Week Two of college football saw some wild outcomes. I watched four games during the week one slate of contests. None were overly competitive or exciting.
Each week, I will look back at the top prospect performances from the games I watched the previous week.
WEEK TWO PROSPECT REWIND
ILLINOIS @ KANSAS
Kansas QB Jalon Daniels was beginning to ascend draft rankings last year before an injury derailed him. Now Daniels is showing again that he needs to be talked about. Against Illinois, he showed a nice touch down the field and great ball placement. Daniels excelled at escaping the pressure. He finished 21/29 with 277 yards two touchdowns and had an interception.
Third down.
Deep in your own territory.
Jer’Zhan Newton bearing down on you.No problem for #Kansas QB Jalon Daniels. He continues to get better and better. Strong performance last night in win over Illinois. pic.twitter.com/grxmnUDH2T
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 9, 2023
The Jayhawks ran the ball all over the Illini. Devin Neal had 14 touches with 167 yards. Daniel Hishaw Jr. was not on our watchlist before this week. His pass blocking is some of the best I have seen this year. Hishaw runs hard as well, finishing with 98 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.
The best prospect for Illinois is DL Jer’Zhan Newton. Newton consistently pressured Daniels. He recorded six solo tackles and two sacks.
TROY @ KANSAS STATE
The versatility of Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe is what is going to get him to the NFL. His blocking ability will get him drafted high. Beebe started at left guard for the Wildcats. He then shifted to right tackle. Beebe could play left tackle in a pinch. I bet if he gets to the Senior Bowl he will play some center that week.
I was impressed with the open-field ability, both receiving and returning, from KSU WR Phillip Brooks. Brooks finished with 178 all-purpose yards and two TDs.
I like Troy edge rusher Richard Jibunor. However, he needs to do a better job of staying disciplined in the run game when setting the edge.
SOUTHERN MISS @FLORIDA STATE
Florida State WR Keon Coleman is a ridiculous athlete. The Michigan State transfer obliterated LSU last week. He gets to top speed at Ferrari levels. Had they needed him, I am sure he would have put up a ridiculous line against Southern Miss. Instead he finished with three catches for 48 yards and a score.
Florida State WR Keon Coleman doing Keon Coleman things.
This catch + run after catch ?
The end zone view is worth sticking around for too pic.twitter.com/E9sHaxuJ4j
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 11, 2023
FSU WR Johnny Wilson has tight end size but he drops the ball way too often. He had five targets against USM…catching zero.
Noles RB Trey Benson has a great burst and good vision. He had ten touches against the Golden Eagles for 99 yards and three scores.
Southern Miss RB Frank Gore, Jr. ran hard and broke some tackles. He had one decent run but his offensive line was overmatched. Gore had 11 carries for 31 yards.
AUBURN @ CAL
Auburn CB DJ James has a chance to be a top-100 prospect. Against Cal, James had five solo tackles and the game-sealing interception.
Auburn TE Rivaldo Fairweather (FIU transfer) has a nice size (6’4″ 245) and blocks decently. His receiving skills are improving. Against Cal, he caught the go-ahead TD in the 4th quarter, finishing with three receptions for 39 yards.
Cal LB Jackson Sirmon was robbed of a fumble recovery TD in the first quarter when referees blew the whistle too soon. He finished with seven tackles.
EVERYTHING ELSE
Utah safety Cole Bishop has made an early impact in the Utes’ first two wins. He has a chance to be a day-two player as well.
Utah S Cole Bishop has been phenomenal through two weeks.
Such an explosive, instinctive support defender and attacker at the LOS, who can also make plays like this in coverage.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) September 9, 2023
New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube is looking like former Northern Iowa RB David Johnson. He caught 12 passes for 295 yards and two TDs in a 3-point loss to Central Michigan. Laube will be an interesting name to track this season.
? The Reese’s Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Week is @UNH_Football RB Dylan Laube @dylan_laube with 12 receptions for 295 yards and 2 TDs, AND 7 carries, for 30 yards and 1 rushing TD. #CAT2UNT4MED ? #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/g3ySoO4WjL
— Reese’s Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) September 11, 2023
Read my other work here: