Prospect Primer: FSU-Bama loaded with NFL talent

NFLDraftScout.com Week 1 Prospect Primer

Florida State (0-0) vs. Alabama (0-0)
Saturday, September 2 – 8 p.m. EST – ABC
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.)

Last meeting
These two iconic programs have met only once since 1975 with Florida State defeating Alabama, 21-14, in 2007.

Looking ahead to next week (Sept. 9)
Florida State: vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Alabama: vs. Fresno State

NFL prospects to watch
This match-up will showcase several of the premier draft-eligible defensive back prospects in the country. For the Seminoles, redshirt sophomore DS Derwin James (6-2, 211, 4.52 #3) makes his highly-anticipated return after a meniscus tear in his left knee sidelined him for almost all the 2016 season. He has outstanding speed and range for the position, unlocking his hips and instantly accelerating to close the gap on the perimeter or attack alleys downhill. James shines as an aggressor vs. the run, but he will need to shake off the rust quickly against the Crimson Tide’s dynamic running back duo of redshirt junior RB Bo Scarbrough (6-1, 232, 4.59, #9) and junior RB Damien Harris (5-10, 216, 4.55, #34). If he stays healthy, James is a legitimate candidate to be the highest-rated non-quarterback for the upcoming draft class. On the outside, Florida State junior CB Tarvarus McFadden (6-1, 198, 4.49, #4) has the combination of length, speed and ball skills that could earn him “CB1” status for the 2018 draft class. He is noticeably inconsistent in certain areas, including tackling and press-technique, but he tied for the FBS-lead last season with eight interceptions and displays the physical traits and ball awareness that NFL teams covet. NFL scouts will be glued to McFadden, who missed 2017 spring practice after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, in this contest, especially when he lines up against Alabama junior WR Calvin Ridley (6-1, 190, 4.50, #3).

In the Alabama secondary, junior DC/DS Minkah Fitzpatrick (6-0, 201, 4.52, #29) has the versatility, instincts and athleticism that makes him a first round playmaker, already owning the Crimson Tide record with four career interceptions returned for touchdowns. As a cornerback, he has the transitional quickness and muscle reflexes to play in man or zone coverages. And as a free safety, Fitzpatrick is quick to key, diagnose and drive with the ball skills to disrupt the catch point. He is also reliable vs. the run and has been a mainstay on special teams in Tuscaloosa. With few weaknesses to his game, Fitzpatrick has the skill-set to compete with James as the top non-quarterback prospect for the 2018 class. Alabama must replace Marlon Humphrey on the outside, but redshirt senior DC Anthony Averett (6-0, 185, 4.49, #28) returns for his final season and is considered the top senior prospect at his position by several around the league. He struggled at times last season as a first-year starter, mostly due to a sports hernia suffered in September, but his confidence and blanket cover skills improved throughout the season, leading the team with eight pass break-ups. Averett has top-50 potential for next April’s draft. Alabama junior SS Ronnie Harrison (6-2, 214, 4.57, #15) also deserves mention as a possible first round draft choice next spring.

Alabama loses two-thirds of their defensive line starters from a year ago (Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson), but junior NG Da’Ron Payne (6-2, 308, 5.38, #94) returns after a promising sophomore campaign. Like most interior linemen, Payne’s tape doesn’t have many splash plays and his pass rush skills are lacking, but he possesses the natural power to knock back and reset blocks, controlling the line of scrimmage. Over the last two NFL Drafts, Alabama has had interior defensive linemen drafted 17th (Allen), 46th (A’Shawn Robinson), 49th (Jarran Reed) and 55th overall (Tomlinson), but Payne has the potential to earn higher grades than all four.

