Week 8 of the college football season has arrived, and this week’s action brings several games that promise to be nothing short of slobberknockers.
With in-conference play well underway, these games are very important for teams fighting for a shot at a conference championship. They also serve as an opportunity for NFL prospects to prove themselves against top competition.
Here are some of the most intriguing prospect matchups for this week:
Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk vs. Utah CB Jaylon Johnson
Arizona State and Utah have been two of the hottest teams in the Pac-12 so far this year, and their battle this week features an intriguing matchup in the passing game.
Aiyuk has exploded onto the scene for the Sun Devils this year. With 31 catches, 651 yards and five touchdowns through six games, he has stepped up to become one of the top wide receivers in the nation. An explosive athlete with great agility in the open field and promise as a route runner, Aiyuk has been a tough man to stop for opposing defenses.
Aiyuk will have his hands full this week, though, as he goes up against Johnson. A lengthy and physical cornerback with athleticism and aggression to spare, he fits the prototypical mold for a press-man defender. His hip fluidity and ball skills have him on track to becoming an early-round draft pick next April.
Washington WR Aaron Fuller vs. Oregon CB Deommodore Lenoir
With two in-conference losses so far this year, Washington is looking to stay in the Pac-12 North race with a win over Oregon, who currently holds a comfortable 1.5-game lead.
Fuller appears to be the next Washington weapon in line to enter the NFL, following the likes of Will Dissly, John Ross, Dante Pettis and Drew Sample before him. Fuller is a quick mover with prowess as a route runner, as his sudden movements and intelligence make him difficult to guard. With 40 receptions, 558 yards and five touchdowns through seven games, he has been a reliable target for Jacob Eason all year.
Opposite him this week will be Lenoir, who besides having a very cool name, has been a solid starter for the Ducks this year. He has natural ball skills, being able to track down the ball and make adjustments with his body to make a play. He also isn’t afraid to be physical, as demonstrated by his hand usage in coverage and willingness as a tackler.
LSU DL Rashard Lawrence vs. Mississippi State OL Darryl Williams
Coming off of a resounding win over Florida, LSU is riding as high as any team in the nation right now. This week, they square up against Mississippi State, who will look to turn their cold streak around with a major upset.
Lawrence has only played in three games this year due to injury, but he has been a reliable force for the Tigers up the middle when healthy. He has good first-step acceleration coming off the snap, and he pairs that with a powerful punch at the initial point of contact. He packs a powerful frame and plays with a high motor on a consistent basis.
Williams presents an opposing foe for Lawrence this week. Taking on the center role with former teammate Elgton Jenkins in the NFL, Williams has great along the interior for the Bulldogs. A powerful blocker with tenacious grip strength and a relentless style of play, he carries a nasty edge to his game and looks to drive his opponents into the dirt on every down.
South Carolina WR Bryan Edwards vs. Florida CB CJ Henderson
South Carolina is coming off of an astonishing upset against Georgia, while Florida is looking to bounce back after losing to LSU. One team will be looking to keep up their momentum, while the other will look to gain some back. This Saturday will bring about an exciting matchup in Columbia.
Despite not having starting quarterback Jake Bentley to throw him the ball, Edwards has put together a solid 2019 season. He has 33 catches, 426 yards and four touchdowns through six games. He carries an imposing 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame and is surprisingly nimble in the open field. The size-athleticism mismatch he offers against defensive backs has led him to prominence in the SEC.
Just one week after getting lit up by LSU’s passing attack, Florida’s secondary, led by Henderson, will have a chance to make up for their down game. Henderson is an extremely fluid cover corner with a 6-foot-1 frame and impressive movement skills. He accelerates well coming out of his breaks, and he has the deep speed to help nullify vertical threats.
Tennessee EDGE Darrell Taylor vs. Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood
Alabama is playing at an extremely high level, while Tennessee, well, isn’t. Nevertheless, there is still an enticing prospect matchup to watch out for in the game.
Taylor is a very fluid athlete for an edge rusher. His ability to dip his hips and turn the corner is top-notch, and he accelerates off the snap well. He also possesses a good arsenal of pass-rushing techniques and knows how to use his hands well. With 11 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss in his last 17 games, Taylor is a consistent threat to make a handful of plays each game.
Leatherwood moved to left tackle after spending 2018 at right guard, and he has been able to make a seamless transition. An incredible athlete for an offensive lineman, he moves very fluidly in space and has superb lateral agility. He plays with a high motor on every play, and he does a good job of his hands inside to gain leverage against his opponents.
