CFB Scouting Notebook: Week 2
It took some time to get through Week 2 in college football. Many games were delayed due to the effects of Mother Nature. Saturday night also saw multiple high-profile programs make heavy weather of smaller opponents. However, the biggest headline came in the form of a statement victory in Tuscaloosa. Let’s start there.
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Longhorns look the real deal
As much as I would love to get stuck into the shortcomings of the Alabama performance, it’s only fair to start with the victors. Quinn Ewers and the Texas offense made a point on Saturday evening. We knew they had the talent, but could they compete with the big boys? The answer was a resounding yes.
From a scouting perspective, two of Ewers’ targets impressed me the most. AD Mitchell, a transfer from Georgia, gave the Alabama secondary fits all night. His 6’4 frame shouldn’t move as quickly and smoothly as it does. I expected him to give Terrion Arnold problems, but he also got the better of the highly-rated Kool-Aid McKinstry (our 9th ranked prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft). Even exciting freshman Caleb Downs couldn’t prevent the deep ball from his safety spot. Mitchell finished the night with 78 receiving yards but, more importantly, two vital touchdowns.
Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was another player Alabama struggled to cover all night. While Mitchell was stretching the field vertically, Sanders was feasting underneath. As it stands, Sanders is a lot of people’s TE2 behind Brock Bowers. He showed that he was a difficult cover for linebackers and even the experienced Malachi Moore was found wanting in man coverage against Sanders. His athleticism is something NFL teams love in modern tight ends.
Saban staples go out the window
As much as Texas deserve the credit for rolling into Tuscaloosa and getting the win, Nick Saban will look back frustrated at the Crimson Tide’s performance. They gave up ten penalties, two of which saw touchdowns brought back. That ill-discipline is becoming all too prevalent in Saban’s recent teams, and that will surely rankle.
The offensive line looked to have major issues. Experienced center Seth McLaughlin had major issues snapping the ball, and on multiple occasions, it got Jalen Milroe in trouble. Elsewhere, left tackle Kadyn Proctor had another rough night, giving up five pressures, including two sacks.
While draft prospect JC Latham earned a solid 80.5 pass-blocking grade, you have to ask why he is doing it on the right side? While the NFL values right and left tackles highly, the blindside protector remains the marquee spot. It worries me that Saban doesn’t believe there would be a benefit in having Latham protect Milroe where he can’t see the pressure coming from.
Colorado more than just a flashy offense
In Boulder, Colorado kept the momentum going from their opening day defeat of TCU. They took down Nebraska, and while Shedeur and his receivers continued to receive the plaudits, this was a gritty game early on. One in which the Buffaloes’ defense came to the fore, keeping a firm lid on the Cornhuskers’ offensive weapons.
One player who popped continually was defensive lineman Jordan Domineck. He was credited with 2.5 tackles for loss and grabbed a fumble recovery. Time and time again, he got into the backfield, disrupting both the passing and running game.
As a sixth-year player, there will be reservations over his age and tweener frame. At 6’3, 250lbs, he did start as a linebacker for Georgia Tech before moving closer to the line of scrimmage for Arkansas. He logged 7.5 sacks in 2022 for the Razorbacks and continues that success under Deion Sanders in Colorado. He’s the kind of guy that gets a shot due to his relentlessness.
Miami heap more pressure on Jimbo
On Saturday, the Texas A&M v Miami game was a toe-to-toe battle, for a while at least. But, after the half-time break, things quickly got out of hand for the Aggies. Statuesque QB Tyler Van Dyke showed his arm talent by throwing for five TDs and plenty of his offensive teammates flashed as the Hurricanes marched to a 48-33 victory.
One player who impressed me on the other side of the ball was defensive end Akheem Mesidor. The transfer from West Virginia got eight sacks in his first season as a Hurricane, and I expect him to be as difficult to block in 2023. His length and speed were fully displayed as he chased down the QB as they escaped to the sideline.
That production and athletic ability will turn heads at the next level.
Rory-Joe Daniels
Cfb contributor
formerly writing for the inside zone, rory will be breaking down college tape and keeping you up-to-date with all things CFB for the touchdown. an avid bengals fan, you can also find some of rory’s work at stripehype.com