Week 4 of the college football season is upon us! There are some really interesting matchups on offer this weekend, and plenty of opportunities for 2023 prospects to make a name for themselves. Here are five players you need to keep an eye on this weekend.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah – EDGE, Kansas State (6-4, 255, Junior)
The 2023 Draft class looks set to be full of edge rushing talent and Anudike-Uzomah is amongst the top names at the position. The Kansas State defensive end enjoyed a breakout 2021 season where he recorded 43 pressures, including 13 sacks, on just 280 pass rushing snaps. He also contributed an impressive six forced fumbles. He has got off to a hot start this year too, logging 11 pressures through three games.
Anudike-Uzomah has plenty of traits you want in an NFL edge rusher. He showcases good length and power and has a mean bull rush that he uses to overwhelm opposing tackles. He also possesses good athletic ability for a bigger edge, with the quickness to win both around the edge and with inside counters. This weekend he faces Oklahoma’s highly touted left tackle Anton Harrison.
Jaelyn Duncan – Maryland (6-6, 320, rs-Senior)
Unlike previous seasons, this year’s class does not seem to contain a true blue chip offensive tackle. That leaves the race for OT1 in the 2023 Draft well and truly open. One of the names that many consider to be at the forefront of that race is Duncan. Duncan is in his fourth year as the Terrapin’s starter at left tackle and has made a promising start to the 2022 season. Through his first three games, he has given up just two hurries in pass protection.
Duncan offers the size and athletic profile that NFL teams are looking for at the position. His foot quickness and ability to mirror edge rushers are standout qualities. He has also shown that he is comfortable being used as a puller in the running game. This weekend he has the toughest test of his season so far, going up against Michigan. I’m particularly keen to see how he matches up against Wolverine edge rusher Jaylen Harrell.
Antonio Johnson – CB, Texas A&M (6-3, 195, Junior)
Texas A&M seem to have a number of notable prospects for the 2023 Draft, but none are bigger than Johnson. Johnson was one of six top 100 recruits to commit to the Aggies in 2020 and he did so over offers from Alabama and Georgia. After playing sparingly as a true freshman, he earned a starting role last season as the Aggies’ slot cornerback. He looked absolutely outstanding, earning Second Team All-SEC honours in the process.
There aren’t many 6’3″ and 195 lbs slot corners these days, but that speaks to how fluid and smooth of an athlete Johnson is. He is reliable in coverage, allowing a passer rating of just 88.1 throughout his collegiate career. He has also shown that he can add value as a run defender and as a blitzer. Johnson also offers the versatility to play a more traditional safety role and that could well be where his future lies at the NFL level. This weekend he will be hoping to stop the unbeaten Arkansas Razorbacks.
A.T. Perry – WR, Wake Forest (6-5, 205, rs-Junior)
If you like watching wide receivers, you could do far worse than watching Perry this weekend. The Wake Forest star is an imposing presence, standing at 6’5″ and 205 lbs. He also possesses some impressive long speed, which has earned him a reputation as a great downfield receiver. Last season he racked up 1,296 yards and 15 touchdowns whilst averaging 18.3 yards per catch. This season he is currently averaging 18.5 yards.
There is a lot to like about Perry when projecting to the NFL. He displays great body control at the catch point and tracks the ball well when working the vertical route tree. This weekend he has the biggest test of his season so far, coming up against the Clemson Tigers. The last time the two teams met, Perry put up 113 yards. Could a similar showing be on the cards this weekend?
Nick Herbig – EDGE, Wisconsin (6-2, 228, Junior)
If you are looking for a talented college pass rusher, look no further than Herbig. He has been starting for the Badgers since his true freshman season and had a breakout sophomore campaign in 2021. He finished the season with an incredible 41 pressures on just 208 pass rushing snaps, whilst also leading all Big Ten players in pass rush win rate. So far this season he has nine pressures through three games and is once again the conference leader in win rate.
Herbig is an interesting player to project to the NFL. He is noticeably undersized for an edge rusher, standing at just 6’2″ and 228 lbs. He plays a hybrid role in Wisconsin’s defense, splitting his time between an on-ball and off-ball role. Given his size, it might well be the case that he transitions full-time to an off-ball role in the NFL. He certainly offers versatility, and that is something that a lot of defensive coordinators will be intrigued by.
