(Week 14)
|
1.
Senior OG Chance Warmack and Senior
Center Barrett Jones (Alabama) versus
Senior NT John Jenkins (Georgia)
The SEC
Championship game will be decided in the
trenches. Alabama and Nick Saban want
to establish the running game. OG
Chance Warmack is the one of the best
run blockers in the nation. He is an
athletic player that has the ability to
get to the second level. Center Barrett
Jones is a versatile OL who is very
technically sound. NT John Jenkins’
main responsibility on Saturday would be
shutting down Crimson Tide’s rushing
attack. He has ideal size and
strength. He always commands a double
team. Alabama will have their hands
full with Jenkins.
2.
Senior WR Chris Harper (Kansas State)
versus Junior CB Carrington Byndom
(Texas)
Senior
Chris Harper is the leading receiver for
the Wildcats this season (47 receptions
for 727 receiving yards and three TDs).
He transferred to Kansas State from
Oregon. He is an athletic receiver with
very good speed. He also has
demonstrated reliable hands throughout
this season. CB Byndom has three INTs
during this junior campaign. He has
been up and down with his play this
year. He has ideal size, speed and good
ball skills.
3.
Senior WR Terrance Williams (Baylor)
versus Junior CB Justin Gilbert
(Oklahoma State)
Williams
has 89 receptions for 1,693 receiving
yards and 12 TDs this season. He has
been the go-to-guy for Baylor in the
passing game. He has good size and
strength. He has the vertical speed to
stretch the defense. He needs to
continue to work on his route running.
He is still my top senior WR available
for the 2013 NFL Draft. Gilbert is a
confident man-to-man corner. He has the
size, the speed and the athletic ability
that most NFL teams drool about. He
hasn’t made any game-changing plays as a
CB this season. |
(Week 13)
1. Senior RB Montee
Ball (Wisconsin) versus Senior LB Gerald Hodges
(Penn State)
Montee Ball has been running with a lot more
authority in the second half of his senior
season. He tied the FBS record for career
touchdowns last week. He will be going for the
record this week against Penn State. Gerald
Hodges would be the main defender responsible
for slowing down Ball with Mike Mauti being out
with an injury. He had 12 tackles and one pick
in a win last week. Hodges has been a reliable
tackler this year. He is also a very effective
pass defender. He uses his speed to cover a lot
of ground on the football field.
2. Junior OT D.J. Fluker (Alabama) versus
Junior DE Corey Lemonier (Auburn)
D.J. Fluker is the massive RT who is a terrific
run blocker. He uses his strength to open up
gaping holes for his running backs. He also
shows the ability to get the second level. He
has struggled in pass protection against the
elite speed rushers. There have been whispers
that Fluker will declare for the draft after
this season. Lemonier had five sacks in the
first four games of the season. He only has 0.5
sacks in the last six games. He uses his speed
to get around the offensive tackles and get to
the QB. At this point, he lacks the pass rush
repertoire moves to be an every-down DE at the
next level. He should return for his senior
season.
3. Junior WR Kenny Stills (Oklahoma) versus
Junior CB Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State)
Stills has been Landry Jones' favorite target
this year. He has 64 receptions for 773
receiving yards and 10 TDs. The junior WR has
very good speed. He has excellent body
control. He is also one of the better downfield
blockers in college football. Gilbert is an
athletic corner with terrific speed. But he
hasn't delivered the game changing plays on
defense that were expected out of him this
season. He has zero interceptions in 2012.
Gilbert has been a very effective kick returner
for the Cowboys.
(Week 12)
1. Senior RB Kenjon
Barner versus Senior LB Shayne Skov and Senior
LB Chase Thomas (Stanford)
Barner has rushed for 1,360 yards and 19 TDs
thus far. He had 321 rushing yards and five TDs
against USC two weeks ago. He is an explosive
back. He has great speed. He is home run
hitter. He has good vision and is very quick
through the hole. MLB Shayne Skov is the man in
the middle who will try to contain Barner and
Oregon's offense on Saturday. He is a tough run
defender. He is a hard hitter. He simply has a
nose for the ball. Skov will receive help from
senior OLB Chase Thomas as well. Thomas is a
very instinctive player. He is a quick LB and a
good open field tackler. He is at his best
rushing the passer, but he will play a key role
in run defense this week if Stanford has any
hopes of pulling off the upset against Oregon.
