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.
The Big Ten East is in the spotlight with two big clashes between Penn State and Ohio State and then the Michigan Derby with the Michigan State Spartans against the Michigan Wolverines. Will the surprising TCU team go undefeated against West Virginia? Will Florida have the weapons to surprise Georgia?
The Week 9 NCAA Player Review is now.
quarterback of the week
This 2023 promotion is rich in quarterbacks. The opportunity to focus on a player in this position.
Clayton Tune (QB, Houston): 31/37, 380 yards, 4 touchdowns
A 3-star rookie in 2018, Clayton Tune has been in Houston since his college days, taking the starting spot in 2019. He’s no stranger to the Houston Cougars’ strong last season, winning a bowl and throwing 30 touchdowns. His default was to often look for the big game, which had cost him a lot of interceptions (20 the last 2 seasons).
He could have a future in the NFL as an understudy. There is still progress to be made in his readings if he wants to be a holder in the professional world. This weekend, against the modest team of South Florida, he exceeded 10,000 career yards in the pass, joining Case Keenum, today at the Buffalo Bills and Kevin Kolb. And he didn’t do it anyhow.
The 10,000 yard moment! @claytontune7 ➡️ @KingSawyer80 pic.twitter.com/0vzw3pIzSP
—Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) October 29, 2022
Quarterback Mentions
Solid, Hendon Hooker again sent one of his long passes in the 1st quarter for his new favorite receiver, Jalin Hyatt. Increasingly accurate, he guided the still-undefeated Tennessee to yet another win over Kentucky 44-6. His performance against Georgia next week will be one to watch.
Bo Nix had 6 touchdowns and led the Oregon Ducks to a 7th straight win over the California Bears 42-24. However, he had a first half not far from catastrophic, throwing 2 interceptions including 1 in the red zone while Oregon was led. But he made up for it with 3 touchdowns in the 2nd half.
After his good game against Clemson, Jordan Travis confirmed against Georgia Tech. 3 touchdowns, career high in yards and clean throws. His receivers could have allowed him to have a lot more in terms of completion percentage.
Offensive Player of the Week
Zach Charbonnet (RB, UCLA): 21 carries, 198 yards, 3 touchdowns
UCLA is having a good 2022 season. If we already mentioned quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson a few weeks ago, let’s now focus on the main threat of this offense, Zach Charbonnet.
The running-back is powerful and smart. While he lacks acceleration power, he’s nimble enough to break up tackles. The proof with this touchdown at the end of the 3rd quarter to sink Stanford. In addition to knowing how to run well, he also knows how to receive. In this game, he is the best receiver of his team with 5 receptions. The Bruins win 38-13 and remain in contention to win the Pac-12 conference.
UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet breaks free for his third rushing TD 😤
(📍 @NavyFederal) pic.twitter.com/sUs3qK1m54
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 30, 2022
Offensive mentions
Other runners to shine this week, Xazavian Valladay and Deuce Vaughn. If the 2nd city took advantage of the incredible work of his offensive line to register a new touchdown (his 5th of the season) against Oklahoma State, the first passed 4000 yards in the race in college career. Transferred from Wyoming, he has already broken his season record in touchdowns (9). The 2 runners are players who can be drafted from the 2nd round.
In the game of the week between Ohio State and Penn State, if Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State did more damage, what about Parker Washington? The Nittany Lions receiver confirms his good game against Minnesota with his season record in terms of receptions and a magnificent touchdown from 58 yards, breaking 2 tackles. He is raising his rating thanks to this match.
He too sees his name climb in the mock drafts and the big boards, Rashee Rice made the Tulsa defense suffer for 3 quarters including 1 touchdown from 75 yards on the very first game of the match, breaking 3 tackles. Thanks to his performance, SMU won 45-34.
His duo with Antoine Green is dazzling and hurt the Pittsburgh defense, Josh Downs is back in great shape and it wouldn’t be surprising to see his name heard in the first round.
Finally, a very experienced offensive lineman who will be the delight of many NFL teams looking for or strengthening the running game. John Michael Schmitz didn’t concede any sacks against the Rutgers defensive line and contributed to teammate Mohamed Ibrahim’s 3 ground touchdowns.
The defensive duo of the week
Drake Thomas – Payton Wilson (LB, NC State): 15 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 deflected pass, 3 pressures
We could have mentioned Isaiah Moore as well, which would have made a trio. But, focus on 2 players who have the same characteristics. Speed, technique and above all the same position. The only difference is their height (1.93m for Wilson, 1.83m for Thomas).