Over the last five seasons, Alabama and Florida State rank first (41) and second (35) respectively in total NFL draft picks and both should be well represented in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Sleeper prospect to watch
Alabama senior DS Hootie Jones (6-1, 215, 4.63, #6)
Even for the highest-rated high school recruits, it can be tough to crack the starting line-up at a program like Alabama. While competition helps cream rise to the top, Fitzpatrick and Harrison are two of the best safeties, not only in the SEC, but all of college football, leaving Laurence “Hootie” Jones as a subpackage player for the Tide. Last season, Jones earned special teams player of the week honors after the Arkansas game and received his first career start two weeks later against Texas A&M, finishing 2016 with 20 tackles and five pass break-ups in 2016. Jones will again come off the bench as a senior, but with Fitzpatrick and Harrison experienced at other positions, look for Alabama to mix and match personnel to get Hootie on the field.

NFL scout’s take
“Before the title game last year with Clemson and Alabama, I was down on the sideline and learned quite a bit from just observing warm-ups and looking into the player’s eyes – who was locked in? Who was stiff? I want bright light competitors. I’ll be doing the same thing before this game.”

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Ohio State (0-0) at Indiana (0-0)
Thursday, August 31 – 8 p.m. EST – ESPN
Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, Ind.)

Last meeting
Ohio State has won 22 straight in the match-up, including 38-17 last October in Columbus.

Looking ahead to next week (Sept. 9)
Ohio State: vs. Oklahoma
Indiana: at Virginia

NFL prospects to watch
With an astounding 16 top-100 draft picks over the last two years, Ohio State is due for a dip in the 2018 NFL Draft. But on the contrary, the cupboard in Columbus remains stocked with NFL talent.

Ohio State is loaded on the defensive line, specifically on the edges. Redshirt junior DE Sam Hubbard (6-4, 265, 4.76, #6) is a former high school safety who has grown into his body and emerged as a possible first round pass rusher. While his athleticism is what immediately pops on tape, Hubbard is a smart football player and his mental awareness is a critical piece of his success. With an exorbitant amount of talent at defensive end, look for Ohio State to line up Hubbard as a linebacker in some personnel packages to get the most talent on the field, allowing NFL scouts to evaluate him on his feet. Redshirt senior DE Tyquan Lewis (6-3, 265, 4.78, #59) doesn’t have the same explosive traits as Hubbard, but he is the more polished and productive player, leading the Buckeyes in both tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (8.0) last season. While the preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year doesn’t have a sky-high ceiling, Lewis is reliable setting the edge and understands how to break down the rhythm of blockers, projecting as a solid NFL starter. Senior DE Jalyn Holmes (6-5, 265, 4.76, #11) will probably finish his Ohio State career with zero starts, but he has a draftable skill-set, sporting a NFL body and the physical traits that can be molded by next level coaching. Nick Bosa, the younger brother of former Buckeye and current Los Angeles Chargers’ pass rusher Joey Bosa, might be the best of the bunch, but is not draft-eligible as a true sophomore.

The Buckeyes have produced three first round cornerbacks the last two years (Eli Apple, Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley) and junior DC Denzel Ward (5-10, 191, 4.43, #12) could be next in line. Despite zero starts on his collegiate resume thus far, Ward averaged almost 40 defensive snaps per game in 2016 as Ohio State rotated their corners and relied on nickel packages. Not only does he have the speed and athletic profile for the NFL, but Ward, who collected nine pass break-ups as a sophomore, shows the ability to read breaks and challenge routes. After a breakout sophomore season in 2015, Indiana redshirt junior WR Simmie Cobbs (6-3, 220, 4.52, #1) missed most of last year due to a broken left ankle, taking a medical redshirt. With his frame and ball skills, he has a Mike Evans-like skill-set and is arguably the best pass-catcher in the Big Ten. Cobbs is a question mark for this game after he was arrested at a concert over the summer. If he plays, Cobbs and junior WR Nick Westbrook (6-2, 215, 4.59, #15) form one of the best wide receiver duos in the country and will provide NFL scouts a suitable measuring stick when evaluating Ward.