2. Junior WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson) versus
Junior CB David Amerson (North Carolina State)
Hopkins has been a playmaker for the Tigers this
season. He has 66 receptions for 1,096 yards
and 14 TDs. He has very good ball skills. He
attacks the ball while it is in the air. He
runs precise routes and is quick out of his
cuts. He has proven to be an excellent redzone
target this year. Amerson has struggled this
season against top competition. He had his
worst games against Tennessee and Miami, FL. He
lacks top end speed. But he still has the size,
physical nature and ball skills to be number one
corner in the right scheme. He needs a big
performance against Hopkins in order to secure a
first round grade.
3. Senior WR Tavon Austin and Junior WR Stedman
Bailey (West Virginia) versus Senior CB Demontre
Hurst and Junior CB Aaron Colvin (Oklahoma)
Austin has 96 receptions, 968 receiving yards
and 11 TDs this season. He is an electrifying
playmaker for the Mountaineers. He has great
speed and is elusive in the open field. Junior
WR Stedman Bailey is only 5'10, but he plays
with great physicality. He has 75 receptions,
1,055 receiving yards and 16 TDs in 2012. He
runs good routes and is a big time target in the
redzone. They will be challenged this Saturday
by a tough CB duo in Colvin and Hurst. Hurst is
a smaller CB with good speed. He is an
effective man-to-man corner. Colvin has
demonstrated good ball skills this season. He
is a better all-around player. He is very very
active against the run.
(Week 11)
1. Junior DE Damontre Moore (Texas A&M) versus
Junior OT D.J. Fluker (Alabama)
Moore has been one of the top pass rushers in
college football this season. He should be a
first round pick in next year's draft if he
decides to leave early. He has recorded 69
total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 11.5
sacks. He has a quick first step with an
incredible non-stop motor. This is a big test
for D.J. Fluker. The junior Alabama tackle is a
terrific run blocker. But he has struggled all
season long in pass protection against speedy
pass rushers. He is being projected as a RT or
even as a guard at the next level. If he has a
strong performance against Moore, he could
rescue his sliding stock.
2. Senior WR Terrance Williams (Baylor) versus
Senior CB Demontre Hurst and Junior CB Aaron
Colvin (Oklahoma)
Williams has been a big time playmaker for
Baylor during his senior season. He has 71
receptions for 1340 receiving yards, 18.9 yards
per reception and 10 TDs. He has shown the
ability to stretch the field vertically all
season long. He has good size and very soft
hands. He is the top senior WR available in
2013 draft. Hurst is a well-rounded corner with
good speed. He shows the ability to turn and
run with quick receivers downfield. Colvin is a
somewhat underrated CB. He has good size with a
nice frame. He has shown very good ball skills
this season. He is a good run defender as
well.
3. Senior OT Dallas Thomas (Tennessee) versus
Junior DT Sheldon Richardson (Missouri)
Dallas Thomas has played guard for Tennessee
this season. He has looked dominant at times.
I still project him as a tackle in the NFL where
he has played for Tennessee in the past. He
faces a tough match-up this week against DT
Sheldon Richardson. The Junior DT has been very
consistent for Missouri this year. He has been
as dominant as any DL in the country. He is
quick and athletic. He consistently puts
pressure on the opposing QBs. Mark my words, he
should be a top 10 pick in next year's draft.
(Week 10)
|
1.
Senior WR Ryan Swope (Texas A&M) versus
Senior CB Johnthan Banks (Mississippi
State)
Swope is
coming off one of his best performances
of the season against Auburn. He caught
six passes for 140 yards and two TDs.
He is a sure-handed receiver. Swope
also has good speed and will create
yards after the catch. He could be a
great asset on an NFL team as a slot
receiver. Even though Banks struggled a
bit last week against Alabama, he has
solidified his spot as the top senior CB
available in next year’s draft. He
should be selected somewhere at the end
of the first round. Banks has four
picks this season. He has ideal size.
Banks is also a very instinctive corner
with high IQ.
2.
Senior RB Ray
Graham (Pittsburgh) versus Senior LB
Manti Te’o (Notre Dame)
Despite
being charged with assault this week,
Ray Graham will play against the Irish.
