NFL Draft Watch - Week 1 Football
College football is finally upon us and everyone has their own reason to love the game: from the upsets, to the tradition, to the exciting new batch of players that will take their talent to the NFL the next year. In this article I will highlight a few key players that have the potential to be NFL draft picks this coming April so you can do some self scouting for your favorite team. Their performances on a weekly basis will affect their draft stock.
Game to Watch: Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
Who to Watch: Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech
What to Look For:
This is one of the better games the opening week of college football as two ACC opponents collide. Logan Thomas has imposing size and is a fantastic athlete. However, the NFL needs to see that he can move an offense up and down the field on a regular basis and not rely solely on his elite athleticism. With the emergence of Cam Newton and the popularity of Robert Griffin the Third, the NFL is starting to fall in love with these mobile and athletic quarterbacks like Thomas. This is his first chance to showcase his rare skill set. Georgia Tech is a formidable opponent and could cause some issues for Thomas. He needs to continue to make big plays and eliminate mistakes from his game. Thomas also needs to boost his completion percentage to really prove he is an NFL caliber signal caller.
Game to Watch: Alabama versus Michigan
Who to Watch: D.J. Flucker, OT, Alabama; Barrett Jones, C, Alabama
What to Look For:
This game is the clear-cut best game of the weekend, with the defending National Champions and Michigan both traveling to Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas. There are many players on the NFL radar in this game, but pay close attention to the Alabama offensive line versus the Michigan front seven. The Wolverines have a talented front seven and take pride in being tough and physical. Alabama has many NFL caliber offensive linemen and will be tested early in this matchup. The Tide also has several NFL prospects on the defensive side of the ball, but their big tests will come in later weeks as Robinson is not an NFL caliber quarterback.
Game to Watch: Hawaii at USC
Who to Watch: Matt Barkley, QB, USC; Robert Woods, WR, USC
What to Look For:
Matt Barkley made the right choice in forgoing the NFL draft and returning for one final season at USC. Not only does he have a shot at the Heisman and a National Championship, but he also has a shot to be the number one overall selection. Barkley has been a highly touted player for a long time and has one more year to prove he is the real deal. He should light up this Hawaii team, but pay close attention to the throws that Barkley makes. The NFL will want to see him have the ability to throw the ball into tight coverage when needed, but have the smarts to throw the ball away and avoid taking sacks. Also watch out for his number one threat, wide receiver Robert Woods. This guy has all the tools to become a NFL superstar. He has good size, great speed and catches well. Watch for his ability to create separation as well as catching the ball in traffic. The NFL will want to see that toughness as well as his game breaking ability. This should be a scary hookup for opponents, and one to watch for NFL fans on a weekly basis.
