Quick Draft Dish: Week 3

WEEK THREE

CINCINNATI @ TOLEDO

Ø  CINCINNATI RSOPH QB GUNNER KIEL was a much hyped quarterback coming out of high school. Kiel originally committed to Indiana, before flipping to LSU, and then a few days before signing day committing to Notre Dame. Kiel transferred from Notre Dame to Cincinnati, and made his collegiate debut in this game. Kiel did not disappoint. Kiel has great size and a huge arm. He has decent athleticism and moves well in the pocket. I will have to watch more games, because the TOLEDO defense didn’t put up much in the way of resistance. I came away very impressed after my initial viewing.

BAYLOR @ BUFFALO

Ø  BAYLOR SR QB BRYCE PETTY was playing in his first game since suffering a back injury in week one. Petty looked just fine throwing short and intermediate passes. His deep passes seemed to lack something. Petty also did not run much in this game. It was likely by design to keep from taking any unnecessary contact.

EAST CAROLINA @ VIRGINIA TECH

Ø  VIRGINIA TECH SR DT LUTHER MADDY has quick hands and can be disruptive. He is more of a “3-technique” defensive tackle, than a pure nose guard.

WYOMING @ OREGON

Ø  OREGON SR OT JAKE FISHER sprained his knee early in the game. It is being reported that he will miss several weeks. Earlier in the year, OREGON lost JR OT TYLER JOHNSTONE for the season.

GEORGIA @ SOUTH CAROLINA

Ø  SOUTH CAROLINA SR OG A.J. CANN AND SR OT COREY ROBINSON were dominant in this game. Most of Carolina’s success on the ground came by running to the left side. Robinson has prototypical size and Cann is a mauler. Both players, especially Cann, could hear their names called in the Top 100.

Ø  SOUTH CAROLINA JR RB BRANDON WILDS is a tough, between the tackles runner. He does not have breakaway speed, but he makes up for it with good balance. Wilds also has great hands and is solid in pass protection.

Ø  GEORGIA JR RB TODD GURLEY is an amazing runner. He has track speed, superior power, and balance. He can cut and change direction. He has good hands and can be a dangerous kick returner. There hasn’t been a first round pick of a running back since 2012. I have a feeling that streak will end in the spring with Gurley.

Ø  GEORGIA JR RB KEITH MARSHALL seems to be struggling to recover from the injury he suffered last year. It seems he has fallen to 4^th on the depth chart behind Gurley and two freshman running backs. I only counted a handful of plays he was actually in.

MISSISSIPPI STATE @ SOUTH ALABAMA

Ø  SOUTH ALABAMA SR QB BRANDON BRIDGE has the attention of NFL scouts. He has a huge frame (6’5” 235) and he has a big arm. He also has good speed out of the pocket. Bridge struggles with his in-pocket decision making at times. Bridge is a big mold of clay, which needs to be molded by the right next level QB coach. This is a weak year for senior quarterback prospects, so Bridge has a chance to be drafted higher than he normally might be. He also could earn an all-star game invite.

SOUTHERN MISS @ ALABAMA

Ø  ALABAMA JR WR AMARI COOPER is the biggest beneficiary from the hiring of new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Through three games, Cooper has 33 catches. He had 45 all of last season.

TENNESSEE @ OKLAHOMA

Ø  OKLAHOMA JR OLB ERIC STRIKER, based purely on tape, is one of the best pass rushers I have studied. Striker has incredible burst and he gets great bend around the edge. TENNESSEE had to alter their entire offensive game plan to account for him. The downside to Striker is his listed size of 6’0” 220 pounds. I think that listed size may be generous. His size causes him to struggle in run defense. Striker is so fun to watch, but I wonder if he can hold up physically in the NFL.

Ø  OKLAHOMA SR TE BLAKE BELL is a very interesting project. Bell was the Oklahoma QB last year, before he was beaten out by Trevor Knight. Instead of transferring, Bell accepted a move to tight end. Bell runs routes and blocks like someone who has been playing tight end for two months. He does make difficult catches and he can move with the football in his hands. In a weak senior tight end class, Bell could find himself getting a middle round look from teams based on his potential.

TEXAS VS UCLA

Ø  UCLA JR QB BRETT HUNDLEY injured his non-throwing elbow, early in the game. He didn’t return. Per reports, the injury doesn’t appear to be that serious.