This section breaks down many college football games each week and highlights how 2021 NFL Draft Prospects have performed. Or look at the 2021 NFL Draft Stock page.
By Charlie Campbell.
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Notre Dame 47, Clemson 40 2OT
In the second quarter, Etienne bobbled a pitch and Owusu-Koramoah caught the fumble in air before racing down the field for 23-yard touchdown. Owusu-Koramoah went unblocked on the play, firing into the backfield, and that penetration caused Etienne to take his eye off the ball on the pitch. That was enough for Etienne to bobble the catch and set up Owusu-Koramoah for the turnover.
Late in the second quarter, Eitenne made a reception while running down the seam. He then accelerated downfield to get inside the Notre Dame 30. In the third quarter, Etienne made a phenomenal leaping grab with a defender blocking the lane. That spectacular reception helped set up a game-tying score.
Notre Dame sold out all night to stop Etienne and the Clemson ground game because of the absence of Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. As a result, Etienne did not find many good lanes and did not get in a rhythm on the ground. He scored a short rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter that demonstrated his excellent vision and ability to dart through a tiny hole. Etienne totaled 28 yards on 18 carries while catching eight passes for 57 yards.
Etienne has shown significant improvement as a receiver and blocker this season. His ball security issues, however, remain problematic. He showed some issues with fumbles last season, and entering this contest, he had fumbles in three straight games. Etienne did not have a traditional fumble in this game, but that bobbled pitch resulted in a touchdown for Notre Dame. He must prove he can secure the ball over the remainder of 2020.
For the NFL, Eichenberg as the ability to be an edge protector. He has enough quickness to glide with speed rushers while still possessing the size and strength to anchor. He is also scraper in the ground game who manipulates defenders and turns them away from getting in on tackles. Eichenberg is not a true bull in the ground game who will blast defensive lineman off the ball. He has strong hands to sustain his blocks well and fights through the whistle though. Overall, Eichenberg looks goo,d but may not be an elite prospect who is a high first-rounder.
Florida 41, Georgia 28
In the early going, Trask threw some beautiful passes into tight coverage but suffered a few drops from his receivers. The receivers finally started holding on to the ball after falling behind 14-0, letting Trask hit a pass downfield and then throw a short touchdown pass. On the next possession, Trask made a beautiful throw for 22 yards with excellent timing to fit the pass into a narrow window.
It wasn’t all good for Trask, as a Florida freshman receiver ran the wrong route, and that led cornerback Eric Stokes Jr. to undercut a pass intended for a different receiver. The interception was returned for a touchdown in a bit of bad luck for Trask.
Trask came back to lay out a beautiful wheel route to lead his back down the field for a gain of 50 yards. After that, Trask lofted in a touchdown to Kyle Pitts. Shortly later, Trask tossed an easy touchdown pass to his backup tight end. Just before halftime, Trask lofted in another well located pass to Trevon Grimes who made a leaping scoring grab over Tyson Campbell. Trask completed 30-of-43 passes for 474 yards with four touchdowns and an interception against Georgia.
Overall, Trask showed pocket-passing ability for the NFL. He was accurate with impressive ball placement and made good decisions. Thanks to his powerful arm capable of making touch passes, Trask put on display some natural ability. The big knock on Trask is a lack of mobility, and that hurts his chances of being a first-round pick next April in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Forsythe helped his draft grade with how he handled Georgia. He may not have the necessary speed, feet and agility to be a left tackle in the NFL, but he showed he can hold up on the edge and is a steady blocker. As a pro, Forsythe could be nice value pick to be a right tackle or guard.
TCU 34, Texas Tech 18
In the first quarter, Vasher had a smaller defensive back get the better of him on a contested catch. Vasher did not get good position, and the ball was slapped away for a third-down incompletion. Vasher had another pass slapped away later on after he did not seal off or box out the defensive back on a crossing route. At halftime, Vasher had only one catch for 13 yards. He only added one 11-yard reception in the second half.
Overall, this game was an embarrassing performance from Vasher. He did not generate consistent separation and showed poor technique on the passes that were thrown his direction. As a big receiver, he has to win contested catches in order to play in the NFL. Not being able to do that really hurts his grade, which is already suffering from significant character concerns. It would not be a shocker if Vasher ended up in a draft-day free-fall despite his excellent skill set.
USC 28, Arizona State 27
St. Brown looks like a potential contributor for the next level, but he may not be a feature No. 1 receiver, as he does not look like he has dynamic mismatch ability with overwhelming size or speed. St. Brown could produce a big mini-season with Kedon Slovis at quarterback.
Vaughns came back to make a nice hands catch on a high fast ball and then turned upfield for a gain of about 20. He ended up totaling 53 yards on seven receptions, but his fumble was an ugly blemish on his first tape of the 2020 season.
BYU 51, Boise State 17
Just before halftime, Wilson put together a nice drive, using his arm to make some accurate passes and then using his feet to finish the drive with a touchdown run from about 10 yards out. In the third quarter, Wilson fired a fastball into a tight window for a short touchdown pass. Shortly later, Wilson threw a strike down the seam for another short touchdown. Wilson distributed the ball well throughout the game, moving up and down the field on the Broncos. Against Boise State, Wilson completed 21-of-27 passes for 359 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also picked up a rushing touchdown.
There is a lot to like about Wilson for the NFL. He has a quality arm capable of making all the throws and an ability to push the ball downfield. In the short to intermediate part of the field, Wilson can spin the ball and fire some fastballs into tight windows. He also is capable of putting air under the ball to loft in touch passes. Wilson is an accurate passer who displays quality footwork that leads to him tossing precision passes. He is not an elite runner for the next level in the mold of a Lamar Jackson, but he has mobility with some quickness and athleticism to buy time in the pocket and pick up some first downs on the ground.
Wilson has some things to work on still, like any collegiate player. Speeding up his process and working through his progressions faster would help him to succeed at the pro level. There are plays on which he holds the ball too long, so he needs to get passes out more quickly. Wilson has the luxury of a good offensive line at BYU, with multiple players who will compete to make NFL rosters, but at the pro level, he should avoid putting as much pressure on his blockers against NFL pass rushers.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Wilson has enough size to be a starting quarterback, and it would be a good idea for him to add some weight to his frame to help him avoid injury at the pro level. He is worthy of being at least a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and he could end up being a mid -to late first-rounder.
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2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16
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NFL Picks - Feb. 12