Against the Virginia Tech Hoskies, the duo hurt quarterback Grant Wells in the final quarter. Early in that period, Drake Thomas’ sack forced the Hoskies to punt. Late in the game, Wilson’s sack forces Virginia Tech to a 3rd&18, allowing the Wolfpacks to recover the ball and win the game 22-21. The 2 players should have their chance in the 2023 draft during the day on Saturday (4th & 7th round).
NC State has three future NFL LBs on their defense (Payton Wilson, Isaiah Moore, Drake Thomas) and Virginia Tech’s offense simply isn’t ready for that. Just let Wilson come completely free off the edge here. pic.twitter.com/s9DHeRuIgW
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) October 27, 2022
Defensive mentions
Another defensive duo stood out, it is on the defensive line of the Baylor Bears. While Dave Aranda’s team is having an inconsistent season, Gabe Hall and Garmon Randolph showed up against Texas Tech for a 45-17 win. The Baylor team made 6 sacks and 4 interceptions during this match. The duo are expected to stay one more season in college but they could be pleasant surprises if they show up this year.
Ronnie Hickman showed his abilities as a playmaker against Penn State, the safety often forced Penn State to punt, especially at the end of the 1st half to allow Ohio State to stay in the game, win 44-31 and remain undefeated.
Owen Pappoe showed up in the first games of the game for Auburn with 1 sack on Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson. Already author of 16 tackles against Ole Miss 2 weeks ago, he opened his sack counter this season. Auburn is having a tough season but the linebacker is one of the few players to stand out.
Byron Young confirms that he will be a name to watch during the draft process. Massive and lively, often lined up outside this season, he gave Will Levis an ordeal with a sack that was close to a safety.
Disappointments of the week
2 quarterbacks overdue. First, Will Levis (16/27, 98 YDS, 3 INTs) suffered from the comparison with Hendon Hooker. He totally lost his footing after halftime, throwing 2 of his 3 interceptions and conceding 4 sacks. The quarterback may have lost more than one game. Then Sam Hartman (20/35, 271 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs) was indigestible with 2 pick six on the 3 interceptions and 3 fumbles lost against the Louisville defense which signs one of the upsets of the week against Wake Forest.
In the foam hands series, I ask for 2 players. If Oklahoma beat Iowa State, it’s not thanks to Marvin Mims (2 REC, 16 YDS). The receiver was targeted 6 times and released 3 balls that were easy to catch. The receiver may have disappointed some NFL scouts who came to supervise him. Zay Flowers (2 REC, 35 YDS) was tested as a kick returner and released 2 balls in this drill. He also missed a touchdown altogether. It was therefore not a great help for his quarterback and could see his rating down.
Tyler Lacy needed to show up this season and despite Oklahoma State’s good season, the pass-rusher was non-existent against Kansas State. It was also difficult for Brenton Cox Jr., Florida’s pass-rusher was totally outplayed by Broderick Jones, especially on running back Kenny McIntosh’s touchdown.
The punter of the week
Head to Conference USA (C-USA) to find Florida Atlantic punter Riley Thompson. 2 incredible moves that can show utility in drafting a punter.
This fabulous punt from P Riley Thompson (Florida Atlantic)! 😳
📺 @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/HqfzG1i9mh
— TBP College Football (@thebluepennant) October 30, 2022
And P Riley Thompson does it again! 71 yards! wow! 🤯
📺 @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/52fERu41Ra
— TBP College Football (@thebluepennant) October 30, 2022
action of the week
This player will be one to watch in the 2024 draft: Georgia tight-end Brock Bowers. 154 yards and 1 touchdown. At this level, it’s not just luck.
WOW BROCK BOWERS TD! 🐶
With great success (not to say “cha ***”. Already 120 yards in 4 receptions for the TE.
Georgia leads Florida 20-0.
— The Trick Play Podcast – NCAA/CFB (@TheTrickPlayFR) October 29, 2022
The other action of the week
This duo will be to follow during the 2025 draft: Conner Weigman and Evan Stewart of Texas A&M. At this level, it’s talent.
WHAT A RECEPTION FROM WR EVAN STEWART! 🤯
2nd TD in 2 possessions for QB Conner Weigman. 👏
Texas A&M 14, Ole Miss 7
📺 @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/3WpwJyJ408
— TBP College Football (@thebluepennant) October 30, 2022
Bonus of the week
In the Rice family, I ask for the son Brenden. A 4-star recruit upon leaving high school and transferred to USC from Colorado, he took advantage of the absence of Jordan Addison to shine. It’s his first touchdown of the season. He should be expected in the 2024 draft.
Brenden Rice – Jerry Rice’s son – with the 2 yard TD pic.twitter.com/Gm6VN7c3jT
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) October 30, 2022
