Week 13 Scouting Notebook: Dante Moore shreds USC, Caleb Banks returns and more

By Jack Brentnall

The college football season is nearing its conclusion, offering some of the final chances to scout noteworthy NFL Draft prospects. Week 13 delivered plenty of action, featuring everything from standout quarterback performances to historic displays of catch-point production.

Here is what stood out on tape.

Dante Moore takes command in efficient outing

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore entered the weekend trending upward, and his performance against USC furthered that climb. He finished 22 of 30 for 257 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, and the tape showed more of the precision and poise that have defined his recent strong stretch.

Oregon’s game plan was built around quick game throws and screens in an attempt to nullify USC’s blitz-heavy approach, and Moore executed that effortlessly. 

He consistently got the ball out on time, accurately, and to the right read. His touchdown to Kenyon Sadiq illustrated both of these traits, as he recognised space up the seam and layered the throw neatly into a tight window.

Moore’s pocket management also stood out. He handled pressure with balance, subtly sliding or stepping away from free rushers while keeping his eyes downfield. 

As a prospect, Moore reminds me somewhat of CJ Stroud: both quarterbacks win with timing, processing, and placement. They have good athletic traits, but would rather win from the pocket than with their legs.

There remains debate about whether Moore declares or returns, but if he keeps stacking performances like this down the stretch he’s going to lock himself into the top-ten pick conversation.

Caleb Banks makes his return against Tennessee

Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks had logged just 29 snaps before Week 13, making his return against Tennessee one of the weekend’s bigger draft-related storylines. Even without eye-catching production (zero pressures, one stop tackle), his tape impressed.

At 6’6” and 330 pounds, Banks is a huge defensive tackle who plays with the heavy-handed power you would expect. There were multiple plays where he jolted linemen backward or shed blocks quickly to compress gaps. He held up well against double teams too, showing impressive anchor strength.

For a player returning after a long layoff, the level of physicality that Banks showed was noteworthy. He still needs to finish plays more consistently and convert disruption into tangible production, but the raw traits and flashes of dominance reaffirm why scouts remain bullish on his upside. It will be interesting to see how he builds on this against Florida State next weekend.

Devon Marshall’s historic catch point performance

NC State cornerback Devon Marshall delivered one of the most unusual stat lines of the season in Week 13, finishing with two interceptions and seven pass breakups against Florida State.

The Seminoles made a point of targeting Marshall early and often, routinely testing him with a tough physical matchup against the 6’6” Duce Robinson. Marshall managed to hold firm.

The tape may not have been quite as spectacular as the numbers suggest – his first interception was a gift from Tommy Castellanos and the other came on a hail mary to end the game – but the processing and competitiveness were evident.

Marshall consistently played above his listed size, winning several reps through physical hands and an aggressive finish at the catch point.

The former Villanova man has been a little up and down in coverage this season, but with ball skills and special teams ability, he’s a name worth knowing if you’re looking for intriguing later-round prospects.

Pressure and accuracy issues remain a worry with John Mateer

Oklahoma’s win over Missouri extended their momentum, but quarterback John Mateer again struggled to find consistency. He completed just 14 of 30 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns in a performance defined by misfires and a lack of rhythm.

Accuracy remains the core concern. Mateer has been particularly erratic in the intermediate range, posting a 56.1% adjusted completion rate on throws of 11-19 yards. On true dropbacks, excluding screens, RPOs, and play action, he is completing just 55.4 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and six interceptions.

His thumb injury no doubt plays a part in the accuracy issues, but his struggles under pressure are a separate concern and one that is becoming harder to overlook. Missouri generated heat on 12 of his 36 dropbacks, producing three sacks and holding him to two completions for two yards. He now ranks 54th among Power Four quarterbacks in passer rating under pressure.

While his playmaking potential and tools will earn him plenty of fans, this combination of inaccuracy and poor pocket presence really does make Mateer’s projection to the pro level concerning. I’m increasingly of the view that he will return to Oklahoma for the 2026 season in an attempt to vault himself into the first round conversation, but with each week that passes, that sort of potential feels increasingly remote.

JACK BRENTNALL

HEAD OF NFL DRAFT CONTENT

Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.

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