College Football Week 1 Scouting Report Watchlist Risers/Fallers

[OhioColt]

Alas it's football season again and some of the top players did not disappoint while a few struggled to continue to impress me and a couple risers.  Will continue to focus on this list plus look for others to make strong cases this season heading into the draft.

 

Quarterbacks:

• QB Drew Aller (PSU) - Week 1 Aller put up a top 20 mark in the nation posting an 86.3 PFF overall grade.

 

Offensive Lineman:

• OT JC Davis
• RG Addison West (Western Michigan) - 2023 College Football All-MAC Team.  Week 1 earned a 79.4 grade versus Wisconsin.

 

Running Backs:

• RB Jonah Coleman (Arizona) - Highest rated RB with an elite 90.3 grade

 

Tight Ends:

• TE Colston Loveland (Michigan) - 89.4 overall grade
• TE Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)
• TE/WR Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse) 
• TE Luke Lachey (Iowa) 

• TE Jalin Conyers (Texas Tech)

 

Wide Receiver:

• WR-Z – Jerjuan Newton (Toledo)- Week 1 earned an 85.4 PFF grade.
• WR-SL Sean Atkins (South Florida) - 44 snaps earned a 62.5 PFF grade
• RB/WR-KR Brashard Smith (Southern Methodist) - Week 0 earned second-highest grade at 83.5.

 

Defensive Lineman:

• NT Deon Walker (Kentucky)
• Edge Jack Sawyer (OSU)
• Edge Ashton Gillotte (Louisville)
• Edge Josaiah Stewart (Michigan) - Stewart excelled as a pass rusher at Coastal Carolina with a 17.1% pressure rate.  Week 1 on 37 snaps had an excellent 91.3 grade.
• DT Thor Griffith (Louisville) - This #16 Freak of an athlete transferred from Harvard and had a solid outing on 19 snaps earned an 88.8 PFF grade.
• Edge Elijah Alston (Miami FL)
• NT Rylie Mills (ND) 
• DT Joey Slackman (Florida) - Former Pennsylvania standout earned a solid 70.6 grade on 26 snaps. 
• Edge Jah Joyner (Minnesota) - Led his team with a 73.0 overall grade and a 78.5 run defense grade on 46 snaps.
• Edge Tyler Baron (Tennessee) - Impact player with 3 TOT, 2 TFLs and a sack to earn a 73.6 grade
• DT Jordan Burch (Oregon) - Week 1 on 42 snaps earned a 73.2 defensive grade, 69.0 rush defense grade and a 76.1 tackling grade with a 68.6 pass rush grade
• Edge Anton Juncaj (Arkansas) - 21 snaps earned a 79.6 grade
• Edge Jasheen Davis (Wake Forest) - Week 1 earned an overall 72.7 PFF grade on 23 snaps with a 71.5 pass rushing grade and a 71.5 tackling grade.
• NT/DT CJ West (Indiana) - Week 1 earned an impressive 81.4 grade

 

Linebackers:

• OLB/Edge Collin Oliver (Oklahoma St) - Week 1 leader in QB pressures with 7
• ILB Jamon Dumas-Johnson - 73.8 grade on 23 snaps
• MLB Carson Bruener (Washington) - Week 1 on 48 snaps earned a 73.4 grade and an 80.8 tackling grade.
• WLB Eric Gentry (USC) - Week 1 Gentry earned the game best grade of 75.9. for USC against a #13 LSU Tigers.

 

Defensive Backs:

• RCB Shavon Revel (East Carolina)
• SS Keon Sabb (Alabama) – Sabb in Week 1 earned PFF national TOW honors with an 83.9 PFF grade.

• SS Mishael Powell Miami (FL) – Week 1 win over Florida Powell had an 89.5 defensive grade with 2 TOT and an INT, an 89.0 coverage grade, 74.3 tackling grade, a 69.8 pass rush grade and a 65.6 run defense grade on 56 total snaps.

• NCB Jordan Hancock (OSU) - 71.3 coverage grade on 54 snaps
• RCB Terrance Brooks (Illinois) – Cover-3 heavy scheme fit for the Colts.  Week 1 had a 74.9 grade on 14 snaps.

• LCB Ephesian Prysock (Washington) – Week 1 on 46 snaps earned a 70.1 grade.

• SS Kamren Fabiculanan (Washington) – Earned top marks with an impressive 81.4 tackling grade on 38 snaps for a 69.8 grade.

• RCB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) – On 31 snaps earned a 66.7 PFF grade in Week 1.

• RCB Aydan White (UNC) - In Week 1 had a 61.1 coverage grade allowing 63 total yards on five receptions out of 11 targets.

