This section breaks down many college football games each week and highlights how 2020 NFL Draft Prospects have performed. Or look at the 2020 NFL Draft Stock page.
By Charlie Campbell.
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Oklahoma 48, UCLA 14
Late in the first quarter, Lamb found an opening when Hurts scrambled and Lamb broke off his route to run into a wide-open window. Hurts tossed an easy pass to Lamb, who coasted into the end zone with a 39-yard touchdown reception. He scored again just before halftime, showing his running ability on an end around to dart into the end zone from a yard out with an impressive cut to knife between two defenders.
Lamb is making the most of his opportunities, but over the course of the season, it could end up hurting his draft slot if his production is suppressed. The 2020 NFL Draft looks like a strong class of receivers, and team sources say that Lamb is not one to blaze an ultra-fast 40. Thus, having lots of tape showing his good hands, route-running, and receiving production is important. Lamb looks like a first-rounder right now, but having Hurts at quarterback could end up hurting him.
Virginia 31, Florida State 24
On Florida State’s first offensive play from scrimmage, Terry got open in zone coverage to get a gain of 28 yards before Hall made the tackle. Terry added a reception in front of Hall on a comeback route a few plays later. Terry was just too quick and sudden for Hall. Early in the second quarter, Terry got open on an out route against Hall, once again gaining space coming out the break. Terry created some separation on a stop route and then broke a tackle from Hall to get a gain of 18 yards.
In the third quarter, Terry had a ball ripped out of his hands by a linebacker just after snatching it. Terry should have held onto the ball, but it was a hard hit from a bigger defender. Early in the fourth quarter, Terry made a big play with the game tied as he made a leaping grab in the middle of the field to convert a third-and-10 while taking a big shot from the safety. Terry got open despite a double team that was sent his direction on the play.
With less than 90 seconds remaining, Terry burned Hall on a double move. Hall showed poor eye discipline and bit on the fake, which let Terry get wide open running behind him. Hall got lucky as Florida State quarterback James Blackman overthrew Terry on what would should have been a 50-yard touchdown to tie the game. It was a great route by Terry, an ugly play by Hall, and a horrible throw by Blackman.
A few plays later, Terry had Hall beaten again running vertically down the middle of the field. All Hall could do was grab Terry, and it correctly drew a flag. Terry ended up catching four passes for 78 yards, but he could have had a huge night if Blackman had thrown more accurately.
Terry got the better of Hall throughout the night. Terry was too fast and fluid for Hall, as the aggressive corner consistently allowed Terry to get open. Hall struggled with the quick-twitch suddenness of Terry, letting the big wideout generate separation coming out of breaks. Hall looks stiff-hipped and not that twitchy. This tape will help Terry to be a first- or second-round pick.
Given his struggles with a future pro wideout like Terry, Hall looks like he would be better off in a zone scheme or playing press man. But he really struggled in off man. Hall also might be a candidate to move to safety. This tape will definitely hurt his draft grade.
Alabama 47, South Carolina 23
Tagovailoa distributed the ball to start the game, perfectly executing a play-action fake to draw coverage away from running back Najee Harris leaking out the backside of the play to get open for a 24-yard touchdown. Tagovailoa then hit wide receiver Henry Ruggs on a slant and he exploded down the field for an 81-yard touchdown.
With South Carolina hanging tough in the game in the third quarter, Tagovailoa had a pretty play with a rusher coming free to his face and Tagovailoa got off the pass to hit a slant to Devonta Smith, and he darted downfield for a 42-yard touchdown.
Tagovailoa made a play at the end of the third quarter that looked simple, but it illustrates why he is a top NFL prospect. On a third-and-3, he scanned his options before throwing a perfect dart on an out route to the sideline on the far hash side of the field. The pass hit his receiver in the hands, leading him open to beat good coverage from the South Carolina cornerback. That kind of throw is exactly what pro evaluators want to see from college quarterbacks.
Tagovailoa added his fifth touchdown through the air in garbage time. He completed 28-of-36 passes for 444 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Tagovailoa is an aggressive passer who doesn’t hesitate to challenge defenses downfield. He throws a very good deep ball, showing a quality arm and an ability to place his passes well downfield. He may not have an elite cannon, but his arm looks good enough. In the pocket, Tagovailoa shows patience and doesn’t panic when his first read is covered. With presence and feel, Tagovailoa has the ability to function in a vertical passing offense. Tagovailoa is a steady passer who has good accuracy, and that was visible against South Carolina. This tape will help him to be a high first-round pick.
Kinlaw got an early sack of Tagovailoa as he whipped the right guard with speed and chased down Tagovailoa from behind to drag him down as he tried to step up in the pocket. Two plays later, Kinlaw got in on another sack of Tagovailoa. Kinlaw came on a stunt to get leverage on the center to collapse the pocket while joining a teammate at the quarterback.
