This section breaks down many college football games each week and highlights how 2016 NFL Draft Prospects have performed. Or look at the 2016 NFL Draft Stock page (link coming soon).
By Charlie Campbell.
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UCLA 56, Arizona 30
Wright suffered a minor torn meniscus injury in the first game of the season and had surgery that sidelined him for the past two games. Wright returned to the field against UCLA but didn’t look as fluid or explosive as he was last season. He looked rusty, doing things like jumping offsides early on and missing multiple tackles on physical UCLA running back Paul Perkins.
Overall, this wasn’t a good performance from Wright, but you have to cut him slack as he had the knee injury just three weeks earlier. Wright’s 2014 tape was that of a first-round pick, so it will be interesting to see if he can return to that form in the weeks go come.
Ohio State 38, Western Michigan 12
On the Buckeyes’ first possession, Jones found wide receiver Michael Thomas (6-80) wide open for a 38-yard touchdown. He then lofted in an easy 37-yard touchdown pass to Jalin Marshall, who was uncovered streaking down the field. In the second quarter, Jones made a money throw lofting in a perfect toss for 40 yards deep downfield. Jones saw a free blitzer coming but still stepped into the hit to drop in a beautiful pass. It was a money play for the NFL.
Early in the third quarter, Jones threw a ball late up for grabs deep down the field and was fortunate it wasn’t intercepted. A few minutes later, the same scenario played out, but Jones had the ball picked off as he threw too short of his receiver rather leading the wideout to the back of the end zone when the cornerback was on his front hip. It was poor ball placement that caused the interception. There were some plays where Jones was holding onto the ball too long, but his receivers weren’t getting as open as one would expect with them going against Western Michigan.
Jones finished completing 19-of-33 for 288 yards with two scores and a pick. Overall, this was an improvement over Jones performance in Week 3 and 2, but he still clearly needs more development for the NFL. This tape will help to keep Jones as the starter and a valued prospect for the NFL.
Bosa had a quality game, but he wasn’t overwhelming. There were some one-on-ones that Bosa was blocked well by the left and right tackle. Bosa also saw some extra blocking attention. This tape won’t hurt his stock, but it didn’t look like a performance from a No. 1 overall pick.
Florida 28, Tennessee 27
Hargreaves wasn’t beaten in coverage, so this tape won’t hurt him in that regard. However, he had a bad missed tackle on Josh Dobbs to allow a chunk gain in the first half. In the fourth quarter, Hargreaves tried to rip a fumble out and missed the tackle on Dobbs, and that allowed him to spring free on a gain of 28. Overall, this wasn’t a bad performance, but it won’t help Hargreaves in some areas.
Robinson has had a slow start to the season, as he’s been in the doghouse with the Gators coaches. He totaled six receptions for 48 yards with some nice plays, but he also had a bad drop in the fourth quarter. Robinson needs to clean up his off the field act in order to get featured in the offense more. If that doesn’t turn around soon, his draft stock will take a hit.
Throughout the game, Bullard knifing into the backfield and disrupting plays. This was a really nice tape for him, and he looked like a second-day prospect in this performance.
Oklahoma State 30, Texas 27
After being quiet for most of the game, Ogbah got going in the fourth quarter with some big plays to help the Cowboys snatch the victory. He beat the right tackle with a speed rush around the edge to get a sack. Shortly later, Ogbah shed a block and dropped the running back in the backfield for a loss of one. Ogbah came back to get in on a couple of sacks of the quarterback scrambling, although they may not be credited as sacks because of a running quarterback.
Ogbah showed a nice burst off the snap and the strength to shed blocks. He saw a number of double teams and held his own while going against two blockers. Overall, this was a nice tape for him, and he looked like an early-rounder.
Early in the second quarter, Ridgeway pushed his way by two blockers and was closing on the quarterback when the ball was fumbled. Ridgeway scooped up the ball and ran 34 yards for a touchdown.
In the third quarter, Ridgeway split a double team from the right guard and center to start a sack of the quarterback. Ridgeway then spun off a guard and stuffed a back in the hole. A few plays later, Ridgeway had some pressure on a pick-six for Texas. In the fourth quarter, Ridgeway burned right by the guard to sack the quarterback. He stuffed two more runs later.
The 6-foot-3, 314-pound Ridgeway was overwhelming the interior of the Cowboys’ line with his size and strength. He showed the ability to be a stout run defender and collapse the pocket in the pass rush. Ridgeway gave his draft stock a real jolt with this game, and this should help him to grade out in the top half.
LSU 31, Syracuse 24
In the second quarter in a third-and-long, Alexander was beaten by a speed rush for a strip-sack. Alexander’s feet looked stuck in cement as the end faked to the inside and then darted around the corner to get to the quarterback. Alexander came back to blast open a hole for Fournette take off on a long touchdown run in the third quarter. Throughout the second half, Alexander was solid in the pass game and contributed to the rush attack with some big blocks at the point of attack. Still, that sack was an ugly play for Alexander that will work against his draft grade.
Alexander looks like an early-round prospect for the NFL. If he stays at right tackle, he is going to need some serious development to improve his ability to handle NFL speed rushers. He would probably be at his best – a shot at being special – if he played guard. Alexander could be a late first- or second-round pick if he continues to improve as a senior and follows it up with a strong Senior Bowl.
On a third-quarter punt return, White exploded down the middle of the field for a 69-yard touchdown. He made a few tacklers miss and used his speed to run away from the punt coverage team. Overall, this was a good tape from White that will help his chances of being a first-round pick.
South Carolina 31, Central Florida 14
In the second quarter, Cooper made a bad mistake on a punt return. He backed up to his 5-yard line and muffed the catch. The ball was recovered by Central Florida at the 2-yard line. Cooper should have let the ball go and roll into the end zone. That set up Central Florida to get their first score of the game. Late before the half, he had a touchdown reception go right through his hands.
Cooper came back to make some big plays in the third quarter. He took a throw back pass and looked to throw downfield, but everything was well covered. Cooper reversed field and exploded to dodge a few defenders to dart into the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown run. Shortly later, Cooper hauled in a 35-yard score. He beat the cornerback on a deep post and ran by the deep safety to make a leaping grab in the end zone.
Cooper finished with four receptions for 69 yards and three carries for 27 yards. If Cooper enters the 2016 NFL Draft, he could be a mid-round selection who probably will go no lower than the fourth round and no higher than the second. He looks like a slot receiver for the NFL who can be dangerous in the open field and pick up yards after the catch.
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