Each week here at PFF, we will not only highlight those top draft-eligible prospects, NFL draft board-risers and deep statistical updates of the top draft-eligible quarterbacks, we will also be giving you an advanced look at those top prospects when they will be matching up against one another.
Week 3 of the college slate may be weak on intriguing team matchups, but that isn’t the case for draft prospects. Headlining this week’s list are several wide receiver vs. cornerback matchups involving SEC prospects, and a Friday night matchup against one of the Big Ten’s best against possibly the fastest-rising draft prospect in the country.
FRIDAY
Illinois WR Malik Turner vs. USF CBs Deatrick Nichols & Mazzi Wilkins
Turner is not off to the same hot start he enjoyed last year, as he has hauled in just 7-of-13 targets thus far and has averaged just 3.7 yards after the catch. While Nichols has three pass break-ups already this season, he has also missed six tackles. Wilkins, on the other hand, has been one of the most productive cornerbacks in the country through two weeks. Thus far he has surrendered just two catches on 14 throws into his coverage while racking up two picks and three pass breakups, and opposing quarterbacks have a rating of 0.0 when throwing into his coverage.
SATURDAY
Alabama CBs Minkah Fitzpatrick & Anthony Averett vs. Colorado State WR Michael Gallup
Michael Gallup continues his tour of the nation’s top cornerback prospects, as the Rams head to No. 1 Alabama. Last week he was largely held in check by Colorado’s Isaiah Oliver, as he was targeted 10 times when covered by the Buffaloes standout and snagged just four for 52 yards. Fitzpatrick is off to a bit of a slow start to his season, as he has surrendered seven catches on nine targets into his coverage through two weeks with no passes defended and a touchdown against.
LSU Edge Arden Key vs. Mississippi State OT Martinas Rankin
Key makes his 2017 debut on Saturday, as he will look to build off his 12 sacks and 54 total pressures from last year. Rankin has shown improvements in pass protection thus far, as he has yet to give up a sack or a hit after surrendering six of each last season.
South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel vs. Kentucky CB Derrick Baity
Samuel is off to the huge start we knew he was capable of, as he has two receiving touchdowns and two kick return touchdowns to his name already. Seven of his 17 targets thus far have been on deep and intermediate throws, emphasizing the critical task at hand for Baity. The Kentucky cornerback will need to elevate his play significantly, as he gave up nine grabs on ten throws into his coverage last week for 78 yards and a score.
South Carolina DI Taylor Stallworth vs. Kentucky G Nick Haynes
Stallworth was solid on run defense last year (26 run stops), and is already showing significant improvements on pass-rushes this year after accumulating five pressures through two games. Conversely, after not giving up a sack all last season, Haynes yielded one to Eastern Kentucky last week.
USC RB Ronald Jones vs. Texas LB Malik Jefferson
Jones is off to an outstanding start this season, as 153 of his 275 rushing yards have been earned after contact and he has already forced 12 missed tackles on the ground. Jefferson meanwhile has eight run stops, but has missed three tackles and could be susceptible to Jones’ elusiveness.
Texas OT Connor Williams vs. USC Edge Uchenna Nwosu
After giving up just four pressures combined all last season, Williams gave up three opening weekend against Maryland. He rebounded with a perfect game against San Jose State last week, but will face a tough challenge this week. Nwosu leads the Trojans with six QB hits and seven total pressures through two games.
Utah DI Lowell Lotulelei vs. San Jose State G Jeremiah Kolone
Much like last year, Lotulelei hasn’t offered much through two games in 2017 on the pass-rush (just one pressure), but he has graded well against the run as a result of amassing four run stops. Kolone thus far has been outstanding (outside of two penalties), as he has surrendered just one pressure in pass pro and his 84.7 overall grade ranks 24th out of 665 guards in the country.
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