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[NCAA] Week 8 – Cam Ward between phlegm and madness

October 20, 2024

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 8 – Cam Ward (QB, Miami (FL))

His game (at Louisville): 21/32, 348 yards, 4 touchdowns

Cam Ward is still in the running for the Heisman Trophy (best college player).

Best passer in terms of yards this season in the NCAA, the Miami Hurricanes quarterback put in a very good performance against Louisville. For this, he says it himself, he can count on generous and combative teammates. Decisive, generous, and determined, he set a record for his university, with a 7th consecutive game with more than 300 passing yards.

Capable of turning the tide of a match with a pass, Ward always finds the solution with his arm, and sometimes his legs. His footwork in the pocket leaves something to be desired. But, when the arm and legs start to turn, Cam Ward becomes sometimes elusive, sometimes insolent.

At the NCAA level, it works. But, at the NFL level, the former Washington State player will have to do more. His readings remain sluggish, and his throws sometimes lack velocity. However, this mentality of wanting to win could convince recruiters to make him their number 1 quarterback in a few years.

Cam Ward still has work to do, but the sample size is promising.

Players of the Week 8 – Honorable Mentions

  • Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia): 8 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 fumble covered
  • Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia): 3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
  • Antwan Powell-Ryland (EDGE, Virginia Tech): 7 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 fumble covered
  • Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina): 11 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown
  • Ollie Gordon III (RB, Oklahoma State): 16 carries, 3 receptions, 127 yards, 3 touchdowns

The heroes of the clash between Georgia and Texas are to be found on the defense side. Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams are giving Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas) hell. Unleashed, the linebacker causes the Longhorns quarterback to be benched in favor of Arch Manning. The pass rusher changed the course of the game by forcing a fumble while Texas was coming back.

Boston College's offensive line nightmare is Antwan Powell-Ryland. Wilfried Pene's teammate (4 tackles, including 1 for loss) can be invited into the first round if he regularly displays this type of performance. The one from Oklahoma is Nick Emmanwori. The safety is everywhere, with tackles for loss, interceptions, and even a touchdown. He too can become a nice surprise in the first round in a nice crop of safeties.

Finally, the return of Ollie Gordon III? The Oklahoma State runner scores a hat-trick, including a nice touchdown on a reception with a nice jump like a 110m hurdler. If that wasn't enough to win (see elsewhere), it will bring up a rating that has been falling since the start of the season.

Could have been cited: Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers), Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green), Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan), Daylen Everette (CB, Georgia), Jahdae Barron (S, Texas), Xavier Restrepo (WR, Miami (FL)), Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland)

The revelation of week 8 NCAA – Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)

His game (vs. Michigan): 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Illinois' pass rusher may have been transcended by the outfit throwback of the Fighting Illini this weekend.

In any case, against Michigan, Gabe Jacas had a sensational match, with 6 pressures on the opposing quarterback. The defending champions were dominated in the trenches, and Jack Tuttle (QB, Michigan) will still have nightmares from number 17 Illinois.

Aligned on the outside of a 4-man defense near the line, he totally dominated his opponents in 1 on 1. And when the quarterback escaped, Jacas did not admit defeat, even forcing a fumble while Michigan attacked to take the lead.

Gabe Jacas has been playing at Illinois for 3 seasons. Teammate of Jer'Zhan Newton (DT, Commanders) last year, he is not the best known of the Fighting Illini defenders. With 42 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles, the player from Florida is already breaking his career records in the regular season.

For the NFL, his primary position is going to be toward the outside of the defensive line. His hand technique needs work, but he is progressing in terms of speed and power. For now, it might be a bit tight to get drafted. But, by repeating this type of performance, he can have a future in the professional world.

Week 8 Revelation – Honorable Mentions

  • Tyler Shough (QB, Louisville): 31/51, 342 yards, 4 touchdowns
  • Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Virginia Tech): 18 carries, 286 yards, 4 touchdowns
  • Justice Ellison (RB, Indiana): 9 carries, 105 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee): 26 carries, 139 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • Eugene Asante (LB, Auburn): 7 tackles, 2 sacks

Tyler Shough has tried everything, but to no avail. The Louisville quarterback produced his best performance of the season, but was not helped by the defense. In any case, he has shown interesting things since the start of the season, and perhaps has a chance of being drafted.

The crop of runners is so impressive. Of the players who can be selected, more than thirty have a chance of being drafted. These players are barely 6 feet tall, and yet they give off the impression that they can be number 1 running backs in the NFL.

