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Thursday, November 30
Sleeper of the Week: Arther Love
Editor's Note: Each week Mel Kiper Jr. will highlight one of the intriguing "sleeper" prospects available for the 2001 NFL Draft.
ARTHER LOVE -- TE -- SOUTH CAROLINA ST. The 6-foot-3, 244-pounder has been a three-year starter for the Bulldogs, operating primarily as a backup tight end and special-teams performer as a freshman in 1997. The next season, Love moved into the starting lineup. Over the next two years, he was utilized heavily as an in-line blocker, hauling in just six receptions in '98 and seven the following season.
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At the prep level in Georgia, he lettered in football, basketball and track, so you are looking at a top-flight natural athlete. ” |
This time around, though, the Bulldogs have thrown the ball more, allowing Love to showcase his skills in this area. He's hauled in a career-high 18 receptions, averaging an impressive 18.5 yards per catch. Two of those 18 receptions were for TDs, with his longest catch of the year covering 60 yards. He's also had receptions of 20, 23, 25 and 30 yards, despite drawing constant double coverage. Love shows above-average natural pass-receiving skills, is able to adjust to the poorly thrown ball, and then demonstrates impressive ability in the openfield. At the prep level in Georgia, he lettered in football, basketball and track, so you are looking at a top-flight natural athlete. The Bulldogs also feature the option, where Love has proven to be a top blocker who really plays an aggressive brand of football. Regarded as a real student of the game, you also have to be impressed with Love's durability over the last three years. With the TE position shaping up as average this season, a quality Division I-AA talent out of the MEAC with the potential and ability of Love could possibly factor into the early second day of the draft.
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