Scout's Eye - Week Thirteen College Football Preview

Dante Moore / QB / Oregon

We are down to the last two weeks of the regular season and conference titles and playoff berths hang in the balance. This week’s games will go a long way in determining who gets a chance to make a run at the national championship in January. Several of SNS’ highest ranked prospects for next spring’s draft will be competing this weekend including QBs Dante Moore / Oregon (#3 QB), Jayden Maiava / USC (#7 QB) and Haynes King / Georgia Tech (#4 QB), RB LJ Martin / BYU (#6 RB), WR Makai Lemon / USC (#7 WR), TEs Kenyon Sadiq / Oregon (#1 TE) and Carsen Ryan / BYU (#9 TE), OT Isaiah World / Oregon (#3 OT), IOL Keylan Rutledge (#6 IOL), EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei / Oregon (#2 EDGE), IDL Dontay Corleone / Cincinnati (#1 IDL), and LBs Kyle Louis / Pittsburgh (#3 LB) and Eric Gentry / USC (#10 LB).

Game of the Week

(15) USC at (7) Oregon

Saturday, November 22.  3:30 pm ET / 12:30 pm PT

USC Prospects to Keep an Eye On:

·       QB Jayden Maiava

·       WR Makai Lemon

·       TE Lake McCree

·       LB Eric Gentry

·       CB DeCarlos Nicholson

 

Oregon Prospects to Keep an Eye On:

·       QB Dante Moore

·       RB Noah Whittington

·       TE Kenyon Sadiq

·       EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei

·       LB Bryce Boettcher

In what amounts to a playoff eliminator game, especially for USC, the Trojans (8-2 / 6-1 Big Ten) travel to Eugene to play Oregon (9-1 / 6-1 Big Ten), in a battle of former PAC-12 powers with visions of national title contention dancing in their heads. USC, coming off a thrilling come from behind victory over Iowa, is led by second-year starting QB Jayden Maiava and he has steadily improved over his two years in LA. Maiava (6’4” / 230 lbs) has completed 66.8% of his pass attempts for 2,868 yards, 18 TDs, and 6 INTs and has added another six TDs on the ground for the Trojans this season. Maiava has a very strong arm and can throw every pass in the NFL route tree but perhaps his greatest skill is his decision-making – he rarely forces passes and his pocket presence and demeanor are already NFL-ready. Maiava rarely gets flustered under pressure and is a natural leader. Maiava would best be served by playing another season in LA but he is the rare QB in his class with the skills and starting experience that the NFL covets. If he declares, Maiava looks like a top 100 prospect for April’s draft. WR Makai Lemon is having a breakthrough season as the Trojans number one, clutch WR who Maiava looks for in critical situations. Lemon (5’11” / 195 lbs) has caught 71 passes for 1,090 yards (15.4 YPR) and 8 TDs while adding another 2 TDs on the ground for the Trojans in 2025. Lemon is a poor man’s Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions) with the quickness, hands, and playmaking ability to become a quality number two WR in the NFL as a rookie. TE Lake McCree is putting together a solid senior season recording 24 receptions for 389 yards and 2 TDs for the Trojans through ten games. McCree (6’4” / 250 lbs) has the size to battle as an in-line Y-TE and the agility and hands to be a downfield, pass catching threat. Unfortunately, McCree, a sixth-year senior, has missed significant time throughout his career with knee injuries and will most likely fall through the deep and talented draft class and go undrafted next April. But McCree will be in an NFL training camp next summer. He is far too talented and productive to not get a chance at the NFL level. LB Eric Gentry is having the best season of his career as a senior and has been a force on the second level of the Trojan defense all season. Gentry (6’6” / 225 lbs) has recorded a career-highs with 64 total tackles, 3 sacks, 7 TFL, and 5 forced fumbles so far this season. Gentry’s best asset is his tremendous length with an 87” wingspan that he employs effectively in zone coverage. Gentry lacks some desired strength and power but his speed, instincts, and length make him a dangerous pass defender. Another lengthy defender, CB DeCarlos Nicholson, a Mississippi State transfer, possesses ideal height and length for an outside CB (6’3” / 200 lbs) and has the length and power to handle TEs in coverage. Nicholson has recorded 32 total tackles, 1 INT, 3 passes defensed, 1 sack, and 1 TFL this year and will most likely shadowing Oregon WR Malik Benson all afternoon on Saturday, a match-up of two rapidly ascending seniors who are playing the best ball of their careers with the NFL Draft on the horizon.

