Every Sunday, the DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the NCAA championship and the players eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft.
NCAA Player of the Week 7 – Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
His game (against USC): 17 receptions, 224 yards, 1 touchdown
7 hours of flight, 37 hours of driving, 3 hours of time difference, that's what separates the universities of Penn State and USC. However, this does not seem to affect Tyler Warren, who therefore seems ready to travel every Sunday in the NFL.
The Penn State tight end put in an incredible game to maintain and then lead his team to victory. Thanks to this, he allowed quarterback Drew Allar to break his career record in number of passing yards (391). On a personal level, the 4th year university player had a record day.
With 17 catches, he ties a record in this area for a player at the tight end position at the university level. With 224 receiving yards, he broke his career record, becoming the 2nd player in university history in this statistical category.
For next April, the tight end crop does not look monstrous. However, with the stars in the NFL at this position losing momentum, the new generation is long overdue. The solution for NFL teams may be found in the NCAA with this 2m, 117 kilo player. A player who knows how to catch balls, run very good routes, and above all do several functions in a single play.
The proof with this touchdown where he starts the play, runs the route and… receives the ball. College football, in all its glory.
He snapped the ball, and he caught the TD 😱@PennStateFball TE Tyler Warren's 11th reception of the game is must-see stuff. #B1GFootball on CBS 📺 pic.twitter.com/BtSRdKuntY
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 12, 2024
Players of the Week 7 – Honorable Mentions
- Gunnar Helm (TE, Texas): 5 receptions, 91 yards, 1 touchdown
- Jake Briningstool (TE, Clemson): 7 receptions, 104 yards, 1 touchdown
- Evan Stewart (WR, Oregon): 7 receptions, 149 yards, 1 touchdown
- Bradyn Swanson (EDGE, LSU): 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended
- Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State): 5 tackles, 1 sack
George Kittle can be proud. The 49ers player often announces his membership in the university of tight ends before a game. He must have been happy that NCAA players in this position were showing their advantage.
In addition to Warren, Gunnar Helm and Jake Briningstool shine, each scoring 1 touchdown. The Texas tight end is the player who rises in the reports at his position. With teammates not at their receiving advantage, he established himself as Quinn Ewers' number 1 receiver. The one from Clemson already scores his 4th touchdown of the season, and has good potential to be a number 2 tight end in the NFL.
Criticized for being nonchalant, Oregon receiver Evan Stewart wakes up and has his best game of the season. However, on the other hand, he had a pair of cornerbacks expected to play in the NFL next year. A performance which should improve a rating that has been falling in recent weeks.
In the NFL, star pass rushers don't really have their advantage, other than Aidan Hutchinson. Still, there is hope for defensive coordinators. Bradyn Swanson is the man of the match for LSU's defense against Ole Miss. Abdul Carter has a movement technique worthy of an NFL player. A consistent performer each week, he could succeed Micah Parsons (EDGE, Cowboys) and Chop Robinson (EDGE, Dolphins) as the next Penn State defensive player drafted in the first round.
Could have been mentioned: Riley Leonard (QB, Notre Dame), Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson) Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa), Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri), Jack Nelson (OT, Wisconsin), Derrick Harmon (DT , Oregon), Dontay Corleone (DT, Cincinnati), Howard Cross III (DT, Notre Dame), Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama), Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State), Kyren Lacy (WR, LSU), Tre Harris ( WR, Ole Miss), James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee), Ashton Gillotte (EDGE, Louisville), Josh Conerly Jr. (OT, Oregon), Will Campbell (OT, LSU)
The revelation of week 7 NCAA – Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee)
His game (against Florida): 27 races, 112 yards, 3 touchdowns
In the NCAA, the Florida versus Tennessee match is a classic. As is often the case, it is the runners who make the difference. This season is no exception to the rule.
The man of the match for Tennessee is Dylan Sampson, a 1m80 runner and 91 kilos. His morphology has not escaped you, Sampson is a powerful runner at first glance. But, since the start of the season, he has progressed in reading the game and in his speed. This is reflected in the statistics.
For the 5th time this season in 6 games, he exceeds 100 yards rushing. With his hat-trick against Florida with the winning touchdown, he reached 15 touchdowns this season. The only player ahead of him is the impressive Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State) with 17 touchdowns.
At this rate, the 3rd year university player can easily envisage reaching 1000 yards rushing. Enough to make him a Heisman Trophy candidate and a drafted player? For the first reason, this is possible. On the other hand, for the second reason, he will have to progress in reception if he wants to be in a final squad in the NFL.
DYLAN SAMPSON CALLED GAME 😤
No. 8 @Vol_Football beats Florida in OT 🍊 pic.twitter.com/LWPTsnO2gU
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 13, 2024
Week 7 Revelation – Honorable Mentions
- Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon): 23/34, 373 yards, 3 touchdowns
- Jamal Haynes (RB, Georgia Tech): 19 carries, 179 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Cam Skatterbo (RB, Arizona State): 22 carries, 199 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Jackson Woodard (LB, UNLV): 12 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended
- Kyle Kennard (EDGE, South Carolina): 7 tackles, 2 sacks
Most NCAA quarterbacks are not delivering quality performances this week (see elsewhere), but Dillon Gabriel is an exception. The Oregon quarterback pulls out all the stops against rival Ohio State, and keeps his team undefeated. With a convincing start to the season, the left-hander could have a chance of being drafted next April.
