A look at the top games and prospect matchups this week...
NO. 7 MICHIGAN STATE at NO. 4 OHIO STATE, NOON on ABC
Both teams are technically still in the hunt for the College Football Playoff. Ohio State is playing much better right now - their offense is firing on all cylinders. Their defense is still a collection of talent vs. a cohesive unit. We call out the key prospects because of the game’s importance but I expect the Buckeyes to roll.
Here’s who I am watching:
Michigan State
Kenneth Walker (RB) #9: He’s the front-runner for the Heisman and probably locks it up with a big game against Ohio State. Walker is leading the country in rushing by almost 100 yards. Decent size (5-foot-10, 220 pounds) and some all-around skills. He does a good job making defenders miss but also breaks his share of tackles due to his running strength. Not elite speed but enough. If someone falls in love with the highlight reel, he could go at the top of the second round, otherwise, he’s a top 5 RB which puts him in the first 75 picks.
Jayden Reed (WR) #1: If the Spartans need a big play through the air they will go towards Reed. He has good agility and speed, which allows him to win 1v1. He is one of the better returners in college football which provides value to teams like the Patriots. Late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
Jalen Nailor (WR) #8: He’s a big-play option for the Spartans. He’s having a good season, but he has had injury issues in the past which will be a concern for NFL GMs. I expect him to run a fast 40. Day 3 prospect.
Jacub Panasiuk (DE) #96: The 3-year starter is a tough player who uses his lunch pail mentality to create production. He is good against the run and effective in the pass because of his consistent effort. He may not have high-end athleticism but he’s productive (5.5 sacks, 9 QB hits, 2 FR, 1 FF). Day 3 prospect.
Xavier Henderson (S) #3: He’s the leader of the Spartan defense with 82 tackles, 10 TFL, and 2 turnovers. He would be liability in pass coverage against NFL speed, his best fit as a box safety. He’s an early Day 3 prospect but I think the Patriots will focus elsewhere given their needs.
Ohio State
Garrett Wilson (WR) #5: I think Wilson may be drafted ahead of Olave (potential first-rounder). In the last game we covered, he was ultra-productive on short and intermediate routes and is a TD threat when he gets the ball in his hands. His ability to separate is elite and he’s a three-level threat (quick on short routes, good route runner on intermediate routes, and plenty of speed for deep routes). He needs to be careful with the drops. He’s having a great year with 53 rec, 813 TD’s, & 10 TDs.
Chris Olave (WR) #2: He’s a smooth player and uses savvy route-running skills to get open. I don’t know if he’s true WR1 at the next level, but I think he’ll play in the league for a long time (like current Ram Robert Woods). He leads the Buckeyes with 11 receiving TD’s.
Nicholas Petit-Frere (T) #78: When we covered him early in the year, we said he’d be a first-rounder and future star. Watching him closely, I’m not ready to back off that but he needs to be more consistent (spatial awareness on stunts & combo blocks). That said, I don’t see him getting past the first 45 picks and if he closes strong against good competition, he’ll go be one of the first 4 tackles picked.
Zach Harrison (DE) #9: He has all the physical tools and physical size but is not consistent. His profile would get him drafted Rounds 3-4 but he’s a boom or bust selection. At his best, the comparable is Viking Danielle Hunter.
Jeremy Ruckert (TE) #88: He’s a reliable receiving option and good red zone target that also brings a lot of effort to the run game. He’s a Day 3 prospect.
Thayer Munford (G) #75: Good player who I’d like to be a bit more consistent. He’d be a great pick early on Day 3 because of his experience (over 40 games started) and positional versatility (he’s played a lot of tackle).
Haskell Garrett (DT) #92: He leads the Buckeyes in sacks (4.5) and has a niche for the big play but is not consistent enough or large enough to be top prospect. Could curve out a sub role, similar to Cleveland Brown, Sheldon Day. Teams will do a deep dive on his character after he was shot in the face in 2020.
Future Star
WR #11 Jaxon Smith-Njigba: He might end up being the best of the Ohio State’s trio of receiving studs. He’s leading the team in receiving yards and Ohio State has started to focus on how to get the ball in his hands.
SMU AT NO. 5 CINCINNATI, 3:30 PM on ESPN
Cincinnati has a couple competitive games left to reach their goal of an undefeated season with a playoff bid. This a good match-up because it’s strength on strength. SMU coach, Sonny Dykes, is considered a strong offensive mind (he’s due for a bigger job) and they have good offensive playmakers. Cincinnati has a high-end defensive backfield. Expect points in this one.
Here’s who I am watching:
Cincinnati
Ahmad Gardner (CB) #1: He’s a first-rounder. He goes by the name “Sauce” and he’s big, long and plays with confidence. He’s very physical and will need to be careful with his hands (like recent Carolina pick Jaycee Horn) as that can get exposed at the next level with better athletes & route runners.
