Scouting Notebook: CFB Week 3
Week 2 was a week of surprises. Big names were downed by the underdog. The unpredictable nature of College Football was on full show and will continue this week.
This week’s Scouting Notebook looks at a familiar name that made a splash, a Big 10 corner making waves, and the usual matchups and players to watch come the weekend.
Prospects Who Caught The Eye
Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois
Illinois will head into their rest week after a dominant win against Virginia. The wide receiver pairing of Dontayvion Wicks and Keytaon Thompson were widely lauded coming into the season, but the Illinois defensive backfield was more than a match for the Cavaliers’ duo.
One of the key pieces in the Illinois secondary is 4th-year corner Devon Witherspoon. He was targeted nine times against Virginia and only conceded 18 receiving yards. He has had one interception and six pass breakups on the year so far, according to PFF.
When you turn on the tape, you see a twitchy athlete who mirrors in coverage exceptionally well. He shows his speed tracking motion plays in the backfield and has excellent click and close tackling ability. Only 180lbs, he could develop more physically, but he is a tough competitor in press coverage, not afraid of matching up to bigger receivers.
Marvin Mims, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
It was reassuring to see Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims return to form, albeit against Kent State. Mims had an explosive freshman season but didn’t quite take the dominant step some expected in year 2. Through two games this year he has logged 244 receiving yards and two touchdowns, both of which came at the weekend.
The big question for Mims will be whether or not he can offer an outside threat at the next level. He has operated out of the slot on 70% of his snaps this year and it allows him to showcase his burst to gain quick separation in tight areas. That said he is effective on the outside. His long speed is lethal and you saw that when he was found deep for a score against Kent State.
More wiry receivers are finding a way into the league and the likes of Jahan Dotson show that despite a smaller frame, NFL teams are willing to use early-round picks on receivers in the mould of Mims.
Key Matchups For Week 2
Nick Singleton (Penn State) v Owen Pappoe (Auburn)
The Penn State production line at running back has spat out another elite prospect. Freshman Nick Singleton impressed, rushing for 179 yards and two touchdowns at an average of 17.9 yards a carry. We will have to wait until 2025 for Singleton to be draft eligible, but he will provide a stiff test to a prospect who should declare next April.
Auburn’s Owen Pappoe was also a five-star recruit in 2019 and has become a pivotal piece in the Tigers’ defense. This year, he made Bruce Feldman’s freak list by benching 435 pounds and running a 4.32 40-yard dash. The Nittany Lions’ new rushing phenom will test that combination of speed and strength.
Kayshon Boutte (LSU) v Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State)
As things stand, it feels like an uneasy relationship between LSU’s new head coach Brian Kelly and star receiver Kayshon Boutte. With only 11 targets on the year so far, it hasn’t been the explosive start some had imagined for one of the top receivers in the class. However, as SEC competition looms, Kelly would be best served to find a way of involving Boutte and using his speed and physicality to kick-start the Tigers’ offense.
Opposite him on Saturday will be Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes is a smooth-cover corner with plenty of experience against NFL-quality receivers. While he will have the finesse to match Boutte, there will be a question mark over whether he can stand the physical test. A missed tackle percentage of 42.9% is worrying, considering LSU will likely get the ball into Boutte’s hands quickly and let him do the rest. Forbes will need to play bigger than his listed 180lbs and show NFL scouts he is ready for the next level.
Players To Watch Closely In Week 2
RJ Mickens, Clemson
Andrew Mukuba is getting all the headlines in the Clemson secondary, and rightly so. The sophomore safety is a freak. But, it’s well worth watching his partner Mickens, who operates at both free safety and in the box. Mickens graded well with PFF last year, but the pre-season hype evaded him. LA Tech should offer a better test than Furman last week.
Jaren Hall, BYU
Hall gets his chance on a big stage as BYU takes on Oregon. Hall is an older prospect at 24 but has plenty of the traits NFL teams will admire. He is toolsy and has the athletic ability to make things happen with his feet. He will battle it out with plenty of other QBs in a deep middle class full of potential pro backups this year.
Olu Fashanu, Penn State
Fashanu has been a popular name doing the rounds this week, and his battle with Derick Hall will undoubtedly be box office viewing when Penn State take on Auburn. The Nittany Lions left tackle is quite the specimen, and I would advise viewing his tape against Purdue. In a weak class, he could rise right to the top.
