Scouting Notebook: CFB Week 2
College Football’s Week 1 did not disappoint. Several marquee games went down to the wire, and numerous draft prospects showed their promise.
This week’s scouting notebook will look at some of the guys who impressed, some critical matchups for Week 2 and some names you might want to stick on your radar for the weekend ahead.
Prospects Who Caught The Eye
Lance Dixon, West Virginia, LB
I love watching linebackers. Easy to spot, flying around the field and making plays. It feels like NFL teams can find mid-round gems at this position, and one of those could be West Virginia’s backer Lance Dixon.
Dixon impressed me with his speed and physicality at the tackle point. The former four-star committed to Penn State as a safety, but since joining the Mountaineers, he has added bulk and moved closer to the line of scrimmage.
His experience in the secondary and athletic ability should reassure anybody worried about his coverage grades. His 46.7 mark from PFF from Week 1 should settle as the season progresses. As the clear leader of the defense, Dixon is one to watch.
Brant Kuithe, Utah, TE
The tight end group for next year’s draft seems undermanned as things stand. Michael Mayer is clearly the best draft eligible player at the position, but the rest of the rankings seem fluid for now.
That’s why it was nice to see Brant Kuithe play such a key role as Utah ran Florida close. At 6’2 and 219lbs, Kuithe will be pegged as a receiving Tight End early in his NFL career, and the Utes leaned heavily on him. He provided 105 receiving yards on his 13 targets, with one touchdown.
Both he and Dalton Kincaid are well regarded in scouting circles. If Kuithe continues to have eye-popping performances like Saturday, he has a shout to be in contention for the TE2 conversation.
Key Matchups For Week 2
Jordan Addison v Kyu Blu Kelly
UK viewers will get their first taste of the Lincoln Riley project at USC late on Saturday evening. The Pac-12 matchup between the Trojans and Stanford takes headline billing on BT Sport. Addison was solid in a two-TD outing vs Rice in Week 1. With Jaxson Smith-Njigba sidelined and Kayshon Boutte unsettled at LSU, Addison can steal a march in the receiver rankings vs Kyu Blu Kelly.
Kelly is ranked substantially higher than elsewhere on the Draft Network’s Big Board, coming in at 25 on their initial list. Their scout Damian Parson suggests ‘twitchier receivers present concerns for him’. Making the battle with Addison even more intriguing.
Jeremy Banks vs Rocky Hammond Jr
Jeremy Banks is one of my favourite players flying a little under the radar, and the Tennessee linebacker is always around the ball and hits with a thump. Having warmed up against Ball State, the Vols now face a much stiffer task when they take on Pittsburgh this week.
Banks will be key in slowing down a very promising running back duo the Panthers possess. While Israel Abanikanda is atop the depth chart, Rodney Hammond stood out to me on Thursday night’s curtain raiser with West Virginia.
The sophomore is only 5’9 but combines agility with power, making him difficult to stop. He contributed 74 yards on the ground, with two touchdowns but also notched 55 receiving yards. That dual threat will be an excellent test for Banks and his draft stock.
Players To Watch Closely In Week 2
Walter Rouse, Stanford
I focussed on two left tackles last week and was underwhelmed. Carter Warren (Pitt) and Robert Scott Jr (Florida State) had struggles on opening weekend, so next up is Rouse, who will get an opportunity to impress me for Stanford against USC.
Mac McWilliams, UAB
A cornerback who I have been waiting to become draft eligible McWilliams always grades highly with PFF. He only got one target last week so hopefully Liberty offer a sterner test and more opportunity to flash.
Trey Knox, Arkansas
Knox was a player I thought could put up big numbers as a Tight End in Arkansas. He started the right way against Cincinnati and should get some targets this week. South Carolina’s Cam Smith will take away some of KJ Jefferson’s wide receiver options so expect Knox to help keep the chains moving.
