NFL
Top Prospects to Watch in CFB Week 3’s Biggest Games
Identifying the best NFL Draft prospects that could make a statement in CFB Week 3
USA TODAY Sports
Though college football returned in the end of August, most teams don’t begin conference play until at least the third week. Therefore, many consider the start of conference play to be the true beginning of the College Football season. This week, here’s the prospects to be keeping an eye on when the country’s top two teams begin conference play, Stanford and Iowa State look to rebound against ranked opponents after falling out of the Top 25, and two talented ACC defenses go head-to-head in Charlottesville, VA.
Top Prospects to Watch on Clemson
Sophomore QB Trevor Lawrence is Clemson’s top prospect, and probably the top NFL prospect in all of College Football after a sensational true freshman season that ended in an iconic Championship performance. Junior RB Travis Etienne has also generated buzz as an NFL-caliber RB with a great blend of speed, power, and elusiveness. Among the nation’s top team is also junior WR Tee Higgins, who is slowly climbing up draft rankings due to his ridiculous combination of size (6’4″, 200 lbs) and big-play ability that he continually showcases on a weekly basis. On defense, be sure to keep an eye on hybrid LB/S Isaiah Simmons. He possesses an unbelievable skillset that translates to either position, he is the prototypical coverage linebacker that has become so coveted in the NFL with the evolution of the tight end position.
Top Prospects to Watch on Syracuse
Despite their shellacking at the hands of Maryland, Syracuse has some intriguing pieces on defense. All-ACC Second Team EDGE Alton Robinson, while raw, has showcased the pass-rushing prowess and pure athleticism to become Syracuse’s highest draft pick since Jay Bromley in 2013 (fourth round). He, along with his partner-in-crime, senior EDGE Kendall Coleman, tied for second in the ACC with 10 sacks each in 2019. A matchup with the country’s top team could prove to be most important for four-year-starter CB Christopher Fredrick, as he will be tasked with shutting down Clemson’s high-powered receiving corps. The trio performed admirably against the eventual national champions last season, another strong showing should cement their status as legitimate NFL prospects.
Top Prospects to Watch on Alabama
As always, Alabama is once again loaded with NFL talent. QB Tua Tagovailoa will be in the conversation for the top overall pick in April, but his running mate may join the race himself soon enough. WR Jerry Jeudy appears to be one of the most polished, pro-ready collegiate receivers in recent history, rivaling the draft profile of fellow Alabama pass-catcher Amari Cooper. The Tide lost starting ILB Dylan Moses to an ACL injury in August, but Alabama has yet again reloaded their defense with future NFL stars, including All-SEC Second Team DL Raekwon Davis and EDGE Anfernee Jennings who could be household names in the NFL.
Top Prospects to Watch on South Carolina
Although the Gamecocks’ overall talent level doesn’t compare to that of the Crimson Tide, South Carolina has its fair share of star power. Senior DL Javon Kinlaw is a physical specimen (6’6″, 310 lbs) that can collapse the pocket from the interior in an instant. Cleaning up behind him is LB TJ Brunson, who ranked 7th in the ACC with 8.2 tackles per game last year. Named a permanent team captain last season, Brunson’s incredible closing speed, paired with his instincts, makes him one of the best inside linebackers in the SEC. WR Bryan Edwards leads the charge offensively, as he is just 40 receptions, 700 yards, and 5 touchdowns away from owning the school’s record books.
Top Prospects to Watch on Stanford
Despite falling out of the Top 25 rankings this week, Stanford definitely has some intriguing prospects. Most notable would be CB Paulson Adebo, who many consider to be the top cornerback prospect in this upcoming draft class. Adebo is a lengthy corner with excellent flexibility, reaction time, and ball skills, which is likely due in part to his time as a wide receiver.
While the offense primarily runs through QB KJ Costello, his favorite target, junior TE Colby Parkinson, is the most intriguing prospect. He is a fantastic athlete at 6’7″ who essentially serves as a massive wide receiver, as he routinely lines up outside rather than a traditional in-line tight end. They will have their work cut out for them the rest of the way, however, as projected first-round LT Walker Little suffered an unfortunate season-ending injury last week.
