Build The Team: CFB Standouts Week 11

Offense

Jaleel Scott, WR
School: New Mexico State | Conference: Sun Belt
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21?
Height / Weight: 6-6 / 215 lbs

Obviously, Scott has the frame that makes him attractive to NFL scouts looking for a vertical threat and red zone target but his skills range far beyond that. Scott has impressive athletism and body control. He has performed well this year against the best defenses NMSU has faced including Arkansas and Arizona State. He has the potential to be a primary receiver at the next level and at worst a contributor as a red zone threat/possession receiver. He got invited to the Senior Bowl so I’m going to love seeing how he does against top competition there. Scott has 52 catches for 786 yards and 8 TDs this season.

Jarrett Stidham, QB
School: Auburn | Conference: SEC
College Experience: rSo | Age: 21?
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 214 lbs

If Stidham decides to declare this year I think he leads that second tier of QBs that will be available outside of round 1. He was on many draftniks watch lists this offseason despite being a transfer that never truly had a starting job before. The skepticism was warranted but the word coming out of Auburn was that Stidham fits what they did to a T and had picked up the offense well. Cue Han Solo “it’s true - all of it” gif. Stidham has been impressive this year and his success was shown nationally as Auburn took down Georgia this past week. Stidham threw for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns against a good Georgia defense. The challenge for Stidham and evaluators will be trying to gauge his talent in and out of a spread offense that incorporates some QB keeper/RO concepts. Also, it should be noted he relies heavily and for good reason on the run game with Kerryon Johnson leading the way. With a good deal of college QBs operating out of this system, the lines are a bit blurry about which prospects can succeed (Deshaun Watson) and which can’t. In any case, Stidham is having a great year and has hurt defenses through the air and on the ground. So far this season he has a 67.1% completion percentage, 2210 yards passing, 14TDs and 3 INTs.

Billy Price, C/OG
School: Ohio State | Conference: BIG 10
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21?
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 312 lbs

Price has been a stalwart in Ohio State’s offensive line. Through his career, he has primarily played LG but moved to Center this year after the departure of Pat Elflien. Price might be one of the surest players in this draft. Every time he steps on the field you know you are getting consistency and top play in both the run game and in pass protection. Price is versatile, powerful, and quick off the snap. He’s been a big part of opening up holes for Ohio State running backs for the past 4 years. With two big injuries to the tackles class, it will be interesting if these top guards go higher than normal.

Calvin Ridley, WR
School: Alabama | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20?
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 190 lbs

Without question, this was Ridley’s best game all year. He caught 5 passes for 171 yards against Mississippi State and was the difference for Alabama offensively. Ridley is a talented receiver that hopes to follow in the footsteps of former Bama WRs Julio Jones and Amari Cooper. Ridley is a very talented receiver but has been somewhat hampered by QB play the past two years. He still has a chance to top his career best in yardage this season but even if he doesn’t he’ll likely be a top receiver in the draft if he decides to declare. Ridley has 49 catches for 755 yards and 2 TDs this season.

Defense

T.J. Edwards, LB
School: Wisconsin | Conference: BIG 10
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20?
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 244 lbs

T.J. Edwards is one of the best players on Wisconsin’s defense as well as one of the top linebackers in the country. Edwards contributed to the beatdown Wisconsin put on conference rival Iowa this past weekend with his impressive interception. The past two years alone Edwards has 6 interceptions credited to him. He’s more than lucky. Edwards played safety in high school so he has some great instincts in space from the middle linebacker position. Edwards isn't much of a pass rusher and generally plays in space and plays the run but he’s pretty good at it. He’s a finalist for the Butkus awards and his 44 tackles (5.5 for loss), 1 sack, 3 INT’s and 4 passes defended tell you why.

Jaquan Johnson, S
School: Miami | Conference: ACC (COASTAL CHAMPS)
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20?
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 190 lbs

The Turnover Chain made its way to Jaquan Johnson for the second week in a row. The junior safety has put out some impressive performances of late including nabbing a pick which contributed to the shellacking Miami put on Notre Dame. Johnson is having a career year and plays on paper out of the strong safety spot though DC Manny Diaz moves corners and safeties all over the field. Johnson has great instinct, hands, and excels in zone coverage. He also will put a lick on an opponent. On the year he has 58 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. There are a handful of names that make up the top teir safety group I think if Johnson declared he can find him firmly in that second teir.

Jeff Holland, EDGE
School: Auburn | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20?
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 249 lbs

I have wanted to write about Jeff Holland for so long. I could find any video to show you guys for a while despite his ridiculous season. Holland stepped in this year to fill in for Carl Lawson a great EDGE prospect last year who slid way too far down and was eventually nabbed by the Bengals. I think Holland is even better. He is a madman off the edge and has great speed, burst, and finishing ability. There are a few things you’d like to clean up as far as his technique but his ability to win with his power and athleticism are what get you excited about a passing rushing EDGE like him. Holland contributed to the upset against Georgia and tallied 3 QB hurries according to ESPN. On the year Holland has 29 tackles (10.5 for loss) 7.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 pass defended, and 1 fumble recovery. He is a pass rush specialist.

Deshon Elliott, S
School: Texas | Conference: BIG 21
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21?
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 210 lbs

Elliott is certainly one of the top safety prospects in the nation. He is a playmaker. He has excellent ball skills and instinct and makes a living robbing QBs. He’s having a career year statistically in just about every category but what is most impressive is his combination of skills. Not only can he play coverage and pick off a QB, he can return it, which he’s down twice this year for touchdowns. He also plays the run well and is a physical player whose notched 45 tackles (6.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks and has forced 2 fumbles. If you are looking for a great all-around safety prospect who can no doubt play both spots Elliott should be at the top of your list.