Build The Team: CFB Standouts Week 13

Offense

Dwayne Haskins, QB
School: Ohio State | Conference: BIG 10
College Experience: RS Sophomore | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 220 lbs

There have been a lot of questions as to if Dwayne Haskins is ready to start in the NFL. The answer right now in my opinion is it doesn’t matter. Justin Herbert went down with a shoulder injury this week. The severity of the injury is unknown but if it causes Herbert to be limited in any way Haskins should he decide to declare would be QB1 and a top 5 pick in this upcoming draft. Haskins could be QB1 regardless with rumors swirling that Herbert was leaning toward returning to school even before his injury. Haskins and the Buckeyes were matched up against the top defense in the country when they faced the Michigan Wolverines in The Game this past weekend. To say Haskins embarrassed that defense would be an understatement. Haskins set two records in this game one for most passing yardage (4,003) in a season the BIG 10 and the other for most passing touchdowns in a single season (41) both passing Drew Brees. Haskins hit receivers with dimes and was a threat on the ground at times which took Michigan by surprise. He finished this game 20/31 for 396 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Gary Jennings, WR
School: West Virginia | Conference: BIG 12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 204 lbs

Jennings is one of Grier’s favorite targets and its about time he got featured as he had the best game of his career this past weekend. Jennings plays opposite of David Sills V. Sills tends to get all the attention considering his history with Grier and the fact that he leads the team in targets but its Jennings who actually leads the team in receiving yardage in large part to this performance. Jennings is a speedy deep threat option who can stretch the field and run by defenders. He adjusts well to the ball in the air but the big question pre draft process is how well he can get off the LOS with physical defenders who jam and press. I hope to see Jennings get a Senior Bowl invite so we can see him against non BIG 12 competition. Jennings finished this game with 7 catches for 225 yards and 2 TDs.

Myles Gaskin, RB
School: Washington | Conference: PAC 12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 193 lbs

I wrote about Gaskin last year when I was speculating if he would declare or not. At that time I thought Gaskin was a solid 3rd round prospect. Gaskin hasn’t had the same productivity as he did last season especially with scoring touchdowns (last year he had 21 TDs this year he has 10). However, he has still put together a 1,000+ yards season and is likely one of the safer choices in the draft for teams looking to add to their running back rotation. There isn’t much top end talent at RB this year so Gaskin still probably gets selected in the mid rounds considering his production. He had a great game against Washington State this past weekends especially considering the weather conditions. He finished the game with 27 carries for 170 yards and 3 TDs.

Deebo Samuel, WR
School: South Carolina | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 210 lbs

It seems like I have been waiting all year to feature Deebo Samuel. He’s been close to making the list the past few weeks but his performance against Clemson despite a loss deserves recognition. I always thought Samuel never quite lived up to his potential at South Carolina this could be due to QB play, injury or other factors but he has had a really nice Senior season for the Gamecocks. Against Clemson Samuel took advantage of soft coverage in the Clemson secondary. He has a nice blend of size and speed and is a natural pass catcher. Samuel can catch short/intermediate passes and take it to house, he isnt a terrible deep option either and he offers some return ability. He finished this game with 10 catches for 210 yards and 3 TDs.

Trayveon Williams, RB
School: Texas A&M | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21?
Height / Weight: 5-9 / 200 lbs

In a game that went to 7 overtimes and that goes down in history as the highest scoring FBS college game ever Trayveon Williams managed to run all over the LSU defense particularly in regular time. Williams is a small back with a versatile skill set and is sure to be a target if/when he declares for teams looking for a 3rd down back. Williams has had a prolific season already. He’s rushed for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season after this game was said and done. He was just too quick and agile for the LSU front seven for the most part all night. He finished this game with 35 carries for 198 yards and 2 TDs.

Look for #5 when A&M is on offense.

Jake Bentley, QB
School: South Carolina | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 224 lbs

Jake Bentley set the single game record for passing yards this past weekend for South Carolina. He threw for 510 yards against Clemson which has the second best defense in college football. It was Clemson’s worst performance of the season and South Carolina’s best performance of the year however the Gamecocks defense simply couldn’t stop Clemson’s offense in the second half. Bentley is a young QB, he just turned 21 on November 23rd. You’ll find mixed opinions on him like almost every QB some think he isnt too special while others think he can be very good as he continues to develop and learn the game. Based on this performance I tend to lean towards the latter. Scrubs don’t put together record breaking performances against teams like Clemson. Bentley likely won’t declare this year but it will be fun to watch he Senior season next year to see how far he progresses from this point. Bentley finished this game 32/50 for 510 yards 5 TDs and 1 INT.

Watch for #19 SC QB

Alexander Mattison, RB
School: Boise State | Conference: Mountain West
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21?
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 211 lbs

Mattison has put together a nice season for the Broncos and has allowed their offense to remain somewhat balanced despite the gunslinging inclinations of the Boise State offense and Brett Rypien. Mattison achieved season bests in yardage, carries, and touchdowns in a single game against Utah State this past weekend. His athleticism and power was on full display as he hurdled guys and ground out tough yards. It’s up in the air if Mattison will declare this year, if he does he has the makings of a solid later round pick. He finished this game with 37 carries for 200 yards and 3 TDs.

