Week 13 is here and so are some big games. Whether it is the Iron Bowl or The Game, it looks set to be a great weekend of football. Here are five draft-eligible prospects to keep an eye on this weekend.
Roger McCreary – CB, Auburn
This year’s cornerback class is stacked with talent. There are about half a dozen names in contention for a first round pick, with one of those being McCreary. A former three-star recruit, McCreary has been starting for the Tigers since his sophomore season. Few can match his experience, and he has plenty of tape against the best the SEC has to offer. His production has been great too. McCreary has given up a completion rate of just 53.3% and a passer rating of 79.1 throughout his career.
There is a lot to like about his game. McCreary is a fluid mover who is equally comfortable playing man or zone. He also possesses excellent ball skills, with six interceptions and 25 pass breakups on his 165 career targets. This weekend he has one of his toughest tests of the season, facing an Alabama offense that ranks third in EPA per dropback. If Auburn are to have any chance of keeping this game close, McCreary will need to be at his best.
Nicholas Petit-Frere – OT, Ohio State (6-5, 315, Junior)
Games between Ohio State and Michigan are always big affairs, but this weekend’s clash has more at stake than most. Both teams sit at 10-1, and the winner of this game should book their place in the College Football Playoffs. Michigan have made headlines thanks to the performances of their defensive end duo of Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. Ohio State will need their tackles to be at their best, and that is where Petit-Frere comes in.
Petit-Frere has adjusted well to playing left tackle this season, having played on the right side in 2020. He has the combination of size and athleticism you want in an offensive lineman and displays a very well rounded game. That said, there have been some questionable performances in pass protection. He gave up six pressures against Penn State in Week 9 and five against Nebraska the following week. He cannot afford to have a similar game this weekend.
Phil Jurkovec – QB, Boston College (6-5, 226, rs-Junior)
Prior to the 2021 season, some were considering Jurkovec to be a potential first round quarterback. He then suffered a hand injury in Week 2 that resulted in him missing most of the season. It wouldn’t be surprising if Jurkovec chose not to declare, but if he does he will have plenty of admirers. He has earned a reputation for his gritty playing style and strong arm, often earning comparisons to a young Ben Roethlisberger.
Jurkovec has played three games since his return from injury and it is fair to say the results have been mixed. He was outstanding against Georgia Tech in Week 11, averaging over 15 yards per attempt and posting a 23.8% big time throw rate. Last weekend’s game against Florida State was an entirely different story. He struggled badly with accuracy and made a number of very questionable decisions. This weekend he has a tough test against the No. 18 ranked Wake Forest and it will be interesting to see which version of Jurkovec we get.
Dameon Pierce – RB, Florida (5-10, 215, Senior)
Pierce might play in the SEC, but it still feels like he is going under the radar as a draft prospect. His carries have been limited thanks to the Gators’ committee approach, but he has produced to a high level. He has averaged 6.1 yards per attempt on his 75 carries, scoring 11 touchdowns in the process. He has also been one of the toughest backs to bring down in all of college football, with the ability to plough through defenders or make them miss in space. Pierce has forced 35 missed tackles on his 75 carries, the highest rate of any FBS running back.
There will also be some questions about his workload in college – Pierce has just 304 carries through his four seasons – and how he will hold up at the next level. That said, he is an incredibly well rounded player who possesses all of the traits to translate effectively to the NFL. This weekend he comes up against a talented Florida State defensive front, who rank 14th in PFF run defense grade. A big game here would provide a nice boost to his draft stock.
Andre Carter II, Army (6-7, 250, Junior)
This weekend sees the Black Knight face off against Malik Willis and Liberty. All eyes will naturally be on the Flames’ quarterback, but Carter is another name to keep an eye on. The junior defensive end has been having an outstanding 2021 season and is getting more attention as the weeks go by. After playing sparingly through his first two seasons, Carter has developed into one of the best edge rushers in the country this season.
Carter has racked up an incredible 43 pressures on just 212 pass rushing snaps this season. His 14 sacks are the most in college football and he has at least four pressures in each of his last four games. He has also logged a 26.8% pass rush win rate, which ranks fourth amongst all FBS edge rushers. Liberty have had their issues in pass protection this season, and Carter could make a name for himself with a big performance this weekend.