Oregon is in an odd place as the Trojans come to town. The Ducks only loss was dropping a home contest to undefeated Indiana, and Oregon is unlikely to earn a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game, unless Ohio State loses to Michigan next week, and are likely playing their last two games with an eye on hosting a playoff game in Eugene in December. QB Dante Moore is hearing a lot of buzz about being a first-round pick this spring, and he certainly has the skill and upside to warrant a high pick, but Moore is still relatively inexperienced and another season in Eugene would be beneficial towards Moore reaching his ceiling as an NFL QB. Moore (6’3” / 206 lbs), a redshirt sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining after this season, has completed 72.8% of his passes for 2,190 yards, 21 TDs, and 5 INTs through ten games. Moore has every physical skill that is desired in an NFL QB prospect including a great arm, accuracy, and great athleticism but he needs additional development in handling pressure in his face or when facing pressure-packed situations like the end of the Indiana game when Moore threw a critical interception towards the end of the game. RB Noah Whittington, a sixth-year senior, is playing some of the best ball of his career, and his level of play had a lot to do with prized portal addition RB Makhi Hughes choosing to redshirt this year in Eugene. Whittington (5’8” / 203 lbs) has rushed for 623 yards, at a healthy 8.2 YPC, and 5 TDs so far this season. Whittington has a low center of gravity and that, combined with his natural power, makes him a load to try to tackle. Whittington’s extensive injury history may depress his draft value but there are few RBs with his compact size and contact balance. Whittington will be in an NFL training camp next summer. Ducks’ TE, Kenyon Sadiq grades out as a first-round pick next spring because he offers size, freakish athletic ability, reliable hands, and tremendous playmaking ability while holding his own as an in-line blocker in the run game. Sadiq (6’3” / 245 lbs) has already caught 30 passes for 407 yards (13.6 YPR), and 6 TDs this season and he provides a receiver that USC will find difficult matching up with, especially in space. EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei is not putting up the numbers he did last year when he finished with 10.5 sacks, but he has actually improved his value this season because he has improved his ability as a run defender. Uiagalelei (6’5” / 272 lbs) has recorded 18 total tackles, 4 sacks, and 6 TFL so far this year and has become a reliable run stuffer as a big, powerful EDGE that could interest not just 4-3 defensive set teams but also possibly teams that run the 3-4 defense in the NFL. LB Bryce Boettcher has a quality skill set for playing off-the-ball LB in the NFL – good size, very good instincts, and the range and foot speed to match up with TEs in coverage. Boettcher (6’2” / 232 lbs) has recorded 81 total tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL, and 1 forced fumble this season, likely his last year playing football. Boettcher, a redshirt senior, is a highly rated outfielder prospect in the Houston Astros farm system and his professional future most likely will be played on a diamond and not a football field after this year.

Other Noteworthy Games

Pittsburgh at (16) Georgia Tech

Saturday, November 22. 7 pm ET / 4:00 pm PT

Even though the Panthers were completely out-classed last Saturday afternoon by Notre Dame, Pittsburgh (7-3 / 5-1 ACC) is still in control of their own destiny – win their last two games and the Panthers play in the ACC Championship Game and a chance to earn a trip to the college football playoffs. The Yellowjackets have an even easier path – defeat the Panthers and Georgia Tech (9-1 / 6-1 ACC) will be playing for the conference title. Last Saturday, the Irish harassed freshman QB Mason Heintschel into playing like, well, a freshman as the Panthers offensive line could not protect him or even slow the Irish’s pass rush. Pittsburgh needs to go to a quicker passing offense featuring talented slot receiver, Poppi Williams. Williams (5’10” / 165 lbs) is very undersized but also extremely quick and nimble. He uncovers easily and would give Pittsburgh a dangerous weapon over the middle of the field. Williams has 39 receptions / 539 yds (13.8 YPR) / 6 TDs on the season and his quickness needs to be better utilized this Saturday evening. LB Kyle Louis is not the only Pittsburgh LB with an NFL future. Rasheem Biles fits what the NFL looks for in an off-the-ball LB with the speed and agility to handle coverage responsibilities. Biles (6’1” / 220 lbs) has recorded 62 total tackles, 10.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 pick sixes (against Louisville and Notre Dame), and 3 passes defensed. Biles looks like a day three pick (rounds four through seven), if he declares for the draft this winter. Georgia Tech QB Haynes King is having an All-American season in leading the Ramblin’ Wreck to within two victories of clinching an ACC title and a likely home playoff game. King (6’3” / 215 lbs) has thrown for 2,259 yards, completing 72.7% of his passes for 10 TDs and 2 INTs through the air and 807 yards (5.5 YPC) and 14 TDs on the ground for the Yellow Jackets. Another solid performance and King can likely book a trip to New York City for the Heisman Trophy presentation. Tech safety Omar Daniels has flashed NFL-level skills but has not been as productive as desired on the back end. Daniels (6’0” / 195 lbs) has recorded 38 total tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery on the season. Assuming the Yellowjackets can generate pressure on Pittsburgh QB Mason Heintschel, Daniels and the secondary will have several big play opportunities that they need to capitalize on Saturday night.

(11) BYU at Cincinnati

Saturday, November 22. 8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT

BYU (9-1 / 6-1 Big 12) enters Saturday’s game as one of two teams in the Big 12 in control of their own destiny in terms of reaching the conference championship game (Texas Tech), but first the Cougars need to navigate a tough road test at Cincinnati (7-3 / 5-2 Big 12). After being held to only 35 yards rushing in the Cougars loss to Texas Tech two weeks ago, RB LJ Martin bounced back with 88 yards rushing and a TD last Saturday against TCU. Martin (6’2” / 220 lbs), SNS’ #6 ranked RB, is on the cusp of rushing for 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, as he sits at 912 yards rushing (5.6 YPC) and 6 TDs on the season. In a season where so many LBs are having outstanding seasons, it is easy to lose track of what Jack Kelly is doing in Provo. Kelly (6’2” / 242 lbs) is putting together an All-American type season, recording 43 total tackles, 7 sacks, 10 TFL, and 1 forced fumble. Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby needs to have eyes in the back of his head looking out for the blitzing BYU LB. Sorsby (6’3” / 235 lbs) has crashed back to Earth the last two games, both Bearcat losses, going a combined 26/61 (42.7%) for 375 yards, 2 TDs, and 3 INTs in the process. Sorsby, a borderline draftable prospect, needs to play much better to both give the Bearcats the best chance at an upset and to improve his draft profile with post season all-star game invitations being issued. IDL Dontay Corleone will be a vital component in the Bearcats’ defense against Martin and BYU’s attempt to run the ball and control the line of scrimmage (LOS) Saturday night. Corleone (6’1” / 335 lbs), SNS’ #1 ranked IDL, does not stack up many stats – 11 total tackles, no sacks or TFL – but rather, stacks up OL and shuts down inside run lanes. How BYU’s veteran offensive line checks Corleone at the LOS will be a key subplot in Saturday night’s game.

SNS

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Jayden Maiava / QB / USC

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