With new offensive coordinator (and former Indiana head coach) Kevin Wilson now in the fold, the Ohio State passing offense and redshirt senior QB J.T. Barrett (6-1, 225, 4.52, #16) should improve on last year’s paltry 213.9 passing yards per game. However, the run game, led by redshirt sophomore RB Mike Weber (5-9, 215, 4.52, #20), will remain the calling card of the Buckeyes’ offense. The Detroit native has well-rounded traits with his run power and short-area quickness, also boasting the vision, toughness and decision-making to again average 6.0+ yards per carry in 2017. For the Indiana defense, the key to slowing down Weber is senior WLB Tegray Scales (6-0, 230, 4.79, #8), who led the Hoosiers with 126 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks last season. Scales is an outstanding run defender with the backfield vision and closing speed to create collisions at the line of scrimmage. He is attempting to be the first Indiana linebacker to be drafted since 1988. The other Indiana defensive prospect worth watching is redshirt senior CB Rashard Fant (5-10, 175, 4.49, #16), who lacks ideal size for the next level, but puts himself in position to make plays on the football (FBS-best 43 passes defended the last two years).

Sleeper prospect to watch
Indiana senior TE Ian Thomas (6-5, 255, 4.80, #80)
With only three career catches, Thomas isn’t a household name, even for many in Hoosiers Nation. But that should change this season as his playing time and targets increase. Thomas, who joined Indiana last season as a transfer from Nassau Community College, looks the part and has the speed to threaten the seam, showing improved route-running this spring. He has the skill-set to be a riser between now and next spring.

NFL scout’s take
“Don’t get me wrong, I like Weber and think he’ll put together a solid year. But he better because OSU has a freshman (J.K. Dobbins) who is going to be on his heels for playing time. I’m telling you, he’s a dude. When I was in Columbus, this freshman was the guy who made me go ‘woah.’ I bet he cuts into Weber’s touches.”

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Wyoming (0-0) at Iowa (0-0)
Saturday, September 2 – Noon EST – Big Ten Network
Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, Iowa)

Last meeting
Iowa and Wyoming have met twice before with the Hawkeyes winning both games, including the last meeting in the 1987 Holiday Bowl.

Looking ahead to next week (Sept. 9)
Wyoming: vs. Gardner-Webb
Iowa: at Iowa State

NFL prospects to watch
For the average college football fan, this match-up might not attract many eyes. But for NFL scouts, this is a must-see game for one main reason: Wyoming redshirt junior QB Josh Allen (6-4, 233, 4.76, #17). If the 2018 NFL Draft was held tomorrow, Allen and USC’s Sam Darnold would be the clear two favorites for the No. 1 overall pick. How does Allen respond to those expectations? Can he show improvements in key areas this season?

From a physical standpoint, Allen has it all: size, athleticism and a loose arm that allows him to make impressive throws, especially on the run – either by design or when moving his throwing platform. He shows an understanding of touch, but his timing and decision-making lack maturity, leading to mistakes (56-percent completions, 15 interceptions in 2016). Allen also needs to sharpen his pocket movements and throwing mechanics to improve his efficiency, although he has the plus velocity to get away with off-balanced throws.

With pass-catchers Tanner Gentry, Jake Maulhardt and Jacob Hollister fighting for roster spots in the NFL, Wyoming loses an eye-popping 76.2-percent of the team’s targets from last season. The Cowboys also lose their top two running backs (Brian Hill, Shaun Wick), who accounted for 78.1-percent of the team’s rushing yards in 2016. So, Allen’s chemistry and performance with a relatively new supporting cast will be an interesting wrinkle for his 2017 evaluation. The good news is Wyoming returns four starters on the offensive line. However, they will be forced to replace center Chase Roullier (2017 sixth round pick of the Washington Redskins), who was the glue of the Cowboys’ line the past few seasons.

Iowa represents arguably the toughest defense that Allen will face at the collegiate level so there will be plenty of pressure on him to shine in this match-up. The Hawkeyes lose Jim Thorpe Award-winning cornerback Desmond King (2017 fifth round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers), but return several key leaders from last year’s defense, which ranked top-25 in the country in total defense. Redshirt senior MLB Josey Jewell (6-1, 236, 4.78, #43), who is the only active FBS player with 124+ tackles each of the last two seasons, is an intense competitor with the take-on skills and football IQ that translates to the next level.

