Week 6 college football watch list, game thread

Hello, 49er Faithful! We are back yet again with another thread for all things college football. We’re about halfway through the season and there are plenty of storylines and prospects to keep an eye on for week 6 - it should be plenty enough to quench your thirst for football before the 49ers’ matchup against the Cardinals on Sunday. Below are some games to look out for with a few college prospects that may pique your interest - check it out!

Josh Eccles

Ceedee Lamb, WR, No. 2, Oklahoma Height: 6’2” | Weight: 190 lbs. | 40 time: 4.48 #19 Texas at #7 Oklahoma | 9:00am (PT) Saturday, October 6th | FOX

Is Texas actually back? The game should answer that question as the two teams are set to square off in their annual Red River Showdown. Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray has done his part to fill the shoes of Baker Mayfield, who is now leading an exciting Cleveland Browns team on Sundays. Murray, who was also drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1st round of the 2018 MLB Draft, is putting up big numbers - thanks in large part to the quality of play he has gotten from wide receiver Ceedee Lamb. Through six games Lamb has managed to amass 33 receptions for 591 yards (17.9 avg) and 6 touchdowns. He has strong hands which leads to him rarely dropping balls thrown his way. He runs precise routes. He has some nice quickness and enough speed to breakaway from defenders. He is tall and lanky and able to haul in passes over defenders.

The 49ers by no means loaded at receiver: yes, they have a lot of nice pieces in Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin, Dante Pettis - heck, even Trent Taylor and Kendrick Bourne have made an impact so far in their young careers. The future, though, lies with Pettis and - potentially - Lamb. Ceedee Lamb, to me, is a Deandre Hopkins-esque receiver who should surprise people at the next level.

Beau Benzschawel, OG, No. 66, Wisconsin Height: 6’6” | Weight: 317 lbs. | 40 time: 4.48 Nebraska at #16 Wisconsin | 4:30pm (PT) Saturday, October 6th | BIG TEN Network

Some consider the Big 10 to be an “overrated” - one thing that is absolutely not overrated, though, is the offensive line boasted by the Wisconsin Badgers as there could be as many as 4 potential future 1st round draft picks. Beau Benzschawel is one of them and he is quite an impressive player; as one scout put it, “as soon as his hands are on your, you're done. He is that strong.” Benzschawel possesses the strength, toughness, intelligence, and athleticism to exceed as a guard in the NFL.

San Francisco can always afford to add more depth to their offensive line. It reminds to be seen where they will select come April - if they can string together a couple of wins, though, then Benzschawel would be a viable option in the mid-to-late portion of the first round.

Alex Eisen

Te’Von Coney, OLB/ILB, No. 4
Height: 6’0” | Weight: 238 | 40 Time: 4.60
#6 Notre Dame at #24 Virginia Tech | 5:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday, October 6 | ABC

So far this season Coney has recored 29 tackles, with 3.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and 1 pass broken up. Last season Coney recored 116 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Coney is a high volume producer and often has an impact play in and play out. Plays his best against the run, and has developed and grown his instincts as a run defender. Doesn’t have the natural frame and measurements for the linebacker position, however he plays bigger than his initial size. Finishes tackles quickly, and breaks up potential plays along the edge. Coney can be lined up at multiple positions along the field.

Displays toughness, and plays a physical brand of football. Has efficient downhill speed against the run, while clogging up running lanes along the line of scrimmage. On tape, Coney demonstrates an ability to maneuver around blocks. There are some growing pains for Coney in pass protection, and he will need to continue his development in this area. This is perhaps what can hold Coney up from being a three-down linebacker. Still, there is a lot to like about Coney, and his volume in early down work, especially against the run. Fun fact…he was Notre Dame’s leading tackler last season…He just might be their leading tackler this season as well. At the moment Coney is a late day two pick with an opportunity to improve his draft stock.

Trayvon Mullen, CB, No. 1 - Clemson
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 186 | 40 Time: 4.45
#4 Clemson at Wake Forest | 12:30 p.m. (PT) Saturday, October 6 | ESPN

An athletic freak with physical measures and traits that scouts and evaluators seek at the next level. Last season Mullen recored 42 tackles with 3 interceptions and seven passes broken up. Often lines up against a team’s number one option, and rarely is Mullen out-boxed in one-to-one matchups, especially on the outside. Has a well-rounded skillset, and natural instincts for a defensive back. Will wrap up his opponent and finish tackles quickly. Does not hesitate to get physical with receivers within the first five yards. Mullen has the speed to matchup with receivers on the short, intermediate, and deep routes.

On tape, Mullen is a long and physical corner. Has demonstrated fluid movement through his hips, and can change directions swiftly and efficiently. Mullen can count on reliable, strong hands, and has ballhawk tendencies in his game. Demonstrates strong leadership in the Clemson secondary, and is coachable. Determined from the moment he arrived on the Clemson campus, as he quickly worked his way up a very crowded Tiger’s secondary. Mullen has played his way into first round consideration. At the moment I see Mullen as a late, first round pick who could slip into the early part of the second round on day two.

Greg Valerio

Jachai Polite, DE, No. 99 - Florida
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 242
No. 5 LSU at No. 22 Florida | 12:30 p.m. (PT) Saturday, October 6 | CBS

Jachai Polite is an under-the-radar edge prospect showcasing a solid combination of speed, flexibility, top-notch athleticism, and a relentless motor bending well coming off the edge with excellent foot quickness and blazing speed. A bit undersized at 6-foot-2-inches, Polite is an explosive and aggressive edge player with a quick burst off the line of scrimmage showcasing great change of direction skills, strength at the point of attack, penetrating speed, solid instincts, and is a ferocious player that has a nose for the ball with impressive closing speed. Speed and violence is Polite’s bread and butter.

A true disruptive force and an energy ball, Polite is an ideal LEO defender in the 49ers’ defensive scheme utilizing his burst, penetrating speed, fluid change of direction skills, and the optimal bend (nice dip of the shoulder) you love to see from your edge defenders. The junior’s tremendous quick first-step explosion, eyebrow raising speed off the edge, and his relentless effort on the field will continue to open more eyes, while he quickly climbs the ranks of an already impressive edge class.

Tyler Roemer, OT (left), No. 74 - San Diego State
Height: 6’7” | Weight: 315
San Diego State vs. Boise State | 12:30 p.m. (PT) Saturday, October 6 | ESPNU

Another under-the-radar prospect to keep an eye on is redshirt sophomore Tyler Roemer. Roemer is an athletically gifted long-limbed offensive left tackle with an excellent combination of size, athleticism, length (large wingspan), quickness, foot speed, and strength. A multi-sport high school standout (basketball, swimming, wrestling, football), Roemer showcases a quick first-step, fluid lateral quickness, balance, impressive technique for his youth, and sound athletic ability to quick set easily mirroring defenders with suddenness and fluidity adjusting to movement sliding laterally and redirecting. He shows a great ability to anchor in pass protection dropping his weight and hips anchoring to engage power rushers. Although functional strength will need to improve for the next level, Roemer already displays ideal fluidity and quickness allowing him to display the athletic ability to swing his hips blocking in space when reaching the second level and is adept at utilizing angles and combo blocks. If he declares, a Roemer is a prospect that should be on the 49ers’ radar.