Desmond Ridder (QB) #9: I have him as the 3rd best QB in the draft right now (albeit a weak class). He’s athletic and is going to test well, I like his poise and his arm is serviceable, Word around the program is that he’s a tough kid who has really matured once he became a father. My concern is that his accuracy can sometimes be an issue. I think his ceiling is as an average NFL starter, but his floor is as a backup.
Myjai Sanders (DE) #21: He has plus athleticism but needs to do a better job finishing at the QB and countering with his hands. He also misses too many tackles. But he has the frame to put on more size and his bend, get-off are high-end. On the high-end, he could be a player like Carolina Panther, Brian Burns but he doesn’t have enough production right now to warrant Round 1. Round 2 selection. He doesn’t have enough production right now.
Coby Bryant (CB) #7: Doesn’t get the love that Gardner gets, but he’s a good player in his own right. He has good press skills at the LOS and good timing when the ball is in the air. Pats will evaluate him. Round 3 to 5.
Alec Pierce (WR) #12: He’s a tough competitor. Plays like a LB from the WR spot and he has solid leaping ability to high point jump balls. He’s doesn’t have great speed but deceptively quick. Suffers from concentration drops at times but some teams will love his make-up. He’s likely a 3rd rounder.
Jerome Ford (RB) #21: Ford is an Alabama transfer that has found success in the Bearcat backfield He’s averaging over 6 YAC this year and has 15 TD’s. He has great size for a college back and does have breakaway speed (pro speed will need to be tested at the combine). He’ll be a game-time decision with an injury
Josh Wyle (TE) #81: He’s smooth with the ball and fits the “mismatch” TE profile vs. balanced 3 down player. He had a great season last year, but Ridder has mostly targeted him in the red zone (6 TDs). Potential Day 3 pick.
Darrian Beavers (LB) #0: All-Conference type player with really good size (53 tackles. 2 FF, 2 FR) Previously started his career at UConn. Very effective going forward against the run. I question his level of athleticism to be a full-time linebacker in the pro game.
S #6 Bryan Cook: He’s second on the team with 68 tackles, 1 INT & 6 PBU’s. noticed him last year in the Peach Bowl against Georgia. He’s plus-tackler, takes good angles & squares himself at the point of contact. He’s an underrated prospect because he started his career at Howard and was a backup last season (both starters were NFL picks). Day 3 selection.
SMU
WR #5 Danny Gray: He’s the type of player that could have a good week at the Senior Bowl and jump up draft boards. How he plays against these corners will be a factor in his evaluation. While his teammate Roberson has been regarded as a better prospect, Gray is having the better season (49 catches 803 yards, 9 TD’s). He’s known as a worker that has good size and speed which he utilizes to make big plays. Currently a Day 3 sleeper pick.
WR #21 Reggie Roberson Jr: 6-1, 197. Has been the best WR in the program for a couple of years but he’s had his last 2 seasons end with lower half injuries (knee, ankle). How he recovers, tests, and doctors evaluate his knee will be the most important part of his evaluation. That said, I don’t see him going before Day 3 because of the injury history. He could be a Round 4 or be a priority FA depending on his medicals. Skillset would fit him in the slot. Think former Patriot Malcolm Mitchell.
QB #8 Tanner Mordecai: Started his career at Oklahoma before transferring to SMU. Has been extremely productive. Some team will use a late pick (Rounds 6-7) on him to roll the dice.
TE #88 Grant Calcaterra: Started at Oklahoma (he was All-Conference) but retired from football after a series of concussions. He followed Mordecai to SMU. He’s a smooth athlete and receiver but his injury history will likely push him down towards Round 5-7.
Future Star
DE #96 DeVere Levelston: Sleeper player to watch. Has ideal NFL edge size (6-foot-5, 266 pounds) and has been on a hot streak. He has 6 sacks over the last 3 games.
RB #7 Ulysses Bentley IV: Will need to put on more size for the NFL game but he’s just a sophomore. He averages almost 7 yards per carry and he’s a homerun threat. Development-wise he needs to show more consistency in between the tackles.
NO. 13 BAYLOR AT KANSAS STATE, 5:30 PM on FOX SPORTS 1
We covered Baylor’s win at Oklahoma last week and recap the performances below. We’re covering this one because we haven't reviewed Kansas State yet and this should be a good game. Kansas State doesn’t have much flash, but they are well-coached and can be physical (especially against the run). Classic trap game for Baylor.
Here’s who I am watching:
Kansas St.
CB #23 Julius Brents: He hasn’t played consistently enough this year to be a top prospect but he’s a potential sleeper. He’s got great size (listed at 6-4, 204) with good speed and upper body strength to be effective in press coverage. He’s not quite the standard mold for the Pats but does have similarities to former Patriot, Brandon Browner.
