College Football Stock Report: Tyler Murphy Stomps USC
By Erik Lambert
Several players saw their college football stock take big hits or get big boosts in week 3. Which ones were the most noteworthy?
Tyler Murphy – QB – Boston College – Stock: Up
His future as a pro quarterback is very much in doubt but Tyler Murphy is solely resposible for easily the biggest upset of the 2014 college football season. His 191 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries befuddled USC all night and gave Boston College a huge 37-31 victory.
Brett Hundley – QB – UCLA – Stock: Down
Conversely, a quarterback who is expected to garner serious attention in the 2015 draft, saw his momentum take a hit when he was forced to leave the game against Texas with a left elbow injury. An MRI is expected soon and UCLA still won the game but scouts are certainly going to be nervous until the results come out.
D.J. Foster – RB – Arizona State – Stock: Up
He got off the blocks hot but most expected Arizona State junior D.J. Foster to cool off once his team went on the road. That clearly hasn’t been the case. The versatile running back added to a swelling tally of big game by gashing Colorado for 147 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Mike Davis – RB – South Carolina – Stock: Down
South Carolina came up with a huge SEC victory over Georgia in one of the most exciting finishes of the season. However, running back Mike Davis wasn’t the primary reason. His night was rather quiet at 17 carries for 66 yards and no scores. The win is all that matters, but Davis has high expectations for the draft next year. He need more big games.
Cam Worthy – WR – East Carolina – Stock: Up
Big receivers are all the rage in the NFL, so it’s a safe bet the scouting community caught wind of East Carolina wide out Cam Worthy. Going against a tough Virginia Tech defense, the 6’3″ Worthy was unstoppable. On just six catches he amassed 224 yards and was the spark plug for quarterback Shane Carden.
Brandon Facyson – CB – Virginia Tech – Stock: Down
On the other hand, the defenders he victimized saw their own draft aspirations plummet. Brandon Facyson is part of a growing movement of big cornerbacks and coming from Virginia Tech should garner draft interest next April, especially standing 6’2″. Unfortunately his inability to stop Worthy will be noted for the rest of the season.
Shane Ray – DE – Missouri – Stock: Up
Where V-tech is a corner factory, Missouri is fast emerging as one for pass rushers. Three games into the season they have two atop college football in sacks and their best has been Shane Ray. The defensive end has been unstoppable, collecting five sacks this season and two in each of the past two games.