Monday Movers | Massive QB Showdown, Explosive RB Class and Underrated WR Prospects

QB Showdown Between Heisman Finalists

This week’s 49-52 game between Tennessee and Alabama was a barnburner for the ages. Tennessee snapped a 16 year drought in the rivalry with a huge win over the Crimson Tide, which now has legitimized the 6-0 start. If the season ended today, it is very likely that both Hendon Hooker and Bryce Young would be Heisman finalists, with Hooker likely being the favorite. Young, who entered the season as a NFL draft favorite, has continued to check the boxes necessary to be selected in the 1st round. Hendon Hooker has been one of the biggest risers and is starting to look like a top dog, despite being one of the oldest players in college football. I continue to worry a bit about the age…Hooker is not just on the older end of the draft class, but he would enter the NFL older than roughly a third of the NFL starting QBs. Yes, QB is a position that guys can play in the league for a long time, but what does that tell us about development, ceiling and potential window?

Tennesse WR Jalin Hyatt continues to impress in the absence of Cedric Tillman. Hyatt is becoming a legit name that is gaining buzz following a 6 reception, 207 yard and 5 TD game over the Tide. On the other side, Alabama TE Cameron Latu is a name gaining traction in this solid tight end class. The Tennessee offensive line, spearheaded by Darnell Wright, held Will Anderson and the Alabama front 7 in check.

Forbes Under 40

Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes is a boom or bust prospect that continues to rise up my board. On Saturday, Forbes slowed down Kentucky’s air attack by allowing just 34 yards and had a big late game pick six. This season, he’s been picked on by opposing QBs and has been targeted 35 times, and has allowed 160 yards and 2 TDs. However, he’s now got 5 interceptions and 2 pick sixes, which brings his 3 year career total to 13 interceptions and 5 defensive TDs. It’s hard for me to get behind Forbes as a true lockdown corner, but his game resembles Trevon Diggs as a big play ballhawk and has elevated his draft stock as a Day 2 player.

Cats Rebound

Kentucky QB Will Levis had an underwhelming day, but made the most of his 23 pass attempts with 230 passing yards and a TD. RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been a name on my radar since his freshman season with the Wildcats and seems to have found his footing following a team suspension. On Saturday, Rodriguez was the team’s MVP with 196 rushing yards and a pair of TDs. The preseason All-SEC RB is another name to add to this deep RB class.

Wilson Continues to Clear

Texas Tech Edge Tyree Wilson continues his hot-streak on Saturday and added 4 more pressures and a sack to his godly totals. Wilson now has 7 sacks and his 31 pressures lead all of FBS football.

Johnston’s Breakout Continues

TCU Star WR Quentin Johnston had a slow start to the season, but has no pieced together two huge back-to-back performances against top 20 opponents. This week, Johnston took 8 receptions for 180 yards and a TD in a highlight filled performance against #8 Oklahoma State and has played a big role in securing TCU a Top 10 ranking. For a minute, it was looking like we can write off Johnston as an overhyped receiver, but now his production and freakish traits combine to rank him near the top of the class.

Huskies Continue to Click

The Washington Huskies’ connection between QB Michael Penix Jr. and WR Rome Odunze has been one of the most dynamic in college football and certainly has scouts following closely. The two have now connected 44 times for 693 yards and 6 TDs, which is a huge reason why they sit at 5-2 this season. To add to the overall production, Odunze has been HOT over the past 4 games, as he has collected 8, 8, 9 and 9 receptions…all for over 115 yards, respectively. Odunze is a guy that is raising up my Big Board this fall and has started to gain comparisons to DK Metcalf due to his 6’3″ 200lbs frame and 4.4 speed. I’d say it’s fair to say he plays with shades of DK, but I’ll let him gain 35 lbs and run a millisecond faster before I truly compare the two.

Tiger D Elite…by NFL Standards

The LSU Tigers may not be CFP contenders, but that defense is the real deal. Edge BJ Ojulari has been one of the most dominant edge rushers in college football and added another 7 pressure game against Florida. CB Mekhi Garner was dominant in coverage and allowed 0 catches and a 39.6 passer rating when targeted.

Best of the Rest

UGA continues to look great, but the guy I am now most interested in may surprise you. Bulldog TE Darnell Washington has been one of the most improved players in college football and certainly should be at the top of your TE rankings. The 6’7″ 270 lbs monster has been a run blocking machine, but also has shown incredible athleticism for a big guy. Illinois RB Chase Brown has already crossed 1,000 yards through just seven games, which makes that back-to-back seasons. On Saturday, Brown had 44 touches for 233 yards and a TD. Michigan RB Blake Corum continues to look so awesome and a contender at the top of the class with Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs and Texas RB Bijan Robinson. Nebraska WR Trey Palmer put on a clinic against Purdue and took 7 receptions for 237 yards and a pair of TDs. Palmer and Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson continue to be two of the most slept on prospects, as they continue to produce week by week. Look for those two guys to start showing up as Day 2 prospects. Utah TE Dalton Kincaid has been one of the top receiving TEs in the nation and had a 16 reception, 234 yard game over USC on Saturday. Ole Miss QB Jaxon Dart was a name I have been hearing as a 2024 prospect, but there’s a lot of work to be done before that hype is legit. He looked horrible in the pocket against the Auburn Tigers and frequently was bailing or showing horrible mechanics and footwork. The sophomore completed just 9 passes, while the team rushed the ball 69 times.