This week in 7 & 5, it was the defensive players who came to impress. It was also a sad week for quarterback play.
SEVEN UP
1 – Kennedy Brooks, RB, Oklahoma
Brooks showed great burst and balance against Texas. He also showed a great killer instinct by finishing the Longhorns with a 33-yard TD with 33 seconds left. The junior back finished the game with 217 yards rushing on 25 carries with two scores.
2 – Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
Bonitto has flashed in both games of Oklahoma I have watched this season but he jumped out a lot in this one. Bonitto has a tremendous bend around the edge and is able to flatten his path quickly to finish. A tremendously disruptive player. Against Texas, Bonitto had five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three QB hurries.
3 – DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
Overshown was a madman from the opening drive on against Oklahoma. He showed off his explosive speed on his sack and then blocked an ensuing punt. Overshown has that rare burst that you love to see from a linebacker prospect. Against Oklahoma, Overshown finished with eight tackles (five solos), two TFL, one sack, and two hurries. This class seemingly has a dearth of top-end LB prospects so Overshown has a chance to establish himself at the top.
4 – Travon Walker, DL, Georgia
Walker is often the forgotten about player on the Georgia defensive front. And with Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt there, one can understand why. However, Walker is a solid player in his own right. He provided consistent harassment of Bo Nix. Walker will probably be a big edge at the NFL level. Kind of like Carlos Dunlap. Against Auburn, Walker finished with four tackles (three solos), one sack, and three hurries.
5 – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Nakobe Dean flashed big time in the other Georgia games I have watched. He continued this trend against the Tigers. Dean made an athletic interception off of a deflection. He can rush the passer, he can cover, and he plays the run well. Like I said earlier with Overshown, this is a weak LB crop and Nakobe Dean can make himself into a first-round player. I even mocked him there in my latest mock draft.
6 – AJ Thomas, S, Western Michigan
This was my first ever look at the senior safety and he was impressive. Thomas has great size and moves well in space. He certainly fits the profile of the new LB/S hybrid position that has become all the rage in the NFL. Against Ball State, Thomas recorded nine solo tackles.
7 – Obinna Eze, OT, TCU
Obinna Eze was awesome against the Red Raiders. The former Memphis Tiger, by way of Nigeria, had no problems on Saturday. Eze has a powerful frame with Groot-like arms. He feels like he should slide into the second wave of offensive tackles in the 50-75 pick range on day two.
FIVE DOWN
1 – Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
The Spencer Rattler starting era is likely over at Oklahoma. Rattler continued his season of questionable decision making in the first half against Texas. He was promptly benched for freshman Caleb Williams. He then watched as Williams rallied the Sooners to a victory over Texas. Rattler can no longer be considered a Top-100 prospect much less a first-round pick. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Rattler transfer after the season and try to re-establish his draft prospects next year.
2 – JT Daniels, QB, Georgia
Daniels missed another game with an injury. The former Southern Cal QB was injured there and he has continued to spend time on the injured list in Athens. I don’t put him on this list because of injury. I mainly put him here because the Georgia offense hasn’t missed a beat without him with Stetson Bennett IV at QB. And we aren’t exactly talking about a guy who will sniff the NFL. I just can’t get behind JT Daniels right now.
3 – Kaleb Eleby, QB, Western Michigan
Eleby was hyped up to me before this week and unfortunately, all I came away with was a meh feeling. The old saying goes “you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”. While that doesn’t really mean anything in evaluating draft prospects, there is something to be said for it. Eleby was remarkably indecisive against Ball State. He took four sacks and threw two interceptions. Eleby finished 20/34 with 258 yards passing. Eleby was outdueled in this game by Ball State QB Drew Plitt.
4 – Max Duggan, QB, TCU
Duggan is a tremendous athlete but he just doesn’t have the traits to be an NFL passer. We are going to chalk him up as a good college QB that doesn’t make it to the next level.
5 – Ali Fayad, EDGE, Western Michigan
Fayad is normally one of the best defenders for the Broncos but he was nowhere to be found against Ball State. Fayad was on the field the entire game but made little to no impact.