Photo Credit: University of Florida Athletics
On paper Week 2 of college football didn’t look like anything special, but the funny thing about this sport is that when nobody is looking it turns into an all-time week. And an all-time week tends to mean plenty of noteworthy performance from NFL Draft prospects, and that surely was the case from noon to midnight.
The eventful Saturday started with No. 1 Alabama needing a last second field goal—and some Bryce Young magic— to takedown Texas before the Sun Belt went wild with Appalachian State knocking off No. 6 Texas A&M in College Station and Marshall shocking all of South Bend with an upset of No. 8 Notre Dame. The day even ended with No. 9 Baylor falling to No. 21 BYU in double overtime as the hype died down in Gainesville with No. 12 Florida taking one on the chin from No. 20 Kentucky for the third time in five years (the Wildcats had only beaten the Gators once since 1980 prior to this run).
For over 12 hours on Saturday there were 2023 NFL Draft prospects thriving and sliding as they took the field in front of thousands of beer-soaked fans.
Prospect of the Week:
Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
Last week two of the most dominant performances in the country came from interior defensive linemen (Jalen Carter and Bryan Bresee), reaffirming the likelihood that they’ll be top-10 picks come April. Well, in a losing effort, Gervon Dexter, the 6-6, 312-pound mammoth in the middle of Florida’s defense said, “holy my beer.”
The former No. 12 overall recruit in the 2020 class had a breakout season as a sophomore and now he’s making a push towards being in that top-10 pick conversation. Despite Kentucky winning 26-16, Dexter took advantage of the Wildcats inexperienced offensive line and spent four quarters keeping both Will Levis and the running game at bay. He finished the game with 7 tackles, 0.5 sack, and an incredibly athletic interception, but even outplayed those gaudy numbers.
Throughout the game Dexter’s size and power overwhelmed the interior of Kentucky’s offensive line. He controlled the line of scrimmage most of the night (with help from 400-pound teammate Desmond Watson) creating a wall up front. With his length, Dexter plays with shockingly impressive leverage which when paired with his strength makes him an immovable object at times when he’s anchoring down to eat space.
Though Dexter has shades of dominance as run defender, what he did on passing downs is what will have scouts most excited. Early on in the game lined up at 1-Tech driving back the center and as Brenton Cox literally threw the right tackle, Dexter was able to disengage from the block and clean up the sack. Of course, after that, Cox and Dexter struck again when the latter went through the running back to cause an errant throw and the former tracked the ball and dove to make one of the most athletic grabs a big man will make all year.
Despite those two plays meaning more in the box score, Dexter’s most awe-inspiring play came when he once again lined up at 1-Tech and took the center for a ride. He crossed the center’s face and beat him with leverage and power before working off the block with a swim move to crush Levis. All in all, Dexter has quickly become one of the most disruptive players in the nation and shouldn’t wait long to hear his name called in a few months.
The most impressive performance of any 2023 NFL Draft prospect in Week 2 might have been from Florida’s Gervon Dexter. Not only did he have 7 tackles, a 0.5 sack, and an insane INT, but he was constantly pressuring Levis. Beats the C with his power and swim move to smear the QB. pic.twitter.com/43Rgtsn3Lk
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 12, 2022
The last several wide receiver classes have been loaded and the 2023 group should be no different. That being said, many of the top wide receiver prospects in the country have had slow starts to the season. Through two games each, LSU’s Kayshon Boutte and TCU’s Quentin Johnston have combined to have 12 receptions for 106 yards and no TDs, while Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba and North Carolina’s Josh Downs have been limited due to injury.
The one consensus top five receiver over the summer who hasn’t had a lackluster start has been reigning Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison. Despite suiting up in new threads after a late transfer from Pitt to USC—and some murmurs over the summer about being unhappy in his role—Addison has hit the ground running with Oklahoma transplants Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams.
