Top Prospects Key Weekend Matchups
By Editorial Staff
Each Saturday NFL Mocks will release an article discussing the top prospect match-ups of the weekend. We hope to show you what match-ups you should keep an eye on and what would help or hurt that prospects stock. We encourage you to take a look at these match-ups and watch closely on Saturday to see who comes out on top. We will discuss the results of those match-ups on Sunday.
Game: Southern Miss vs. South Carolina
Where to watch: Thursday September 2nd 7:30pm (eastern) ESPN
Prospects: Southern Miss WR DeAndre Brown #5 vs. South Carolina CB Chris Culliver #17
Thoughts: DeAndre Brown has to be one of the more physically gifted wide receivers in College Football. At 6-6 and 240lbs he is a intimidating presence that also boasts good speed. However, his best attribute is his size and he presents a match-up problem every week. If Southern Miss has a chance to upset South Carolina it’s going to come on the shoulders of Brown. Brown will spend sometime matched up against the Gamecocks top corner Chris Culliver. Culliver has very good speed and above average height for a corner but it doesn’t come close to that of Brown’s. Culliver is probably the faster of the two but he has a slender build and Brown should easily be able to push Culliver around.
How they raise their stock: Culliver has the best opportunity to show what he is capable of in this match-up. He has the better speed and that should mask some of this coverage liabilities. If he can overcome the size deficient then he has a chance to improve his stock. Brown needs to have a big game and if he delivers on this bigger stage he has a chance to get some national name recognition. Hype is a very powerful force and for Brown this is a good opportunity to start that Hype Train.
Game: Washington vs BYU
Where to watch: Saturday September 4th 7:00pm
Prospects: Washington QB Jake Locker #10 vs BYU Secondary Andrew Rich #22, Brian Logan #7, and Brandon Bradley #5
Thoughts: Locker is the top rated player on our Big Board and this will be a nice first test for the quarterback. While all the members of the BYU secondary are regarded as late round draft talents they are a veteran bunch that knows how to play their system. Their ability to stay tight in coverage and disguise schemes could cause problems for Locker. Watch how Locker reacts at the line of scrimmage and if he is able to recognize BYU coverages.
How they improve their stock: This game is really about Locker, he needs to have a good game and show he has developed. The BYU secondary doesn’t have elite talent so Locker should be able to pick them apart. Leading the underdog Huskies to a win would also help Locker’s draft stock.
Game: #21 LSU vs. #18 North Carolina
Where to watch: Saturday September 4th 8:00pm ABC
Prospects: LSU WR Terrence Toliver #80 vs. UNC CB Kendric Burney #16 and LSU T Joseph Barksdale #78 vs UNC DE Robert Quinn #42 and Bruce Carter #54
Thoughts: The first match-up puts two skilled position players against each other. Toliver is a big receiver that has the ability to stretch the field. He does a great job using his body to block out defenders and make the catch. He is a big Red Zone threat where his size becomes even more of an asset. Burney is a small but fast corner that is always a threat to come up with the interception. This match-up will also count on LSU QB Jordon Jefferson getting the ball outside to Toliver. The other match-up pits LSU left tackle Joseph Barksdale against UNC pass rushers Robert Quinn and Bruce Carter. Barksdale has good size and will be counted on to keep the pressure off of quarterback Jefferson so that he can get the ball to WR Toliver. Both Quinn and Carter are on our Big Board with Quinn coming in at #7 overall. Both of this defensive standouts will challenge Barkdsale.
How they improve their stock: Toliver needs to use his size and take advantage of Burney’s lack of size. If Toliver could beat the faster Burney down the field it would help answers some questions about Toliver’s speed. Burney has the most to gain from this match-up. The biggest knock on him is his lack of size and if he shows he could handle the 6-5 Toliver then that could put to rest some of those concerns. Barksdale has the size needed to play tackle in the NFL but there are questions surrounding this ability to pass protect against speed rushers. This game is going to be a major test for Barksdale as Quinn is one of the better speed rushers in College Football. Keep a close eye on how Barksdale handles the rush and how much help LSU gives him. I doubt they will leave him 1 on 1 with Quinn so expect to see a back or tight end lending a hand.
Terrence Toliver Scouting Report, Bruce Carter Scouting Report, Robert Quinn Scouting Report, Joseph Barksdale Scouting Report.
Game: #3 Boise State vs #10 Virgina Tech
Where to watch: Monday September 6th 8:00pm ESPN
Prospects: Boise State QB Kellen Moore, WR Titus Young, and WR Austin Pettis vs. Virginia Tech CB Rashad Carmichael
Thoughts: This might be the best opening weekend game and it pits a few NFL hopefuls against each other. The best match-up is Virginia Tech cornerback against the Boise State passing attack. Carmichael is one of the better corners in the country and is a better pro prospect at his position than each of the Boise State players. Carmichael excels in man to man coverage and we will have a chance to shut down the Boise State passing attack. He will likely take on both Titus Young and Austin Pettis both of whom are looking to raise their draft stock.
How they raise their draft stock: Both Young and Pettis could have improve their stock by having a good showing when matched up against Carmichael. However, if Carmichael shuts them both down he could see himself creeping towards a debut in the Big Board.