The senior RB had his best performance
last week. He rushed for 109 yards and
scored two TDs. Graham is a shifty
back. He has the ability to make people
miss. Manti Te’o is the top MLB in the
2013 Draft. He has been the leader for
the unbeaten Irish squad this year. He
is a strong run defender and a reliable
tackler. If he continues his strong
play, he will be one of the finalists
for the Heisman Trophy.
3.
Senior QB Seth
Doege (Texas Tech) versus Senior FS
Kenny Vaccaro (Texas)
Doege has
been on a tear the last three weeks of
the season. He has completed over 70%
of his passes, has thrown for 1,148
passing yards, 15 TDs and only two
picks. He is an accurate QB who spreads
the ball around to different receivers.
He excels in the short and intermediate
throws. Vaccaro is an all-around
safety. He recorded 10 total tackles
last week. He is an instinctive safety
with good size who covers a lot of
ground in the deep half of the field.
He is also reliable against the run.
4.
Junior RB Eddie Lacy (Alabama) versus
Junior LB Kevin Minter (LSU)
Lacy
didn’t have a good performance against
Mississippi State last week. He
couldn’t find any running room. He will
be looking to bounce back this week. He
is a power back with light feet. Minter
is LSU’s leading tackler this season.
Junior MLB is an excellent run defender
with good speed. He makes sideline to
sideline plays. He is very active and
flies around all over the field. |
(Week 8)
1. Junior OT Luke Joeckel and Junior OT Jake
Matthews (Texas A&M) versus Junior DE Sam
Montgomery and Junior DE Barkevious Mingo (LSU)
Luke Joeckel is currently the top OT available
in the 2013 NFL Draft. An athletic left tackle
with ideal size and light feet. He excels in
pass protection. He has held up well against
the top SEC rushers this season thus far.
Matthews starts at RT for the Aggies. He is the
son of the Hall of Fame OL Bruce Matthews. He
is very technically sound. He is a terrific run
blocker. This is a huge test for the Aggies’
offensive tackles this week as they face LSU’s
defensive ends. Sam Montgomery has made more
impact plays than Mingo this season. He has a
quick first step and is a terror off the edge.
He doesn’t only rely on his speed. He has
improved this year by adding more moves to his
pass rush repertoire. Mingo is also an athletic
end with great speed. He is surprisingly strong
for a 240-pound DE. He has held up well against
the run this year.
2. Junior WR Justin Hunter and Junior WR
Cordarrelle Patterson (Tennessee) versus Junior
CB Dee Milliner (Alabama)
Hunter had only two receptions for 41 yards last
week against CB Johnthan Banks and the rest of
the Rebels’ secondary. He has had an up and
down season. He is a playmaker with the ability
to stretch the field vertically. Patterson has
been the most consistent receiver for
Tennessee. He has ideal size and speed. He has
demonstrated good hands and the willingness to
go over the middle this year. Milliner is one
of the top CB available in next year’s draft.
The junior CB has good size and ideal closing
speed. He is a confident man-to-man corner. He
has played exceptionally well in the big games.
3. Junior WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson) versus
Junior CB Kyle Fuller (Virginia Tech)
Hopkins has been outstanding for Clemson all
year long. He has 49 receptions for 777
receiving yards and eight TDs. He has excellent
ball skills and is a precise route runner. He
has been Tajh Boyd’s favorite target in the
passing game. Fuller is a confident man-to-man
corner. He is a very smart and instinctive
player. He has good speed. He is also very
active in the running game and is an outstanding
tackler.
4. Senior OG Larry Warford (Kentucky) versus
Senior NT John Jenkins (Georgia)
Warford is one of the top guards available in
the 2013 draft. He is a dominating run blocker
with good strength. He is surprisingly quick
for a big man. He uses his size well especially
in pass protection. John Jenkins is massive
nose tackle at 6’3, 358 pounds. He is a
terrific run defender. He always commands a
double team. He has great strength at the
position and rare quickness.
(Week 7)
1. Junior WR Kenny
Stills (Oklahoma) versus Junior CB Carrington
Byndom (Texas)
Junior WR Kenny Stills leads the team with 29
receptions and 344 receiving yards heading into
this week’s match-up against the Longhorns. He
uses his quickness to gain separation from the
defensive backs. He has good ball skills and
has the ability to make the tough catch over the
middle. Junior CB Carrington Byndom had a very
tough week against Tavon Austin and Stedman
Bailey last week. He was beaten numerous times
in man-to-man coverage. He is a physical and
athletic corner with very good size. He has
only one interception this year. He needs a big
performance against the Sooners in order to
boost his draft stock.
