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[NCAA] Week 5: Caleb Williams, undisputed number 1?

October 1, 2023

Every Sunday, the DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the NCAA championship and the players eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Quarterback of the week: Caleb Williams (QB, USC)

His match (in Colorado): 30/40, 403 yards, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception

Caleb Williams took advantage of Drake Maye’s week off to get ahead of the race for number 1 quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft. His style will fit perfectly with today’s NFL. Playing on a team with a very aerial style, the USC quarterback showed off his arm and his precision in movement. The 2nd touchdown of his afternoon that he threw for Tahj Washington is a marvel. And otherwise, he sometimes did too much with an avoidable interception at the end of the 3rd quarter. Its first of the season (!).

With 6 touchdowns in the bag in addition, he already has 21 touchdowns to his credit this season. Can he maintain this level in the coming weeks? If so, there is a good chance that many rebuilding teams will consider him. In the meantime, the quarterback inevitably caught the eye of many NFL recruiters present in this match. According to some insiders21 NFL teams would have been present at this game.

Quarterback mentions

  • Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado): 30/45, 371 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 interception
  • Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU): 27/36, 513 yards, 5 touchdowns
  • Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss): 26/39, 439 yards, 5 touchdowns
  • Taulia Tagovailoa (QB, Maryland): 24/34, 367 yards, 6 touchdowns
  • Davis Brin (QB, Georgia Southern): 34/56, 322 yards, 3 touchdowns

Caleb Williams and USC win the game, but Colorado wasn’t far from a resounding comeback. Shedeur Sanders had an incredible second half with 4 touchdowns. Another Tagovailoa stacks up touchdowns. Tua’s little brother, Taulia, shone against Indiana. That now makes 16 touchdowns for him in 2023. A name to watch at the end of the Draft as well: Davis Brin. A good passer from the pocket, the Georgia Southern quarterback managed his second game in a row without interceptions.

What a matchup between Ole Miss and LSU offensively! The two quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart had a field day in a meeting where the defenses did not exist (see elsewhere). If Jayden Daniels has a future in the NFL as a potential understudy, Dart is a player who would benefit from gaining more experience as a college starter.

Could have been mentioned: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon), Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oklahoma), Chandler Morris (QB, TCU), Haynes King (QB, Georgia Tech)

Offensive Player of the Week: Ray Davis (RB, Kentucky)

His match (against Florida): 26 carries, 289 yards, 4 touchdowns

In a crop of running backs that lack talent, Ray Davis may have scored points this Saturday. Against Florida, he was simply monstrous, with touchdowns all over the place. Short range, long range (75 yards), and even on reception where he dodged 2 defenders, he took very good advantage of the blocks from his offensive line. In addition, he even allows himself to score his 4th touchdown of the evening against… 13 players from Florida. With this performance, he is already at 8 touchdowns in 5 games this season.

A runner with the physique of a buffalo (1.78m, 98 kilos), the Wildcats player is currently a player likely to be called up for the 3rd day (4th – 7th round). His floor is very high, but his ceiling is quite low since he is already 23 years old. His style may recall Raheem Mostert (Dolphins). If he doesn’t have the potential of a number 1 running back, he can be a very solid number 2 running back for next season.

Offensive mentions

  • Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia): 8 receptions, 157 yards, 1 touchdown
  • Jonathon Brooks (RB, Texas): 21 carries, 218 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • Adonai Mitchell (WR, Texas): 10 receptions, 141 yards, 1 touchdown
  • Frank Gore Jr. (RB, Southern Miss): 24 carries, 123 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • LaDarius Henderson (OT, Michigan)

CLUTCH! Word that could be attributed to Brock Bowers. The tight end saved Georgia from overtime against Auburn with the winning touchdown. With 23 college career touchdowns in just 3 seasons, he tied former Bengals receiver AJ Green. His position is the only obstacle that could prevent him from being a top 10 player in the next Draft.

Not Quinn Ewers, but Jonathon Brooks and Adonai Mitchell in Texas’ crushing victory over Kansas. The Brooks runner is young, but has great potential. Passed by Georgia, Mitchell is a tall and quite physical receiver. Seeing him called up on the 2nd day would not be a surprise.

