2017-18 CFB SEASON / '18 NFL DRAFT

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Tony Brown - DB - Crimson Tide

Alabama senior CB Tony Brown qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 100-meter dash.

Brown, a track star on the side, did so after finishing in the top 10 at the NCAA East Regional at Kentucky. One of the nation’s top hurdlers in high school, the 6-foot, 196-pound Brown is a two-time track All-American.
Source: NBC's College Football Talk

May 29 - 1:35 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jarrett Stidham - QB - Tigers

ESPN's Alex Scarborough wrote that "there’s a lot more that we don’t know about [Auburn redshirt sophomore QB Jarrett Stidham] than we do."

"Yes, he had a good spring game," Scarborough explains, "but that was against the second-team defense. And, yes, he showed promise when playing at Baylor, but he only started three games." We understand the reticence to immediately anointing a relatively unproven quarterback, but at the same time, all signs this offseason have pointed toward Stidham as a significant step forward from what Auburn has been trotting out at signal-caller over the past few seasons. During the spring game which Scarborough references, Stidham completed 16-of-20 passes for 267 yards and indications have him acclimating without issue this offseason. We like Auburn as a darkhorse Playoff contender and Stidham as a darkhorse Heisman candidate.
Source: ESPN.com

May 30 - 5:06 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Nick Fitzgerald - QB - Bulldogs

Mississippi State redshirt sophomore QB Nick Fitzgerald served as a counselor at Steve Clarkson's Quarterback Retreat over the weekend.

Fitzgerald put in eight hours of work tutoring up high school prospects during the Memorial Day weekend. His invitation as a counselor is just another sign of how his prestige has grown over the past year-plus. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder threw for 2,423 yards with a 21/10 TD/INT ratio while rushing for 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2016. Those 1,375 yards were good for the second-most in the SEC (regardless of position). If you're looking for a Heisman sleeper, Fitzgerald certainly fits that bill.
Source: Nick Fitzgerald on Twitter

May 30 - 3:40 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

A.J. Brown - WR - Rebels

SEC Country's Shehan Jeyarajah believes that Ole Miss sophomore QB Shea Patterson and sophomore WR A.J. Brown is "the SEC's next great pairing."

Choosing one breakout wideout from Ole Miss is somewhat difficult, as all of Brown, Van Jefferson and D.K. Metcalf are potential stud targets for Patterson, but Jeyarajah ultimately settles on Brown as the likeliest to break out in a big way. ESPN's Edward Aschoff is high on his prospects, too, and sees the 6-foot-2, 218-pounder as a potential 1,000-yard receiver for the coming season. He caught 29 passes for 412 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2016.
Source: SEC Country

Jun 11 - 2:53 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Josh Rosen - QB - Bruins

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks reports that UCLA junior QB Josh Rosen (shoulder) "passed every physical test with flying colors" at the Elite 11 finals over the weekend.

Rosen was a college counselor at the event, but he threw and worked out. Brooks liked what he saw. "He is unquestionably one of the best passers I've seen in my 20-plus years in scouting," he wrote. "From his flawless footwork and mechanics to his rare ability to change ball speed and trajectories, Rosen can make every throw in the book with minimal effort. He can fire a fastball between multiple defenders at intermediate range or toss a rainbow to a receiver 45 yards down the field on a post-corner route with a feathery touch." He concluded: "Rosen is a top talent on his sheer passing ability and his rise will continue if he checks the boxes in two critical areas: injury history and football character." A shoulder injury cut Rosen's 2016 season in half. NFL.com colleague Daniel Jeremiah compares Rosen to New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Source: NFL.com

Jun 14 - 2:52 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Josh Allen - QB - Cowboys

NFL.com analyst and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah says Wyoming redshirt junior QB Josh Allen "has Joe Flacco's frame/arm strength and he's more athletic than Carson Wentz."

