Breaking down some of the top prospect matchups this week in college football...
PITTSBURGH AT VIRGINIA TECH, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Pittsburgh QB #8 Kenny Pickett vs. Virginia Tech CB #1 Jermaine Waller
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett is a name to know for draft purposes and a Heisman dark horse. He started the season as a draftable candidate, likely Round 4. The depressed QB class, and his play thus far, has improved his stock considerably (72% completion rate, 19-to-1 TD-to-interception ratio & over 1,700 yards). He’s played a lot over his career and his accuracy has improved over time (suitable for the NFL game). He does a good job using his eyes to look off the defense. Also, he has good arm strength that won’t be a liability at the next level. His experience will help him early on reading NFL defenses. He shows strong leadership traits (team captain who played hurt last season). Word is that he doesn’t have big hands, always a hot topic for QB’s during draft season, which has led to some ball security issues.
He’s a better prospect than current Raider & former Pitt Panther Nathan Peterman. I think his comp is somewhere between a ceiling of Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins and a floor of Jacksonville QB C.J. Beathard.
I see Pickett being selected sometime between Rounds 2 and 3. However, in this QB class (very light on top prospects, it’s a good thing the Pats drafted Mac Jones last year) he could go higher if he continues to separate himself.
Hokie fans must have been frustrated last year thinking about what could have been with Waller and Tennessee Titans first-round pick Caleb Farley, playing a full season together. Waller is very athletic with long arms; he plays the deep ball well and is pretty fluid given his size. He’s underrated in the national spotlight, but scouts are very familiar with his play. He’s currently having a breakout season with an interception in 4 out of 5 games. Waller will be covering Pitt sophomore WR Jordan Addison, who I expect to go over 1,000 yards this year. He already has 9 TDs (tied for most in the country).
Given the need for CB help, Waller will be a player the Patriots scout. Top 100 pick.
NO. 11 KENTUCKY AT NO. 1 GEORGIA, 3:30 p.m. on CBS
Kentucky RT #70 Darian Kinnard & LT #51 Dare Rosenthal vs. Georgia OLB #19 Adam Anderson & OLB #4 Nolan Smith
Kinnard gets a lot of praise and is considered a top prospect. I don’t agree, at least not as a tackle/top 30 pick. Let’s start positive, he’s almost impossible for college defenders to go through. When he gets set in pass protection or lines someone up in run blocking, he defeats the defender. However, he’s going to deal with bigger and better athletes at the next level which is why I think his best position is at guard. If moved there, he has a good upside. Watching his games there are a few issues. Because of his size, sometimes he leans on defenders versus driving them in the run game. Secondly, he gets over his feet and can lunge in the pass game. Lastly, awareness is a bit of a concern, especially against creative stunts.
He is going to be highly rated, but I wouldn’t want the Pats to select him early (guard is one position that isn’t a priority despite how they’ve played so far this year). I do think he has the potential to be dominating in a gap rushing scheme (think current Seahawk Gabe Jackson).
Rosenthal is a junior and this is his first season at Kentucky after transferring from LSU. He’s not a lock to declare but if you molded a LT in the lab, it would look like him (6-foot-7, 327 pounds). I think he’s a much better pro prospect (at tackle) than Kinnard. He shows good movement and strength in the run game. He does a good job setting himself in pass protection, using his length and athleticism to his advantage. NFL teams will need to understand the rule violations at LSU to determine his draft status.
Anderson is one of the most productive, per play, rushers in the country. Huge breakout candidate that has the athleticism to be a first-rounder. He’s leading the team with 4 sacks. He needs to put on weight to be anything more than a sub-rusher at the next level. Reminds me of current Panther, Brian Burns.
Smith is a really good college football player. At the next level, I see him more as an off-the-ball LB that brings great pass rush potential. He has a very similar profile to current Patriot, Josh Uche. Based on his instincts and athletic make-up I think he’s selected in the first 75 picks.
Kentucky RB #24 Chris Rodriquez Jr. vs. Georgia LB # 17 Nakobe Dean
Dean stands out even on a loaded defense. He’s been compared to current Bears linebacker Roquan Smith given the Georgia connection. I don’t think he’s the sideline-to-sideline LB that Smith is but he seems to be more physical coming forward and is a plus blitzer. He’s having a good season.
Rodriquez Jr. is leading the SEC in rushing with over 750 yards. He doesn’t offer a ton in the pass game, but he runs hard, shows good balance and has plus size. He reminds me of current Bronco, Royce Freeman. Rodriquez Jr. had almost 150 yards (9.2 YPC) last week against LSU but his offensive line was creating holes that would make an excavation company blush. His hard running style offers a good balance to explosive teammate, Wan’Dale Robinson, who we covered last week (see performance below).
*One local callout, Kentucky QB Will Levis is from Madison, Conn. & Offensive Coordinator (and former UMass QB) Liam Coen is from Warwick, RI.
NO. 18 ARIZONA STATE AT UTAH, 10 p.m. on ESPN
Arizona State RB #3 Rachaad White vs. Utah LB #0 Devin Lloyd
White is a draftable RB and the primary skill player (beyond the QB Jayden Daniels) for the Sun Devils. He’s a burner if he gets into open space and they’ll try to get him the ball in the passing game. He looks smooth and has good vision. Good comparison would be current New York Jets RB, Tevin Coleman.
