Week Three of college football was supposed to be a hum-drum week of action. Instead, we got some wild results. I watched four games during the week three slate of contests.Â
Each week, I will look back at the top prospect performances from the games I watched the previous week.
WEEK THREE PROSPECT REWIND
VIRGINIA @ MARYLAND
Not a lot went right for the Hoos on Friday night. The only standout performer for me was from EDGE Kam Butler. The sixth-year defender needs to get stronger as a run defender. However, he has a nice array of rush moves when getting after the quarterback. Butler finished with four tackles, two for loss, and a sack.
Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa is still not as accurate of a passer as he needs to be. He is still struggling with ball placement. Tagovailoa finished 19/30 for 342 yards and a touchdown.
With all the receiving talent the Terrapins had last year, Jesuan Jones was still their go-to guy. Jones continues to benefit from the connection with Tagovailoa. he ran a great out-and-up to beat the corner for a TD. Jones finished with five catches for 96 yards.
I was high on LB Reuben Hyppolite II prior to last season. Unfortunately, his play didn’t match his 2021 performance. Hyppolite seems to be back on track but still has things to work on. I would like him to diagnose a little quicker than he does. Hyppolite had six tackles (five solos) against UVA.
SOUTH CAROLINA @ GEORGIA
I was glad to see South Carolina hang with Georgia for most of the game. They led 14-3 at the half before allowing 21 unanswered.
Georgia leaned on their run game in the second half as the Carolina defense looked gassed. 4th-year RB Daijun Edwards is a hard runner with burst. He had 118 yards on the ground on 20 carries with a TD. Edwards may be the next Georgia back in a long line to the NFL.
Bulldogs TE Brock Bowers didn’t do a whole lot down the field. Most of his catches were at or near the line of scrimmage. Bowers is undersized for a traditional tight end. However, he is an excellent blocker. Against South Carolina, Bowers had seven receptions for 54 yards on nine targets.
UGA stud offensive tackle Amarius Mims had his ankle rolled on in the first half and never returned. The timeframe for the potential first-rounder’s return is unknown at the time.
Gamecocks’ passer Spencer Rattler fell into some bad habits in the fourth quarter on a couple of desperation heaves. For the most part, he had a solid outing before then. Rattler finished 22/42 for 256 yards and one TD with two picks. He was also the USC leading rusher with 35 yards.
Keep an eye going forward for South Carolina DL T.J. Sanders. The third-year defender wreaked havoc in the first half, consistently dominating Georgia upfront. He, along with the rest of the SC defense became worn down late in the game. Sanders’ numbers were eye-opening, however. He finished with nine tackles (8 solos!), two tackles for loss, a sack, and a PBU.
UL-MONROE @ TEXAS A&M
The prospects for ULM are few and far between. The only one of note is WR Tyrone Howell. Howell showed nice hands and good balance in the open field. He only caught two of his six targets for 40 yards. The QB play for the Warhawks isn’t exactly Burrow-esque.
It was a joy to watch former RB now WR Ainias Smith operate. The Texas A&M star looked great in the open field and runs routes like a veteran wideout. Smith caught seven of his eight targets for 127 yards.
I was looking forward to seeing Texas A&M OT Reuben Fatheree II but it appears he was injured and did not play.Â
SOUTH ALABAMA @ OKLAHOMA STATE
The Jags went into Boone-Pickens Stadium and wiped the floor with Oklahoma State. Led by RB La’Damian Webb, who ran all over the Pokes’ defense. Webb jumped on my radar last year and will stay high on it now. He finished with 18 carries for 151 yards and two scores. Webb sealed the game with a 65-yard score. He is a squatty back (5’7″). But at 208 pounds, Webb can run through arm tackles.
WR Caulin Lacy also beat up Okie State. The smaller WR (5’10” 190) smoked the OSU DBs to the tune of 104 yards on five catches. Lacy had two touchdowns, including a 57-yard catch and run.
South Alabama WR Caullin Lacy (@CaullinLacy) reached a max speed of 20.1 mph on this 57-yard TD pass from Carter Bradley (@carterbradley10). #ReelSpeed
🔗 https://t.co/orrD059ykP pic.twitter.com/F0KGdRQQnn
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) September 18, 2023
It is going to be a long year for the Cowboys. I am not sure if there is a draftable prospect on their roster.
EVERYTHING ELSE
Some major prospect injuries befell us this week. Including Southern Miss RB Frank Gore Jr. and Syracuse WR/TE Orande Gadsden II.
Frank Gore Jr. is exiting The Rock in a boot.
The Southern Miss star told me he’s doing well but is walking with a noticeable limp. pic.twitter.com/Zuy0UKKWZw
— Matt DeGregorio (@Matt_DeGregorio) September 17, 2023
Syracuse WR/TE Oronde Gadsden II announced that he will miss the rest of the 2023 season due to injury
18th ranked WR on PFF’s Big Board pic.twitter.com/3eHbhugmbb
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 16, 2023
Texas WR Xavier Worthy is insanely fast:
Xavier Worthy isn’t just fast
He’s NFL difference maker fast pic.twitter.com/y5qTafZ1Gq
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 17, 2023
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