Rising College Athletes Poised for the NFL
As the new season progresses, the rise of college stars joining NFL teams is plastered across the headlines. NFL rumors are found everywhere, but which ones can be trusted? The 2022 season draft is still many months away, beginning in April, but many new players will significantly impact the league. Here are some of our top picks.
Aidan Hutchinson
In the Week 3 matchup against Northern Illinois, Michigan dominated, so Hutchinson wasn't required to make many plays. Nonetheless, he sacked the Northern Illinois quarterback in his final play. In the process of bringing down the scrambling quarterback, he swiped away the correct tackle. Last week, the Wolverines' edge player also had an interception in their tight win over Rutgers, clearing a close-end block and taking the pass on the run. He won one-on-one contests because of his quickness off the snap, and he can work through double teams and break down inside runs.
Jordan Davis
Despite Davis' enormous size, he displayed frightening quickness in Week 3 when he faced one of his old high school teammates, South Carolina center Eric Douglas. As Doug's defensive tackle beats his teammates' reach blocks, he earns an assisted tackle for loss. His subsequent half-sack led to the safety. Davis showed awareness when he recovered the fumble. However, the play was ruled dead since the helmet had been dislodged. The first quarter saw Georgia score 35 points against Vanderbilt thanks to a single block by Anthony Davis. As a limited player, Davis did not record any tackles. While near the goal line, there was an opportunity to lead-block and prevent a field goal attempt.
Malik Willis
While Liberty won over Old Dominion in Week 3 and narrowly lost to Syracuse in Week 4, Willis consistently demonstrated excellent velocity on throws across the field, making plays against Cover 2. He showed perfect touch when throwing over the top in the past two weeks, connecting three times for scores while missing once. The Monarchs and Orange struggled to cope with Willis' running ability. In the open field, he dropped his shoulder and evaded defenders in the backfield. The fumble allowed Syracuse to win the game, as he took three unnecessary sacks against ODU and a couple against Syracuse. This year, ball security must remain a top priority for Willis to be considered among the top quarterback prospects despite not throwing an interception yet.
Adam Anderson
Week 3's blowout of South Carolina showed that Anderson is more than a pass rusher. He forced an incompletion by using his offensive hands and agility and putting a lot of pressure on the left tackle on one play. Anderson is also good at clearing blocks on run plays as he lines up outside the snap and has the ball in hand. Against Vanderbilt, he played only 15 snaps and made no tackles because the game got out of hand so quickly.
Darian Kinnard
Chattanooga and Kentucky found it difficult to separate themselves in Week 3. The UTC edge defenders couldn't escape Kinnard's grasp either. When combo-blocking to the second level, he displayed nimble feet for his size while dominating them with his length and strength. The talented line from South Carolina was a good matchup for Kinnard last weekend. King Enagbare, a Gamecocks star who tried to chase the Kentucky quarterback, was held once as he escaped the pocket to his side, as he tried to get in a backfield match-up with him. Early in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats ran off a powerful get-off after an outstanding correct tackle led to a 16-10 victory. Kinnard bent over several times during the contest, but he could stay on his block despite his awkward posture.
Chris Olave
A week before Saturday's game against Tulsa, senior wide receiver T.J. Oliver failed to catch a pass, with quarterback C.J. Stronger hitting him twice and missing him twice. Following a deep throw for a 47-yard gain, the play was called back because of a penalty on an offensive lineman. During the win over Akron, the team swung at Olave three times. On the other hand, he showed his quickness in passing behind the line of scrimmage on a pass.
Jermaine Johnson
In the Seminoles' recent win over Wake Forest, Johnson led the team in tackles. As the Demon Deacons grabbed an early lead and ran the ball 58 times, he spent most of the game hunting ball-carriers out of the backfield. When needed, he chased plays to the sideline and was strong at the point of attack. Johnson was concerned whether Malik Cunningham was juggling stunts on third downs in the team's loss to Louisville last week, or whether he was lining up outside or inside. After Cunningham was forced to throw late in the first half, he received a sack from the fifth-year senior who won with violent hands.
Jackson Kirkland
As a result of Kirkland's play, the Huskies pounded Arkansas State 52-3 in Week 2. During the run game, Kirkland was decisive and a solid pass protector. The running back, Sean McGrew, was also able to go off his backside for multiple runs, including a touchdown, during Washington's overtime victory over Cal last week. However, when defenders got their hands on Kirkland's numbers and sent him rushing, he was sent backward, and he ended up on the ground after one such power play.
Trevor Penning
FCS newcomer St. Thomas suffered a physical thrashing on Sept. 18 from Penning, who often drove his opponent backwards until the whistle blew. Then, after he had already thrown the defender to the ground, he slammed into the defender in the first half for unsportsmanlike conduct. Despite that play, Penning somehow managed to finish this play with his blocks.
Roger McCreary
As the Tigers lost 28-20 to Penn State, McNary stood out against Dotson as the top senior cornerback prospect. Speedy enough to keep up with Dotson down the sideline, he was physically on the line and in tackling against Dotson and in the run game. Near the end of the first half, McCreary converted an uncontested interception. It was an apprehensive weekend at Tiger Stadium against Georgia State. McCreary faced big receivers on multiple deep throws, but he stayed with them down the sideline because he had quick feet at the line combined with long speed. When he was guarding the intended target, he failed to glance back for the ball, and it was flagged as pass interference in the second quarter, but he fought the receiver through the catch--something that NFL scouts appreciate.