NFL teams looking for a running committee can look to Georgia and Arizona. Jamal Haynes wins his long-distance duel against Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina), while Cam Skatterbo puts out an exceptional performance against Utah in addition to having a flashy name.
After losing last week, UNLV is “rebelling”. Utah State paid the price, including quarterback Spencer Petras, who saw Jackson Woodard intercept him twice. The UNLV linebacker has all the qualities to be a player drafted next April, despite limited potential.
Another defender may also have his chance during the next Draft. Cornerstone of South Carolina's defense, Kyle Kennard mystifies Alabama's offensive tackles. With 7 sacks this season, he is among the best defenders in this category. With a physique reminiscent of Brian Burns (EDGE, Giants), the Gamecocks player will move up the ranks if he continues to deliver this type of performance.
Could have been mentioned: Luke Altmeyer (QB, Illinois), Bryson Daily (QB, Army), Desmond Reid (RB, Pittsburgh), Tawee Walker (RB, Wisconsin), Jared Bartlett (LB, Cincinnati), Ricky White III (WR , UNLV), Arian Smith (WR, Georgia), Skyler Gill-Howard (DT, Northern Illinois), Reggie Virgil (WR, Miami (OH)), Jonas Sanker (S, Virginia)
Week 7 NCAA Flop – Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)
His game (against South Carolina): 16/23, 18 carries, 245 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Like Carson Beck 2 weeks ago, Jalen Milroe's college season is looking like a roller coaster. Against South Carolina, the Alabama quarterback is struggling, not helped either by an offensive line still in difficulty. After the surprising defeat against Vanderbilt, Alabama won, but the players were not reassured.
The dual-threat quarterback has a lot of qualities, with the run and passes coming from elsewhere, notably 2 minutes from the end of the game to find his receiver to keep the series alive. But, it also has a lot of flaws which were seen this weekend.
Flaws that should not escape the NFL. Recruiters are very particular about these kinds of details, and how the player could correct. However, with Jalen Milroe, we see the same things week after week. We therefore wonder if he still has room for improvement, especially as Tennessee looms next weekend, with its formidable defense.
To prove that he is still a player capable of being drafted in the top 10, Jalen Milroe will have to progress and demonstrate consistency. In the NFL, the last quarterbacks from Alabama have had a complicated journey (Tagovailoa, Mac Jones). It's up to him to raise the bar, otherwise he will see a very good rating go down.
Could have been mentioned: Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss), Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State), Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State), Jack Sawyer (EDGE, Ohio State)
NCAA Week 7 Summary
Lots of shocks this week, and places are very expensive before the 2nd part of the regular season.
If Texas (1) – Oklahoma (18) enjoys an unchallenged domination of the Longhorns 34-3, that between Oregon (3) and Ohio State (2) keeps all its promises. The Ducks won 32-31 with questionable clock management on the Buckeyes side. USC led, but was surprised at the end of the home match by Penn State (4) after overtime 33-30. Same thing for Tennessee (8) against Florida, with a victory for the Vols 23-17. LSU (13) does the same against Ole Miss (9), thanks to a touchdown from Kyren Lacy (see elsewhere), and won 29-26. Illinois (23) struggled, but also won after overtime against Purdue 50-49 (1 tackle for Jeffrey M'Ba).
Georgia (5) and Iowa State (16) won with difficulty against Mississippi State and West Virginia respectively. The Bulldogs continue their rebound, while the Cyclones remain undefeated. Clemson (10) and Notre Dame (11) have no problem against Wake Forest and Stanford. Same observation for Boise State (17) and Missouri (21), against Hawai'i and Massachusetts. Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State) and Luther Burden (WR, Missouri) score a touchdown each.
Utah (16) and Arizona are weighed down by their quarterbacks who throw 3 interceptions. The Utes and Wildcats lost once again. The revolution is underway, because their respective opponents, BYU (14) and Arizona State, are among the leaders of the Big 12 conference. The Cougars still remain undefeated, like Pittsburgh (22) which wins by forceps against California 17- 15
Other Wildcats are doing well on the Boulder side. Kansas State (18) calms Shedeur Sanders and his gang with a 31-28 victory. As bad news never comes alone, the Colorado Buffaloes suffered the injury of Travis Hunter, hit in the shoulder. One of the stars of the next Draft could miss several weeks of competition.
Week 7 NCAA Action
LSU trails Ole Miss in overtime 26-23. This is the moment chosen by Garrett Nussmeier to throw a 25-yard missile to Kyren Lacy on reception who scores the winning touchdown. Can the receiver follow in the footsteps of his glorious elders (Jefferson, Chase, Nabers, Thomas Jr.)? That's all the bad we wish him.
See you next week!
KYREN LACY WALKS OFF OLE MISS IN OVERTIME 😱
DEATH VALLEY IS ALIVE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GfPiSh0Qx8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 13, 2024