Devin Lloyd might be the best linebacker in the class. He leads the PAC-12 in tackles per game and TFL. He has also forced 3 turnovers in the first 5 games. He has a really good combination of size, playing experience/leadership, and athleticism. He is pretty good in coverage against backs and tight ends.
Lloyd’s a weakside linebacker at the next level (unless he puts on weight in the lower half). His ability to be a Pro-Bowler will correlate to his run defense, reading and coming downhill vs. reacting and chasing. That said, he does remind me of San Francisco 49er Fred Warner.
I don’t expect the Patriots to go LB early this year (although they do need to get younger, more athletic guys) but if they did, he would improve their front seven. Top 60 pick with potential to be a first-rounder.
BONUS: NEXT WEDNESDAY (if the Red Sox are in a rain delay and you want to see some local players)
NO. 15 COASTAL CAROLINA vs. APPALACHIAN STATE, 7:30 PM on ESPN2
QB #10 Grayson McCall is leading the Chanticleers offense with almost 9 yards per play and completing virtually 80% of his passes. He has 14 TD passes and only 1 INT. He has good size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds). He’s technically a draft-eligible redshirt sophomore and he’ll be an interesting evaluation given his low level of competition but high level of performance.
TE #4 Isaiah Likely, the Everett native, is having a highly productive season. He’s not a true in-line TE at the next level but more of an athletic, move TE. He’s quick and he can be a home run threat even as a TE. He’s leading all college TE’s in receiving yards. I think a good comparable is Seattle Seahawks TE, Gerald Everett. How he tests will determine if he’s a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
WR #6 Jaivon Heiligh has been an incredibly efficient WR for QB McCall. He’s top 10 nationally in yards and a PFF darling. He doesn’t appear to be the fastest player but he’s effective. He’ll likely get a Senior Bowl invite and how he plays will be really important going against top-tier talent.
DE #94 Jeffrey Gunter is another NFL draft pick. He has good size, ability to set the edge, and plays the “Bandit” position for CCU; which is essentially an extra pass rusher that can drop or rush the passer from anywhere. That versatility will help his draft stock. He already has 5 sacks this season. The Edge position is very deep this year, but he would normally be a top 100 pick.
DE #0 Josiah Stewart is another Everett product that is already getting playing time as a freshman. He may even earn freshman accolades at the end of the season. He had a huge game against Kansas (8 tackles and 3.5 sacks).
Recapping Last Week’s Matchups
Michigan State RB #9 Kenneth Walker vs. Rutgers LB #3 Olakunle Fatukasi
The clear winner here was MSU RB Kenneth Walker who had 29 carries for 233 yards and a touchdown. The RB broke a long run for 94 yds, displaying his speed. Walker is now one of the Heisman favorites, he’s leading the country in rushing (913 yards) and averaging over 150 yards a game.
Fatukasi did have a good statistical game, leading the team with 9 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 PBU, and a forced fumble. That said, he made some poor reads and bad angles that MSU was able to expose.
Iowa CB #8 Matt Hankins & CB #33 Riley Moss vs. Penn State WR #5 Jahan Dotson
Edge to the Iowa cornerbacks - both Hankins & Moss had interceptions in the game. Hankins' INT in the 4th quarter sealed the game for the Hawkeyes. Dotson played well (8 catches, 48 yds) and we need to grade on a slight curve with Penn State’s starting QB, Sean Clifford, leaving the game early to an injury.
Iowa TE #84 Sam LaPorta vs. Penn State S #1 JaQuan Brisker
This was a win for Brisker, who held LaPorta in check. He had 9 tackles and an interception. Brisker is pushing himself into the conversation to be the 2nd safety taken in the draft.
Iowa C #65 Tyler Linderbaum vs. Penn State LB’s #12 Brandon Smith, #13 Ellis Brooks
Slight edge to Linderbaum. He had a good game managing the Penn State defensive line and getting to the second level. The Penn State linebackers combined for 19 tackles and made Iowa earn every yard.
Michigan S #30 Dax Hill, DE #97 Aidan Hutchinson vs. Nebraska TE #11 Austin Allen
Really interesting matchup. Good games all the way around. Dax Hill had an interception while in coverage on Austin Allen. He also broke up the last pass of the game on a Fly route. Hutchinson had six tackles and was active all game - albeit no game-changing plays. Allen had only 2 catches, but one went for 46 yards and a touchdown. He also did a good job while blocking.
Kentucky WR #1 Wan’Dale Robinson vs. LSU CB #25 Cordale Flott (CB)
This was a clear win for Robinson. LSU tried to double him most of the day, but he had 8 catches for 60 yds & 1 TD. Two of those catches came against Flott, including the TD.
Texas A&M T #55 Kenyon Green vs. Alabama DT #48 Phidarian Mathis
This was a win for Green who was very effective. This will be a good game for his pro tape. Mathis didn’t have many head-on matchups with Green. He was good in the run game, but he was largely held in check, only 3 tackles.
Texas A&M DE #8 DeMarvin Leal vs. Alabama OT #73 Evan Neal
Advantage Neal. Both guys had their moments and largely played well. Neal was punishing as a run blocker, and I scored their individual matchups in favor of Neal (4-1). Leal had 7 tackles and was effective. He had a couple of pressures, showed disruptive penetration, and showed great downfield hustle (which will endear him to NFL GM’s).
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