwaneri then urged fans to buy tickets because he doesn’t want to come out “for pregame warmups to a COMPLETELY EMPTY STADIUM ANYMORE.’’

I realize that Nwaneri has some upside and is a starter on Jacksonville’s O-line (plus, I don’t necessarily disagree with what he said), but if I were Tebow the only thing I’d respond with is: Who the hell is Uche Nwaneri?

Of course, Tebow would never say that in response because he’s all class. He has more important things to worry about at this time of year than what some no-name Jaguar offensive lineman has to say about his talent.

And somebody inform Nwaneri that the stadium (any stadium) is never full when the players come out for warm-ups.

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Tim Tebow just blew his first opportunity to prove to doubters that he can be a quarterback at the next level.

After botching several snaps and struggling with his accuracy during practice this week, Tebow fumbled twice and finished 8-of-12 for just 50 yards in the Senior Bowl on Saturday. Worse yet, his scrambling ability (his forte) was neutralized by Jim Schwartz’s defense.

Granted, Tebow was battling strep throat, so he may deserve a mulligan for his performance this week. But sick or not, the same doubts that scouts have had about him were on full display all week. His mechanics are poor, his wind up motion is troubling and he continues to struggle with his accuracy.

Tebow still has the scouting combine and individual workouts to improve his draft stock, but it was clear this week that he’s a massive project at quarterback.

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One of the most talked about prospects heading into April’s NFL draft will be Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Perhaps one of the best college football players of this decade, Tebow now has the task of trying to convince pro scouts that he can make the transition from the collegiate ranks to the NFL.

Some believe that Tebow is better suited for the H-back position or out of the Wildcat at the next level, and not at quarterback. Although he wants the chance to prove that he can be a drop back passer, Tebow may have to settle for being a versatile specialty piece in some team’s offense.

Strengths: Tebow is a football player. He has excellent strength, size and bulk, is a powerful runner, a hard worker and is as tough as they come. He’s an outstanding leader, is smart, and played against top competition at Florida. His arm is also strong enough to make all the throws and he can throw on the run. Because of his character and determination, he’s a low risk player if some team can find a spot for him in their offense.

Weaknesses: He’s never played in an offense that requires the quarterback to take the ball from under center. He has a wind-up motion and his delivery is slow and elongated. He’s not accurate, demonstrates poor footwork and has trouble throwing a tight spiral. He’s also never had to read a defense or coverages and his learning curve will be incredibly high. In essence, he’s a major project at the quarterback position and that’s why most NFL teams will look to move him to another position.

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Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is highly considered the best prospect in this year’s NFL draft, has signed with Maximum Sports Management. Why is that newsworthy you ask? They were the same agents who misrepresented 49ers’ receiver Michael Crabtree this past season.

The good news for Suh is that Roosevelt Barnes and not Eugene Parker will serve as his lead agent. Parker was the genius that instructed Crabtree to holdout until he got paid top-3 money and almost cost Crabtree his entire rookie season before finally accepting an offer from the Niners.

I’m a little surprised that Maximum Sports Management landed the top prospect in the draft after the massive screw up with Crabtree. Hopefully for Suh’s sake, teams at the top of the draft won’t shy away from him due to his choice of agent. But again, I doubt that Suh will have any problems given that Parker won’t be his lead agent.

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Highly regarded as the best player in this year’s NFL draft class, Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will be one of the most talked about players for the next couple of months.

Suh became the first defensive player to be named the AP’s College Football Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He has drawn comparisons to former NFL players Reggie White and Warren Sapp, as well as the Vikings’ Kevin Williams.

Strengths: Where do you start? Suh was a dominant force for the interior of Nebraska’s defensive line in 2009, making plays as both a pass rusher and a run stopper. He’s one of those rare players that can have an impact on a play or in a game without showing up on the stat sheet. He consistently collapses the pocket, uses his hands well to get off blocks, has light fight and a ton of quickness for a defensive tackle. He also plays with great intensity, displays good lower-body strength and can drive offensive lineman off the ball with his power.

Weaknesses: He doesn’t have massive bulk and therefore isn’t a space-eater. He also suffered a knee injury that required surgery in 2005, then another knee injury that limited him in the spring of 2007. However, he played in 25 consecutive games over the past two seasons and therefore, questions about his durability have been shelved. While such a thing doesn’t exist, Suh is virtually a perfect prospect.

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Perhaps one of the best-kept secrets in this year’s draft is Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon, who could be a mid-round steal come April.

Listed at 6’1 and 245 pounds, Dixon led the SEC in rushing for 2009 and has impressed scouts thus far with his lower and upper-body strength. The fact that he was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs and missed just one game in his career speaks volumes about his durability as a ballcarrier. He also caught 56 passes while at Miss State, which proves that he isn’t limited to being a short yardage back.

Strengths: Dixon is a strong, powerful runner that can handle a heavy workload and has proven that he can run between the tackles. He also has a ton of experience after starting all four years at Mississippi State and despite being a bigger back, he has the lateral mobility to bounce runs outside. But perhaps his best strength is that he shows patience and vision as a runner, which lends to him picking up the pro game quickly.

Weaknesses: He doesn’t have top-end speed and he doesn’t change directions very well either. He does come with some off-field baggage as well, after being suspended for the 2009 season opener following a DUI arrest over the summer. His work ethic has been questioned in the past as well, as he has struggled with his weight. That said, it’s fair to note that he showed up at the Senior Bowl in tip-top shape, which is a good omen for his pre-draft workouts.

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ESPN.com reports that Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen has decided to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

“After the season, in talking to my parents and obviously Coach Weis, I just feel it’s the right time,” Clausen told ESPN.com on Monday before a scheduled 2 p.m. ET news conference in South Bend. “Coach Weis told me whether he was going to be here or not be here, it was time for me to go. He thought I’ve improved so much since I came to Notre Dame. So, I’m taking his advice, and I’m going to head out.”

“It’ll probably be just like going from high school to college, but a lot faster than college is. Obviously, being under Coach Weis, being in a pro-style offense, knowing the terminologies, will help me. But the biggest thing will probably be just getting in the playbook and mentally preparing myself to do everything I can to get on the field as quick as I can and help whichever team I go to win.”

Mel Kiper has Clausen rated as the top quarterback on his big board and the fourth best prospect overall.

He’ll unfairly be compared to Brady Quinn because they played in the same offense at Notre Dame, but at least in my opinion, Clausen is a more polished prospect now than Quinn was when he entered the draft. In terms of raw talent and upside, Clausen beats Quinn but that obviously doesn’t mean that he’ll be a better pro.

With Sam Bradford, Jake Locker, Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow set to join Clausen in April, the 2010 NFL Draft will have plenty of intrigue surrounding the quarterback class.

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