On offense for the Hawkeyes, Kirk Ferentz will rely on a familiar recipe: physical offensive line and strong run game. Iowa has one of the best backfield tandems in college football, led by redshirt senior RB Akrum Wadley (5-10, 191, 4.54, #25), who rushed for 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns off the bench last season. He takes over the starting duties as a senior and is looking to translate a productive final season into a mid-round draft pick. Joining him in the backfield is senior RB James Butler (5-9, 210, 4.58, #20), a graduate transfer from Nevada who rushed for 1,300+ yards each of the last two seasons in Reno. Although he enters the season No. 2 on the Iowa running back depth chart, Butler will receive ample opportunity to show his skills to scouts.

Sleeper prospect to watch
Wyoming junior FS Andrew Wingard (5-11, 209, 4.59, #28)
While he’s not a “sleeper” for Wyoming fans or NFL scouts, Wingard isn’t a well-known name nationally, although he should be. He became a starter as a true freshman in 2015 and immediately established himself as one of the best run-defending safeties in college football, starting the last 25 straight games. Wingard enters his junior season with 253 career tackles, averaging 9.73 tackles per game, which ranks second-best in the FBS. He needs to clean up his angles in coverage, but his aggressive nature, play awareness and conviction stand out. Wingard will be busy against Iowa’s run-heavy offense.

NFL scout’s take
“Kinnick is double the size of that stadium in Laramie – can Allen go into unfriendly territory and shred a pretty tough Iowa defense? Kid has a cannon, but needs to be more strategic with his downfield decisions without being gun shy. Every team in our league will dissect this tape.”

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Texas A&M (0-0) at UCLA (0-0)
Sunday, September 3 – 7:30 EST – FOX
Rose Bowl (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Last meeting
It took overtime, but the Aggies defeated the Bruins, 31-24, in last year’s season opener. This is Texas A&M’s first ever trip to the Rose Bowl.

Looking ahead to next week (Sept. 9)
Texas A&M: vs. Nicholls
UCLA: vs. Hawaii

NFL prospects to watch
Much of the conversation this summer surrounding UCLA junior QB Josh Rosen (6-3, 220, 4.97, #3) has been about his comments regarding student athletes and how his unfiltered and brash personality will be regarded by NFL scouts. That discussion won’t go away between now and the 2018 NFL Draft, but it will be quieted on September 3rd when Rosen plays in his first college football game since last October. He missed the second half of the 2016 season due to a muscle tear in his throwing shoulder, which required season-ending surgery, but Rosen has been at 100-percent health since spring.

In College Station last season, Rosen turned in an up-and-down performance against the Aggies with 56.5-percent completions (26-for-46), 343 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions – only his second career three-interception performance. He made several poor decisions, but was under constant pressure from Texas A&M’s pass rush, notably last year’s No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett. UCLA, who returns four of the five starters on the offensive line, must protect the pocket to give Rosen a chance to make plays downfield (and stay on the field). The Bruins’ disappointing run game also needs to improve this season to take pressure off the passing game – UCLA ranked 127th in the nation (out of 128 teams) in rushing yards per game (84.3) and rushing yards per carry (2.9) in 2016.

The on-field scouting report on Rosen is impressive. He is mechanically efficient from snap to delivery with the calm demeanor and field vision to move from target-to-target quickly. Rosen will throw receivers open and small passing windows won’t intimidate him, completing NFL-level passes routinely throughout a game. Aside from staying healthy, the biggest adjustment Rosen must show from last season is simply taking care of the football, using his check down options or throwing the ball away if necessary to avoid hits or turnovers. Although UCLA will be on its third offensive coordinator over the last three years, nine starters return for the Bruins on offense, including redshirt senior WR Darren Andrews (5-10, 185, 4.49, #7), who was Rosen’s favorite target last season.