 

Prospects whose draft stock dropped after Week 1:

• Edge Landon Jackson (Arkansas) - Poor 26.1 tackling grade and 58.9 overall grade.
• WLB Barrett Carter (Clemson) - Struggled with a 25.2 tackling grade and a 50% missed tackle rate.
• LB/SAF Justin Barron (Syracuse) - Poor 31.8 tackling grade.
• SS Xavier Nwankpa (Iowa) - Missed two tackles for a 38.6 tackling grade and a 54.7 run defense grade.
• CB Tacario Davis (Arizona) - Week 1 on 74 snaps earned a 57.0 grade then was ejected for throwing a punch at a New Mexico player.
• CB Malik Spencer (Michigan State) - Made one tackle before being ejected for targeting.
• FS Akili Arnold (USC) - An Oregon State transfer who was one of two players who graded below 60.0 on 40 or more snaps.
• WR Chris Tyree (UVA) - recorded 3 drops in his debut. 
• CB Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech) - a poor 48.5 grade. 

 

[OhioColt]

Depending on which site and how we look at it the grades are different or can be talking about another player (disclaimer).  Without paying a premium to unlock all player stats does take a while to compile these listings.  Below are newer additions and their grades. 

• MLB Mac Harris (South Florida) – 2024 TOW 1 honors on 46 snaps used on 21 run defense snaps, 3 pass rush and 22 coverage led the CFB with an impressive 91.4 defensive grade, 95.0 run defense grade, 82.8 tackling grade, 81.7 pass rush grade and 62.9 coverage grade.
• MLB Marlowe Wax (Syracuse) - in Week 1 with limited playing time finished with an 81.4 defensive grade, 82.4 run defense grade, an 81.1 tackling grade on 78 pass rush snaps with a 65.9 defensive coverage grade.
• WR-SL Jadon Thompson (Louisville) In Week 1 on 26 snaps earned a 72.2 PFF grade.
• WR-SL Xavier Restrepo Miami (FL) - Week 1 on 54 snaps earned a 73.4 PFF grade R65.
• WR-X Kentron Poitier (Florida St) – In Week 1 on 28 snaps earned a 77.3 PFF grade, a 75.6 pass grade and a 60.7 run defense grade.
• DT Rayshaun Benny (Michigan) – in Week 1 earned an 80.8 grade.
• NT Rene Konga (Louisville) – in Week 1 earned a 78.0 grade on 21 snaps.
• RCB Corey Thornton (Louisville) – Week 1 on 40 snaps earned a 76.6 PFF grade.
• FS Tamarion McDonald (Louisville) - Week 1 on 28 snaps earned a 73.9 PFF grade.
• QB Cam Ward Miami (FL) – Week 1 was the 8th highest graded QB in the Power 5 with a 90.9/91.1 PFF grade R11.
• 3-4 RILB Jaheim Thomas (Wisconsin) 6’4” 245 pounds – In Week 1 earned an 85.5 PFF grade.  Thomas recorded 5 tackles, 3 stops and 1 pressure on 42 snaps.
• 3-4 ROLB John Pius (Wisconsin) 6’4” 250 pounds – In Week 1 earned a 72.8 PFF grade.  Pius had 1 tackle and a pressure as a pass-rusher.
• MLB Cam Riley (Florida St) – in Week 1 earned a 71.4 PFF grade on 23 snaps leading the team with 10 tackles and a forced fumble, a 78.4 run defense grade, an 83.2 tackling grade and a poor 55.2 coverage grade.
• LDT Elijah Hills (Wisconsin) – in Week 1 earned a 75.1 defensive grade on 21 snaps with 2 pressures and a sack (Wisconsin’s only TFL).
• NT/DT Tonka Hemingway (South Carolina) – Hemingway earned Week 1 honors Conference TOW on 36 snaps and a 71.3 PFF grade R91 with 1 sack and 1 hurry.
• NCB Kevin Knowles II (Florida St) – Week 1 on 24 snaps earned a 71.7 PFF grade, a 62.2 run defense grade, a 75.1 tackling grade, and a 71.8 coverage grade.
• MLB Jalon Walker (Georgia) - In Week 1 on 26 snaps earned a 76.8 PFF grade.
• STUD-OLB Lander Barton (Utah) – In 2024 Week 1 earned a 66.3 PFF grade on 30 snaps.
• LB Deontae Lawson (Alabama) Week 1 on 49 snaps earned a 76.2 PFF grade R54. 
• RB Nicholas Singleton (PSU) – Week 1 on 28 snaps earned a 77.3 PFF grade R34 with 8.8 YPA, 1 TD rushing.
• RB Kyle Monangai (Rutgers) - No history of fumbles.  Week 1 on 34 snaps earned a 77.0 PFF grade R36.
• OC Jake Slaughter (Florida) – Week 1 on 56 snaps earned a 73.2 offensive grade R26, didn’t allow any sacks, hits, or hurries against Miami (FL).
• LT Anthony Belton (NC State) – In Week 1 on 74 snaps earned a 71.9 PFF grade R70.  History allowing too many hurries.
• LT Earnest Greene III (Georgia) – Only posted a 70.0 grade or higher in two of his 14 games in 2023.  2023 PFF TOW 4 honors.  Need to see improvement this season.  Week 1 on 56 snaps earned a 69.9 PFF grade R99 gave up 1 hurry and no sacks/hits against Clemson.
• TE Terrance Ferguson (Oregon) – Week 1 on 55 snaps earned a solid 80.7 PFF grade R15.  Originally had a late day 3 grade can see him move up draft boards with a strong season R3-4.
• QB Garrett Nussmeier –Week 1 loss to USC had an overall (81.1) 74.6 grade 71.5 pass and 65.1 run R46 nationally.
• TE Brant Kuithe (Utah) 6’2” 236 pounds tweener – In 2021 he recorded 611 receiving yards and 6 TDs with an 80.5 receiving grade good for 11th among 59 qualifying Power Five TEs.  Comparison to Dalton Kincaid with a 2.37 yards per route run average (Kincaid 2.41).  Older prospect turns 25 in December.  Battled injuries.  Week 1 on 21 snaps recorded an excellent 89.7 PFF grade going 4-4 69 yards and 3 TDs with 17.3 avg.
• RB Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech) – In 2023 led the nation with 96 forced missed tackles and R4 in both YAC (998) and rushing yards (1547).  96 of his carries went for a first down or TD.  Week 1 on 69 snaps earned a 73.7 PFF grade R63. 
• SS Lathan Ransom (OSU) – In week 1 on 55 snaps earned a 78.0 PFF grade good R31st nationally.
• SS Dante Trader Jr (Maryland) – Week 1 on 47 snaps earned a 77.5 PFF grade R33.
• LCB Tommi Hill (Nebraska) – In 2023 had an outstanding QB rating when targeted of 38.6.  With another solid year Hill could move up.  Week 1 on 30 snaps earned a 67.3 PFF grade.
• LDEdge Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech) – Week 1 earned a 68.2 grade on 42 snaps R142.