2. Junior OT Taylor Lewan (Michigan) versus
Senior DE Michael Buchanan (Illinois)
Lewan has played well after his bad performance
in week one against Alabama. He is an athletic
left tackle with ideal size. He is a nasty Big
10 lineman. He has quick feet and long arms.
He will have his hands full against Michael
Buchanan this week. Senior defensive end has
five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks this
season. He has a quick first step. He also has
a variety of pass rush moves and uses his hands
well. His best fit might be as a 3-4 OLB in the
pros.
3. Senior RB Stepfan Taylor (Stanford) versus
Senior LB Manti Te'o (Notre Dame)
Taylor has been the focal point on offense for
the Cardinal this year. He already has three
100-yard games in five games for Stanford. He
is not flashy, but he is a solid all-around
back. He is a physical back who is at his best
running between the tackles. He is also a very
good receiver coming out of the backfield and is
an effective blocker. Senior LB Manti Te'o is
an emotional leader for Notre Dame. He has been
terrific during his senior campaign. He has
improved his speed and pass coverage ability
this year. He was able to shut down Le'Veon
Bell a few weeks back almost single-handedly.
4. Senior OG Chance Warmack and Senior C
Barrett Jones (Alabama) versus Junior DT Sheldon
Richardson (Missouri)
Warmack and Jones are two of the better OL in
the nation. Warmack is an athletic offensive
guard who excels in run blocking. Jones is a
versatile player. He has played tackle, guard
and center over his career. He is also a very
good run blocker. Richardson is a former five
star recruit who came over from the junior
college. He has been almost unblockable this
season. He uses his quickness to beat the OL
and makes numerous plays behind the line of
scrimmage.
5. Junior RB Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina)
versus Junior LB Kevin Minter (LSU)
Lattimore is a powerful back who runs over
defenders that try to tackle him. He has a
pretty quick burst through the hole. He is a
terrific receiver with soft hands. The junior
RB is one of the top RB's available in next
year's draft. He is a big reason why the
Gamecocks are undefeated at this point in the
season. Minter had a spectacular performance
against the Gators. He had 20 tackles and two
sacks. He is LSU's top tackler this season.
Junior inside linebacker is an excellent run
defender with good speed.
(Week 6)
1. Senior WR Tavon
Austin and Junior WR Stedman Bailey (West
Virginia) versus Junior CB Carrington Byndom
(Texas)
Senior WR Tavon Austin is an electrifying and
versatile receiver. He had 14 receptions for
215 yards and two TD’s against Baylor. Bailey
is a precise route runner with good speed. He
has shown the ability to stretch the field. He
had 13 receptions for 303 yards and five TD’s
last week. They will face a pair of tough
corners this week in junior Carrington Byndom
and sophomore Quandre Diggs (not eligible for
the 2013 NFL Draft). Byndom is an athletic
corner with tremendous size. He is a physical
guy who demonstrates good ball skills.
2. Junior WR Marquess Wilson (Washington State)
versus Senior CB Jordan Poyer (Oregon State)
Wilson has been a big time playmaker for
Washington State ever since his freshman
season. He has good size. He is also a major
target in the red zone. He has had a tendency
to drop catchable passes this season. Poyer is
a player that I have featured here before. He
is a confident man-to-man corner with good
size. He is one of the top senior corners
available in the draft.
3. Junior Center Travis Frederick (Wisconsin)
versus Junior DT Akeem Spence (Illinois)
Travis Frederick (6'4, 338 pounds) is one of the
strongest players in the nation. He excels as a
run blocker in the Badgers' scheme. He is very
versatile and can play multiple positions. He
will be tested this week by the junior DT Akeem
Spence. Spence is a disruptive force. He uses
his quick first step to get to the QB. He is
also very strong.
