Spotlight #1: Ohio State C Mike Brewster

Spotlight #2: Miami WR Travis Benjamin 

1^st quarter

12:27: Brewster getting excellent push on every play, especially this one. There’s a reason why he’s the top center in this class.

11:11: Travis Benjamin takes nothing and turns it into a 24 yard return. He’s so fast.

3:20: Miami interception thanks to a tip up by Sean Spence, Miami’s middle linebacker. Spence, a great coverage linebacker and the heart and soul of Miami’s defense, is currently a day 2 pick.

1:55: Everything Brewster has done today has been picture perfect, great snap, great hand use, pushing his man back.

2^nd quarter

12:11: Brewster opens up another big run by the running back. Jordan Hall has 65 yards on 6 carries mostly running inside thanks to Michael Brewster. Brewster is definitely winning his matchup with Miami defensive tackle Marcus Forston, a borderline first round pick.

8:19: Great 2^nd level block by Brewster on a broken play turned first down by the Ohio State running back. Nice play by the running back too, breaking a couple tackles.

3:34: Benjamin doesn’t even have a target tonight, but he has a decent kick return here.

 

3^rd quarter

14:46: Fake end around to Benjamin, then Benjamin catches the ball on the flat and turns it into a 7 yard gain.

3:43: Brewster hasn’t had to move a lot, but he moves pretty well.

1:15: Brewster had to run outside and block an outside rusher. He didn’t do very well. This is the first time tonight he’s struggled.

0:42: Brewster had an amazing first half, but he’s struggled a bit in the 2^nd half. Here he allows a tackle for a loss. Miami’s defensive line is getting much more push in the 2^nd half than it was in the first.

0:11: Lamar Miller has been the most impressive player on the field tonight. He has 167 yards on 21 carries through 3 quarters. He’s 5-11 215 and has homerun hitter speed. He’s very patient and very shifty. He’s only a redshirt sophomore, but he could be a first round pick when he comes out if he keeps this up. Along with Michael Dyer and Marcus Lattimore, he could form one of the best RB classes in a while in 2013.

4^th quarter

14:53: Travis Benjamin catches the ball on the flat and is able to convert the short first down. He was wide open, however, and didn’t particularly show his game breaking and tackle breaking ability. He’s not having a great night. However, it’s his first game back and his quarterback Jacory Harris isn’t having a good night either with as many interceptions as completions for 10+ yards (2). Lamar Miller has been their offense.

0:00: Travis Benjamin didn’t do much at all. We’ll have to see how this continues. A lot of that can be blamed on missing two games and poor quarterback class, but at the same time, he was a borderline prospect coming into this game. I think if he gets drafted, it’ll be as a kick returner. Michael Brewster, meanwhile, backed up his 1^st round grade. He was phenomenal in his matchup with Marcus Forston, who could see his stock slip following this game.

Meanwhile, Lamar Miller had a coming out party of sorts. He had 26 carries for 184 yards. He runs with power. He runs with speed. He’s shifty and smart. Pass catching and pass blocking are the only flaws in his game right now. I won’t spotlight him this season because he’s a redshirt sophomore and I prefer to focus on guys that are likely coming out this year. However, it could make sense for him to declare this season. He wouldn’t have to compete with Michael Dyer and Marcus Lattimore and most of the players who declare as redshirt sophomores are running backs because of how short their shelf lives are.