Yes, he’s the son of legend Frank Gore. Frank Gore Jr. may be having a rough season with Southern Miss. But, with his performance this week and his power profile, he could convince at the Draft Combine. If he had the same offensive line as Michigan’s, there is no doubt that he would pass a lot more yards.

Could have been mentioned: Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon), Tory Horton (WR, Colorado State), Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU), Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame), Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech), Jaylan Knighton (RB, SMU), Patrick Paul (OT, Houston)

Defensive Player of the Week: Payton Wilson (LB, NC State)

His match (against Louisville): 10 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble covered

His duo with Drake Thomas had already worked wonders last season. This latest party to the Seahawks, the leader of the NC State Wolfpack defense Payton Wilson is the man to do everything (well). Against Louisville, it’s simple, he was everywhere. Used as a cover during his first years at university, he is a tackling machine, including a season with more than 100 tackles in 2020.

Playing a lot in blitz over the last two years, his game intelligence allows him to spot the gaps caused by his teammates on the defensive line. As a result, his number of sacks increases. This season, he is already at 2.5 sacks in 5 games. His professionalism in college should allow him to have a future in the NFL. The problem is his age (23), so his potential is limited. But, in a class of linebackers limited in talent, he could find a place among the players drafted.

Defensive mentions

  • McKinnley Jackson (DT, Texas A&M): 3 tackles, 2 for loss
  • Deshawn Pace (LB, Cincinnati): 9 tackles (1.5 for loss), 2 passes defended
  • Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (LB, Clemson): 7 tackles, 0.5 sack, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
  • Christian Roland-Wallace (CB, USC): 5 tackles, 1 interception
  • Kris Abrams-Draine (CB, Missouri): 5 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended

McKinnley Jackson can enter the race for the best defensive tackle of the vintage. Excellent against the run, the Texas A&M player has very good room for improvement. So, being linked to NFL players can be a guarantee of good performance. Brother of Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace and son of Eagles legend Jeremiah Trotter, Deshawn Pace and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. made a strong impression. After mixed first weeks, the runner-up can be invited to the first round if he confirms

Kris Abrams-Draine shuts down receivers, transforms into a true playmaker. 3rd interceptions in 3 games for a cornerback who is moving up in the boards NFL. Starting for the first time with USC, Christian Roland-Wallace has already made an interception. And not against just any quarterback, since it’s the one from Colorado: Shedeur Sanders.

Could have been mentioned: Howard Cross III (DT, Notre Dame), Bralen Trice (EDGE, Washington), Edgerrin Cooper (LB, Texas A&M), Trevin Wallace (LB, Kentucky), Smael Mondon Jr. (LB, Georgia), Cole Bishop (S, Utah), Tyler Nubin (S, Minnesota), TJ Tampa (CB, Iowa State)

Disappointment of the week: Maason Smith (DT, LSU) and the LSU defense

Cited in the top 10 players to follow this season, Maason Smith seems not to have fully regained his feelings. Having returned this season from a cruciate ligament rupture, the former high school star is very far from his level. Against Ole Miss, he failed to put pressure on the offensive line. But, he is not the only one to blame, because the entire LSU defense was not up to par, especially in terms of tackles.

At the start of the season, he said he was motivated, and ready to have a great season to show his value. For the moment, Maason Smith is far from the standards required for the NFL. In 5 games, he only made 7 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 1 pass defensed. Despite everything, his potential is immense given his athletic qualities and his mover’s physique (1.98m, 141 kilos).

Other disappointments: Riley Leonard (QB, Duke), Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)

Action of the week

Is this the game of the year 2023 for all American football sports? UCF quarterback Tommy McClain gives us today’s improvisation.

The bonus of the week

Photographer is a job where you have to be well placed, and as close as possible to the action to take the best possible photos. At Northwestern, the photographers are well placed… but perhaps too close.

SEE ALSO:  Colts send Carson Wentz to Washington
October 1, 2023
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