Defense

Devin White, LB
School: LSU | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 240 lbs

When we’re talking about 7 overtimes I expect a big game out of the top ILB prospect in the country. White delivered and did his part in trying to contain Texas A&M’s offense even though they fell just short. White had forced fumble against the aforementioned Treyveon Williams. He was all over the field and some pressure against the QB and good sideline to sideline coverage. White was also named as a Butkus Award finalist last week. He finished this game with 17 tackles (4 TFLs), a sack, and a FF.

Otaro Alaka, LB
School: Texas A&M | Conference: SEC
College Experience: RS Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 240 lbs

Alaka has not only had a nice season but he’s had a solid career at Texas A&M. He has 260 tackles in his career including 36.5 for loss and 5 forced fumbles. Like his counterpart White, Alaka did his best to try and contain a prolific LSU offense with his side eventually coming out victorious. Alaka was making plays all night and put a good amount of pressure on Joe Burrow. Alaka isnt the athlete White is but he has fine instincts and just knows how to get to the ball. I hope he also gets a Senior Bowl invite so we can see more of him through this draft process. He finished this game with 11 tackles (2.5 TFLs) and 2 sacks.

Checkout 16:30

Daylon Mack, DL
School: Texas A&M | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 320 lbs

Daylon Mack has had a career year this season and he was a force against LSU. Mack fits the mold of a Grady Jarrett or a Deadrin Senat and plays with power, leverage, and is a pretty good athlete for a man his size. Mack can rush from the interior, he gave Elgton Jenkins who some consider a top center prospect fits a few weeks ago. He can also round out his rush outside and create pressure which is what he did this game against LSU. Mack should be a very nice rotational piece or full time 0/1 tech for a team looking for a big guy who can clog rushing lanes and put pressure on the QB. He finished this game with 3 tackles (2.5 TFLs) and 2 sacks.

Checkout 2:14

Jordan Elliott, DL
School: Missouri | Conference: SEC
College Experience: RS Sophomore | Age: 21?
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 325 lbs

You may know Jordan Elliott for his brief stint at Texas back in the 2016 season. Elliott is a Texas native but transferred to Missouri after ‘not feeling at home’ according to him. Elliott had his best game of the season and of his career this past weekend. He is an interior lineman and a big guy who plays with surprising agility and quickness. Elliott put his skills on display and showed us just how disruptive he can be. He got after the opposing QB by proving to be just too powerful and quick for his offensive’s line attempts at protection. Elliott contributed to the rout Missouri put on Arkansas by finishing this game with 5 tackles (4 TFLs), 3 sacks, and 1 FF.

Checkout :42, 1:28, 3:07

Willie Harvey, LB
School: Iowa State | Conference: BIG 12
College Experience: RS Senior | Age: 23?
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 224 lbs

Harvey is a versatile linebacker I just wish he played a bit more consistently this season. Last season he was all over the field and did a little bit of everything for the Cyclones defense. This year he didnt match or exceed his production on the stat sheet in core areas but he still had a productive year. Harvey is pretty athletic, he’s probably better served playing OLB in a 4-3 defense but as a rusher and disruptor you can see how he can make his mark on an NFL team. Harvey did that against Kansas State and was a nuisance for their offense all game long. He finished this one with 8 tackles (2 TFLs), 2 sacks, and 1 FF.

Checkout 4:54

Julian Blackmon, CB
School: Utah | Conference: PAC 12
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21?
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 190 lbs

Haven’t heard of Julian Blackmon? Start researching him not he’s going to be a top 100 pick. Blackmon is definitely one of the better coverage defenders in the PAC 12 as defenses rarely challenge him and when they do bad things for the offense can happen. Blackmon has good size and better anticipation and ball skills. He is also pretty tough as you’ll see below and he doesn’t take plays off. In a come from behind effort Blackmon did his part to help the Utes score first and prevent big plays from BYU in the second half. Blackmon finished this one with 5 tackles, 2 passes defended, 1 INT for a pick 6.

Anfernee Jennings, EDGE
School: Alabama | Conference: SEC
College Experience: RS Junior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 266 lbs

Ryan Anderson haters beware here comes another unathletic and slow EDGE prospect where all he does is make plays and play football. Anfernee Jennings is one of Alabama’s best players on a stacked team as we all know. He plays with power, effort, nastiness, and length. Those traits have made him very effective this season and one area where he’s come a long way is using his hands on a rush to disengage and to put his hands up to bat passes. Jennings showed out in the Iron Bowl. It was a great thing to see after Jenning’s season last year was cut short by a horrific lower leg injury. He can back this season stronger and more determined and he’s play on the field shows it. Alabama rolled over Auburn in the Iron Bowl with Jennings recording 8 tackles (1 TFL), 1 sack, 1 INT, and 1 pass defended.