After scoring twice in a shellacking of Rice in the opener, Addison turned in a spectacular performance on national tv against Stanford Saturday evening. He was the focal point of the passing attack—one that looked unstoppable in the first half—on his way to 172 yards and two scores on 7 catches.
Riley, who is known for getting the most out of his star pass catchers, gave Addison the chance to show his complete skill set. Three different plays perfectly encapsulate what the star brings to the table.
The first was the 22-yard tunnel screen that Addison took to the house as he showed off his vision and suddenness in the open field that makes him such a YAC threat despite being slender (6-0, 175 pounds). On the very next drive, Addison had a one-on-one with fellow NFL prospect Kyu Blu Kelly and showed off his explosiveness and ball tracking skills by flying by him on a deep post (and breaking his tackle attempt) for a 75-yard score. Finally, to begin the second half he showcased his fluidity as a route runner by lining up in the slot and turning the defensive back around completely on a corner-post for 48 yards.
Similarly to DeVonta Smith in the 2021 NFL Draft, Addison’s lack of size will be the biggest concern among front offices, but much like Smith, his talent could transcend it.
By all accounts, including Nick Saban’s, Drew Sanders likely would have started at Alabama this season. The No. 22 recruit in the 2020 class had seen the field in 2021 as a rotational hybrid off-ball linebacker and pass rusher where his size (6-5, 230 pounds) and athleticism stood out. Instead of suiting up in the crimson this season though, Sanders has opted for the cardinal red of the Arkansas Razorbacks, and it’s paying dividends early.
Remaining in the SEC West, Sanders is still taking on the best competition in the country and has made his presence felt in two marquee games to start the season. After flashing some of that blue chip pedigree against a ranked Cincinnati team in the opener, Sanders was beaming against South Carolina in game two.
With wily old vet Bumper Pool flanking him, Sanders finished with 11 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a pass breakup. The game allowed Sanders to make clear that the hype he carried with him to Fayetteville was well deserved. He impacted the game at every level making plays sideline-to-sideline. The speed was evident as he helped string out plays and the length and physicality eye popping when coming downhill to fill.
The two sacks were especially impressive with one coming as he lined up off-ball and shot out of a cannon to chase down a rolling Spencer Rattler. The other was even better with him setting up as a true edge rusher beating the left tackle with a swipe move before diving to strip Rattler of the ball.
As he becomes more natural in space, particularly in coverage (though he did eat up a receiver on a crosser, break up a pass to a running back in the flats, and force a fumble coming across the field on a screen), Sanders should shoot up the boards and be viewed as one of the most talented linebackers in the class.
Alabama transfer Drew Sanders had one of the best defensive performances of Week 2 for Arkansas. Showed his ability in coverage, as a run stopper, and what he can do rushing the passer. Beats the LT with a swipe before getting the strip sack. 2023 NFL Draft riser. pic.twitter.com/gPwpcQn97A
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 12, 2022
With so much talent, especially on the defensive line, in the SEC it can be easy for uber talented prospects to be overlooked. That seemed to be the case with Tyler Baron over the summer, but after his showing against Pittsburgh, it won’t be long until he’s a household name.
The 6-5, 260-pound pass rusher had a solid sophomore season with 7 TFLs and 4 sacks last season showing off a restless motor and excellent first step. The Pittsburgh game proved he has taken his game up a notch with his physicality at the point of attack as a run defender and his pass rush repertoire when pinning his ears back.
One of the biggest positives for Baron against Pitt was the way he was able to control Pitt left tackle and fellow prospect Carter Warren on run plays. Baron’s play strength has clearly improved, and it showed up as an edge setter. When he wasn’t on the field the Panthers found their biggest successes running the ball.
Even better though was what Baron did rushing the passer. His energy and twitch have always been huge positives but throughout the game he utilized a deep toolbox of moves. In the first quarter he created pressures with a chop-rip while on the edge and a bull rush when lined up at 3-Tech. The motor Baron is known for showed up in a big way just before the half when he was inside at 1-Tech and fought through two blocks to strip sack Kedon Slovis.