Bhayshul Tuten undermines the Boston College defense, Justice Ellison improves the work of the Indiana defense. Revealed last week, Dylan Sampson is the great architect of Tennessee's comeback against Alabama.

Pass rushers become rare after the 3rd round. But, some NFL scouts might want to go with Auburn. Eugene Asante keeps the Tigers in the game, but it wasn't enough against Missouri.

Could have been mentioned: Sawyer Robertson (QB, Baylor), Jalon Daniels (QB, Kansas), Ethan Garbers (QB, UCLA), Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia), Jojo Evans (LB, Florida International), Kale Edwards (EDGE , New Mexico State), Darius Lassiter (WR, BYU), Brendan Jackson (LB, Troy), Wade Woodaz (LB, Clemson), Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri), Davin Vann (DT, NC State), Blake Bosma ( TE, Western Michigan), Keyon Mozee (RB, Miami (OH)), Alex Tezca (FB, Navy), Samuel Brown (WR, Miami (FL)), Simeon Barrow Jr. (DT, Miami (FL)), Ja 'Corey Brooks (WR, Louisville)

The flop of week 8 NCAA – Carson Beck (QB, Georgia)

His game (at Texas): 23/41, 175 yards, 3 interceptions

Who wins and loses?

Georgia wins the game, but we can't say that Carson Beck was a deciding factor. The quarterback is having a nightmarish first period, with 2 interceptions. Not helped by his receivers in the first period, the 3rd interception is entirely his fault. After a misunderstanding and an interruption, the interception was validated, angering Kirby Smart, the Georgia coach.

Top 10 in our first mock Draft at the start of the season, Carson Beck is very far from it today. His precision becomes random, and his pocket management is no longer the same. Certainly, the offensive line is no longer the same as last year, but a quarterback must know how to find inspiration. The impression he gives between last year and this year is different, and NFL scouts might doubt his ability to perform well in this type of confrontation.

It's up to him to bounce back by leading Georgia to the national title with his arm. In any case, the defense is not going to save him every time. The good news is that his competitors to be the number 1 called quarterback are not doing much better, and in particular his opponent of the weekend Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas, 2 TDs, INT, 2 lost fumbles).

Nothing is lost yet for Carson Beck. But, for next April, time is running out if he ever wants to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Could have been cited: Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas), Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama), Donovan Edwards (RB, Michigan), Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri), Tetaoira McMillan (WR, Arizona), Howard Cross III ( DT, Notre Dame)

NCAA Week 8 Summary

Texas (1) therefore suffered its first defeat of the season against Georgia (5) 30-15, for coach Kirby Smart's 100th victory at the head of the Bulldogs. The Longhorns should therefore leave their number 1 place to Oregon (2). The Ducks rule the field at Purdue with no points conceded (35-0), and remain undefeated.

It's the same thing for Miami (FL) (6), Iowa State (7), BYU (13) and Indiana (16), not without having suffered, particularly for BYU (see elsewhere). The American army teams always surprise us. Army (23) and Navy (25) win their match, and in style. They should move up in the rankings again, which would be a first for these teams to stay 2 consecutive weeks in the top 25. These teams are still in the race to go to the playoffs.

On the other hand, Alabama (7) may be saying goodbye to these playoffs. Facing Tennessee (11), the Crimson Tide suffered its second defeat of the season 17-24, with an irregular match from Jalen Milroe. Chris Brazzell scores the winning touchdown with a spectacular reception.

Apart from Texas and Alabama, all the ranked teams won their match this week. Clemson (10), Notre Dame (12), Texas A&M (14), Kansas State (17) and SMU (21) are not experiencing difficulties, unlike Missouri (19). The Tigers struggle, but do well against Auburn.

The Illinois (22) of our revelation of the week wins another match of ranked teams against a Michigan (24) which should leave the top 25. Among the teams which could find it, we could find Colorado, which beats a team from Arizona very disappointing with a good game from Shedeur Sanders (23/33, 250 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INT).

Finally, news from the FCS (2nd university division), with North Dakota State's victory over South Dakota State 13-9 in an NCAA classic. A defensive encounter which ended with a touchdown signed by RaJa Nelson on a pass from Cam Miller 2 minutes from the end of the match.

Week 8 action

If BYU is still undefeated, it is thanks to this winning touchdown signed by receiver Darius Lassiter. The Cougars can still believe in the playoffs.

The reception of week 8

USC receiver Jakobi Lane (not eligible for the 2025 draft) in his works against Maryland.

Unfortunately, that won't be enough to win. The Terrapins made the comeback of the week by going up 21 points to win at the finish 29-28 over the Trojans.

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October 20, 2024
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