I am heading to Knoxville next weekend for Alabama at Tennessee, so I’ll do a deeper preview on those teams since I’ll get my eyes on them in-person. This week, we’re focusing ESPN “College Gameday”, a local WR prospect that’s now at UCLA going against one of the best corners in the country, BC’s “Red Bandana” game which will be in the primetime slot, and the Notre Dame-BYU game to watch two high-level prospects faceoff at positions of need for the Patriots.
NO. 17 TCU AT NO. 19 KANSAS, 12:00 p.m. on Fox Sports 1
WR #1 Quentin Johnston, TCU (6-4, 215): True junior who will be one of the bigger WR targets in this year’s draft. Off to a bit off a slow start but with a good season he’s a top 50 player (or higher). He’s fast for size (sub-4.5), good after the catch and has been known for the big play. He needs some route-running polish and so far, teams have been able to focus on him to limit his effectiveness.
Day 3 prospects
CB #1 Trevius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU (5-9, 180): He has 25 PBUs over the last few seasons (2x All-Big 12). That’s pretty good ball production given his size. He plays mostly outside for the Horned Frogs but seems to have good hips which would allow him to move inside in the NFL. Trevius is super athletic and he’s the nephew of fellow alum and Hall of Famer, LaDainian Tomlinson.
S #1 Kenny Logan Jr., Kansas (6-0, 210): He was 2nd team All-Big 12 last year and the best draft prospect on the team. Good finisher, last season he led the conference in tackles (113), and he’ll move all the field (slot, box, free). His matchup against Quentin Johnson will be good. I have him as an early Day 3 selection.
OG #79 Steve Avila, TCU (6-4, 330): He’s experienced, and he’s played all over the line of scrimmage. He was All-Big 12 last season as a center, and they’ve moved him back to guard which makes sense given his heft. His versatility will help and he’s an athletic mover.
DE #98 Dylan Horton, TCU (6-4, 275): He’s a player to watch because of his frame. He started his career at New Mexico and was recruited as a safety. He was a 3-sport star in high school, and he’ll test well at the Combine. He led TCU in TFL last year and they’ll need him to be productive on Saturday.
QB #15 Max Duggan, TCU (6-2, 210): Highly rated recruit who played early and had a long career. But as the TCU program struggled the last two seasons, he took a lot of heat. Talented, smart dual-threat player who is having an outstanding season. He’s connecting on 74% of his passes and he has 11 TDs and no INTs.
C #50 Mike Novitsky, Kanas (6-5, 315): Potential All-Conference player who is having a strong season. Tons of experience with over 35 career starts. Key player in the redesigned Jayhawk offense. He could be an All-American if he stays in school.
NO. 11 UTAH AT NO. 18 UCLA, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
CB #1 Clark Phillips III, Utah (5-10, 183) vs. WR Mike Bobo, UCLA (6-5, 215)
Phillips is a baller. He’s coming off a 3 INT game against Oregon State and he has 3 career pick 6’s. He’s like Asante Samuel, small but competitive. He’ll likely need to be a slot CB at the next level, but he fits a couple of the key requirements (good tackler and good feet). I think he’s likely early on Day 2 because of his size but he’s playing like a first-rounder.
Bobo is a North Andover native who starred at Belmont Hill before attending Duke. After graduating he transferred to UCLA, quickly established himself as a leader within the program and he’s been the top WR this year for the Bruins. He’s tough, crafty at getting open and will battle for the ball. UCLA has used him as a mismatch weapon because of his size. I see his NFL role as a move TE (would need to add weight) or a big slot. He’s a late Day 3 prospect.
NO. 16 BYU AT NOTRE DAME, 7:30 p.m. on NBC
DE #7 Isaiah Foskey, ND (6-5, 265) vs. OT #71 Blake Freeland Ohio State (6-8, 305):
Foskey has very good get off on the snap, perhaps elite. He can win with power, and he has a good spin move to counter. He still needs more polish, run defense isn’t bad but his consistency could improve. He has the size, length, athleticism that is desired for the position at the next level. He plays the Vyper position which capitalizes on his ability (sometimes he’ll drop into coverage). He has 18 tackles, 16 pressures and 3 sacks over the first four games.
Freeland has some sink, especially important given his size, and his length is an asset. This is his 4th year as a starter (2 at RT, 2 at LT). He continues to get better. He’s only given up 1 sack and a handful of pressures since moving to the left side. Entering the season, I had him rank as the 5th rated tackle in the draft.
NO. 5 CLEMSON AT BOSTON COLLEGE, 7:30 p.m. on ABC
WR #4 Zay Flowers, BC (5-10, 172): He’s a top 10 WR in college and he’s a top 50 pick in the next draft. He has really good speed that will translate to the next level and he can be explosive with the ball in his hands. Good route runner who can stop on a dime. He’s strong for his size and fights for footballs. BC does whatever they can to get him the ball; handoffs, lining up in the slot and on the outside. That versatile playmaking ability really helps his evaluation. The only way BC wins is if Flowers has a big night.
Day 3 prospects
QB #5 Phil Jurkovec, BC (6-5, 214): I was hoping Jurkovec could play himself into the top few rounds, but he hasn’t been particularly effective. year. But if I say one thing about him, it’s toughness. He’s taken a pounding this year behind BC’s young and rebuilt offensive line. He has NFL size, has some escapability in the pocket and while he’s not a runner he can hurt a defense with his legs. Jurkovec needs to be consistent in the pocket. His areas for improvement are accuracy, tightening the footwork, and establishing reads/rhythm to get the ball out faster. I think he has an average arm, and the ball can sometimes flutter. Two important aspects of his evaluation going forward. Health (he’s been hurt over the last two seasons) and showing up in big games, like Clemson. Putting BC on his back will really help.
WE BROKE DOWN CLEMSON IN DEPTH LAST WEEK. RECAPPING HOW THEIR TOP PROSPECTS PLAYED IN A WIN AGAINST NCST:
CLEMSON: DT #11 Bryan Bresee was inactive with a NFI and he’s not expected to play this weekend. Big break for the Eagles…DE #98 Myles Murphy was very good in this game. He finished with 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Eagles need to have a plan for him...LB #22 Trenton Simpson had 6 tackles and the Pack running backs weren’t very productive…QB #5 DJ Uiagalelei had almost 300 total yards and 3 TDs including 2 on the ground. BC will need to keep a spy on him and blitz to pressure…DE #5 K.J. Henry had 2 tackles, including 1 for a loss, and his 4th fumble recovery of the year…LT #71 Jordan McFadden had a clean sheet last Saturday. Solid effort…DT #33 Ruke Orhorhoro had a pair of tackles and helped limit the Wolfpack running game (34 rushing yards).