Future Star
RB #22 Deuce Vaughn: He’s the ignition and the engine to the Kansas State offense. The goal is to get the ball in Deuce’s hands (rushing, receiving, returning) and let him make plays. He has over 1,400 yards of offense and 15 TD’s so far this season. He’s very small (5-foot-6,173 pounds) but there are rare players that transcend size. He’s one of them. The easy comparable is former Philadelphia Eagle, Darren Sproles because they played at the same school. He’s not a first-rounder but when he is eligible to declare he will be a fan favorite.
Recapping Last Week’s Matchups:
NO. 11 BAYLOR
DB Jalen Pitre had 5 tackles, including 2 for loss. He’s the leader of the defense plays all over the field. He can fill gaps in the running game which isn’t very common at his position...NT Siaki Ika played very well despite not showing up huge on the box score (2 QB hurries, 1 tackle). To frame his impact, Oklahoma entered the game averaging over 200 yards on the ground. They finished with 82 yards...LB Terrel Bernard played a great game and finished with 9 tackles and 2 sacks. He beat Kennedy Brooks on a blitz for one of his sacks...RB Abram Smith was a Patriots sleeper we called out last week (Brandon Bolden role) he had a great game. He’s difficult to tackle because he runs with real force. He finished with 148 yards, including a big 75 yard in the 4th quarter to help open up the lead for Baylor. Teams are going to fall in love with him.
NO. 13 OKLAHOMA
LB Nik Bonitto is very quick and can jump a gap. He had a couple TFL and recovered a fumble downfield just by hustling, which was impressive. But Oklahoma largely got dominated on the line of scrimmage. As we said earlier in the year, he’s going to need to play off the ball or he’ll be just a sub rusher...DE Isaiah Thomas had 4 tackles and a half sack. Not a great game against the run but some of that was OU’s scheme...RB Kennedy Brooks is a patient runner with good leg drive. He’s been playing very well but was largely held in check on Saturday, finishing the day with 14 carries for 55 yards & 1 TD...DT Perrion Winfrey was penetrating most of the day, including 1.5 TFL, but it often created lots of running lanes for Baylor. Also had a stupid unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that hurt the Sooners...QB Spencer Rattler started the season at a Top 5 pick and the Heisman favorite. I had doubts and that has played out. He’s now the backup and this is freshman Caleb Williams’ team going forward. Rattler did play a bit on a Saturday with the hope that he’d jump-start the offense. He was 4-6 for 36 yards. I expect him to transfer this offseason and re-establish his resume as a prospect.
FSU
DE Jermaine Johnson II was a one-man wrecking crew, finishing with 7 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks, & 1 FF. We talked about him last week as a 3 down player and this was his best tape of the year. He has a great motor and made himself some real money with this performance...LB Amari Gainer had 5 tackles and 1 pass break-up in man coverage but was largely average...S Jammie Robinson only had 1 tackle but had an interception in the first quarter...RB Jashaun Corbin was the game’s leading rusher and finished with 83 yards on 17 touches and 1 TD but did lose a fumble. He’s elusive with the ball in his hands and can create running angles in open space. But ball security and pass blocking are two traits that carry higher value in Foxboro than other organizations.
MIAMI
WR Charleston Rambo was the leading WR in the game and finished with 6 catches for 95 yards. The captain did most of his work in the second half...TE Will Mallory was a guy that we said last needed more consistency but would show up. This game was the perfect microcosm of him as a prospect. He had the best receiving game of his year with 5 catches for 72 yards (including a TD). But wasn’t strong as a blocker...OT Zion Nelson was decent and the sack he gave up to Johnson was a coverage/hustle sack. That said, Johnson was the winner in the one-on-one match-up.
TENNESSEE
CB Alontae Taylor should practice with tennis balls taped to the hands. He’s an aggressive player but he got away with some holds on the tape. He was physical in run support which speaks to his ability to move to safety if needed. He had 10 tackles...QB Hendon Hooker started strong (like we talked about last week) but he needed to be perfect, and he wasn’t (unfair bar). He sailed some passes and missed a long throw for a TD, but he has a good arm, showed good poise, and showed decent accuracy. Not a bad game, he didn’t hurt his draft evaluation given how good Georgia is, but he also didn’t force himself into the top tier discussion...T #68 Cade Mays needs to do a better job staying on his feet. He was generally effective but had some concentration lapses (few negative plays and a false start). I see him as a Day 3 pick.
NC STATE
LT Ikem Ekwonu is a very good player. His body type looks more like a guard, but his recovery skills are excellent, and he is a physical player...C Grant Gibson was largely effective. Still concerned about his length at center....DT Cory Durden had 3 tackles, 1 sack, and tipped one pass that led to an interception... WR Emeka Emezie had a very good day with 10 catches for 133 yards & 2 TDs...RB Zonovan Knight got hurt twice in the game, limping off the field and didn’t return the 2nd time. He had a good start with 4 carries for 30 yards and returned 3 kicks for 194 yards, including a 100-yd kickoff return. He has breakaway speed.
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