(Week 5)
1. Junior WR Justin
Hunter (Tennessee) versus Senior CB Branden
Smith (Georgia)
Junior WR Justin Hunter has been the go-to-guy
for Tennessee in the passing game this year. He
has 30 receptions for 410 yards and 4 touchdowns
on the season. He has shown his speed, good
route running and the ability to make the
spectacular catch. But he needs to improve his
concentration because he has had the tendency to
drop the easy passes. He will draw a tough
match-up against Branden Smith. The senior CB
had four total tackles and one pass break-up
last week against Vanderbilt. He has good ball
skills with impressive closing speed. If he has
success against Hunter, Smith could see his
stock rise after this week.
2. Senior OG Dallas Thomas (Tennessee) versus
Senior NT John Jenkins (Georgia)
Dallas Thomas moved to left guard this year
after starting at LT the last two seasons. He
has done a superb job at his new position. He
has shown good technique. Thomas has shown the
ability to handle the big massive tackles in the
passing game and he has shown his power in the
run game. He looks like a natural at guard.
John Jenkins is massive nose tackle at 6’3, 358
pounds. He is a terrific run defender. He
always commands a double team. He has shown
incredible strength at the position. He also
has extremely light feet, which is very rare for
a player with his size.
3. Senior RB Montee Ball (Wisconsin) versus
Senior LB Will Compton (Nebraska)
After his fantastic junior season, Ball decided
to come back for his senior campaign. His
numbers haven’t been dazzling this year. They
have been relatively average. Ball is a tough
runner that will pick up yards after contact.
But he has average speed and has a tough time
making people miss. He suffered a head injury
last week, but he has been cleared to play this
Saturday. He needs a big time performance
against Nebraska. ILB Compton is the leader of
the defense. He is a tough run defender. He
has a good understanding of the game. He will
be responsible for stopping Montee Ball.
4. Senior WR Dan Buckner (Arizona) versus
Senior CB Jordan Poyer (Oregon State)
Buckner is a big and physical receiver at 6’4
and 215 pounds. He has good, strong hands. He
is a huge red zone target for the Wildcats. He
was relatively quiet against Oregon last week.
Expect him to bounce back this weekend. Poyer
is a corner that still doesn’t receive the
attention, which he deserves. He is a tough
man-to-man corner. He uses his long arms to his
advantage against the receiver. He will also
come up and support against the run.
(Week 4)
1. Junior WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson)
versus Junior CB Xavier Rhodes (Florida State)
Xavier Rhodes will be matched up against both
Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins during this
game. But Rhodes versus Hopkins match-up is
worth keeping an eye on. Junior WR Hopkins is
off to a terrific start (26 receptions, 319
receiving yards and 4 touchdowns). He is a
precise route runner with very good ball
skills. Junior CB Xavier Rhodes has four pass
break ups and one INT through the first three
games. He has ideal size. Rhodes excels in
man-to-man coverage. He will also support
against the run.
2. Junior WR Jordan Matthews (Vanderbilt)
versus Senior Branden Smith (Georgia)
Matthews has emerged as the go-to-guy for
Vanderbilt in the passing game. He has 18
receptions for 276 passing yards and 2 TD’s. He
has good size with the ability to make the tough
catch. He is a physical receiver who is willing
to go over the middle. He will face a very
tough CB duo in sophomore Malcolm Mitchell and
senior Branden Smith. Smith has good ball
skills with impressive closing speed. He should
be a solid mid-round pick in next year’s draft
and this match-up against Matthews would be a
good challenge for him.
3. Junior WR Keenan Allen (California) versus
Junior CB Nickell Robey (USC)
Keenan Allen is one of the top receivers in next
year’s draft. He had a good game against the
Buckeyes last week. He showed good hands. He
hauled in some tough passes last week while he
was being hit by Ohio State’s defensive backs.
QB Zach Maynard looked for Allen on third downs
when the team needed a big play. Allen also
used his big body to shield defenders away from
the ball. Junior CB Robey is a very physical
corner at only 5’8 and 165 pounds. He has good
speed. He attacks the ball while it is in the
air. He is also one of the hardest workers on
the Trojans’ squad. He is a very underrated
corner.
4. Senior OG Larry Warford (Kentucky) versus
Junior DT Sharrif Floyd (Florida)
Warford is a dominating run blocker with good
strength. He is surprisingly quick for a big
man. He uses his size well especially in pass
protection. It is hard for defensive players to
get around him. DT Sharrif Floyd has been the
most consistent defender on the Gators’ squad
thus far. He is finally living up to the hype
that has followed him since his high school
days. He looks a lot more comfortable this year
since moving back to his more natural DT spot.
