10/15/11 12 PM ET (ESPN3 Replay)
Louisville at Cincinnati
RB Isaiah Pead (Cincinnati) #23
The senior running back rushed for 1029 yards and 6 touchdowns on 157 carries in 2010 and currently projects as a mid round pick in 2012. He’s a decent pass catcher with 26 catches in 2010, but he plays out of a weird scheme and doesn’t have great size at 5-10 200. He doesn’t have the breakaway speed to make up for it so he seems destined for day 3, but he is moving up with 473 yards and 7 scores on 72 carries, with 8 catches for 54 yards and another score.
DT Derek Wolfe (Cincinnati) #95
Wolfe started the season as a borderline day 2/day 3 prospect with 8 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in the past 2 years. He is moving up boards right now with 4 sacks and 7 tackles for loss already this season through 5 games. The 6-5 295 defensive tackle would fit best as a 3-4 defensive end, but he could also stay in a 4-3 as an under tackle at the next level.
10/15/11 10 PM ET (ESPN3 Replay)
Utah State at Fresno State
OLB Bobby Wagner (Utah State) #9
The 2011 preseason WAC defensive player of the year, Wagner had 246 tackles from 2009-2010. He’s a bit undersized at 6-1 230, but projects as a nice depth linebacker and special teamer at the next level. He’ll have a chance to prove he can be more than that. He started the season well with 10 tackles and a sack against Auburn. Through 5 games, he has 61 tackles, 2.5 for loss, a sack and a pick. He’s moving up draft boards a bit, but still projects as a day 3 guy.
DT Logan Harrell (Fresno State) #77
Harrell is one of the leaders in tackles for loss in Division 1 with 10 this season, coming off of a strong game against Boise State, one of his few chances to prove himself against an elite team. He has 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks on the season, but at 6-2 275 he won’t be able to play defensive tackle at the next level. It’s unclear if he projects well to 3-4 defensive end or 4-3 defensive end at that size either and he doesn’t possess a great 40 time. Combine that with his level of competition and he will probably get buried in day 3.
10/8/11 7 PM ET (ESPN3 replay)
Vanderbilt at Alabama
CB Casey Hayward (Vanderbilt) #19
When last I saw Casey Hayward, he was doing an admirable job on Alshon Jeffery against South Carolina. He limited Jeffery, a potential top 10 pick, to 2 catches, though poor quarterback play by South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia had a lot to do with that as well. He also had 2 picks in that game, though again, that has a lot to do with Garcia. Alabama’s passing attack is a little better so this should be a better test for Hayward, who has 12 career interceptions and is gaining some buzz as a potential late first round pick.
MLB Dont’a Hightower (Alabama) #30
Hightower is finally healthy and putting it all together. The big 6-4 260 pound linebacker has 29 tackles through 5 games in the middle of Alabama’s 3-4 defense and could end up a first round pick if he keeps this up and continues to prove his health. He was a popular name as a potential first rounder before his injuries, taking over for Rolando McClain inside for Alabama and now that he’s healthy again, he’s starting to get mocked in that range again.
ESPN3 Replays
9/24/11 3:30 PM ET
Clemson at Florida State
DE Brandon Jenkins (Florida State) #49
Jenkins burst onto the scene with 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss last season and has bulked up to 6-3 265 for the 2011 season, in an effort to remain a 4-3 player as he heads to the NFL after this season. Jenkins will need to pick up it if he wants to remain a first rounder. He hds just 1 sack and 3 tackles for loss in his first 3 this year heading into this game
OT Andrew Datko (Florida State) #67
After Matt Kalil, Jonathan Martin, and Riley Reiff, this is a very thin offensive tackle class. For this reason, the athletic 320 pound Datko has a good chance to move into the mid-to-late first round range and go to a tackle needy team. He plays on Florida State’s left side and is a question mark for the rest of the season after shoulder surgery so I’m watching him in this replay.