The Aggies lose their top-two tacklers (Shaan Washington, Justin Evans) and two-two edge rushers (Garrett, Daeshan Hall) from last season, but return several NFL prospects on defense. Senior DS Armani Watts (5-11, 205, 4.49, #23) enters the season as one of the top senior safety prospects for the 2018 class, finishing last season with 56 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. He has above average range for the position, using his athleticism to cover both sidelines and play the entire field. His play speed is outstanding and he isn’t afraid to initiate contact, but Watts needs to improve his finishing skills once he arrives at his target.

On offense, the Aggies have one of the SEC’s top skill players in junior WR Christian Kirk (5-11, 200, 4.39, #3), who led the conference in receptions (83) last season. Operating primarily out of the slot, Kirk shifts his gears effortlessly mid-route to create tempo and separate in coverage, giving his quarterback a clean target. While he shows tracking skills downfield, a large percentage of his targets came within 10-yards of the line of scrimmage last season as the Aggies relied on his dynamic athleticism to create yards after the catch. Kirk also averaged 21.7 yards on punt returns last year, including three touchdowns, and NFL scouts speak highly of his leadership traits and hardworking attitude. With the departures of Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil, the Aggies wide receiver depth chart looks dramatically different from last season and defenses will focus more on stopping #3 in 2017. But offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone will find ways to get the ball in the hands of Kirk, who enters the year as a top-40 prospect and potential top-three receiver in the 2018 class.

Sleeper prospect to watch
UCLA redshirt senior WR Eldridge Massington (6-2, 210, 4.50, #82)
Massington looked like UCLA’s future No. 1 receiver as a freshman, posting 25 catches for 367 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. However, the former USC commit has combined for only 31 receptions the past two seasons and hasn’t scored a touchdown since his freshman campaign (Nov. 11, 2014 vs. USC). A former high school track sprinter, Massington has the size/speed blend for the next level, but needs to enhance his route running and focus to be a better finisher. Entering his final season with the Bruins, Massington has the talent to emerge as a draftable receiver.

NFL scout’s take
“Josh hasn’t taken a meaningful snap in 10 months so how long until he settles in? I have a feeling he might try to be Superman in his first game back and that will lead to some mistakes. But he’s playing at home and Myles (Garrett) won’t be constantly in his face so he should be better than last year vs. A&M.”

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West Virginia (0-0) vs. Virginia Tech (0-0)
Sunday, September 3 – 7:30 EST – ABC
FedEx Field (Landover, Md.)

Last meeting
As former Big East foes, this is the 52nd meeting between West Virginia and Virginia Tech, last playing in 2005 when the Hokies defeated the Mountaineers, 34-17. These two programs met every year between 1973-2005 and the winner was awarded the Black Diamond Trophy.

Looking ahead to next week (Sept. 9)
West Virginia: vs. East Carolina
Virginia Tech: Delaware

NFL prospects to watch
This match-up won’t be played in Philadelphia, but the prospect theme is one of brotherly love.

The Lackawanna-to-West Virginia pipeline is a familiar path for the White family. Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White signed with the Mountaineers out of Lackawanna Junior College in 2013 and became a top-10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft after two productive seasons in Morgantown. Redshirt senior WR Ka’Raun White (6-1, 198, 4.51, #2) followed in his older brother’s footsteps, starting at Lackawanna and then signing with West Virginia in 2015. He is the top returning receiver (48/583/5) for Dana Holgorsen’s offense and although he isn’t as physically built as Kevin, Ka’Raun attacks the football with terrific concentration and shows the awareness to turn upfield and be more than a possession target.

Senior DS Kyzir White (6-3, 215, 4.56, #8) doesn’t play the same position as his older brothers, but that didn’t stop him from taking the same path from Lackawanna to WVU. In his first season with the Mountaineers last year, Kyzir started 12 games and impressed with his versatile skill set, posting 55 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, five pass break-ups and two forced fumbles. He enters his senior season as a top-five senior prospect at his position and if he becomes more of a ballhawk in 2017 then he’ll continue to rise. Ka’Raun and Kyzir are both seniors on the 2017 Mountaineers squad and have a chance to be the first set of brothers to be selected in the same NFL Draft since Tiki and Ronde Barber in the 1997 NFL Draft.

