Week Fourteen saw me watch six 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 FOURTEEN PROSPECT REWIND
CUSA CG: NORTH TEXAS VS. UTSA
UTSA cruised in this game despite being without the services of top wide receiver, De’Corian Clark. It helps when you have two other top pass-catchers to throw too. 4th-year wideout Joshua Cephus has made big plays in both UTSA games I watched this season. He caught 11 passes against UNT for 84 yards. Zakhari Franklin, who could be selected early on day three, had 10 receptions for 144 yards and three TDs to help the Roadrunners claim the CUSA crown.
I don’t think 6th-year QB Frank Harris has an NFL future. However, he is quite a good collegiate passer. Harris diced up the Mean Green for 341 yards on 33/37 passing. He threw four TD passes and ran for another.
North Texas has a quarterback that is 11 years removed from high school. Austin Aune spent six years in the New York Yankees organization. I don’t view him as an NFL prospect. And he struggled against UTSA. Aune was 14/29 for 194 yards with one TD and two picks.
BIG XII CG: KANSAS STATE VS. TCU
The K-State defense made plays when they needed to in this game. CB Julius Brents did a solid job when covering TCU WR Quentin Johnson 1-on-1. Brents made three solo tackles, had an interception (in the endzone), a PBU, and a forced fumble.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah does such a good job of bending the edge. He had a big sack and four solo tackles against the Horned Frogs.
We talked about Deuce Vaughn last week but Malik Knowles is a unique weapon for KSU. He reminds me of Laviska Shenault as a prospect coming out of Colorado. Knowles is a big and physical player who is excellent in space. Knowles accounted for 88 yards against TCU on three touches.
I don’t think Max Duggan is an NFL prospect at QB. But the effort he gave in the near win against K-State was the stuff of legends. When they say “leave it all on the field,” that is what they are talking about. Duggan threw for 251 yards, ran for 110, and scored two touchdowns.
MAC CG: OHIO VS. TOLEDO
There is a lot to like about Toledo’s 4th-year passer Dequan Finn. He is an athletic, big-armed thrower. Finn was 16/25 for 154 yards and a TD. He added 86 yards rushing. I don’t expect him to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Ohio State transfer linebacker Dallas Gant has played well for the Rockets. Gant made ten tackles against Ohio with six solo stops.
SUN BELT CG: COASTAL CAROLINA VS. TROY
Read more about the prospects in this game on Saturday.
FCS PLAYOFFS: MONTANA AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Read more about the prospects in this game on Saturday.
B1G CG: MICHIGAN VS. PURDUE
Michigan star running back Blake Corum missed this game after having knee surgery. The question now becomes whether he enters the draft. Corum was projected to be a second-round pick.
Sources: #Michigan star RB Blake Corum is expected to have knee surgery and is out for the season. The Heisman candidate should make a full recovery. He tried to play last week vs. Ohio State but his knee made it impossible.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 1, 2022
While he doesn’t show up predominately on the stat sheet, Michigan DL Mazi Smith is a playmaker. You will want to be focused on him at the Combine. Smith is going to put on a show.
Ronnie Bell seems to be recovered from the injury that took him out last year. Bell caught five passes for 67 yards and a score against Purdue. Bell should be a delight to watch at the Senior Bowl.
Joining Bell in Mobile will be Wolverines OT Ryan Hayes. Hayes is rising on my board after getting a late start on his tape.
Purdue WR Charlie Jones has been a high-volume target this year for the Boilermakers. He caught another 13 passes for 162 yards against Michigan. Jones has also accepted a Senior Bowl invite.
Check back on Saturday for another edition of Sun Belt/Small School Scouting.