Every Sunday, the editorial staff of DNA of Sports offers you an update on university players. Who performed well and who disappointed? Here is a weekly focused on the individual performances of future NFL players. Only players eligible for the 2023 draft are listed here.
It’s the last week (already) of the NCAA regular season, what we call the Rivalry Week. Who from Texas or Kansas State will join TCU in the Big 12 Conference Finals? What will be the conference final Big Ten where we will focus on the players of the Ohio State – Michigan game?
Finally, who will accompany USC in the final of the conference PAC-12? Without forgetting the other conferences of the Group of 5.
The conference finals now known, focus on players eligible for the 2023 NFL draft.
quarterback of the week
Bryce Young (QB, Alabama): 20/30, 391 yards (including 48 rushing), 4 touchdowns (including 1 rushing), 1 interception
Against Auburn, Bryce Young delivered a perfect first period: 5 offensive series, 4 touchdowns and first attempts won on the run. He throws an interception in the second half but it is due to the passivity of his tight-end, Cameron Latu. After Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud’s average game against Michigan (2 interceptions), he may have changed the minds of some NFL scouts to be the first quarterback called up next April.
Quarterback Mentions
- Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oklahoma): 28/40, 449 YDS, 6 TDs, 1 INT
- Michael Penix Jr. (QB, Washington): 25/43, 519 YDS, 5 TDs (including 2 running), 1 INT
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB, UCLA): 21/30, 277 YDS, 3 TDs (including 2 on the run)
Oklahoma lost after overtime to Texas Tech, but Dillon Gabriel delivered a fine score. 6 touchdowns but an interception which allowed the Red Raiders to return to the game.
In the double-threat quarterback category, I call Michael Penix Jr. and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The 2 players shared their qualities to enable their respective teams to win, respectively against Washington State and California.
The 3 quarterbacks could be chosen at the end of the draft. This will not be mandatory for Dillon Gabriel and Michael Penix Jr. as they still have 1 year of college eligibility.
Could have been mentioned: Will Levis (QB, Kentucky), Kedon Slovis (QB, Pittsburgh), Taulia Tagovailoa (QB, Maryland)
Offensive Player of the Week
Cornelius Johnson (WR, Michigan): 4 receptions, 160 yards, 2 touchdowns
Along with JJ McCarthy and Donovan Edwards, Cornelius Johnson was the other big man of the game against Ohio State. Only 4 receptions of course, but 2 touchdowns in the same quarter to allow Michigan to stay in the game. 1 touchdown on a route where he caught a cold Ronnie Hickman and 1 touchdown where he breaks 2 tackles.
Not too highlighted this season in Michigan’s offensive system, he has the potential to become a very good number 2 receiver in the NFL, particularly with his ability to be a deep threat.
Offensive mentions
- Trey Palmer (WR, Nebraska): 9 receptions, 165 YDS, 2 TDs
- Rashee Rice (WR, SMU): 13 receptions, 147 YDS, 1 TD
- Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas): 29 carries, 179 YDS, 2 TDs
- Devon Achane (RB, Texas A&M): 38 carries, 215 YDS, 2 TDs
- Theo Johnson (TE, Penn State): 3 receptions, 62 YDS, 2 TDs
- Michael Meyer (TE, Notre Dame): 8 receptions, 98 YDS, 2 TDs
- Darnell Wright (OT, Tennessee)
Among outside receivers, Trey Palmer is the light in Nebraska’s dark season. Facing the rival Iowa, the receiver expressed his qualities of speed and separation with in particular a touchdown of 87 yards in the 1st quarter. Rashee Rice was decisive for SMU against Memphis in the Mustangs’ victory over the Tigers. 13 receptions including several to win first attempts. The 2 players could be selected from the 2nd round even if Trey Palmer could still stay a year in university.
Could have been mentioned (receivers): Zay Flowers (WR, Boston College), Nathaniel Dell (WR, Houston), Jared Wayne (WR, Pittsburgh), Marvin Mims Jr. (WR, Oklahoma)
Among the runners, for his likely last university game, Bijan Robinson ignited the Longhorns public with several runs worthy of an NFL running back against a quality defensive line, the Baylor Bears. 2 touchdowns and the victory and a first round which will be difficult to escape given his season. Devon Achane will not be a first round but his match against LSU brings him closer to a selection for the day on Friday (2nd-3rd round).
