The regular season of the 2022 College Football season officially ended with Rivalry Week. Let’s dive into some draft related notes on the prospects who performed in Saturday’s slate of games, and how it affected their draft stock.
As a reminder, you can find my top 10 rankings for every position here:
- Quarterback
- Running Back
- Wide Receiver
- Tight Ends
- Interior OL
- Offensive Tackle
- Edge
- Defensive Tackle
- Linebacker
- Cornerback
- Safety
CJ Stroud
Quarterback, Ohio State
Ohio State and C.J. Stroud went down for the second season in a row against Michigan. After a nearly 400-yard performance with four scores and zero turnovers in the 2021 contest, the presumed first-rounder was sloppy with the ball on Saturday, throwing two key interceptions. Although the play-calling could have easily been better in order to take advantage of Ohio State’s big-time weapons, Stroud wasn’t able to step up and deliver in the biggest of moments.
Even though it isn’t something measurable, my general feeling is that Bryce Young has stepped up in difficult situations way more than Stroud during their respective careers. To me, this shows that he has a unique ability to carry his team in the most difficult moments, something Stroud has yet to do. On Saturday, Stroud once again displayed his high football IQ and great ball placement — traits that make him worthy of a 1st round pick. Yet, I believe that he’s more of a system quarterback rather than a guy with elite potential.
Devon Achane
Running Back, Texas A&M
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane carried the Aggies to an upset win against LSU. He collected 215 rushing yards and two touchdowns displaying once again why he possesses what a lot of NFL teams are looking for at the position. Achane is a game-changer with the ball in his hands thanks to his Olympic-caliber speed and explosiveness.
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At 5’9”, 185 pounds, Achane projects to be a complementary back in the NFL: he’s always a big-play waiting to happen and I’m expecting multiple franchises to potentially spend a Day 2 pick on him. He will be a change of pace option at the next level who should also be utilized way more as a pass catcher than he has been in college. Achane is one of those playmaker you want to make sure gets 10/15 touches a game because of his big-play ability.
Devon Achane had a feast on Saturday ? @AggieFootball
✔️ Career high carries (38)
✔️ Career high rush yards (215)
✔️ 1,000+ rush yards on season
✔️ 3rd straight 100-yd rush game pic.twitter.com/CIETXaHz5A— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 27, 2022
Michael Mayer
Tight End, Notre Dame
Despite Notre Dame’s loss against USC, tight end Michael Mayer was crucial for quarterback Drew Pyne as his security blanket. Mayer was able to impose himself physically in the end zone for a couple of times showing why he could be a reliable target in the NFL. Even though I do not see a round one talent in Mayer, I believe the junior tight end could flourish into a T.J. Hockenson type player at the next level. While many see Mayer as a surefire top-15 talent, I don’t see the athleticism and fluidity that would make him worthy of that high of a pick.
Jalin Hyatt
Wide Receiver, Tennessee
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt was able to make a big-time impact even with quarterback Hendon Hooker sidelined. Even though he’s getting way less hype from a draft perspective than Jameson Williams, I believe that Hyatt is in the same range as Williams as a prospect and he brings to the table a very similar skillset too. Why I don’t see them as potential primary receivers in the NFL, Hyatt could quickly become one of the best deep threats in the whole league. He has impressive long speed and he’s physical at the catch point. Paired up with a good deep ball thrower, the Volunteers pass catcher could be as lethal of a game-breaker as he has displayed this season. He’s well worth of a second round pick.
ROCKET LAUNCHED ?@Qbjayy7 ⬆️↗️➡️↘️⬇️ @jalinhyatt pic.twitter.com/mgvV1G9pn4
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 27, 2022
Marvin Mims Jr.
Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is another pass catcher who should get way more consideration. He has been one of the most consistent deep threats in college football throughout his career and he has some of the best ball skills in the whole draft class. He’s a dangerous threat in the intermediate and deep areas of the field and would be a very solid Day 2 pick.
Marvin Mims with an INSANE grab?
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 27, 2022
Will Anderson
Edge, Alabama
This season Will Anderson Jr. wasn’t able to produce at an historic level like he did in 2021, and that’s completely normal. However, in the Iron Bowl, the Crimson Tide superstar collected two sacks and looked dominant as always. Anderson Jr. is a no-brainer as a top-2 overall prospect in the 2023 draft. There are very few if any holes in his game. And even though many will overthink him, as it happens with every big-time prospect, he is well worth the hype.
