In the spirit of Thanksgiving and rivalry week, we’re doing some extra helpings. There are a lot of great games, so here are some individual prospect matchups to focus on throughout the weekend. Enjoy the food, family, and lots of football!
BOISE STATE AT NO 16. SAN DIEGO STATE, FRI at NOON on CBS
WR #2 Khalil Shakir vs. CB #9 Taylor Hawkins & DE #99 Cameron Thomas
Shakier is one of the best players in the Mountain West Conference – he’s 2nd in the conference with 1,043 yards receiving. He’s a quick player who will find his best fit in the NFL via the slot. He has good footwork which helps with his route separation and he’s effective after the catch. He also offers return capability. Both of which are needed for the Patriots, but they’d have to take him sometime on Day 2 or very early Day 3.
Hawkins is an All-Conference-type player and a potential late-round pick. He’s having a good year with 2 picks and 8 passes broken up. He has good size for a corner which he shows in run support with 48 tackles (3rd on the team).
Thomas is the best player for the Aztecs. He’s a top-75 player in the draft and that’s before scouts start developing a man-crush. He plays with good power and at 6-foot-5, 270 he’s been able to play both inside and outside effectively. He uses length well while rushing the passer, allowing him to keep offensive lineman away from his body and disengage. He leads the MWC in sacks (9.5) and TFL (18). He’s a good player.
MISSOURI AT NO. 21 ARKANSAS, FRI at 3:30 PM on CBS
Missouri CB #26 Akayleb Evans vs. Arkansas WR #16 Treylon Burks
Evans is a long, fluid player with the size (6-foot-2, 198 pounds) needed to match Burks. Almost every program in the country was recruiting him this offseason when he transferred from Tulsa. The knock on him is that he doesn’t produce enough game-changing plays and can be beaten via route combinations. Patriots will be drafting a corner(s) this cycle and Evans is one they’ll evaluate with a Day 3 grade.
Burks is a really good player having a very productive season. He has great size (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) and he’s faster than he looks - he can run away from people. Reminds me a lot of N’Keal Harry (in college) with his ability to win at the catch, good on the sideline or on a jump ball, and can be dangerous after the catch. Arkansas often lines him up in the slot, gets him in motion, and targets him in the screen game.
He hasn’t had to run a diverse route tree in that offense and that will be a concern for scouts. There’s a chance he gets drafted in the first round, but I don’t think the Patriots will target him. I see him more of a fit for someone like the Ravens, Chiefs, or 49ers.
NO. 4 OHIO STATE AT MICHIGAN, SAT at NOON on FOX
Ohio State LT #78 Nicholas Petit & RT #79 Dawand Jones vs. Michigan DE #97 Aidan Hutchinson & DE #55 David Ojabo
There are two keys to this game for Michigan. Can they get to Ohio State QB, C.J. Stroud to disrupt the offensive rhythm? Can they prevent Ohio State’s elite trio of WR’s from making explosive plays?
We’ve talked about Petit a couple of times this year. He has all the intangibles to a first-round pick. RT Dawand Jones isn’t likely to declare but he reminds me of current NY Jet, Mekhi Becton. The amazing thing is he’s bigger (6-foot-8, 360 pounds) and he uses that size to impose his will on defenders.
Hutchinson came back for his senior season after an injury, and he’s really cemented his draft prospects. At the start of the season, I compared him to former NFL star, Ryan Kerrigan, and highlighted him as a potential target for the Patriots. Unfortunately, he won’t be available for them when they draft.
Related, every time I watch Michigan and Hutchinson, David Ojabo catches my attention. He’s bigger but his first step and ability to force fumbles reminds me of former Colt, Dwight Freeney. That’s high praise and I’d like for him to have played more games but he’s a potential first-rounder. If the Patriots got him in the 2nd round it would be a great pick. If he stays for another year, he’ll be a potential top-10 pick in 2023.
Both Hutchinson & Ojabo lead the Big Ten lead in sacks (10 each).
Ohio State WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba vs. Michigan CB #30 Daxton Hill
Dax Hill could potentially be a Patriots target and he reminds me of Devin McCourty. He lines up at both corner (primarily slot) and free safety. Good in coverage, very athletic and his versatility is attractive. He’s second on the team in tackles (53) and leads the team with 2 INT & 7 PBU. Michigan needs him to have a big game.
We covered the Ohio State WR’s earlier this year and again last week (see recap below). Michigan’s Dax Hill will likely see all 3 of Ohio State’s premier wideouts but Jaxson Smith-Njigba primarily lines up out of the slot. He’s not draft-eligible this year, but I think he has the highest pro ceiling of any of them. As in, top 5 draft pick.
