Week Eight saw me watch eight games full of 2023 NFL Draft prospects.
Each week, I will look back at the top prospect performances from the games I watched the previous week.
WEEK EIGHT PROSPECT REWIND
GEORGIA STATE AT APPALACHIAN STATE
Read more about the prospects in this game on Saturday.
TROY AT SOUTH ALABAMA
Read more about the prospects in this game on Saturday.
INDIANA AT RUTGERS
I did not see a lot of positive things to write home about in this game. However, two players from Rutgers jumped out to me. 5th-year WR Sean Ryan showed off great concentration and nice high-point skills. The 6’4” 200-pound pass catcher finished the game with three catches for 59 yards and a score.
5’10” safety Christian Izien was all over the field in the game against Indiana. He made several open-field tackles. Nine solo tackles as a matter of fact.
MEMPHIS AT TULANE
Memphis safety Quindell Johnson did not know if he would be able to play or not this week. The Tigers are glad he did or the game may have gone much worse than it did. The 5th-year player had 13 tackles against the Green Wave, 11 of which were solos. Johnson also broke up a pass.
I have talked about the Tulane dynamic duo at linebacker before but this week they were on another level. Dorian Williams possesses a more traditional linebacker size (6’2” 225) and he excels in all three phases on defense. Against Memphis, he notched 12 stops (8 solos), one sack, and on PBU. Not to be outdone, Nick Anderson balled out against the Tigers as well. Anderson recorded 11 stops (six solos), one TFL, and one PBU.
MISSISSIPPI AT LSU
Don’t look now but Jayden Daniels is starting to rehabilitate his image as an NFL Draft quarterback prospect. In their big win over Ole Miss, the Arizona State transfer was dominant. Daniels completed 21/28 passes for 248 yards and two TDs. He also ran 23 times for 121 yards and three scores. Who knows where Daniels will land at the end of the process but the arrow is certainly moving up.
A player that could have helped the Rebels on Saturday did not play with a knee injury. Top-5 RB prospect Zach Evans missed with a knee injury.
TEXAS AT OKLAHOMA STATE
Okie State safety Jason Taylor II was a big reason why the Pokes knocked off Texas. Taylor picked off Quinn Ewers twice to go along with nine solo tackles. He is a solid day-three prospect right now.
Bijan Robinson showed why he is widely considered RB1 and a Top-20 overall prospect in this class. Robinson can hit the hole in a hurry, break tackles, and make defenders miss in space. He had 25 offensive touches against the Cowboys for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
UCLA AT OREGON
Perhaps I am the Bo Nix “good luck guy”. The last two times I have watched the normally fledgling passer, he has looked like an All-American. In the blowout win over previously unbeaten UCLA, Nix had 334 yards of total offense, including five TD throws. I still don’t think Bo Nix is an NFL quarterback but I am willing to bet there are some NFL decision-makers who do.
UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet (24 touches, 279 yards, 1 TD) and WR Jake Bobo (8-101, 1 TD) both continue to solidify their place in the 2023 NFL Draft. I think both will play in the 2023 Senior Bowl. Another draft riser is 4th-year edge rusher Laiatu Latu. He had a moderate impact in this game but has been coming on big-time in recent weeks.
TEXAS A&M AT SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina has a pair of really good CB prospects. We all know about Cam Smith. He could be a first-round selection. Smith does need to work on being too handsy. He dropped two potential interceptions that wouldn’t have counted anyway. Smith was flagged for defensive holding on both.
The other corner is Darius Rush. Rush has great length and size (6’2” 196). Against the Aggies, Rush recorded eight tackles (six solos), a PBU, and a forced fumble, and he returned an interception 63 yards.
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane runs with more power than you would think for a man that is only listed at 5’9” and 185-pounds. We all know Achane has world-class speed. However, seeing him run between the tackles makes me re-think how I look at him. Against the Gamecocks, Achane had 27 touches for 156 yards and a score.
Check back on Saturday for another edition of Sun Belt/Small School Scouting.