Could have been mentioned (runners): Deuce Vaughn (RB, Kansas State), Sean Tucker (RB, Syracuse), Israel Abanikanda (RB, Pittsburgh)
Among the tight-ends, Penn State beat Michigan State and Theo Johnson contributed to this by confirming his return to form. 2 touchdowns in the 1st half where he showed his qualities on the tracks. He is no longer to present but despite the defeat of his team Notre Dame against USC, he was the best receiver of the game. Michael Meyer is a 1st round player and is going to be a player to watch next season in the NFL.
Could have been mentioned (tight-end): Dalton Kincaid (TE, Utah)
Finally, facing a Vanderbilt defense that showed signs of progress, Tennessee once again pulled out all the stops. Especially in the ground game with 6 touchdowns. And all with the help of Darnell Wright. Already very good at pass protection for Hendon Hooker, this powerful player can solve the offensive line problems of several NFL teams. Right tackle this year, it is in this position where he will have a professional future.
Defensive Player of the Week
Devon Witherspoon (BC, Ill.): 4 tackles, 2 interceptions
Mentioned last week, Devon Witherspoon is our Defensive Player of the Week this week. If Chase Brown’s twin brother, safety Sydney Brown, darkened the game sheet with 1 return fumble for touchdown, 1 pick six and 1 interception, Devon Witherspoon showed excellent reading skills and good hands. Tall enough for the position (1.85m), he has the potential to become the number 1 cornerback in the NFL.
Defensive mentions
- Christian Gonzalez (CB, Oregon): 5 tackles, 1 interception
- Cory Trice (CB, Purdue): 8 tackles, 1 interception
- DeMarvion Overshown (LB, Texas): 14 tackles, 1 sack, 2 passes defended
- JJ Weaver (LB, Kentucky): 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 covered fumbles
- Tavius Robinson (EDGE, Ole Miss): 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 covered fumbles
- Will Anderson Jr. (EDGE, Alabama): 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 pressures
Christian Gonzalez has a good height and is very agile. His interception against Oregon State proves it. The player transferred from Colorado has the potential for a 1st round for next April. Cory Trice sealed Purdue’s win over Indiana with a pick six to advance Purdue to the Big Ten Conference Finals against Michigan next week. This player, returned from a long injury, is in the process of raising his rating for the draft.
Could have been mentioned (defensive backs): Kelee Ringo (CB, Georgia), Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (CB, TCU)
What a DeMarvion Overshown game! The Texas player was sharp in the last quarter with several tackles and a sack. His duet with Jaylan Ford hurt the Baylor Bears. Is JJ Weaver the new Josh Allen (Jaguars)? The outside linebacker was everywhere. Very tall, with long arms, he has unfortunately been very discreet this season but his potential is immense. He could return to college for one last season.
Could have been mentioned (linebackers): Dorian Williams (LB, Tulane), SirVocea Dennis (LB, Pittsburgh)
Mixed fortunes for Tavius Robinson and Will Anderson Jr. If the 2nd city is almost certain to leave in the 1st round with its 9th and 10th sacks of the season, the 1st city is in the process of revealing itself. Slender and versatile, the Rebels player covered the fumble in his own red zone allowing Ole Miss to hope for an extension against Mississippi State.
Could have been mentioned (pass rushers): Isaiah Foskey (EDGE, Notre Dame)
Disappointments of the week
- Myles Murphy (EDGE, Clemson) and BJ Ojulari (EDGE, LSU)
- Brandon Dorlus (DT, Oregon) and Justin Flowe (LB, Oregon)
- Ronnie Hickman (S, Ohio State)
Defenders in the disappointments of the week. Myles Murphy was well contained by the South Carolina offensive line while BJ Ojulari missed several tackles against the run against the Texas A&M Aggies. Worrying before their conference finals, respectively against North Carolina and Georgia.
Oregon is bound to be in disappointment after its completely failed 2nd period against rival Oregon State. If Bo Nix and Noah Sewell are doing well, this is not the case for Brandon Dorlus and Justin Flowe. The linebacker is far from having the NFL level in view of his performance.
Ronnie Hickman was guilty of several penalties against Michigan. The Ohio State safety said this week to appear in the Draft, his coast may have just taken a hit with this loss against Michigan.
action of the week
South Florida was seconds away from winning its second game of the season. But, UCF and Alec Holler (or the referees) decided otherwise.
A SENSATIONAL ONE-HAND GRAB IN THE CLUTCH 😱 pic.twitter.com/GlibkPaST5
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 27, 2022