He has good size and is an effective run
stopper. He had four tackles and 1.5 tackles
for loss against Tennessee. If he continues his
strong play, he should be a first round pick in
the 2013 NFL Draft.
(Week 3)
1. Junior WR Keenan
Allen (California) versus Redshirt Sophomore CB
Bradley Roby (Ohio State)
Cal’s Keenan Allen had a terrific sophomore
campaign where he caught 98 receptions for 1,343
receiving yards and six touchdowns. He is one
of the top pass catchers in the nation. He is a
big and athletic receiver. He is dangerous
after the catch. He is also an excellent route
runner. He will be tested this week. Redshirt
sophomore corner Bradley Roby is eligible for
the 2013 NFL Draft. He led the Buckeyes with
three picks last year. He is a lockdown
cornerback with confidence who always matches up
against the top receiver on the opposing team.
He has good size and great speed. He is
considered the fastest player on Ohio State’s
squad.
2. Senior WR Cobi Hamilton (Arkansas) versus
Junior CB Dee Milliner (Alabama)
Senior wideout Cobi Hamilton is expected to play
against the Crimson Tide after sustaining an
injury in the first quarter last week.
Unfortunately, he will be without his senior QB
Tyler Wilson. Hamilton has a good combination
of size, speed and hands. He needs to have a
big game against Alabama in order to cement his
status as one of the top senior wide receivers
in the draft. Milliner has gotten off to a very
good start this season. He is a confident
man-to-man corner. He has ideal size and
speed. He showed terrific ball skills against
the Wolverines in week one. This match-up is
definitely the one to watch on Saturday.
3. Junior RB Le’Veon Bell (Michigan State)
versus Senior LB Manti Te’o (Notre Dame)
Bell had 210 rushing yards against Boise State
in week one. He followed that up with only 70
yards in week 2 against Central Michigan. He is
a big back with nimble feet. He shows good
patience and balance. He also has soft hands.
Manti Te’o is the toughest LB that Bell will
face all year long. Senior Irish linebacker
tallied 128 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss.
He is a punishing tackler. He is athletic and
strong. He makes plays from sideline to
sideline. He is the top MLB available in the
2013 NFL Draft.
(Week 2)
|
1.
Junior QB Keith Price (Washington) versus Junior FS Eric Reid (LSU)
Keith
Price and the
Washington’s offense scored
on the first two possessions of the game
against San Diego State in week 1. Then they didn’t score a
single point the rest of the game. That
is a big worry for the Huskies as they
face the Tigers this week. I like Keith
Price’s poise in the pocket. He throws
well on the run and can beat you with
his feet. He is very accurate. Price
will need to target his sophomore star
tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins often
if they want to pull off the huge upset
against LSU in Baton Rouge. LSU Tigers
secondary is very talented, but they are
susceptible to big plays. Safety Eric
Reid is the leader back there. He will
be responsible for calling the plays and
lining up the defense. Reid is an
all-around safety. He has ideal size
and strength. I love his hitting
ability. He is an instinctive safety
who takes good angles in the passing
game.
2.
Junior LT Luke Joeckel and Junior RT
Jake Matthews (Texas A&M) versus Junior DE Dominique Easley
and Junior DT Sharrif Floyd (Florida Gators)
Joeckel is an athletic
left tackle who excels in pass
protection. He is quick out of his
stance and has very light feet. He
performed well against some of the
better defensive ends in the Big 12 last
year. He will be challenged by the best
speed rushers in the SEC in 2012. He
should be a lock for the first round in
next year’s draft. Matthews is a
balanced tackle. He is a terrific run
blocker, but he is more than capable of
holding his own against the pass. He is
also very athletic. If it wasn’t for
Joeckel, Matthews would have been a very
capable starter at left tackle. The
first real test for the Aggies’ tackles
comes against the Gators’ defensive
line. Sharrif Floyd was the No.1 DT in
the 2010 class. He has shifted to his
more natural DT spot for the start of
the 2012 season after playing DE last
year. This guy has terrific upside and
a lot is expected of him this year. He
looked good in week one action. On the
other hand, junior Dominique Easley made
the move to DE after playing defensive
tackle last season. Easley is coming
off a torn ACL. He has a quick first
step. He can also hold his ground
against the run. He had the only sack
for the Gators in week one action.
