The sixth 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:
Utah State QB Jordan Love vs. LSU’s defense
No other player got as much hype as Love entering this season. After watching his junior campaign that resulted in 3,567 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and finishing as a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien, it was easy to see the NFL potential. But through four games, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows.
His numbers aren’t nearly close to his breakout 2018 campaign, but it’s not enough to dismiss Love as a potential first rounder. Even though he’s not on the same level, pro scouts see some Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes in him. Love needs to work on his decision-making, but he possesses the arm talent with the creative mobility that’s enticing to watch.
Love will be able to help his stock on Saturday, facing one of the top defenses in the country in one of the most hostile environments in college football, which features a potential top-15 selection in safety Grant Delpit and first-rounder in cornerback Kristian Fulton.
Auburn offensive tackles vs. Florida EDGE defenders
Auburn possesses two prolific offensive tackles in Prince Tega Wanogho and Jack Driscoll that have allowed freshman Bo Nix to have a lot of success early on in his collegiate career.
Tega Wanogho, who’s viewed as a potential top-50 selection, is a 6-foot-5 and 307 pounder that has protected the blindside in his 25 starts. Even though he’s raw from an athletic skillset standpoint, Tega Wanogho has the size, strength, technique and discipline to flourish in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Driscoll earned his degree at UMass before transferring to Auburn. He wasn’t healthy this season, but he’s looking to impress pro scouts in his final year. The 6-foot-4 and 300 pound right tackle shows quickness, agility and run-blocking prowess, but his footwork technique will need to improve.
Both tackles will have the responsibility of keeping Nix upright on Saturday afternoon against two potential top-100 edge defenders in Jabari Zuniga and Jonathan Greenard. Zuniga and Greenard have combined for six sacks through five games.
Zuniga is a quick penetrator, who possesses strong hands and never gives blockers an easy rep as a pass rusher, always pursuing the ball. Meanwhile, Greenard lacks hand usage, but he finds his top speed quickly to make it difficult for tackles to keep him at bay.
Tennessee EDGE Darrell Taylor vs. Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
Taylor’s breakout game occurred in Athens, GA a year ago. He posted three sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in Tennessee’s loss to Georgia. Taylor will be looking to repeat that same success, but he will be facing arguably the top offensive tackle in the country.
Thomas, the 6-foot-5 and 318 pounder is an outstanding player with natural balance, brute strength and movement skills to protect the pocket and pave the way for Georgia’s running backs. Thomas will need to fend off Taylor, who possesses initial quickness and play speed to be a threat in the backfield.
Michigan State WR Darrell Stewart vs. Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah
Stewart, a three-year starter, has helped lead the Spartans’ offense with 35 receptions, 556 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His numbers rank within the top-10 nationally and his impressive start hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list.
Quarterback Brian Lewerke will be looking to find his top target early and often, but Okudah, one of the nation’s top corners, won’t make it easy for him. Even though he entered this season with zero career interceptions, he has shut down some of the best wideouts in the country and it has caught the attention of NFL scouts.
Okudah, the 6-foot-1 and 200 pound cornerback, boasts a blend of length, speed and physicality. Meanwhile, Stewart is strong, has natural hands, spatial awareness, and playmaking ability. A strong game from Stewart would help his current projection, which is on Day 3.
Oregon State WR Isaiah Hodgins vs. UCLA CB Darnay Holmes
The 2020 wide receiver class is extremely talented with Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs leading the pack. But there have been a handful of wideouts that have flown under-the-radar thus far and one of those players is Hodgins.
Hodgins, the 6-foot-4 and 209 pound wideout leads the Pac-12 in receiving yards with 509, along with 33 receptions and six touchdowns. The lengthy receiver, who has incredible leaping ability and is strong after the catch, will be lined up across one of the conference’s top corners.
Holmes posted three interceptions and eight passes defensed last season, but an ankle injury sustained has hindered him from matching that production. Still, the 5-foot-10 and 196 pound aggressive speedster will have the opportunity to come back to life against the riser.
