In part 2 of my series of notable performances of Weeks 0 and 1 of the college football season, I will dive into the players I believe will need to step up their level of play after subpar initial performances. So, here is the list:
TOP PROSPECTS WHO NEED TO STEP UP AND PROVE THEIR RANKINGS
KAYSHON BOUTTE (featured image), Wide Receiver, LSU (junior) – My top-ranked WR came up with a disappointing performance on a big stage, plus sideline outbursts, as well as poor body language on the field, did not help his cause. I expect him to bounce back within the next 2-3 games with his explosive and dynamic abilities and help new QB Jayden Daniels find his groove within the Brian Kelly offense.
MYLES MURPHY, Edge Rusher, Clemson (Junior) – 0 tackles, 1 pass defended. It’s okay for a player of Murphy’s caliber not to fill out the stat sheet from time to time as it doesn’t mean that he is not impacting the game. However, when watching him on tape, although he is explosive off the ball for his size and twitchy, he lacks the overall nuances of playing on the edge at a decent level, lacks the hands’ usage to disengage from blockers, doesn’t consistently play with enough anchor and jolt versus blockers to be stout at the point of attack, and he doesn’t create enough disruption in the backfield compared to his teammates Bryan Bresee and KJ Henry. I also question his snap-to-snap intensity as he doesn’t show a consistent motor. And it’s not like Georgia Tech put him against a top-notch Left Tackle prospect either. I need to see more from him than just moments and flashes here and there to truly believe he is a first-round-worthy player. There is no doubt that he does have all the tools to put it all together.
ISAIAH FOSKEY, Edge Rusher, Notre Dame (Senior) – 4 tackles. Foskey had similar issues to Murphy to a lesser extent: issues disengaging from blockers, lacked consistent anchor to set the edge versus the run, and his usual varied pass-rush repertoire was not consistently effective although he still applied some pressure on CJ Stroud. However, he was facing arguably the top Left Tackle prospect in the nation in Paris Johnson jr and at least showed a consistent motor throughout the game. Foskey is too talented of a player not to be taking over big games like he had the opportunity to in the last one versus Ohio State.
DJ UIAGALELEI, Quarterback, Clemson (Junior) – 210 passing yards, 59.4% completion rate, 1 passing touchdown, 19 rushing yards on 1.9 yards per attempt, and 1 rushing touchdown. DJ had nice spurts throwing the ball with terrific arm strength and accuracy downfield, but the collection of his inconsistencies throwing the football accurately, notably a slow and sluggish internal clock to read his progressions, and make decisions, as well as playing behind a below-average offensive line, coupled with his receivers dropping catchable balls when he threw it accurately at times led to an uninspiring performance for the once highly-touted signal caller despite the win. To me, I still believe that the dynamic throwing DJ Uiagelelei that I witnessed dominate as a freshman versus Notre Dame in South Bend can reemerge as a top prospect.
NOAH SEWELL, Linebacker, Oregon (Junior) – 3 tackles. I will add to my previous comment ONLY 3 tackles. As the top-ranked LB prospect of my initial rankings, he did not bring his tackling-machine aura to the game against the Bulldogs as the leader of that defense, and his lack of impact really showed as he did not disrupt the Bulldogs’ offense either stopping the run, blitzing, or even defending the pass in coverage like he usually did last year. As the leader of the Ducks’ defense, they absolutely need him to be his dominant self now that Kayvon Thibodeaux is off to the NFL.
Other top prospects expected to step up to help their teams: Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State (Junior); Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU (Senior); Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (Senior)
