Draft boards have already changed a tonne from where they were over the summer. The five names on this list for Week 9 reflect that and are amongst the biggest risers at their respective positions so far this season. Here are five names to keep a close eye on in Week 9.
Kenneth Walker – RB, Michigan State
There might not have been a bigger riser in the 2022 class than Walker. He was always a talented back during his time at Wake Forest, but his transfer to Michigan State has elevated his game further. Walker has rushed for 997 and nine touchdowns in just seven games with the Spartans. He has averaged 6.6 yards per carry too, with 4.8 of those coming after contact. His ability to force missed tackles has been notable too and he has logged 62 on his 152 carries this season.
This weekend will be the toughest test of Walker’s season so far. The Spartans will host Michigan in what looks to be the best game of Week 9. It also marks the first time the two rivals have faced off as top ten teams in 57 years. The Wolverines have a very talented defensive front and are excellent against the run. They currently rank third in EPA allowed per run this season and Walker will need to be at his best if the Spartans are to get a result.
Jermaine Johnson – EDGE, Florida State
Johnson started out at Independence Community College, before transferring to Georgia. He spent two years with the Bulldogs, but struggled to find the field consistently thanks to a stacked depth chart. This offseason he transferred to Florida State and has blossomed in a starting role. Through seven games he has racked up 25 pressures and eight sacks, as well as 23 defensive stops.
Teams will love his physical tools, but perhaps the most impressive part of Johnson’s game is his effort and motor. Whilst he could barely see the field at Georgia, he rarely comes off it for the Seminoles. He has played 60+ snaps in five games already this season. For context, none of the other top edge rushers in the 2022 class have hit that mark more than once. This weekend the Seminoles face a Clemson team in crisis and whose offensive line has struggled in pass protection. I would expect another strong showing from Johnson.
Jalen Pitre – S, Baylor
Pitre is one of the most exciting defensive prospects to watch in the 2022 class. For his first three seasons with Baylor he played primarily as a linebacker, but has taken his game to the next level under Dave Aranda. Once Aranda arrived ahead of the 2020 season he tasked Pitre with playing the ‘star’ position on his defense. This sees him line up mainly as the slot cornerback, but also in the box and off the edge.
He has thrived in this role. Pitre has been fantastic in coverage, giving up just 115 yards on his 24 targets this year. He has also contributed two picks and a pass breakup, allowing a passer rating of just 35.9. For context, the passer rating for a throwaway is 39.6. He has had success as a blitzer too, logging 23 pressures and four sacks over the last two seasons. Pitre has also been one of the most effective run defenders in the country this season, which makes this weekend’s matchup against Texas and Bijan Robinson all the more interesting.
Kenny Pickett – QB, Pittsburgh
This year’s quarterback class is in flux and everyone is looking for a potential saviour. Some are all in on Matt Corral, whilst an increasing number seem to be gravitating towards Pickett. A fifth-year senior, Pickett was a solid but unspectacular starter for most of his collegiate career. Projected as a mid-round draft pick in 2021, he chose to return to school this year to increase his stock. In hindsight that looks to have been a very smart move.
So far this season Pickett has averaged over 300 yards per game and has 23 touchdowns to just one interception. He has been accurate, made good decisions, and shown the ability to process effectively from the pocket. The big question is whether or not this is a sign of things to come, or an anomaly in an otherwise average collegiate career. I’m still not sure, which makes this weekend’s clash against Miami all the more interesting to watch.
Cameron Thomas – EDGE, San Diego State
Thomas may not have the name recognition of some Power Five edge rushers, but he is beginning to gain well-deserved momentum. Mel Kiper has even ranked him as the No. 3 defensive end in the 2022 class. I’m not as high on Thomas as Kiper is, but he has shown some real flashes of potential so far this season. Through seven games he has racked up 41 pressures, which ranks third in the FBS. He’s also had at least four pressures in every game this season.
At 6’5″ and 270 lbs, Thomas is a bigger edge and has the play strength to play across the defensive line. He has lined up everywhere for the Aztecs this season, spending almost a quarter of his snaps lined up as a 3-tech and regularly featuring as a nose tackle. He pairs this with legitimate athletic ability that should translate nicely to the NFL. This weekend he faces Fresno State and should get plenty of opportunities to impress against a poor offensive line.