Now as the production begins to match Baron’s size, power, and athleticism, people outside of Knoxville are beginning to take notice of the former No. 118 recruit in the 2020 class. It won’t be long until he’s a Draft Twitter darling being talked about as a potential top-100 pick.
Tennessee edge rusher Tyler Baron showing off his relentless motor and heavy hands lining up at 1-Tech and coming away with a strip sack of Slovis. pic.twitter.com/7IgLiVihTj
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 10, 2022
In a year touted as quarterback rich, the class looks awfully murky right now—especially given many projecting up to five quarterbacks going in the first-round. Of course, CJ Stroud and Bryce Young look like the real deal at the top of the class, but after those two the rest of the names that carry clout have gotten off to an inauspicious start. Week 2 was a perfect example of the shortcomings of the class.
After an explosive opener, Anthony Richardson fell flat against Kentucky. A banged-up ankle certainly slowed him down, but his performance was marred by poor decisions and turnovers. On the other side, Will Levis may have gotten the win and shown off his arm talent on a 55-yard TD throw to Dane Key, but he was sporadic with ball placement and flustered by the pass rush most the night.
Even worse, Tanner McKee was missing almost every non-RPO throw that was over 10 yards. His stats were helped by Stanford’s new RPO heavy offense, but his lack of physical tools was damning against USC.
Two other potential risers in the class didn’t look their best in big games either, South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler and Washington State’s Cameron Ward. Rattler’s arm talent is obvious but his lack of touch and poise in the pocket were major issues against Arkansas. As for Ward, the FCS transfer has a cannon but he’s still catching up to the speed of the Power Five.
Surely, plenty will change in the next few months but for now the race to be QB3 in the 2023 NFL Draft class is wide open.
Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
One of the few quarterbacks who flashed the goods on Saturday did it late into the night. That was BYU’s Jaren Hall, whose biggest issue might be the fact that he’ll be a 25-year-old rookie next year. Hall had moments of brilliance against Dave Aranda’s Baylor Bears despite the fact that his potential top-100 pick at left tackle got bullied throughout the game.
Blake Freeland’s length (6-8, 307 pounds) jumps off the screen and the way he moves is so easy, that’s why he’s an exciting prospect. Yet, his weaknesses are just as obvious as his strengths. For as exciting as his athleticism is, his lack of functional strength and leverage were exposed by Baylor’s power rushers. Gabe Hall, Garmon Randolph, and TJ Franklin frequently created pressure against Freeland with speed-to-power, inside moves and good old fashion bull rushes. Adding to his tough night, Freeland also struggled to sustain blocks and create drive in the run game—part of why the Cougars did little on the ground.
For as smooth as he can be working to landmarks with his quick feet, Freeland’s leverage issues create for an unbalanced offensive lineman when facing power. If he can’t play with a stronger base and anchor, this will continue to show up and hinder his ceiling as an NFL prospect.
At the same time, the length and athleticism are the reason he is viewed as one of the 10 best tackle prospects in the country and a front office and coaching staff will sell themselves on fixing the rest later.
Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
Coming off landing one of the best transfers in the country in Jameson Williams from a fellow blue blood program, it felt like Jermaine Burton would hit the ground running making the move from Georgia to Alabama. With the Crimson Tide in dire need of experience Burton was the perfect get in theory. He’d totaled 901 yards and 8 TDs as a big play threat and former blue chip for a less than exciting Bulldogs passing attack and was poised for a breakout with Bryce Young.
Instead, the close call against Texas proved that for the first time in a while Alabama may not have a true stud as receiver. Young relied heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs as Burton and co. struggled to create separation or plays after the catch. Burton even had a major drop.
With just 2 receptions for 10 yards, it looks like it could take longer than expected for Burton to acclimate to his new team and build chemistry with Young. Given his projection as a potential top-15 WR prospect and top-100 pick, it might be time to slow our role on Burton and see who emerges as Young’s go-to playmaker as Alabama gets into conference play.