Allen, of course, plays in the same college system that Wentz did under Wyoming's coaching staff (formerly at North Dakota State). "College football is loaded with talented signal-callers, but Allen has the highest ceiling of the entire group," Jeremiah wrote. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Allen went 209-of-373 (56 percent) for 3,203 yards and a 28/15 TD/INT rate last year while rushing for 523 yards (3.7 average) and seven more scores. "He's way ahead of Chiefs first-round pick Patrick Mahomes from a development standpoint and I think he has a much higher upside," Jeremiah wrote. "I think he's a more athletic version of Flacco. ... If he can develop his touch and play more efficiently, he will establish himself as the top quarterback in college football."
Source: NFL.com

Jun 14 - 1:39 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Riley Neal - QB - Cardinals

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline "like[s] the long-term potential" of Ball State junior QB Riley Neal.

"He's a nice-sized pocket passer with next-level athleticism and the arm strength necessary to develop into a starter," Pauline wrote. "Neal is patient and accurate and does a great job using all his targets. I presently grade him as a fifth- or sixth-round choice, but if he progresses as I believe possible, he could improve his draft stock by three rounds." Neal (6'5, 217) ranked third in the MAC in total offense with 280.1 yards per game last year. He threw for 2,541 yards and a 13/12 TD/INT ratio and his 540 rushing yards ranked No. 3 among MAC quarterbacks.
Source: Draft Analyst

Jun 14 - 2:16 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Quinton Flowers - QB - Bulls

CBS Sports' Chris Trepasso writes that "there's plenty of Tyrod Taylor" to South Florida senior QB Quinton Flowers' game.

"Flowers is a dynamic playmaker, improviser, and athlete, yet he's more than capable of winning from within the pocket," Trepasso wrote. "At 6-foot, he'll battle height concerns, but prepare yourself for a huge year from the multi-faceted quarterback. If he can get his completion percentage up from 62.5 into the 64-67 percent range, he'll be a hot discussion topic come draft time." The 6-foot, 217-pound Flowers has posted a 46/15 TD/INT over two years starting for South Florida. He finished up with 2,807 passing yards and 1,530 yards rushing last year. Trepasso adds that Flowers must work on his elongated delivery.
Source: CBS Sports

Jun 14 - 2:38 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Marquis Haynes - DL - Rebels

ESPN's Edward Aschoff predicts that Ole Miss senior edge rusher Marquis Haynes will finish with over 10 sacks this fall.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is an undersized terror off the edge for the Rebels. Last year, he recorded 11 TFL and seven sacks. Haynes has 24.5 sacks over three years on campus. The NFL would like him to add bulk before the draft next spring.
Source: ESPN

Jun 19 - 2:20 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Harold Landry - DL - Eagles

"Several scouts" told Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline that they rank Boston College senior edge rusher Harold Landry as the 2018 class' best senior prospect.

Not only that, but those scouts, per Pauline, "handed him a stratospheric grade not equaled in more than a decade." It's unclear if that "stratospheric" grade is in relation to senior edge rushing prospects specifically, edge rushers in general, or all prospects in general. Nevertheless, it speaks to the high regard the scouting community holds Landry in. As for what position Landry will play in the NFL, Pauline writes: "Is he a defensive end in a one-gap scheme or a 3-4 outside linebacker?" The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder led the country with 16.5 sacks last year.
Source: Draft Analyst

Jun 19 - 4:36 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Sam Darnold - QB - Trojans

An AFC college scouting director ranks USC redshirt sophomore QB Sam Darnold as the best QB prospect in the 2018 class.

"He was impressive when he took over, he’s got the size, arm talent and tools that you want in a pocket passer," he said. MMQB's Albert Breer also spoke with an AFC exec who praised Darnold. "He’s accurate, and he’s only 19 years old, so you hope he’s going to get stronger," the exec said. "Everyone’s going to pick apart his throwing motion, but there’s not a lot he can’t do." NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah wrote about Darnold's long delivery recently, noting that he isn't "quite as worried about it as some other evaluators" and that "it isn't monotone or sluggish like Byron Leftwich's. Russell Wilson has a similar release."
Source: MMQB

Jun 19 - 6:35 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Josh Rosen - QB - Bruins

An AFC exec said UCLA junior QB Josh Rosen's technique is "gorgeous."

