Who to Watch For in Week 2 of College Football
Make sure to tune into some of these college football games this weekend to get a sneak peek at some potential draft targets in 2022.
College Football got off to a rocking start last week and the Prospect Watch List got off to a fast start! Andrew Booth Jr. showed his potential as a high end NFL CB and Josh Rivas helped lead a dominant K-State rushing attack. Will McDonald didn’t have the same level success but that’s part of the watch list as he was held in check by a promising NFL OT prospect Trevor Penning.
That’s a big part of the Watch List experience. Often times players on it are going to be facing one of their toughest tests of the season and good performances can go a long way in boosting their draft stock and difficult ones can slow down hype trains.
Week 2 the CFB season has every possibility to be just as exciting as Week 1 and may even have more marquee player vs player matchups. Let’s take a peek at some of the top matchups queued up for Saturday!
Prospect watch
Day 1 Stud
Chris Olave | Wide Receiver
6’1 185lbs | Ohio State | #2
Chris Olave entered the year as one of the highest ranked WR prospects in College Football and in Week 1 he didn’t disappoint. Against the Minnesota Gophers, he had four catches for 117 yards and two TDs. It wasn’t the stiffest of tests but Olave’s athleticism and understanding of the game of football were on full display.
Olave’s route running is some of the best you will see at the CFB level. His footwork is outstanding and he is constantly working to out-leverage defenders in coverage. He has enough speed to threaten teams vertically and plays the ball well at the catch point to be a consistent three-level threat at the next level despite not being elite in size or speed.
How to watch: Oregon vs. Ohio State, 11:00AM CST, FOX
Chris Olave could make this list any given week but it was the matchup with Oregon’s Mykael Wright that makes this one must see TV. Wright isn’t the biggest CB around but he’s an excellent athlete with electric feet making him a near perfect matchup to line up across from Olave.
Potential Riser
Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE
6’6” 265lbs | Michigan | #97
Aidan Hutchinson returned from a broken leg in 2020 to have a dominant performance in Week 1 for the Michigan Wolverines. With long time defensive coordinator Don Brown retiring, the Michigan defensive philosophy changed ever so slightly and based on early looks, it’s a great thing for Hutchinson’s draft stock. Rather than constantly playing as a 4i or 5 tech and looking to two-gap or stung, Hutchinson got a lot of reps as a wide, stand-up EDGE rusher and looked great.
The consensus about Hutchinson’s game has always been about his power and length so it took people by surprise to see him land at number two on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List. That athleticism that Feldman cited looked evident vs Western Michigan as he looked explosive and to be more agile laterally than initially thought. Pairing that with his power and overall size makes Hutchinson an extremely appealing prospect moving forward.
How to watch: Washington vs. Michigan, 7:00PM CST, ABC
Aidan Hutchinson was absolutely dominant in his first action but it did come against lower leveled competition. There are no questions about his ability to play the run or to be powerful rusher but can he elevate his play to a game-changer as a pass rusher. This week’s test against Washington’s Jaxson Kirkland - a top 2022 OT prospect - could be a massive step in catapulting Hutchinson as a true Round 1 EDGE prospect.
Local Flavor
Akayleb Evans | CB
6’2” 198lbs | Missouri | #26
Akayleb Evans was part of a promising Tulsa defensive back room that had sent some players to the NFL and was set to send even more the next few years. He - and his teammate Allie Green IV - transferred to Missouri with his defensive backs coach at Tulsa. In his first action, Evans was able to showcase his sticky coverage as well as come down with an interception vs Central Michigan.
Evans is a long CB that likes to play incredibly physically at the line of scrimmage and throughout the WR’s route. Unlike most CBs with his height and length, Evans shows surprisingly nimble feet and is often able to stay in phase with faster WRs throughout their routes.
How to watch: Missouri vs. Kentucky, 6:30PM CST, SEC Network
Akayleb Evans showed out well in his initial game with the Missouri Tigers but the new wave of testing has only begun. Kentucky may not have top end WR talent but they did show a willingness and ability to push the ball downfield with their passing game in Week 1. Evans should be tested early and often in this game and is looking to build momentum to find himself as a Top 50 prospect come draft time.