Top Prospects to Watch on UCF
Despite their incredible run of success over the last two seasons (27-1), the Knights face a plethora of challenges this season. QB McKenzie Milton, who sports a 23-0 record as a starter since 2017, is still rehabbing from an ACL tear. Last year’s replacement, Darriell Mack, is returning, and the Knights also brought in Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush to compete for the interim job.
Other than the quarterback position, UCF is also replacing 7 defensive starters and 80+ starts worth of experience along the offensive line. However, whoever plays quarterback for the time being will have weapons to support him. RB Greg McRae took over the featured back role for the last six games and was marvelous: 90 carries, 798 yards, 8 touchdowns. At receiver, juniors Gabriel Davis and Tre Nixon caught 53 and 40 passes, respectively, and combined for 1,377 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The biggest star to watch for has to be junior S Richie Grant. He is a former wide receiver that is still familiarizing himself with the safety position, but that background is evident when attacking the ball in the air. Not only did he register 6 interceptions (2nd-most in FBS), but he led the team with 108 tackles. Even though he is still learning the position, his incredible range and ball skills will more than likely make him UCF’s highest-drafted player when he does eventually decide to turn pro.
Top Prospects to Watch on Iowa
Iowa isn’t necessarily a Big Ten powerhouse, but they could possibly end up with three first-round picks in the 2020 draft. Junior EDGE AJ Epenesa led the Big Ten in sacks (10.5) and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018. With an impressive frame (6’6″, 280 lbs) and extreme power out of a three point stance, he appears to be a prototypical hand-in-the-dirt defensive end with the ability to kick inside on passing downs.
On the opposite side of the trenches, the bookends of Iowa’s offensive line are just as impressive. The combination of LT Alaric Jackson and RT Tristan Wirfs is arguably the best tackle pairing in the entire country; do not be surprised if they are two of the first OL selected in April.
Top Prospects to Watch on Iowa State
While the key cogs of the stellar Cyclone defense are returning from last season, the offense will have to evolve without its top two playmakers. The insertion of QB Brock Purdy may have helped jump start the offense (30+ ppg with Purdy), RB David Montgomery and WR Hakeem Butler were selected in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, this past April.
The defensive line features two stars in DL Ray Lima and EDGE Jaquan Bailey, both of whom earned All-Big 12 second team honors in 2018. Look for S Greg Eisworth, the 2018 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Iowa State’s leading tackler, to take yet another step forward and build upon his All-Big 12 first team appearance.
Top Prospects to Watch on Florida State
Regardless of their record, the Seminoles’ defense is always rich with talent. Replacing first-round EDGE Brian Burns is junior Joshua Kaindoh, who is somewhat inconsistent, but really flashes when he does make plays.
In the secondary, versatile safety Hamsah Nasirildeen is an incredible athlete. He is capable of playing near the line of scrimmage, pressing in the slot, making open-field tackles, and even has the range to cover deep. CB Levonta Taylor was high on evaluators’ radars before last season, but he struggled mightily, potentially due in part to a multitude of injuries. His size (5’10”, 180 lbs) presents some questions, but he is an intriguing prospect, nonetheless.
On offense, look no further than RB Cam Akers, who is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2018 season and couldn’t have asked for a better start. Through two games, Akers has accumulated 58 total touches for 376 yards and 4 touchdowns. Expect a lot of Akers as a runner and receiver against a stout Cavaliers defense.
Top Prospects to Watch on Virginia
For the most part, dual-threat quarterback Bryce Perkins will be the focus of Virginia’s offense in 2019. Their defense, however, is stocked with NFL-caliber talent. Returning for his fourth season as a starter, CB Bryce Hall has routinely showcased excellent ball skills and is capable of holding his own in run support. Partnering with Hall in the secondary is junior S Brenton Nelson, the 2017 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
In front of them are ILB Jordan Mack and EDGE Charles Snowden. Recruited as a defensive back, Mack is a ball hawk with a knack for shedding blocks and aggressively attacking ball carriers with devastating closing speed. More of a stand-up outside linebacker, Snowden is a reliable edge-setter who is extremely long (6’7″) and has shown promise in coverage.
Like this article? Share with your friends!
