Spotlight #1: Florida State OT Andrew Datko
Spotlight #2: Florida State DE Brandon Jenkins
1st quarter
13:50: Datko out of a 2 point stance, good burst off the ball on a 2nd level block.
11:07: Datko misses a 2nd level block, tackle for a loss.
10:28: Datko blown past with quick interior penetration to Datko’s right.
9:16: Jenkins frozen on a double team. Also on the play, talented Florida State redshirt sophomore cornerback Xavier Rhodes with a PI on a deep pass.
8:15: Jenkins getting dominated in his matchup early.
6:55: Datko stays with Andre Branch’s spin move well.
4:16: Jenkins not getting any pressure tonight. Clemson senior first year starting left tackle Phillip Price is dominating this matchup tonight.
0:58: Datko clears a huge hole on an 8 yard run for a first down.
2nd quarter
12:56: Jenkins taken down on a cut block.
12:32: Lazy effort by Jenkins. Looked like he gave up on this play.
11:31: Jenkins able to get into the backfield, but a roll out away from him.
10:55: Jenkins beats his man to the inside with a swim move, gets pressure and a hit.
10:16: Jenkins’ spin move goes nowhere and then he’s knocked down. I’ve been impressed with Phillip Price, the 1st year senior starter at left tackle for Clemson.
2:15: Datko misses a block on a failed 3rd and short conversion.
1:32: Jenkins able to draw a hold on Phillip Price.
1:13: Jenkins run at and he gets a tackle for no gain on a quarterback draw.
0:53: Brandon Jenkins with a sack. 3 great plays in a row by him to finish off a disappointing first half.
3rd quarter
14:15: Jenkins gets into the backfield, but misses a tackle for a loss.
13:36: Jenkins can’t change directions quickly on a potential tackle for loss.
13:08: Jenkins able to get a little pressure. This was a coverage pressure, great coverage by Florida State’s secondary.
11:07: Jenkins is able to get more pressure.
10:34: Just a note, Jenkins has had several plays where he lines up as a linebacker.
7:06: Jenkins is among others getting pressure, but then he gets knocked down.
6:06: Jenkins beats his man, but the back does a nice job of blocking him to prevent a sack or a pressure.
1:09: Datko whiffs on a cut block, allows pressure on a screen.
4th quarter
14:45: Jenkins blocked by Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen. Blocking is a popular knock on him.
12:27: Datko with a nice cut block.
3:39: Jenkins gets pressure, flushes the quarterback from the pocket.
2:46: Datko stays with Andre Branch’s spin move.
1:59: Datko allows a quarterback hit by Andre Branch, forces an errant throw and almost a pick.
1:37: Datko pancakes Branch.
0:00: Jenkins showed flashes of brilliance in this game, but was overall inconsistent and struggled with a left tackle in Phillip Price who is hardly an elite prospect. Through 7 games, Jenkins has just 26 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks, good, but hardly the 63 tackles, 21.5 for loss, and 13.5 sacks he had in 14 games last season. He’s really losing momentum as a first round prospect and could end up outside of the first round if he keeps this up.
As for Phillip Price, I was very impressed with him. He doesn’t get a lot of attention and he doesn’t have a lot of starting experience, but the 6-5 315 pound left tackle looked very good in his matchup with Jenkins, a talented pass rusher and a sure fire top two rounds pick. He’s worth a 2nd look in my opinion.
As for Andrew Datko, he didn’t have the best night, but he was matched up with a potential first round pick in Andre Branch and he held his own. He kept the athletic Branch, who now has 47 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and 7 sacks in 8 games, in check and proved himself to be a worth tackle at either left tackle or right tackle at the next tackle. He would be a fringe first round pick if he wasn’t missing the rest of the season with shoulder surgery. He’ll have to prove his health before the draft, otherwise, he could really slip. For now, I’d say the first round looks unlikely for him.
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