With only a few weeks left of the college season we are beginning to get a feel for various draft prospects and where they stand. There is still time to make an impression and there are some interesting names playing in big games this weekend. Here is my list of prospects to watch in Week 13.
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Javonte Williams – RB, UNC Tar Heels
North Carolina’s running attack is one of the most exciting to watch in all of college football. Both Michael Carter and Javonte Williams have looked excellent this season and provide the perfect compliment to Sam Howell at quarterback. Williams has been one of the biggest draft risers in 2020 and it’s not surprising when you watch him play.
Williams’ numbers this season are eye-popping. He has 896 rushing yards at an average of 7.5 per carry, with 15 touchdowns through his eight games. Perhaps most impressive is his work after contact and he has proven to be one of the most elusive backs in the nation. He is averaging 4.85 yards after contact, and his 62 forced missed tackles are 12 more than the next best (Breece Hall of Iowa State).
Williams might not be the quickest or most explosive running back in the class, but his vision and elusiveness in the open field are hard to match. The Tar Heels have a good game this weekend against Notre Dame and if Williams can help them secure an upset, you might hear his name as a potential RB3 in the 2021 Draft.
Christian Barmore – IDL, Alabama Crimson Tide
The interior defensive line class is one of the weakest in recent years, but Barmore is clearly the standout player. The Alabama lineman burst onto the scene last year, featuring mainly as a third down pass-rush specialist. He has been given a bigger role this season and continues to develop, with 15 total pressures on just 153 pass-rushing snaps.
Barmore is certainly a raw prospect, but showcases great talent. He has excellent athleticism and has an explosive first step. He plays with consistently great leverage and power that makes him a real handful for his opponents. His numbers have been excellent in limited outings, with 41 total pressures on 321 pass-rushing snaps.
This weekend he’ll face Auburn and could solidify his status as a first rounder with a good performance. There isn’t much time left in the season, but there are still some improvements I’d like to see from Barmore. Some more exposure against the run would be good as he has just 168 career snaps in run defense. He would also benefit from a more polished and diversified set of pass-rushing moves.
Kenny Pickett – QB, Pitt Panthers
This year’s quarterback class has been generating a tonne of hype. Four of them have a chance to go inside the top ten, with a few more names circling the first round conversation. Pickett isn’t one of them, but as a projected day three pick he still has talent and is worth keeping an eye on. The Pitt quarterback has three years of starting experience and this weekend has a tough game against Clemson to look forward to.
Pickett is a pretty solid player for the Panthers. He is quick and accurate in the short to intermediate range, with good mobility to extend plays outside of the pocket. His problem has been consistency and this has seen him pass for just over 5,000 yards and 23 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
This weekend’s clash against Clemson will be a big challenge as the Panthers enter it 25 point underdogs. If Pickett can showcase some skill against a top coverage unit then it will definitely boost his draft stock. Watch for his deep balls and see if he can show more consistency with his placement.
Tutu Atwell – WR, Louisville Cardinals
Much like the quarterback class, this year’s wide receiver group looks like one of the best in recent years. I have five receivers graded as first rounders and 10 in the top 75 of my 2021 Big Board. Atwell comes in at No. 68, but it’s safe to say he has been one of the most divisive prospects amongst the draft community. After a quiet game last week against Syracuse he’ll be hoping to get back on track here.
There’s no questioning Atwell’s production for the Cardinals. Last season he racked up over 1,200 yards at 18.1 per reception and 10.7 yards after the catch. His 4.33 yards per route run ranked second in the nation. He’s dropped off a bit this year but his numbers are still impressive and his elite speed will cause problems for any team he faces.
This weekend he will face Boston College in what should be a closely fought game. Atwell’s talent is not in doubt, but as a draft prospect he will be held back by his size and perception that he is just a gadget player. At 5’9″ and 165 lbs he’ll be the smallest player on the field, but teams love speed. Don’t be surprised to see him jump up draft boards if he runs a 4.2 at the Combine.
Charlie Kolar – TE, Iowa State Cyclones
There was some controversy about a 6-2 Iowa State team being ranked 13th in the playoff rankings, but it has to be said they have looked pretty impressive in recent weeks. This weekend they have a tough matchup against Texas and one of the players to keep a close eye on will be Charlie Kolar.
Kolar has been really productive for the Cyclones over the past two seasons. He excels in contested catch situations and is a tough, physical tight end. He showcases a huge catch radius and his hands are amongst the best in the class. So far in his career he has just three drops on 135 targets. At 6’6″ and 257 lbs he is a big player who excels in the red zone.
The knock on Kolar as a prospect will be his speed. He doesn’t consistently create separation and this will be even more of a problem in the NFL where linebackers are quicker. He’s never been great after the catch either, averaging just three yards per reception throughout his career. Nevertheless, he should make it as an early day three, perhaps even late day two, pick in this year’s draft.
