Wild Card Preview…Another Common Cowboys L? – DraftID Podcast
Dawgs on Top
The loaded Georgia Bulldogs pulled off another big win, this week against the inconsistent Florida Gators. Two underrated Georgia prospects that I continue to love this season are RB Kenny McIntosh and TE Darnell Washington and both continue to make flash plays that have given their offense an edge. Defensively, DB Christopher Smith and Edge Nolan Smith are steady risers this season and both have played up to their potential. Star DT Jalen Carter has been extremely limited this season and played just 20 snaps in his first game back since over a month ago, but he still was able to make a major impact and registered 4 pressures on 11 pass rushing snaps. Carter is my top rated interior DL and I am looking forward to see him play on a less limited basis this Saturday against #2 Tennessee. On the other side of the ball, Florida QB Anthony Richardson continues to struggle this year and has displayed major inconsistencies as a passer. The QB who seems to have all the traits now has thrown 7 TDs and 7 interceptions in 8 games this season.
Buckeyes Bounce Penn State
Ohio State QB CJ Stroud has had better games in his career, but as a prospect I love watching him play in games that aren’t total blowouts. The likely Heisman finalist kept a level head throughout the game, even as the Buckeyes struggled to get much going early in the game and at one point trailed 21-16. WR Marvin Harrison Jr. recorded 10 receptions for 185 yards and is looking like one of the top overall players in the 2024 class. I have also been a big fan of fellow 2024 prospects RB TreyVeon Henderson and WR Emeka Egbuka. Despite the loss, Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. had a solid outing and allowed just 23 yards. WR Parker Washington had a slow start to the season, but back-to-back games with solid tape certainly helps his stock.
Hooker Outduals Levis
In one of the bigger matchups of the week, breakout star QB Hendon Hooker routed the Kentucky Wildcats in a 44-6 blowout. Kentucky QB Will Levis has been praised for his arm attributes and gifted traits, but he struggled big time in the national spotlight. Production is one of the less important aspects for an NFL Draft prospect, but the fact that Levis has just 13 TDs to 8 interceptions this season in concerning. What is even worse is those numbers fall to 4 TDs and 5 interceptions in SEC play.
On the other side of the ball, Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker continues to ball out and threw for 3 TDs and ran for another. WR Jalin Hyatt extended his streak to three straight games with over 130+ yards and 2+ TDs and certainly now belongs in 1st round contention and a potential dark horse WR1 candidate. Tennessee has their biggest matchup of the season on Saturday as they travel to Athens to play the top ranked Georgia Bulldogs.
Corum Dominates the Spartans
Michigan RB Blake Corum has been one of the top producers in the entire nation and has firmly planted his draft stock as one of the top 3 RB prospects in the 2023 class. The biggest headline coming out of this game revolved around four poor losers on the Spartan side that physically assaulted a Michigan player outside of their locker room, but what Corum did to the Spartans was arguably even worse. The junior RB ripped off 177 yards and a pair of TDs to bury their in-state rivals 29-7. Despite the brutal losing season for Michigan State, I have my eye on two players with major upside. LB Jacoby Windmon has shown flashes that he could be a versatile defensive lineman/outside LB at the next level. WR Keon Coleman, who also plays on the Spartans basketball team, is an insanely athletic receiver who will be an intriguing 2024 prospect.
Horned Frogs Breakout Continues
The pair of TCU playmakers, RB Kendre Miller and WR Quentin Johnston, each extended their hot streak another week with a big win over the West Virginia Mountaineers. Miller had just 12 carriers, but managed 120 yards including a 51 yard TD. Johnston had a big 55 yard TD and now has four straight games with a score.
Bo Nix…for Heisman?
Oregon QB Bo Nix followed the best statistical game of his career with another stellar performance against California. Despite throwing 2 picks, Nix tossed the rock for 412 yards and 3 TDs while also adding 59 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Nix’s 31 TDs this season are more than CJ Stroud, Caleb Williams and Bryce Young…is it time that we start respecting Bo Nix as a legit Heisman candidate? The jury is still out on that one, but Bo Nix has played himself back into a draftable grade and ranks as a top 150 prospect.
Another Big Game for Wilson
Texas Tech Edge Tyree Wilson continues to dominate college football and is quickly becoming one of the top overall prospects. He not only has the freakish athlete with high caliber size and traits, but the edge rusher has been one of the top producers in the nation. Wilson recorded 6 pressures, 7 tackles and 3 run stops against Baylor. Wilson now leads the nation with 41 total pressures.
Checking Up on the Offensive Tackle Prospects
One position group that I have been pleasantly surprised with is the offensive tackles that are potentially entering the 2023 draft. Heading into the season, I had just one name (Peter Skoronski) circled as a player that I felt was comfortably locked into the 1st Round. Skoronski has played up to his potential but so have several others. Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. has taken over my top spot in the class and continued his strong season with another big game against the solid Penn State front 7. UGA OT Broderick Jones is another player that entered the season with buzz and has outplayed his potential. Maryland OT Jaelyn Duncan has shown tremendous upside and traits, but in my option is a bit more of a technical project. Lastly, Penn State OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu has been one of the highest risers in the entire draft class and has played himself into 1st round contention.
Best of the Rest
Top 5 WR prospect Jordan Addison missed this week’s game against Arizona, but QB Caleb Williams was just fine as he threw for 400 yards and 5 TDs. UNC QB Drake Maye is another 2024 prospect that I have loved watching and I believe that he would be the top overall QB in the 2023 class if he were eligible. UCLA RB Zach Charbonnette continues to roll and adds another 198 yards and 3 TDs to his totals. UAB RB DeWayne McBride is one of the biggest sleeper prospects and a guy that I could see joining a committee week 1 in the NFL. I could see Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn making an impact in the NFL, but at 5’6″ 175 I don’t think there is any chance he is draft before a late round flier. UNC WR duo of Josh Downs and Antoine Green both look like they could be solid Day 2 picks. SMU WR Rashee Rice had another solid outing with 9 receptions for 180 yards and 2 TDs.
My CFP Rankings
In honor of the CFP Rankings releasing on tuesday, here is how I have it:
1. Tennessee
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Alabama
6. TCU
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