The first thing that stands out about Kinlaw is his size. He is a tall, thick, good-looking athlete. After passing the eyeball test, it’s apparent that Kinlaw has some special ability, as he really fires off the ball. He is quick to close and has strength to fight off blockers. Kinlaw (6-6, 310) gets in trouble when he stands up too high. Working on his technique will help him to get more out of his excellent skill set. Kinlaw has early-round ability, and if he plays up to it, he could be a Thursday night pick.
McKinney gave up a reception on a curl route in front of him for a gain of 27 yards. He had some good coverage on a tight end to force an incompletion, but later allowed another reception in front of him for about 20 yards while also having some missed tackles. Both of them will need to play better in the weeks to come to avoid damage to their draft grade.
Harris had a highlight-reel play on a 42-yard touchdown reception. He ran a nice crossing route to get open and darted downfield. He shook a hard hit and tackle to maintain his feet and then hurdled a tackler before flying into the end zone. He ran for 36 yards on seven carries with five receptions for 87 yards and two scores. The receiving production will really help Harris, and this game gives him a much needed jolt to his draft stock.
Arizona State 10, Michigan State 7
Benjamin dropped an early pass on a checkdown, and he wasn’t finding good running lanes as the Spartans’ front seven was overwhelming the Sun Devil offensive line. Benjamin did a nice job of blocking pass protection for a lot of the game, but he made two big plays late in the fourth quarter. The first was a reception of six yards to get Arizona State a critical first down on its game-winning drive. Benjamin ultimately scored a touchdown, extending the ball over the goal line to get his team the winning score.
Benjamin ran for 38 yards on 11 carries with two receptions for 11 yards. While this was not an electric performance, it showed that Benjamin is versatile with three-down potential for the NFL.
Willikes is a quick edge rusher with a good motor and the strength to shed blocks, but he looks like he could lack length and weight to be a three-down starter in a 4-3 defense. His best fit might come as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Willikes might be a quality second-day pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Kansas State 31, Mississippi State 24
Guidry had a pass that was a little high bounce off his hands and get intercepted. It was a catch that should have been made and comes on the heels of a bad drop from Guidry a week ago. Guidry later used his speed to get by the cornerback, and the safety was in poor position so Guidry was wide open for an 81-yard touchdown, but the pass was awful to fly out of bounds. After that, Guidry was quiet, but it wasn’t all his fault as the Bulldog quarterbacks were awful. Guidry needs to be more sure-handed and make the most of his opportunities in the weeks to come in order to rehabilitate his draft stock.
Ohio State 51, Indiana 10
Young should have recorded his third sack of the game right after halftime, as he burned the left tackle, but Young missed the tackle to let the quarterback escape for an incompletion. Shortly later, Young’s day ended as Ohio State pulled their starters.
This tape will help Young to be a high first-rounder, as he showed the ability to get after the quarterback with speed, some variety in moves, he had the strength to fight through blocks, and was instinctive to track down ball carriers. Young looks like a future pick in the top half of the first round. He’s slotted to the Giants in our 2020 NFL Mock Draft.
Early in the third quarter, Dobbins got open a route in the flat and he hauled in a short touchdown pass with a defender closing on him. Dobbins totaled 193 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown rushing to go with two receptions for 14 yards and a score. He showed speed, strength, vision and big-play ability. This tape will help his draft grade.
Okudah showed some physicality early on with a hard hit on a ball carrier along the sideline. Indiana wide receiver Donovan Hale blocked off Okudah later during the drive on a comeback route for a 12-yard gain. Other than that, Okudah was superb. Okudah ran with Nick Westbrook on a deep post in the second quarter, and Okudah slapped the ball out of Okudah’s hands for an incompletion. He was running the route with ease preventing separation and blanketing receivers. Okudah is fast, athletic, big and physical. He is a tough player and willing tackler. If Okudah can show more ball skills as a junior, he has high first-round potential.
Arnette started the game breaking up a jump ball fade pass in the end zone to prevent a touchdown. With the pass coming over his shoulder, Arnette did not look back at the ball but he was able to slash it out of the hands of the receiver once it dropped in over his head. Shortly later, Arnette was called for a pass interference on a slant. Arnette was way too physical with the receiver.
Arnette was in zone coverage on a third-and-goal at the end of the third quarter. Arnette read the quarterback’s eyes to jump the route and pick off the pass. He sprinted down the field for a 97-yard pick-six. This was a good tape from Arnette, and he played the ball much better than he did a week ago against Cincinnati. If Arnette continues to show improvement me could end up getting day two consideration.
Ball had a good pressure early on versus Justin Fields, as he came off the edge, bounced off the left tackle and almost grabbed Fields, but got hit again as he continued to fight off offensive linemen to hound Fields while drawing an illegal block penalty. It was an impressive play showing Ball’s strength to fight blockers that are much larger than him. Ball contributed to some tackles, but did not have the opportunity to make some big plays. This tape won’t hurt or help Ball’s draft grade significantly.
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