Greetings Faithful! As we enter week four of college football, we are already one month into what has been an exciting season! Many of the top eligible draft prospects for 2019 are already making headlines. Unfortunately, the biggest name to make headlines this week was Ohio State Defensive End Nick Bosa who will be out indefinitely after suffering a core muscle injury. This is, of course devastating news for the Buckeyes. We will have to see how much this affects Bosa’s draft stock. In my opinion he has done enough to keep himself in contention as a top pick in next year’s draft. However, we will have to closely monitor his progress moving forward.
Each week throughout the college season Josh Eccles, Alex Eisen, and Greg Valerio will break down a few college football games providing highlights and profiles of a few notable draft-eligible prospects you should pay attention to. This will help people build a list of names to know when we get into the offseason.
For this week, Josh, Alex, and Greg each picked two players to talk about. All prospects highlighted are featured today; nonetheless, feel free to drop in the prospects you are watching.
Josh Eccles
Emanuel Hall, WR, No. 84 - Missouri Height: 6’3” | Weight: 190 lbs. | 40 time: 4.48 #2 Georgia at Missouri | 9:00am (PT) Saturday, September 22nd | ESPN
Missouri has won their first 3 games and and that, in large part, is because of their senior wide receiver Emanuel Hall. The 6’3”, 190-pounder is averaging an explosive 23.9 yards per catch and has scored three touchdowns on only 18 catches. He provides a over-the-top threat for a Tiger team looking to upset the number two team in the land led by standout defensive back Deandre Baker.
Hall possesses intriguing talent that could translate well to the next level: he has size, length, speed, and solid hands. Again, he provides a down-the-field threat that teams look for - that, coupled with his size and ability to go up and get the ball at the point-of-contact should bode well for him as he continues his senior year and, ultimately, begins preparing for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Ugo Amadi, S, No. 7 - Oregon Height: 5’10” | Weight: 201 lbs. #7 Stanford at #20 Oregon | 5:00pm (PT) Saturday, September 22nd | ABC/WatchESPN
So Ugo Amadi is an intriguing player because, well, he can do it all: he can play cornerback (although his first two seasons at the position proved to be more tumultuous than the Ducks probably wanted it it to be) and safety (which, as it turns out, is his most effective position) and seems to always find himself around the ball. Last season was his first as a safety for Oregon and he did well as he compiled three interceptions, four fumbles forced and 43 total tackles.
What is it that has so many excited about the safety? Amadi has incredible closing speed and anticipates the quarterback’s next move extremely well. He’s shown that he has the ability to impact games by forcing turnovers and is an overall nuisance to opposing offenses and, despite his early struggles at corner, he still boasts fairly impressive skills in coverage. Oregon will be counting on him to make some plays against a solid Stanford offense that is currently rolling and shows no signs of slowing down.
Alex Eisen
Damien Harris, RB, No. 34 - Alabama
Height: 5’10” | Weight: 214 lbs. | 40 Time: 4.50
#22 Texas A&M at #1 Alabama | 12:30pm (PT) Saturday, September 22nd | CBS
Chances are that Damien Harris isn’t going to be the first running back to hear his name called in next year’s draft, but he just might be the most pro ready of all the draft eligible backs. The senior enters his final season at Tuscaloosa ready to showcase as the featured back in the Alabama Crimson Tide offense. Last season Harris ran for 1,000 yards averaging 7.4 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns. He also recorded 12 receptions for 91 yards. What I like most about Harris is his exceptional field vision and ability to find holes and gaps between the trenches. Harris has the abilities to be a dual-threat playmaker, demonstrating his strengths as both a ball carrier and a receiver.
Harris has a strong, muscular frame that will transition well at the pro level. Harris isn’t the fastest running back in the nation, but he runs hard and fluidly through his hips. Isn’t afraid to take a hit, and on tape, on my occasions broke tackles, creating yards after the initial contact. At the moment I see Harris as a day two pick. A time in the draft where I can see the San Francisco 49ers selecting a ball carrier. Keep a close eye on Harris this season. His arrow is only pointing up.
Lukas Denis, Free Safety, No. 21 - Boston College
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 187 |
#23 Boston College at Purdue | 9:00am (PT) Saturday, September 22nd | ESPN2
Lukas Denis put his name on the radar last season with 7 interceptions, 83 tackles, and 10 passes broken up. The Ballhawk for the Eagles has great speed for the position and covers well over the top. Has a knack and strong instinct for where the play is going to occur. Free Safety seems to be his most natural position and has the centerfielder mindset. Has smooth and fluid lateral speed. Made a positive switch from cornerback to safety where his play has only elevated to higher levels. He is the glue that keeps the secondary together. Plays tough and physical, while finishing his tackles quickly.
There is some concern about his size. Scouts will most likely want to see Denis add some more weight to his frame. His height limits him as well. He does make up for this with his football instincts and speed. This season Denis already has one interception and is looking to further raise his draft stock. The Eagles look to have a respectable defense, so that should only help matters. Denis is a day two pick with his arrow pointing up.
Greg Valerio
Chase Winovich, DE, No. 15 - Michigan
Height: 6’3” | Weight: 245
Nebraska at No. 19 Michigan | 9:00 a.m. (PT) Saturday, September 21 | FS1
After going through a brief positional change to tight end earlier in his collegiate career, Chase Winovich found his way back onto the defensive side of the ball through hard work and intensive film study. His toughness, determination, and the capacity to improve has thrusted Winovich into the Wolverines’ spotlight as a force to be reckoned with.
As an edge prospect, Winovich showcases a solid combination of size, speed, power, and a sound football IQ. A physical and aggressive edge player with a quick burst off the line of scrimmage, Winovich shows good change of direction skills, strength at the point of attack, solid instincts, and is a ferocious player that has a nose for the ball with nice closing speed and a motor always running hot. He displays a great ability to set the edge with impressive read and reaction skills, good awareness and discipline always maintaining containment, stacks and sheds with solid technique, and overall is great against the run, showcases good speed to power off the edge and can set the edge in the run game.
Stanley Morgan Jr., WR, No. 8 - Nebraska
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 210
Nebraska at No. 19 Michigan | 9:00 a.m. (PT) Saturday, September 21 | FS1
Stanley Morgan Jr. is a physical wide receiver with sound technique, good quickness, great usage of his hands to create separation, enough speed to succeed at the next level, and the toughness and power (runs angry) to break tackles and jolt defenders with a wicked stiff arm. The former high school basketball player is a physical specimen with loads of athleticism and physicality in his game.
Whether inside or outside, Morgan does a good job flashing episodes of a crisp route runner with a smoothness and sound technique to his game. He displays good bend on breaks coming out quickly with great athleticism, excellent footwork, quickness, and decent burst. He is a natural pass catcher with very strong soft reliable hands extending arms to make the catch (terrific technique). Solid in intermediate routes and although he does not possess elite speed capable of taking top off coverages, he does win deep match-ups with technique, length, superb ball skills, and high pointing the catch with great athleticism/balance (shows impressive acrobatic receptions). Morgan is a chain mover with excellent production.