Every Sunday, the DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the NCAA championship and players eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Quarterback of the Week: Michael Penix, Washington
Week after week, the left-handed quarterback confirms his potential. His 4 touchdowns (473 yards) allowed the University of Washington to win at Michigan State and remain undefeated after 3 games.
Arriving from the University of Indiana in 2022, his start to the 2023 season is thunderous with 12 touchdowns thrown for only 1 interception. An elite shooter from the pocket, his arm power allows him to attack all areas of the field with ease. Finally healthy for two years, he leads a team on a 10-game winning streak dating back to last season.
At the same time, Drake Maye (North Carolina) continues to be in difficulty after two new interceptions thrown, after the two last week. In the race to be chosen in the 1st round of the 2024 draft, Michael Penix will still have the opportunity to benchmark himself by facing Oregon (October 14) and USC (November 4).
Quarterback mentions
- Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma: 28 of 31 for 421 yards, 5 touchdowns and 1 interception
- Jayden Daniels, LSU: 29 of 33 for 352 yards and 2 passing TDs, 64 yards and 2 rushing TDs
- Tyler Van Dyke, Miami: 19 of 23, 247 yards and 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD
- Riley Leonard, Duke: 15 of 20 for 219 passing yards, 97 yards and 2 rushing TDs
- Cameron Ward, Washington State: 20 of 26 for 327 yards and 4 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD
- Bo Nix, Oregon: 21 of 27 for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns
There will be something for everyone at the quarterback position in the 2024 draft. Throwers from the pocket like Bo Nix, Tyler Van Dyke or Quinn Ewers or mobile players like Riley Leonard and Jayden Daniels.
Offensive Player of the Week: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Receiver Malik Nabers is a candidate for the 1st round of the 2024 draft. The LSU player is neither the biggest nor the fastest but one of the most efficient. After more than 1000 yards in 2022, he confirms in 2023 that he knows how to stand out and be decisive. Against Mississippi State, he caught 13 balls for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns!
The precision of his races as well as his ability to win in duels evoke those of a former member of the LSU house: Jarvis Landry.
Offensive mentions
- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington: 180 yards
- Marvin Harrison jr, WR, Ohio State: 126 yards and 1 touchdown
- Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State: 4 receptions for 105 yards (26.3 yards average!)
- Nate McCollum, WR, North Carolina: 15 receptions for 165 yards and 1 touchdown
- Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame: 176 yards and 1 touchdown
- Blake Corum, RB, Michigan: 101 yards and 2 touchdowns
- Leshon Williams, RB, Iowa: 145 yards
- Sedrick Van Pran, OC, Georgia
The three receivers mentioned in this podcast have once again confirmed their talents. Blake Corum continues to hammer defenses on the ground: 18 touchdowns in 2022 and 6 in 3 games in 2023. Georgia’s offensive line is dominant and it owes this in particular to the quality of Sedrick Van Pran in the center.
Defensive Player of the Week: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Georgia struggled against South Carolina! If the offense waited a half to get going, the defense was there throughout. At cornerback, Kamari Lassiter set the tone with 2.5 tackles for loss and 2 passes defensed.
Perfect for playing physical from the start of the ball, its profile is reminiscent of new Seahawks player Devon Witherspoon.
Defensive mentions
- Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois: 6 tackles including 1 for loss and 1 pass defended
- Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama: 7 tackles including 2.5 sacks
- Zion Tupuloa-Fetui, Edge, Washington: 2 sacks
- Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri: 8 tackles including 1 for loss and 2 passes defended
- Martavius French, LB, UTSA: 10 tackles
- Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma: 9 tackles and 1 interception returned for a TD
- Nick Jackson, LB, Iowa: 9 tackles including 1 sack
- Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri: 2 passes defended including 1 interception
- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson: 1 interception returned for a touchdown
- Jack Henderson, S, Minnesota: 11 tackles including 1 for loss and 1 interception
- Malachi Moore, S, Alabama: 8 tackles and 1 interception
- Trey Washington, S, Ole Miss: 10 tackles including 2 for losses
Little satisfaction on the Alabama side with edge rusher Dallas Turner and safety Malachi Moore. The first has the potential to be chosen in the 1st round of the 2024 draft, the second in the 2nd round. Player to watch for us French: linebacker Martavius French.
Disappointment of the week: DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Oregon State
Announced as the worthy successor to Trevor Lawrence, DJ Uiagalelei failed at Clemson. Overtaken by the young Cade Klubnik, he went into exile to bounce back. After two convincing first games (5 touchdowns and no interceptions), he fell back into his ways against San Diego State: 14 out of 30 for 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions!
Certainly, Oregon State won. Of course, he also scored a touchdown on the ground. But the general impression is that he is still this player capable of rare moments of grace and a lot of imperfections.
Bonus of the week: the decline of Alabama
Before the season started, Alabama wasn’t one of our eight favorites! This may come as a surprise, but this program nicknamed “the empire” is clearly in decline. After a defeat at home last week, they had all the difficulty in the world to win against the modest South Florida Bulls.
The starter from the start of the season, Jalen Milroe, gave way to Tyler Buchner for this match. But he was so unconvincing (5 of 14 for 34 yards) that he was replaced by Ty Simpson. Fortunately, runner Roydell Williams carries the attack and the defense holds up. Until when ?
Action of the week
A Specialist is the hero of his team this week. 3 seconds from the end of an undecided match (27-27), kicker Harrison Mevis gives the victory with a 3-point kick from 61 yards! This regional derby between Missouri and Kansas State kept all its promises, including the outcome.