3.
Senior WR
Dan Buckner (Arizona)
versus Junior CB Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma)
With the
departure of Juron Criner to the NFL,
Buckner became the primary receiver this
season in Rich Rodriguez’s offense. He
is a former five star recruit who
committed to Texas,
but transferred to Arizona in 2011. He is a big and physical
receiver at 6’4 and 215 pounds. He
knows how to use his body in order to
shield the defenders away from the
football. He has good hands. The
senior WR caught 10 passes for 116 yards
against Toledo in the opening game of the season.
Buckner will be challenged all game long
by Gilbert. Junior corner had a good
sophomore campaign in which he had 59
tackles and five picks. He finished the
season on a high note by winning the
Defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl. He
has the size, the speed and the athletic
ability. He is a confident corner with
huge upside.
4.
Junior QB Derek Carr (Fresno State)
versus Senior FS John Boyett (Oregon)
Junior
Derek Carr looked very comfortable in a
new spread offense in week one against
Weber State that Fresno State installed during the off-season. He
is an athletic QB. Carr has a quick
release. He is accurate and makes good
decisions with the football. But the
real test comes against the Oregon Ducks
this week. A good game against the
Ducks could propel him into the
conversation along with the other top
tier QB’s in the 2013 Draft. Free
safety John Boyett is one of the most
underrated safeties in the nation. He
has 278 overall tackles during his
career. He is always around the ball.
He just recorded his 10th
interception of his career against Arkansas State in the first week of the new
season. He will patrol the centerfield
for the Ducks and try to bait Carr into
making a couple of mistakes.
|
(Week 1)
Each week, I will
be breaking down some intriguing individual
match-ups between NFL Draft prospects that are
eligible for the 2013 NFL Draft.
1. Junior WR
Justin Hunter (Tennessee) versus Junior CB David Amerson (NC
State)
With the
departure of Da’Rick Rogers, junior WR Justin
Hunter becomes Tyler Bray’s primary target in
the passing game. Hunter missed most of last
season with an injury. The reports indicate
that he is back at full strength. He has ideal
size at 6’4 and 4.4 speed. He can stretch the
field vertically. Hunter attacks the ball while
it is in the air and makes acrobatic catches.
But he will definitely face a stiff challenge
from David Amerson. The junior cornerback set
the ACC all-time record with 13 picks during his
sophomore campaign. He has ideal size at 6’2
and great ball skills. He has outstanding
instincts. He mainly plays in a zone scheme at
NC State and wasn’t asked to play press
coverage. This matchup will be fun to watch.
2. Senior QB
Denard Robinson (Michigan) versus Senior FS Robert Lester (Alabama)
Denard Robinson
is an incredible athlete who has proven that he
can make plays with his feet. But in week one
matchup against Alabama, he will have to
prove that he can get it done through the air.
Robinson needs to prove his accuracy (something
that he hasn’t done in the past) against a very
tough
Alabama
defense. He needs to prove his doubters wrong,
including yours truly, that he can be a
legitimate NFL QB prospect. Robert Lester
didn’t have a very productive junior season (39
tackles and 2 picks) by his own standards. He
is the leader of Alabama’s secondary this year with the
departure of Mark Barron to the NFL. Lester has
good ball skills and covers a lot of ground on
the field. He will play the role of a
centerfielder and will be responsible for
calling all of the plays.
3. Senior RB D.J. Harper (Boise State)
versus Junior LB Max Bullough (Michigan State)
D.J. Harper was granted his sixth year of
eligibility because he missed two seasons with
knee injuries. During the 2011 season, he saw
his teammate Doug Martin gain national
recognition and get drafted by the Bucs at the
end of the first round. Harper has never been a
full-time starter, but he gets his chance this
year. He gets an opportunity to shine in the
first game against the Spartans who are expected
to have a stingy run defense in 2012. He is an
explosive back who has the ability to take it
the distance. He is also a good receiver out of
the backfield. MLB Max Bullough’s main
responsibility will be stopping Harper.
Bullough is a 6’3, 252 pound LB. He led the
Spartans with 89 tackles last season. He is a
sound and reliable tackler. He is extremely
instinctive. He is the leader of the defense
and will play a major role in trying to stifle Boise State’s rushing attack.