The biggest fallers after the first week to me were many of the top offensive line prospects along with the rest of these players whose stock dropped after Week 1:

• OT Will Campbell with a 54.1 PFF grade on 64 snaps (R349).
• OT Emery Jones Jr (LSU) – Week 1 on 64 snaps earned a 52 PFF grade R369
• OC Parker Brailsford (Alabama) – Week 1 on 33 snaps earned a 60.3 PFF grade
• RG Jaeden Roberts (Alabama) – Week 1 earned a 59.0 PFF grade on 31 snaps.
• OL Jonah Monheim (USC) – Week 1 on 63 snaps earned a 60.2 PFF grade R148
• RT Ajani Cornelius (Oregon) - Week 1 on 89 snaps earned a 67.3 PFF grade R138 allowed 2 sacks and 1 hurry
• OT Wyatt Milum (West Virginia Week 1 on 44 snaps earned a 63.5 PFF grade R203
• OT Kelvin Banks Jr - Week 1 earned a 65.6 PFF grade on 48 snaps R158
• OL Aireontae Ersey
• WR Evan Stewart (Oregon) Week 1 on 56 snaps earned a 51.7 PFF grade R492
• LDEdge Patrick Payton (Florida St) – After 2 weeks on 94 snaps earned a poor 51.6 PFF grade R436.
• TE Mitchell Evans (ND) - Week 1 earned a 53.6 PFF grade on 10 snaps
• NT Howard Cross III (ND) - Week 1 on 50 snaps earned a poor 45.3 PFF grade R546
• TE Benjamin Yurosek (Georgia) – Week 1 on 18 snaps earned a 49.3 PFF grade

 

[MikeCurtis]

Mason Graham looked awesome at DT

[OhioColt]

9 hours ago, MikeCurtis said:

Mason Graham looked awesome at DT

Graham no doubt is a special young man with plenty of talent and should be drafted early on Day 1.

 

More surprsied by his backup Rayshaun Benny who outperformed him on 23 snaps to earn a 80.8 grade.  Benny a new comer for me.  The more I look at him he has a lot of appeal as well. 
 

For the Colts am hoping Buckner can play forever like Calias Campbell.  Adebawore still strongly believe should drop weight kick outside with his speed.  Davis with his medical leave more questions and a hole to fill behind Stewart while Bryan hasn’t proved enough in abscesses. 
 

Buckner could use another strong backup from this year’s draft class and so far am leaning towards Griffith, Williams, Sanders, Benny, Hills. Burch, or Slackman.

 

Stewart’s hopefully successor is a shorter list of Walker, West, Konga, and Hemingway. 
 

My Day 1 pick for the Colts remains unchanged and would remind us of the glory days with Freeny/Mathis.  Until then will keep it silenty Fresh.