Week 12 college football watch list, game thread

Happy weekend, 49er faithful! Week 12 of the college football season is upon us and we are back with one of the final game threads for the week. We’re getting into the latter part of the season which carries implications for teams looking to make a push at the College Football Playoff and draft prospects to make last impressions on scouts and general managers alike.

As always we are shedding light on some intriguing prospects on both sides of the ball that offer some incentive to tune in to some games today - and with San Francisco on a bye it’s not like there’s much else to watch, right? That’s a joke. Kind of...).

Josh Eccles

Evan Worthington, S, No. 6 - Colorado
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 209
#19 Utah at Colorado | 10:30 a.m. (PT) Saturday, November 17 | PAC-12 Network

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Worthington spent 2016 away from the team while serving a year long suspension for violating team rules. As a junior in 2017, Worthington rejoined the team and the defense immediately welcomed his presence, as he finished third on the team in total tackles (86), first in solo tackles (66), and first in interceptions (3) along with seven pass breakups. With Worthington you get a player who can play nearly anywhere in the defensive backfield while remaining highly effective wherever he is.

During his time with the Buffs Worthington has shown his prowess in man coverage. Colorado has enjoyed bringing him down from the safety spot and deploying him as a nickel corner - there are times where he’s been beaten off the line of scrimmage but was able to regain footing against the opposing receiver by utilizing his closing speed. HIs zone coverage admittedly does need work but I still believe that he could prove to be a deep sleeper for a team looking to shore up depth in their secondary.

Rock Ya-Sin, CB, No. 6 - Temple Height: 6’2” | Weight: 200
South Florida at Temple | 9:00 a.m. (PT) Saturday, November 17 | ESPNEWS/WatchESPN

A transfer from Presbyterian College, Rock Ya-Sin has been one of the stars of the Temple defense in 2018. He has two interceptions, and he’s allowed just 22 catches on his 43 attempts. Add in his four pass breakups and you get a very strong 79.2 coverage grade. He has been far from perfect, though; he’s allowed two touchdowns and five penalties in his six games. Still, considering he’s relatively new to football and considering the production and his size, and Ya-Sin is sure to intrigue NFL scouts. San Francisco is young in the secondary so adding a player who is still learning the position may not make the most sense but he’s still an intriguing player to keep an eye on.

Alex Eisen

Mack Wilson, LB, No. 30 - Alabama
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 238
The Citadel at #1 Alabama | 9:00 a.m. (PT) Saturday, November 17 | SEC Network

The linebacker out of Alabama is having another productive season for the Crimson Tide. This season Wilson has recorded 43 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 4 passes broken up. Wilson plays with a high level of intensity and athleticism. Has the ability to defend against both the run and the pass. He is receiving significant praise from scouts and evaluators for his abilities to defend against the pass. Wilson is one of those linebackers with rare football instincts and anticipation for where the play is going to occur and where the pass is heading. In today’s pass friendly NFL, these types of linebackers who can patrol the middle of the field and put themselves in a position to make a play in pass coverage are always going to be in high demand.

Wilson plays a physical brand of football, and has demonstrated his ability to be a 3-down linebacker. Wilson has a natural blend of lower and upper body strength, along with good speed for the position. Has great initial burst off the snap, and will break-up potential runs up the middle and along the edge. Has lateral speed to cover the field from a horizontal standpoint. At this moment in time Wilson is a day two, round two prospect. However, if he continues to impress scouts and front offices in pass coverage he may be too good to pass up. Wilson could very well hear his name called in the back half of the first round.

Chris Lindstrom, Guard, No. 75 - Boston College
Height: 6’3” | Weight: 307
#20 Boston College at Florida State | 12:30 p.m. (PT) Saturday, November 17 | ESPN2

You can find one of the most consistent offensive linemen at Boston College in Chris Lindstrom. The guard has produced positive production and results for the Eagles this season. On tape, Lindstrom has demonstrated his ability to be a consistent blocker up front. This includes positive production in both running and passing plays. Lindstrom has strong, reliable hands, when blocking in one to one match-ups with oncoming pass rushers. Lindstrom maintains great leverage against defenders, utilizing a blend of upper and lower body strength. Lindstrom has good speed, and trusts his feet to keep himself upright and balanced.

Lindstrom has desirable size and measureables for the position at the next level. He plays stronger as the game continues on. There have been some whispers about Lindstrom potentially being a tackle, however guard is his more natural position, and the position I see him best at the pro level. Where Lindstrom seems to be getting most of his praise is his ability as a blocker in passing plays. Lindstrom is looking like a day two prospect towards the backend of the second round or early third round. His arrow is pointing up though, and in a pass-happy league where protecting the quarterback means everything, Lindstrom could see his name slowly continue to climb up draft boards as we move closer and closer to the draft process.

Greg Valerio

Garrett Brumfield, OG, No. 78 - LSU
Height: 6’4” | Weight: 303
Rice vs. No. 7 LSU | 4:30 p.m. (PT) Saturday, November 17 | ESPNU

Garrett Brumfield is an athletic bruiser that plays with a nasty mentality. Although he can be a bit aggressive running past defenders, Brumfield plays with his hair on fire and finishes with violent intentions. An intelligent leader on and off the field, Brumfield is a tough and powerful guard prospect with agile feet and excellent movement skills. He displays top-notch quickness excelling in pulling and reaching the second level quickly taking advantage of angles and displaying the athletic ability to swing his hips blocking in space. He flashes great technique, but will need consistency with hand placement and tends to be a waist bender lunging wildly at times.

The 49ers have shown improvement with their offensive line unit as the season progresses; nevertheless, it is a unit in need of consistency and depth. With Mike Person set to be a free agent at the end of the season, and who knows what happens with Josh Garnett, the future of the guard position needs to be addressed. Luckily, Garrett Brumfield is one prospect who fits the mold to play in a zone blocking scheme and could be on the radar to keep an eye on.

Quinnen Williams, DT, No. 92 - Alabama
Height: 6’4” | Weight: 295
The Citadel vs. No. 1 Alabama | 9:00 a.m. (PT) Saturday, November 17 | SEC Network

When you are a standout on an already impressive Alabama defensive line unit, you know your game is on another level. Quinnen Williams is a player who never ceases to amaze me and makes an imposing Bama defense, even scarier. The redshirt sophomore showcases tremendous strength at the point of attack with impressive quickness and agility to penetrate through defenders on the inside and excellent technique (hand placement and hand strength is outstanding) and power to overwhelm opponents. Williams has a solid combination of size, strength, bulk, athleticism, and foot speed with explosive burst firing off the line of scrimmage, great lower power to bull rush opponents, and superb balance and agility to penetrate through gaps utilizing impressive movement and strength. Moreover, he displays the ability to play front-side blocks at the point of attack (terrific disengagement) and the athletic ability to defend against back-side blocks with an always running hot motor chasing down the ball carrier finishing with speed and explosion.

It is highly unlikely the 49ers will draft a defensive tackle with their first-round pick, and I am not advocating for one; however, we never know how draft day plays out. Right now, the 49ers are looking at a top-five pick, but the team’s circumstances could change at the end of the season and be in a position to draft the best player available. Quinnen Williams is one player to keep an eye on.