NO. 3 ALABAMA AT AUBURN, SAT at 3:30 PM on CBS
Alabama WR #1 Jameson Williams vs. Auburn CB #23 Roger McCreary
This is a premier match-up of future first-rounders. It’s amazing that Williams was part of that Ohio State WR room prior to transferring to Alabama. He has plus speed and he explodes out of his breaks to get on defenders. He occasionally has some concentration drops but looks smooth most of the time. Once Jameson has the ball in his hands, he is dangerous. He’s the best WR prospect on the Alabama team (many forecasted WR John Metchie as a first-rounder).
We’ve talked about McCreary several times this year.
“He’s a scrappy player and does a good job mixing it up in both pass and run defense. Where he thrives, but needs to be careful, is anticipating routes or breaking off a route to go for an interception. He doesn’t have the CB length desired by some teams of their top outside corners, but he’ll have plenty of SEC tape for scouts. He’s a top 60 pick and could play himself into Day 1.”
He is someone the Patriots will absolutely evaluate as they think about replacing Stephon Gilmore; but if they like him, they’ll have to snag him in Round 1. He’s having a very good season.
NO. 15 WISCONSIN AT MINNESOTA, SAT at 4:00 PM on FOX
Wisconsin LB #5 Leo Chanel vs. Minnesota RT #78 Daniel Faalele
He’s a throwback inside linebacker; big, bruising, and tone setting. He missed the first couple games this year but still leads the Badgers (and near the top of the conference) in tackles (92), TFL (15.5), and forced fumbles (2). Given his size (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) he’ll need to continue to prove himself in the passing game, but he hasn’t been a liability this year. The Patriots need to get more athletic at the LB position, so he wouldn’t be an early target, but he would fill the Ja’Waun Bentley role.
The Minnesota Gophers have one of the best offensive lines in the country. They have several players that will get an opportunity at the next level. Faalele will get a lot of attention because he’s the biggest player in college football (6-foot-9, 380). He’s originally from Australia, attended IMG Academy in FL, and then he’s pretty much started every game since he got to Minnesota.
His athleticism and frame make it difficult for college defenders to beat him. The concern at the next level is leverage with faster, stronger talent and not overextending given his size. His upside is going to be intriguing to a team, but he’ll need some work. He’s Day 2 selection.
CLEMSON AT SOUTH CAROLINA, SAT at 7:30 PM on SEC Network
Clemson T #71 Jordan McFadden vs. DE #1 Kingsley Enagbare
McFadden has a similar build and college success as current Patriot LT Isaiah Wynn. He’s having a good year, there’s something to be said for productivity, and he’s been one of the lone bright spots on the Tigers offensive line. However, scouts are going to be concerned about his size and arm length and he’ll likely get pushed inside.
Kingsley Enagbare (who goes by “JJ”) is an under-the-radar player (nationally, but not to scouts) who has the size to play DE at the NFL level. He’s very good utilizing his hands against offensive linemen and he has a solid first step. He has solid SEC tape, plays hard, has plus skills. He’ll need refinement before becoming an every-down player on Sundays. He’s a top 50 pick.
NO. 13 OKLAHOMA AT NO. 9 OKLAHOMA ST, SAT at 7:30 PM on ABC
Oklahoma RB #26 Kennedy Brooks vs. OKST LB #20 Malcolm Rodriquez
Brooks sat out last season due to COVID concerns, but he was the lead back at Oklahoma in 2018 & 2019 (ahead of current Patriot Rhamondre Stevenson & 49er Trey Sermon). I like Kennedy because of his size and production. He averages 6 YPC and will go over 1,000 yards rushing in this game. He’s very patient, trusts his vision and is smooth in his cuts (think former Steeler Le'veon Bell). Brooks will be a top 75 player.
Rodriquez, the leader of the Cowboys defense that has carried the team this year, is a tackling machine (leads the conference with 96). We focused on him in the Iowa State game and while he’s not the biggest linebacker he’s very impressive.
Rodriguez is a smart player and makes the right read on virtually every play. He started in Stillwater as a lightly recruited safety, but that athleticism helps in coverage. He’s a potential late-round candidate, special teams & roster depth piece for the Patriots.
