College Football Week 5: 2020 Prospects, Game Info, Heisman Watch, and early CFP Projections!

Intro:

Greetings Faithful! We enter the second month of the college football season, which means we are that much closer to the initial College Football Playoff Rankings. Don’t blink, because before you know it, we will be on the doorsteps of the 2020 NFL Draft. Today we are going to mix things up and cover two prospects on the offensive side of the ball, and two defensive prospects.

Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers are undefeated entering their bye week, and at the present moment are projected to select in the back-half of the draft order…something EVERY fan has been waiting quite a while for. No matter what spot the 49ers end up making their draft selections from, the 2020 Draft class is looking like a deep one early on. With the team on their bye week, fans can sit back, relax, and tune in to an exciting lineup of college football this weekend! Now, let’s get to the prospects!

Who are YOU excited to see in action today? Please share in the comments below!

Defense:

Kenneth Murray, LB, No. 9 – Oklahoma

Height: 6’2” – Weight: 243 lbs. – Projected 40: 4.65

Texas Tech at #6 Oklahoma – Kickoff, 9:00 a.m. (PT) – Saturday, September 28 – FOX

Kenneth Murray is a physical freak, who utilizes proficient sideline-to-sideline speed to make a strong presence on the field. In 2018 Murray was amongst the nation leaders with 155 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, and two passes batted. He has natural football instincts and a knack for putting himself in a position where the play is occurring. On tape, Murray is flying all over the field. His horizontal speed is what will have the attention of scouts and evaluators, and what should help with the transition to the pro level. At times Murray can get overly-aggressive which can place him out of position. Murray has demonstrated his ability to defend against the run and the pass. He is a clean tackler in the open field, often finishing quickly and not allowing the ball carrier to gain additional yards. In a notoriously poor defense, Murray is one of the few shining lights. Murray is a day two selection with his arrow pointing upwards.

Cameron Dantzler, CB, No. 3 – Mississippi State

Height: 6’2” – Weight 195 lbs. – Projected 40: 4.50

Mississippi State at #7 Auburn – Kickoff, 4:00 p.m. (PT) – Saturday, September 28 – ESPN

Cameron Dantzler has the size and measurables that scouts and evaluators, especially in the 49ers front office seek at the next level. The junior recorded 43 tackles, nine passes broken up, and two interceptions in 2018. His long, lengthy arms and overall wingspan offer him the opportunity to compete in one to one matchups with the most physical receivers outside the numbers. Dantzler is another big-sized physical SEC cornerback. The concern is his speed and how much separation some of the speedier receivers can create against him at the second and third levels on the field. However, on tape, Dantzler has demonstrated on multiple occasions his ability to isolate and eliminate his receiver from the play. Dantzler is a backend day two prospect who could slip into the beginning of day three.

Offense:

Tristan Wirfs, OT, No. 74 – Iowa

Height: 6’5” – Weight: 322 lbs.

Middle Tennessee at #14 Iowa – Kickoff 9:00 a.m. (PT) – Saturday, September 28 – ESPN2

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Joe Staley has been one of the most reliable tackles in the entire league. However, as we all know, he is in the twilight years of his career. Yes, the team drafted Mike McGlinchey; however, the 49ers will need to continue to consider the future of their offensive line. Tristian Wirfs is a big-bodied, athletic tackle who can move well along the line of scrimmage. His pass protection last season as a sophomore was near-flawless and did not allow a single sack playing at the right tackle position. He has positive grades as a run blocker as well, creating holes and lanes for the ball carrier. While I feel McGlinchey’s natural position is right tackle, Wirfs has the opportunity to transition to left tackle at the next level. Should the 49ers go this route, they will have two young and talented tackles for years to come. Wirfs is a fringe first-round prospect who may slip into day two.

Logan Stenberg, Guard, No. – Kentucky

Height: 6’6” – Weight: 322 lbs.

Kentucky at South Carolina – 4:30 p.m. (PT) – Saturday, September 28 – SEC Network

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Yes, I’m staying right on the offensive line. Logan Stenberg is a power, run blocker along the left side of the Wildcats’ offensive line. He played a pivotal role last season in creating running lanes and holes for Benny Snell who ran his way into the record books. With Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers offense putting so much emphasis on the run, Stenberg is an intriguing option. His athleticism and ability to shift and maneuverer along the line are a major plus. The senior also brings with him a lot of experience that scouts and evaluators should take note of. Keep a close eye on Stenberg. Especially if the 49ers are looking to solidify their line during the offseason, via the draft. Stenberg is a day two selection at the moment.

Top 25 Schedule – Week 5:

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Friday, September 27

#12 Penn State defeats Maryland 59-0

#15 California falls to Arizona State 24-17

Saturday, September 28 (All Kickoff Times are PST)

Texas Tech at # 6 Oklahoma – 9:00 a.m. – FOX

Northwestern at #8 Wisconsin – 9:00 a.m. – ABC

Middle Tennessee at #14 Iowa – 9:00 a.m. – ESPN2

Rutgers at #20 Michigan - 9:00 a.m. – Big Ten Network

#23 Texas A&M at Arkansas – 9:00 a.m. – ESPN

#1 Clemson at North Carolina – 12:30 p.m. – ABC

Ole Miss at #2 Alabama – 12:30 p.m. – CBS

#18 Virginia at #10 Notre Dame – 12:30 p.m. – NBC

#21 USC at #17 Washington – 12:30 p.m. – FOX

Indiana at #25 Michigan State – 12:30 p.m. – Big Ten Network

Towson at #9 Florida – 1:00 p.m. – SEC Network

Mississippi State at #7 Auburn – 4:00 p.m. – ESPN

Connecticut at #22 UCF – 4:00 p.m. – ESPN2

#24 Kansas State at Oklahoma State – 4:00 p.m. – ESPN+

#5 Ohio State at Nebraska – 4:30 p.m. – ABC

Washington State at #19 Utah – 7:00 p.m. – FS1

Heisman Watch:

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Surprise, surprise, an Oklahoma quarterback leads the way in our latest Heisman Trophy race. This time it is Jalen Hurts. I’m starting to wonder if it is more the player or the brilliance that is Lincoln Riley? Here are your top 3 Heisman Trophy favorites heading into week 3.

Jalen Hurts, QB – Oklahoma

Tua Tagovailoa, QB – Alabama

Joe Burrow, QB – LSU

Hurts and Tua should not catch anyone by surprise. However, Joe Burrow is really turning heads down in Baton Rouge. Since defeating UCF in the Fiesta Bowl last December, Burrow has been on a roll. An invite to New York City is not out of the question for the LSU signal-caller.

College Football Playoff Projection (Week 5):

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – (1) Clemson vs (4) Ohio State

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl – (2) Alabama vs (3) Oklahoma

National Championship Game – (1) Clemson vs (2) Alabama