The fourth week of college football is upon us, which means we have another full slate of prospects across the country that will be trying to garner the attention of NFL scouts.
While there will be a handful of players, matchups among the top prospects in the nation will on display.
Here are five to keep an eye on:
Georgia OT Andrew Thomas vs. Notre Dame EDGE Khalid Kareem, Julian Okwara
Thomas, who is arguably the best offensive tackle in the country, will finally have his first tough test this season on Saturday to help continue to make his case as a top-15 selection in next April’s draft.
Thomas is best in pass protection, but Okwara and Kareem know how to cause fits. Okwara, who has a good chance to go in the first-round as well, hasn’t popped on the stat sheet, but he has lived in opposing backfields by winning with power and heavy hands.
Meanwhile, Kareem isn’t going to go as high as him teammate in the draft, but he will still find a role in the NFL as an edge rusher that contributes against the run, and offers some eye-popping length to fend off offensive tackles to get after the passer.
Oregon LB Troy Dye vs. Stanford TE Colby Parkinson
Stanford K.J. Costello had the most efficient game of his career against the Ducks last season, throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns. Costello will be looking to repeat that same type of production against an Oregon defense that hasn’t allowed a touchdown in consecutive games this year.
If Costello wants to have the same success, he will have to find his top target, Parkinson, who will be tasked with getting open against Dye. Dye is one of the nation’s top senior linebackers. He did a nice job covering Parkinson a season ago, and he is eager to do so again against the 6-foot-6 and 244 tight end in front of many NFL scouts.
LSU safety Grant Delpit vs. Vanderbilt TE Jared Pinkney
Delpit and Pinkney are arguably the best players at their perspective position in the entire nation. The two will be on display at Vanderbilt Stadium in front a handful of NFL scouts.
Delpit was an All-American a season ago, but so far through three games, it’s been an up-and-down start. He’s only posted 10 tackles and dealt with an injury in the game against Texas. The Louisiana native is eager to get back on track by locking up the 6-foot-4 and 250 pound tight end.
Pinkney, who has yet to log a touchdown this season, will look to stretch the field vertically with his burst and use his long frame to pluck the ball from the air. But Delpit has the speed and ball skills to keep Pinkney from being a threat.
Arizona State CB Chase Lucas vs. Colorado Laviska Shenault Jr.
The Pac-12 is loaded with talented cornerbacks with the likes of Stanford’s Paulson Adebo or Utah’s Jaylon Johnson, but one that has gone under the radar is Lucas.
Known for his physical play-style, Lucas has amassed 130 tackles through three seasons. He’s no slouch in coverage, where he has tallied five interceptions and 14 passes defensed.
The Arizona State corner will be tasked with covering Shenault, one of the nation’s top wideout.
Shenault has already went over 200 yards in three games, and he will now use his athleticism and competitiveness to overpower Lucas. But for Lucas, he has the discipline, technically refined footwork and toughness to stop him in his tracks.
Charlotte EDGE Alex Highsmith vs. Clemson OT Tremayne Anchrum
As the season progresses, smaller school studs are starting to emerge. Last week it was William Bradley-King. This week it’s Highsmith, who will have the opportunity to help his draft stock against the No. 1 team in the country.
Highsmith broke the school record (held by Larry Ogunjobi) with 17.5 tackles for loss in 2018. Highsmith was named Conference USA Defenisve Player of the Week after he posted seven tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks with a forced fumble at Tennessee.
He will be set to face Anchrum, the heart and soul on the Tigers’ offensive line.
Anchrum is a balanced athlete, who is always finding a way to keep his man occupied. Meanwhile, Anchrum has a combination of initial burst, edge acceleration and flashes active hands to beat his opponent.
