Week 4 of the college football season is upon us and we are beginning to get a good feel of what each draft-eligible prospect has to offer. Here are five draft-eligible prospects to keep an eye on this weekend.
Khalil Shakir – WR, Boise State (6-0, 190, Senior)
The 2022 wide receiver class may not have a blue chip prospect, but it offers plenty of depth and Shakir is a name to keep a close eye on as the season progresses. The Boise State senior has been consistently productive throughout his college career and has been one of the most dominant receivers in college football this season. Through three games he has 335 yards at an average of 16.8 yards per reception. His 4.79 yards per route run ranks second in the FBS.
What makes Shakir such an exciting prospect is his well-rounded skillset. He is a creative route runner whose smarts enable him to consistently separate. He is solid in contested catch situations and is excellent in the open field, with an average of 6.5 yards after the catch per reception throughout his career. Shakir also showcases great body control and reliable hands, with just a 7.4 per cent drop rate over the last three seasons. He should get plenty of chances to impress against Utah State this weekend.
Kingsley Enagbare – EGDE, South Carolina (6-4, 265, Senior)
If you are looking for an edge rusher with first round potential, look no further than Enagbare. He impressed last season, which was his first as a starter in college. Yet he remained noticeably raw from a technical perspective and chose to return for the 2021 season. The decision has certainly paid off so far. Through three games he has racked up 10 total pressures. He has also logged a 33.3% pass rush win rate, which ranks second amongst draft eligible edge rushers.
Enagbare has all of the physical tools to be an excellent edge in the NFL. He is a quick twitch rusher with excellent burst and has the ability to convert speed to power. He also displays some great hand usage, with good placement and power to his punches. This weekend he faces a talented Kentucky offense and we should see him go up against the Wildcats’ tackle Darian Kinnard, who is creating first round buzz of his own. This is definitely one of the matchups to keep a close eye on in Week 4.
Brennan Armstrong – QB, Virginia (6-2, 215, Junior)
Everyone is always on the lookout for the next big thing at quarterback. It is still very early days, but if Virginia’s quarterback continues to perform as he has in recent weeks, he will find himself rapidly shooting up draft boards. His first three games have been exceptional. Armstrong currently leads all Power Five quarterbacks in passing yards (1,298), touchdowns (11), QBR (130.1), and big-time throw rate (10.2%). Last weekend he set a school record with 554 passing yards against North Carolina.
In addition to all of these great numbers, Armstrong also has the tools. His accuracy and ball placement have both been consistently impressive this season, as has his decision making. He also has the confidence to make tight-window throws and execute them effectively. Armstrong also offers some value as a runner, with the ability to create outside of structure and extend plays with his legs. This weekend they have a tough game against Wake Forest and I’ll be watching to see if he can keep up his current level of play.
Martin Emerson – CB, Mississippi State (6-2, 200, Junior)
The SEC is always full of defensive talent and Emerson is one of a number of exciting 2022 cornerback prospects. He became a full-time starter for the Bulldogs as a sophomore and has shown himself to be a reliable presence for them on the boundary. Emerson had 12 forced incompletions in 2020, which ranked third amongst all FBS defensive backs. He has also allowed just two completions of 30+ yards on his 534 coverage snaps since becoming a starter.
Emerson has prototypical size and length to play cornerback in the NFL. He pairs this with a physical playstyle and is comfortable competing with bigger receivers throughout the route and at the catch point. His length also makes him one of the more reliable tacklers at the position. The biggest question mark with Emerson is whether he has sufficient speed to consistently hold up against NFL-calibre receivers. This weekend’s game against a talented LSU receiving corps should be a good litmus test.
Kyren Williams – RB, Notre Dame (5-9, 195, rs-Sophomore)
As things stand, Williams is one of the players in contention to be the RB1 in the 2022 class. The former four-star recruit burst onto the scene in 2020, racking up over 1,000 yards and winning the ACC Rookie of the Year Award. He has looked good through three games this year too, scoring four touchdowns and averaging over 120 scrimmage yards per game.
Williams is a fantastic athlete, with the speed and quickness to be a home run threat on every carry. What elevates him above most other small backs is his physicality. He runs like a back who is 20lbs bigger and rarely goes down on first contact. He is also one of the best third down backs in college football, with good hands and exceptional pass protection. This weekend he has a tough test against Wisconsin. The Badgers have allowed just 33 rushing yards per game this season and Williams will need to be at his best to get anything.
