Each week I will bring you the latest updates and NFL buzz surrounding college players that should prove to be integral to future fantasy success. I will utilize recent statistics, performance and film, and general “front office whispers” to compile the intel I share with you. My hope is to provide you with a leg up on your opponents. You will know which devy players to target in trades and/or in what range of draft picks (both NFL and fantasy drafts) you can expect these players to be selected. If you want to read last week’s article, click here.
There were not many surprises in the Week 11 slate games this weekend, as the only ranked team to fall was #17 SMU in a close loss to Tulsa in which they led most of the game. Observing the shift in power among the BIG10 and SEC football conferences have proven interesting to watch this season. This past weekend, from an individual performance standpoint, there were a lot of future NFL stars to post strong stat lines, making this weeks’ featured risers a difficult decision. We will now detail some of this weekend’s performances that have prospects rising the ranks and/or tumbling down the proverbial NFL Draft hill.
TRENDING UP
Kyle Trask – QB – Florida
I have fought this as long as I can, but I think I must now feature Kyle Trask in this article. For much of the season, I have not been willing to believe Trask has arrived. Down his biggest weapon in Kyle Pitts this past weekend, Trask performed just as well as he has been all season and has earned my stamp of approval. Trask registered 356 passing yards on 23-of-29 passing with six TDs against what has been an impressive Barry Odom-led Arkansas team before this point. The #6 Gators won the game 63-35 and Kyle Trask’s push for a Heisman campaign has officially won me over.
Trask has burst onto the scene as a senior, not unlike Joe Burrow did last season. While I don’t see Trask as a number one overall pick, I do think he has played his way into first-round pick consideration, both in the 2021 NFL Draft, and dynasty Superflex rookie drafts alike. Trask has the prototypical size, strength, and arm talent that is desired by NFL front offices, and he is currently seeing the field and reading defenses as well as any signal-caller in the nation. I just hope he keeps up his current level of play now that I chose to feature him!
Kevin Harris – RB – South Carolina
Sophomore sensation Kevin Harris embarrassed Ole Miss on Saturday to the tune of 25 carries for 243 yards and five rushing TDs (somehow in a losing effort). Harris is a former three-star recruit who didn’t receive a ton of recognition last season as seniors Tavien Feaster and Rico Dowdle shared most of the backfield snaps in a disappointing 2019 season for the Gamecocks. Now, Harris has grasped a firm hold of a bell-cow role for his team and has been proving to the nation why.
Except for a rough game against #7 Texas A&M, Harris has largely run roughshod through the SEC this season, to the tune of 817 rushing yards and 13 TDs on just 131 carries for an average of 6.2 YPC. This bowling ball of a running back has a smooth running style and never really appears to be labored. While I would like to see him improve on his 13 receptions this season, what I have seen thus far has me believing he can be a lead back at the next level, should he choose to declare for the draft in 2022 or 2023. If Harris can continue to play at this level for the next season and a half in the SEC, we should expect to hear his name called on day two of the NFL draft and at the end of the first-round in dynasty rookie drafts.
DeAngelo Malone – DE – Western Kentucky
The Conference USA is loaded with talent this season and the best player on defense just might be Western Kentucky senior DeAngelo Malone. This past weekend Malone helped his team hang on to a 10-7 defensive victory as he logged five tackles, three solos, two TFLs, and two sacks against Southern Mississippi. Last season Malone racked up 11.5 sacks and 21 TFLs, trailing on Chase Young and Hamilcar Rashed.
This season, teams have taken note and game-planned to neutralize Malone, but he has still compiled six sacks and an impressive 40 solo tackles this season. Though he is undersized, he has shown capable of holding up in the run game against the opponents on his schedule. He will need to add weight and strength to develop into an every-down DE at the next level, but look to see him drafted in the late-first or early second round of the NFL Draft this spring, making him a nice grab at the end of the third round in IDP dynasty rookie drafts.
TRENDING DOWN
Shane Buechele – QB – SMU
After last season’s breakout performance, many believed Shane Buechele would be an interesting middle-round selection in 2021. While Buechele has largely played well this season, he hasn’t enjoyed the same dominant success we saw in 2019. This past weekend, SMU lost a disappointing game to Tulsa in which Buechele and the offense were completely shut out in the second half.
As an undersized signal-caller at a g5 school, Buechele needed to perform at his 2019 level or better this season to garner third round consideration. His most recent performance against Tulsa, in which he threw for just 200 yards with one TD and one INT, completing just 50% of his passes, unfortunately, will not cut it. Look for Buechele to be a late day three pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and he should be considered late in dynasty Superflex rookie drafts.
Max Borghi – RB – Washington State
While Max Borghi hasn’t actually played yet this season or performed poorly, there is still a concern for his draft stock at this point. Just before their big game against #11 Oregon, the team received news that they would be without Borghi again this weekend, still ailing from a mysterious back injury. While Wazzu has looked pretty good through two games this season, Borghi’s absence has left a glaring hole in the offense in the form of a reliable weapon and security blanket.
Max was a player who never considered opting out due to the pandemic per several interviews and reports and was excited about the new challenges ahead with a new coach. The fact that very little information has been released to the public regarding his injury is very concerning. We hope to see him at some point this season, but the more games he misses the more his draft stock will fade.
Jack Sanborn – LB – Wisconsin
As the Badgers retool from the loss of seniors Chris Orr and Zack Baun, it was believed that Jack Sanborn would step up and anchor a stellar defense. After all, Sandborn logged 80 tackles with an impressive 50 solos and more than a half dozen big plays last season. This Saturday Sanborn mustered just three tackles with two solos in a game that saw Wisconsin dominate Michigan.
Through two games, Sanborn has done very little and still has not registered an impact play. He currently has six total tackles with two solo tackles on the season. If Wisconsin is going to reach their BIG10 championship hopes, they will need more from Sanborn moving forward, as they won’t be playing the dud teams of the conference each week. Sanborn needs to do more for himself, too, as his draft stock is currently slipping as an undersized LB with limited coverage skills.
SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER TO WATCH
Malik Willis – QB – Liberty
This was not the best week to feature Willis, as his outstanding performance came against a weak Western Carolina team playing just their first game of the season, but Willis has been impressive all season. The former Auburn quarterback transferred to Liberty before the 2019 season but had to sit out as his waiver to play immediately was denied. Willis has since burst onto the scene, leading the Flames to an undefeated 8-0 record to this point in the season.
On Saturday, the dual-threat QB threw for 306 yards and three TDs on 14-of-19 passing and rushed eight times for 97 yards and two more scores on the ground. At this point in the season, Willis has compiled 1645 passing yards with 15 passing TDs and just one INT. On the ground, he has added 700 yards and nine TDs on just 98 attempts. Add to that one of the best attributes of all, he is a proven winner whose leadership commands the respect of his teammates. I am excited to see what Willis can do for the rest of this season and next!
PREVIOUS WEEKS’ DRAFT STOCK WATCH
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