Virginia Tech is well known for family legacies. When Kendall Fuller was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Fuller family became just the second set of four brothers to play in the NFL as Kendall joined Vincent, Corey and Kyle – and all four played collegiately in Blacksburg. The current Hokies’ roster has a pair of brothers on defense who both have NFL futures: junior OLB Tremaine Edmunds (6-4, 236, 4.82, #49) and redshirt junior FS Terrell Edmunds (6-1, 210, 4.58, #22). Tremaine and Terrell are the sons of Ferrell Edmunds, who was a third round tight end in the 1988 NFL Draft, playing seven seasons in the NFL, including two Pro Bowls. Their older brother, running back Trey Edmunds (another former Hokie), went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, signing with the Saints.

After spending most of his freshman season on special teams, Tremaine emerged as Virginia Tech’s most valuable defender last season, collecting 106 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four passes defended and an interception. A true every-down linebacker, Tremaine rarely leaves the field. Whether in space or congestion, he is a magnet to the ball, sensing what is about to happen, immediately accelerating and closing to finish at his target. Tremaine has the size/speed/toughness combination that NFL teams seek at the position and will earn first-round grades from scouts if he continues to play at the high level he showed in 2016. Moving from the “Rover” position to free safety in 2017, Terrell isn’t as highly regarded a pro prospect as Tremaine, but he has a draftable skill-set. He plays with an aggressive mindset to attack alleys and drive on routes, recording a career-best four interceptions last season.

The Edmunds brothers and the rest of the Virginia Tech defense will face a tough challenge attempting to slow down a West Virginia offense that averaged 31.2 points per game in 2016. Although there is a new face at quarterback for the Mountaineers, redshirt junior QB Will Grier (6-1, 200, 4.65, #7) is an upgrade and arguably the most talented passer Holgorsen has had in his seven years in Morgantown. A former Parade national high school player of the year, Grier was once viewed as the savior of Florida’s revolving door at quarterback in the post Tim Tebow era. However, Grier found himself in hot water with the NCAA, testing positive for a banned nutritional supplement midway through the 2015 season. Despite appeals, he was suspended for one year and his future was left up in the air, eventually transferring to West Virginia and sitting out the 2016 season. Although he doesn’t have immense physical attributes, Grier has been productive and clutch at every level. He is a darkhorse Heisman contender and a prospect NFL scouts are tracking closely.

While there is turnover at quarterback this season, senior RB Justin Crawford (5-10, 198, 4.53, #25) returns for West Virginia after a breakthrough junior season, earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors after transferring from the JUCO ranks. He had a team-best 1,184 rushing yards in 2016 and his 7.3 yards per rush average ranked sixth-best in the FBS. Crawford has the hips, feet and balance to make defenders miss in the hole and maneuver to daylight, gashing the Oklahoma defense for 331 rushing yards on 24 carries last season. The Georgia native enters 2017 as a top-10 senior running back prospect and has a chance to rise throughout the process with consistent production and improved ball security.

Sleeper prospect to watch
West Virginia redshirt senior OG Kyle Bosch (6-5, 308, 5.32, #62)
After one season in Ann Arbor, Bosch sat out the 2014 season and transferred from Michigan to West Virginia. He quickly earned a starting role for the Mountaineers in 2015 and has started all 26 games at right guard the past two seasons. Bosch, who has been practicing at both left and right guard this summer, is the vocal veteran on the West Virginia offensive line, taking the leadership baton from the departed Tyler Orlosky. Entering his senior season as a borderline draft pick, Bosch is a prospect to keep on the radar.

NFL scout’s take
“I really like Fuente. That team shouldn’t have won 10 games last year, but they did and his football instincts are a great reason why. He ain’t afraid to tell it like it is.”

–Dane Brugler is senior analyst at NFLDraftScout.com, owner and distributed by The Sports Xchange.