NEVADA AT COLORADO STATE, SAT at 9:00 PM on CBS Network
Nevada WR #7 Romeo Doubs vs. Colorado St TE #85 Trey McBride
While not a direct match-up, these are two of the best playmakers in the Mountain West Conference. Romeo is very well thought of within the program as a hardworking, humble teammate. He’s more of an “X” wide receiver with great speed and good ball skills. He’s having a good season with 75 catches for 1,012 yards & 9 TDs. His QB, Carson Strong, is also a top 5 QB prospect.
I have McBride as the second-best TE in the draft. He’s only scored 1 TD this year (some of that is the Rams offense led by Steve Addazio….BC fans are nodding their head) but he’s productive (84 catches, 1,004 yards). He does a good job getting open on short and intermediate routes and can be bruising after the catch. He’s a good blocker and won’t be a liability at the next level. He’s been productive throughout his career and he’s a multi-year captain. He’ll be off the board the first 50 picks.
Recapping Last Week’s Matchups
NO. 12 Michigan State
RB Kenneth Walker was a ghost in the game and his chances at the Heisman are likely to disappear along with it. While the game got away from the Spartans early, Walker only had 7 touches...WR Jayden Reed didn’t have much room to operate which was a combination of tight coverage, inaccurate throws, and strong Buckeye pass rush. Both of the catches were solid but he only had 28 yards...WR Jalen Nailor was declared out in the pre-game after warming up...DE Jacub Panasiuk was dominated going against Ohio State’s top end offensive tackles...S Xavier Henderson had 7 tackles and while he’s the best player in the secondary...Sparty got absolutely torched for 432 yards (and OSU took the gas off after halftime).
NO. 2 OHIO STATE
WR Garrett Wilson was ultra-effective and had 7 catches for 126 yards & 2 TDs...WR Chris Olave was great and finished with 7 catches for 140 yards & 2 TDs. He had one over the shoulder, on the sideline, toe-tap catch that should be the opening reel on his highlight tape...T Nicholas Petit-Frere had a much better game than against Penn State...DE Zach Harrison only had 1 tackle but he did a good job using his significant length to impact throwing lanes and had 2 tipped passes...TE Jeremy Ruckert was very effective as a blocker and took a screen pass almost 30 yards. Under the radar but I like this kid...G Thayer Munford was super effective. Did a good job on the move and getting to the second level…DT Haskell Garrett had his best game of the season (tape, not statistically). He was explosive coming off the ball and disruptive. He had 1 sack and a couple of hurries ...WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be the best future player on the Buckeye roster (which is high praise). He finished with 10 catches for 105 yards.
NO. 4 CINCINNATI
CB Ahmad Gardner was dominating on prospect Reggie Robertson Jr...QB Desmond Ridder had a great performance. He had 5 TDs (3 throwing, 1 running, & 1 receiving). Really efficient passing with 17-23 for 274 yards and showed his athleticism with a long 40-yard run...DE Myjai Sanders had 2 tackles and 2 QBH’s...CB Coby Bryant had 2 tackles & 1 TFL. He’s a good player...WR Alec Pierce had only 3 catches but 2 of them went for TD’s. I’d love to see him in warmups because he doesn’t look like a natural catcher... RB Jerome Ford came back from injury and contributed 105 total yards & 1 TD...TE Josh Whyle didn’t register a catch...S Bryan Cook had 6 tackles and displayed his impressive tackling...LB Darrian Beavers had only 3 tackles and 1 TFL.
SMU
WR Reggie Roberson Jr. was shut down by the Bearcat corners. He had 2 catches for 7 yards...QB Tanner Mordecai came into the game 7th in the country in passing yards, but Cincy never allowed him to get into a rhythm and finished with just 66 yards...TE Grant Calcaterra was shut down by the Cincy defense and held to 1 catch for 14 yards...DE DeVere Levelston had his hot streak come to end. He finished with 3 tackles...WR Danny Gray was a game-time scratch. Disappointed we weren’t able to see him match up against Gardner & Bryant...RB Ulysses Bentley IV had 11 carries for 68 yards and 3 catches. He was the line bright spot for the Mustangs.
KANSAS STATE
CB Julius Brents had 3 tackles, but I wish he offered more in the run game. He gave up a couple of completions but nothing significant and he almost had an interception but unnecessarily held the wide receiver. He’ll get drafted because his combination of size & speed makes it very difficult to complete vertical routes...RB Deuce Vaughn doesn’t need much of a hole from his line. He’s very shifty and he has elite acceleration. He has long speed but his 20-yard split is impressive. He had 11 carries for 128 yards (11.6 YPC) and 1 TD. He also had 5 catches.
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