More so than perhaps any other week, the rest of this Saturday’s slate of college football will be overshadowed by a single game. With the best team in the country, No. 1 Alabama, traveling to Baton Rouge to face its first real worthy opponent of the season in No. 3 LSU, it’s inevitable that other match-ups will get overshadowed. From a scouting perspective, it’s these types of games—those that feature multiple future first-round picks—that get you excited. We shouldn’t give short shrift to the other games on the schedule for this Saturday, however.
As always, let’s talk about the games, leave questions on prospects, and enjoy the weekend!
Keep your eyes on
C Lamont Gaillard (Georgia)
A center is worth watching this week? You better believe it! Kentucky has one of the better linebacker corps in the nation and Gaillard excels at being out in front of runs and getting to the second level. His run blocking will be a major highlight all game long. In pass protection, the 6’2” senior usually wins the leverage battle with his low center-of-gravity but doesn’t necessarily have the strength to stand his ground against bigger defensive tackles.
Other prospects to watch
WR Stanley Morgan Jr. (Nebraska)
Nebraska has been unequivocally terrible this season, but Morgan has managed to stay productive in catching 44 passes for 638 yards and five touchdowns. The senior is a powerful yards-after-the-catch runner who doesn’t go down easily. His hands are some of the best in nation. He’ll need to be physical against the Ohio State corners though, as he won’t be able to shake them with his speed alone.
QB Gardner Minshew II (Washington State)
One of the few true risers at the position, Minshew has been lighting up defenses with his decision-making and pinpoint accuracy, similar to his predecessor Luke Falk. The East Carolina transfer is the nation’s leading passer, but Cal brings a top-ten Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) passing defense to the table. If Minshew carves them up similarly to Stanford or USC, his stock will continue its upward trajectory.
LB Ben Burr-Kirven (Washington)
A linebacker who reminds this observer of Matt Milano, Burr-Kirven is a proverbial “new age” ‘backer. Undersized, but quick and flexible—he’s at his best when allowed to knife through the offensive line to blow up runs. He’s also quick enough to be able to run with tight ends in coverage, which will be important against Stanford’s Kaden Smith, one of the best receiving tight ends around.
CB Isaiah Johnson (Houston)
A likely press-man specialist, Johnson is a former wide receiver who made the adjustment to corner and is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. He brings great size and length to the field, which he’ll need to utilize against SMU’s prolific passing offense. It would be in his best interest to come down with an interception in the game, as he only has one on the year and scouts always appreciate corners with ball skills.
RB Myles Gaskin (Washington)
The Stanford front seven is weak this year, which means that a player like Gaskin should be able to take advantage of them in both the running and passing game. Gaskin is a versatile player—equally proficient catching the football as he is running with it—but, despite that versatility, observers are worried that he doesn’t have any elite traits. Coming out and having an ultra-productive day against The Cardinal would greatly help his draft stock.
Game of the Week
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 3 LSU
8:00 PM, EST
CBS
Far and away the biggest game of the college football season so far, this game will be absolutely chock full of NFL prospects. Almost every starting defender for both teams will be drafted, with highlights being LSU cornerback “Greedy” Williams, LSU linebacker Devin White and Alabama’s underclassman phenom, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. However, don’t neglect the offenses. Alabama’s offensive line is experienced, especially tackle Jonah Williams. LSU’s tight ends, Foster Moreau and Thaddeus Moss couldn’t be more stylistically different, but are both on scouts’ radars.