Draft Quack: Show Up Saturday Edition

Boise State at Florida State 9 AM / NOON ESPNNEWS

• This game was moved to Tallahassee from Jacksonville due to incoming Hurricane Dorian scheduled to hit the eastern part of Florida this weekend. Oregon DC Andy Avalos will likely be keeping an eye on his former charges taking on the Seminoles led by the infamous Willie Taggart. It will be interesting to see if Florida State has improved its offensive line in any capacity after a woeful season last year. Should be a fun one for Oregon fans to root for spite given the fractured relationship between the three parties.

Boise State prospect to watch

1. Curtis Weaver 6’3 255 EDGE RS Junior

• Power is the name of his game. Shows his strength a ton on film. He’s limited athletically in what he can do so he relies on his power to bull rush from the edge. Not a quick twitch athlete as some are in his position. Needs to refine pass rush palette so that he doesn’t get beaten with one move.

Florida State prospects to watch

1. Marvin Wilson 6’5 323 DL Junior

• “Big Marv” is the latest in a long line of standout defensive tackles for the Seminoles. A former five star signee. He has a lot of power and athleticism even if it’s unrefined at times. Medical issues have knocked him out of practices. A big powerful athlete that can collapse the pocket in a hurry. Best suited as a 4’3 tackle but can play 3-4 tackle in a pinch. Has pretty good measureables for the next level.

2. Levonta Taylor 5’10 181 CB Senior

• A former five star and top ranked cornerback recruit. He hasn’t lived up to that level of hype due to injury but can turn it around for his senior season. He’s an athlete and very well schooled in the fundamentals. Quick burst and ball skills. Can turn and run on a dime. He’s the senior leader after playing next to some of the brightest secondary stars that college had to offer like Derwin James.

3. Hamsah Nasirildeen 6’4 211 S Junior

• More of an athlete than football player as he’s bounced around from safety to linebacker in certain plays. He’s an outstanding athlete for his position and has good ball skills. Very good moving downhill to attack the run game.

4. Donatavious Jackson 6’3 229 LB Senior

• Jackson is one of the best senior inside linebackers in the class. He’s the leader of the Seminoles defense that kept the team in it even with the offense’s miserable failures last year. Is a downhill thumper but also has the range to move laterally as well. Hard tackler.

5. Cam Akers 5’11 212 RB Junior

• The heir to Dalvin Cook’s throne is plenty good himself. An elite athlete that can make any defender miss at any given time. Very good burst off the snap. He’s one of the best running backs in the country. Former five star recruit from the state of Mississippi.

South Carolina vs. North Carolina 12:30 PM PDT / 3:30 PM EDT ESPN

Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC (home of the Carolina Panthers)

• The battle to determine which Carolina is better rages on for another year. UNC has a new old HC in Mack Brown who makes his return after a stint in TV after getting fired from Texas. South Carolina needs every win it can get due to a brutal schedule afterwards. Tobacco or textile? South Carolina’s defensive line can cause some issues for any offense.

South Carolina prospects to watch

1. Javon Kinlaw 6’6 302 DL Senior

• A talented pass rusher on SC’s underrated defensive line. He has the prototypical H/W/L that NFL teams desire on linemen. Long arms allow him to keep blockers at bay. Work ethic and motor are pluses.

2. Bryan Edwards 6’3 215 WR Senior

• The Robin to Deebo Samuel’s Batman is leading the receiving room on his own this season. He’s a big physical target at 6’3. Moves well for a guy his size. A deep ball specialist as well. The main man that the QB looks for. Will be interesting to see if he can stay healthy this season.

North Carolina prospect to watch

1. Charlie Heck 6’8 315 OT Senior

• Heck is a massive tackle at 6’8. PFF grades him out very well for last season as seen below. He should be one of the more talented tackles in the ACC this season.

Northwestern at #25 Stanford 1 PM PDT / 4 PM EDT FOX

• Academics should love this one. A Big Ten vs. Pac-12 battle in Palo Alto when the conference desperately needs a win to salvage what has been a horrendous weekend so far. Stanford is expected to challenge for the Pac-12 North while Northwestern seeks to repeat as Big Ten West champions.

Northwestern prospect to watch

1. JR Pace 6’1 205 S Junior

• Above average ball skills. Good in run defense. Athleticism is underrated. The best player on the Wildcats defense and leader of the secondary. Needs a good year to get drafted late.

Stanford prospect to watch

1. Walker Little 6’7 304 OT Junior

• Ranked as one of the best tackle prospects in the nation. Can be beaten by speed and has little leverage to counter the speed. Best suited inside at guard. He’s one of the better Pac-12 tackles so there’s that.