Week Six of college football has come and gone. I watched four games during the week five slate of contests.
Each week, I will look back at the top prospect performances from the games I watched the previous week.
WEEK SIX PROSPECT REWIND
LSU @ MISSOURI
LSU QB Jayden Daniels has been playing out of his mind lately. In the win over Missouri, Daniels bounced back from an injury to score a late TD on a 35-yard run. He has thrown the football much better in 2023. Daniels completed 15/21 passes for 259 yards and a score. He also ran the ball 15 times for 130 yards and a TD. I would be surprised if Daniels isn’t one of the six Senior Bowl QBs.
Aside from Caleb Williams, there may not be a quarterback playing at a higher level on a national level right now than Jayden Daniels pic.twitter.com/GuDlxylvDe
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) October 7, 2023
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers is the headline grabber for the team. However, Brian Thomas, Jr. has emerged as a reliable big-play threat. The 3rd-year pass catcher had an astounding 8 touchdown receptions coming into the game against Mizzou. Thomas left the win with another to go along with four catches for 66 yards.
The Bayou Bengals’ defense has been abysmal for most of the 2023 campaign. That doesn’t mean we won’t see a first-rounder selected from it. DL Maason Smith is working his way back from an injury but it looks like he is getting there. Smith recorded four tackles against Missouri, with a sack, and a pass deflection.
Mizzou QB Brady Cook came in with an SEC record streak for passes without an interception. Cook saw that streak end after 366. He threw two picks on the day, including a game-sealing pick-six. Cook impressed me, however. He quickly gets through his reads and throws a lovely ball from different arm angles.
Mizzou RB Cody Schrader has played extremely well in 2023. Schrader transferred up from Division-II Truman State. Against LSU, he showed elusiveness in the open field and ran hard in the hole. Schrader touched the ball 15 times for 125 yards and two scores.
TEXAS STATE @ LOUISIANA
The best prospect that actually played in this game may be Louisiana IOL A.J. Gillie. Gillie is a squatty blocker (6’2″ 312) at left guard. He is not much of a puller but is quite strong at the point of attack.
Former Arkansas QB Malik Hornsby transferred to Texas State with starter aspirations. That isn’t happening. At this point, Hornsby must embrace a position switch to running back or wide receiver.
Speaking of Bobcat wide receivers, I liked what I saw from diminutive pass catcher Ashtyn Hawkins. The 5’10” 170-pounder caught eight balls for 93 yards against ULL. Hawkins showed good body control and high point ability. Unfortunately for TSU, he put the ball on the turf on a catch-and-run late with the game on the line.
MICHIGAN @ MINNESOTA
I am still not convinced that Michigan’s JJ McCarthy is the third-best passer in this class as I have seen in some places. McCarthy did what he needed to do as a part of the Wolverines’ 52-10 win over Minnesota. He completed 14/20 for 219 yards and a score. McCarthy added another two rushing TDs in their week six contest.
In a running back class looking for a leader, Michigan RB Blake Corum could be that guy. Corum was heading toward a Top-100 spot a year ago before an injury. He wasn’t asked to do much against the Gophers. Corum carried the ball nine times for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Michigan may be a rare team that sees all five starting offensive linemen drafted. Karsen Barnhart, Drake Nugent, Zak Zinter, LaDarius Henderson, and Trevor Keegan neutralized the Minnesota defense all night. And that doesn’t even include Myles Hinton, Giovanni El-Hadi, or Trente Jones. Those three will all be drafted at some point as well.
Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin is the only prospect for their team I currently view as draftable. Nubin finished with seven tackles (six solos).
ARIZONA @ SOUTHERN CAL
This was not the most stellar performance from Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams. He did just enough to save his team from a shocker loss to Arizona. Williams completed 14/25 passes for 205 yards and a TD. Williams was sacked four times. He added another 65 yards rushing and two scores as well. Williams, barring something wild, will be the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Mostly because he can do things like this:
this throw tho 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/aBsUQD24Sp
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 8, 2023
Even without their starting quarterback Jayden de Laura, Jacob Cowing had an impressive day. The former UTEP wide receiver caught 10 of his 13 targets for 88 yards and FOUR scores.
Keep an eye out on Arizona TE Tanner McLachlan. The Southern Utah transfer has great size (6’5″ 240) and is a reliable target. McLachlan caught three balls for 28 yards and a TD.
EVERYTHING ELSE
There hasn’t been an emergence from this year’s running back crop. Is Texas RB Jonathon Brooks going to be that guy?
Soooo this RB class has been underwhelming, Jonathon Brooks RB1? pic.twitter.com/7YwJ75zWad
— Andrew Harbaugh (@AHarbaugh_) October 7, 2023
Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley continues to show why I think he can end up as a Top-100 selection.
Nobody in this year’s draft is more physical with ball in their hands than @WKUFootball wideout Malachi Corley. 👀#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/XolK5U8gPU
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) October 6, 2023
Laiatu Latu is my #8 overall prospect in this class. He continues to get better each and every week.
#UCLA EDGE/OLB Laiatu Latu vs. Washington State
His first half performance is the best half that I’ve seen from a defensive prospect so far this season. Watch his effort. pic.twitter.com/ERVtWKsMXY
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 8, 2023
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