10/22 7:15 PM ET
Alabama at Tennessee
DT Josh Chapman (Alabama) #99
Josh Chapman doesn’t make a huge impact on the stat sheet with 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss on the season, but the 6-1 310 nose tackle is great at tying up blockers and making things happen for the linebacker behind him in Alabama’s 3-4 defense. He’s gaining some steam as a potential 2nd or even late 1st rounder.
WR Marquis Maze (Alabama) #4
Alabama’s #2 receiver last year after Julio Jones, Maze caught 38 passes for 557 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2010. As the #1 guy now as a senior, he has 34 catches for 376 yards and a score in 7 games. He’s also got value as a punt returner, averaging 10 yards per return this year. He’s also scored on special teams. The 5-10 180 receiver looks like a late rounder overall.
10/22 8 PM ET
Wisconsin at Michigan State
RB Montee Ball (Wisconsin) #28
Montee Ball has 18 touchdowns on the year, 16 rushing, 1 receiving, and 1 passing on a trick player. He’s also rushed for 653 yards on 107 carries, after rushing for 996 yards and 18 scores on 163 carries last year. He also has caught 7 passes for 166 yards and a score after 16 catches for 128 yards last year. After John Clay went down with an injury last year, Ball rushed for 777 yards and 16 scores on 114 carries in 5 games. He’s 5-11 215 and runs more powerful than his size and he’s got decent speed to boot. I’m really looking forward to him going against Michigan State’s awesome defensive line, which features the top defensive tackle prospect in this draft class, Jerel Worthy.
WR BJ Cunningham (Michigan State) #3
The senior receiver for Michigan State is having a huge year with 42 catches for 621 yards and 2 scores in 6 games, after being fairly non-productive in 2010 with 50 catches for 611 yards and 9 touchdowns. The 6-2 215 pound receiver is moving up boards fast and could end up in day 2 if he keeps this up.
10/22 3:30 PM ET
Texas A&M at Iowa State
OT Kelechi Osemele (Iowa State) #72
Moving from guard to left tackle, Osemele has played well, but probably belongs at right tackle or guard at the next level. The big 6-5 345 offensive lineman obviously is better against the run than the past and belongs in a power blocking scheme, but he has held his own as a left tackle against the opponent’s best pass rusher this season in the Big 12. He’ll be tested this week by Texas A&M’s Sean Porter, a speedy rusher with 7.5 sacks on the season, leading the nation.
RB Cyrus Gray (Texas A&M) #32
Cyrus Gray was the 2nd string running back to Christine Michael in 2009, rushing for 757 yards and 5 scores on 159 carries, with 28 catches for 221 yards and 2 scores. However, when Michael got hurt in 2010, Gray took over as the lead back and rushed for 1133 yards and 12 touchdowns on 200 carries with 34 catches for 251 yards and 1 touchdown. However, Michael is back this year and running better than him so the senior Gray has not seen the field as much, rushing for 521 yards and 7 touchdowns on 113 carries with 13 catches for 112 yards and a score. Obviously, he’s slipping from the potential day 2 prospect he was going into this season.
10/22 12 PM ET
North Carolina at Clemson
DT Brandon Thompson (Clemson) #98
Not a big stat guy, but a stud against the run at 6-2 310 and frequently takes on multiple blockers, playing a 2 gap 4-3 nose tackle type position, freeing things up for Clemson’s Andre Branch, an elite pass rusher. He did the same thing for Da’Quan Bowers last year. This year, Thompson has 27 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and .5 sacks.
TE Dwayne Allen (Clemson) #83
Allen could be the first tight end off the board in this weak tight end class. He has 27 catches for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns in 6 games this season and has been on fire in his past 5, with 29 catches for 312 yards and 3 scores in his past 4, all against tough competition, Auburn, Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Boston College. His suspect blocking could hurt his stock, but the 6-4 255 tight end has the size to become a better blocker. He’s also got great speed and great hands and is 2nd on the team behind stud freshman wide receiver Sammy Watkins in receiving yards.
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