"He’s the prettiest (of the 2018 quarterbacks)—gorgeous, just gorgeous," the exec said. "He has to find a way to prove he’s a good kid and can stay healthy and has a passion for the game. He has everything else." An AFC college scouting director interviewed by MMQB's Albert Breer agreed that Rosen looks the most natural of the '18 quarterbacks. "Every ball spins beautifully," one of his coaches said.
Source: MMQB

Jun 20 - 12:51 PM

[NinerSickness]

Josh Rosen - QB - Bruins

An AFC exec said UCLA junior QB Josh Rosen's technique is "gorgeous."

"He’s the prettiest (of the 2018 quarterbacks)—gorgeous, just gorgeous," the exec said. "He has to find a way to prove he’s a good kid and can stay healthy and has a passion for the game. He has everything else." An AFC college scouting director interviewed by MMQB's Albert Breer agreed that Rosen looks the most natural of the '18 quarterbacks. "Every ball spins beautifully," one of his coaches said.
Source: MMQB

Jun 20 - 12:51 PM

Agree 100%. However, I didn't know he had nerve damage in his shoulder. That could be a game changer.

[I_am_1z]

Going to start saying anyone that believes there's a better RB in college football than Saquon Barkley is just dumb. No disrespect, you just lack any kind of discernible argument.

Read on Twitter

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Sam Darnold - QB - Trojans

USC redshirt sophomore QB Sam Darnold won the college counselor quarterback challenge at The Opening with the highest score ever recorded.

Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph and BYU's Tanner Mangum were among the other counselors on hand in Beaverton. Darnold apparently left them -- and all-comers -- in the dust during the competition. We are not quite sure if there is anything that can serve as a breaker for the giant wave of (deserved) hype at this point. Heading into the 2017 season, USC is a contender for the national championship and Darnold a contender to both win the Heisman and be drafted No. 1 overall.
Source: Paul Myerberg on Twitter

Jun 30 - 7:07 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Connor Williams - T - Longhorns

Texas junior T Connor Williams bench pressed 420 pounds this spring and can dead lift 550 pounds.

Sports Illustrated's Bruce Feldman refers to Williams (6'6/320) as having "a lot of brute strength to go with that intelligence (he is an honor student) and an on-field nastiness." NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah believes that he is a better tackle prospect for the draft than any of those who were scooped up by the pros in April.
Source: Sports Illustrated

Jul 7 - 4:45 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Josh Allen - QB - Cowboys

Wyoming redshirt junior QB Josh Allen leads all returning FBS passers in air yards percentage.

A whopping 72% of Allen's passing yards in 2016 were in the air rather than created by the receiver after the catch. On the surface this means Allen had very little help in creating production compared to his peers, but yards after the catch can also hinge on the quarterback's accuracy and timing. Allen will draw a large audience each and every week.
Source: PFF College on Twitter

Jul 7 - 10:17 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jaire Alexander - DB - Cardinals

Louisville junior CB Jaire Alexander graded as the top returning player at his position last year, according to PFF.

Alexander tied Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick with a grade of 87.4, but Fitzpatrick is the one with huge expectations entering the 2017 season. Alexander reportedly clocked a 4.32 during spring testing at 5-foot-11 and 192-pounds. Keep an eye on the Cardinal this season, he could be the next Louisville prospect in line for a first-round selection.
Source: PFF College on Twitter

Jul 10 - 10:13 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Adam Breneman - TE - Minutemen

UMass' Adam Breneman is the top returning TE in college football, according to PFF.

It has been a long road for Breneman, as he began is college career with the Nittany Lions in 2013 and did not see the field until 2016 once transferring to UMass. He caught 70 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns. Last April's draft was widely viewed as one of the best tight end drafts of all time, so the pool might be a bit shallow entering 2017.
Source: PFF College on Twitter

Jul 10 - 10:34 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jarrett Stidham - QB - Tigers

Auburn's College Football Playoff odds have moved from 50/1 to 22/1, with Bruce Feldman believing QB Jarrett Stidham is the main factor.

Stidham has generated more buzz than practically any other player in college football during offseason work. The former Baylor quarterback displayed talent while starting for the Bears and expectations are high with Gus Malzahn, who has lacked a legitimate collegiate quarterback for years.
Source: Bruce Feldman on Twitter

Jul 10 - 11:17 AM