2017 NFL Draft: Week 2 Prospect Stock Report

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Sep 19, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush (10) warms up prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse won 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up: Offense

Cooper Rush (QB – Central Michigan): Cooper Rush entered this game as one of the top senior quarterbacks available in the 2017 NFL Draft, but isn’t well-known to casual fans. The fact is, Central Michigan is rarely featured prominently on television or in the news.

Despite that fact, the Chippewas have made their presence felt in the NFL and the draft. Offensive linemen Joe Staley and Eric Fisher were selected in the first round (Fisher first overall), while Antonio Brown has become one of the best wide receivers in the league. While Rush isn’t expected to be a first-round pick, he is a better prospect than former CMU QB Dan LeFevour, who was a sixth-round pick in 2010.

Rush and Central Michigan upset Oklahoma State, the school’s first win against a ranked opponent since 1991. Rush finished the game 30-of-42 for 361 yards and four touchdowns. The game will be known for the game-winning Hail Mary play that never should have been run, but it was Rush’s pinpoint accuracy and decision making that allowed Central Michigan to stay in the game.

Kalen Ballage (RB – Arizona State): Texas Tech and Arizona State turned into a video game type shootout Saturday night and Kalen Ballage was Tecmo Bowl Bo Jackson. Seemingly every time he touched the ball, Ballage wound up in the end zone. His eight touchdowns tied the FBS single-game record.

Even against Texas Tech’s Division III defense, eight touchdowns is quite the feat. Even more impressive was the fact that he scored eight times on just 15 offensive touches. Demario Richard is the workhorse in the Sun Devils backfield, however Ballage was rewarded with the ball near the goal line.

At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Ballage has primarily been the goal line back for Arizona State. Many of his touchdowns against the Red Raiders were short runs, but he also displayed solid elusiveness and breakaway speed to separate himself from defenders. One game won’t send his NFL Draft stock into the early rounds, however he’s earned a longer look from scouts.

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Dorian Johnson (LG – Pittsburgh): Left tackle Adam Bisnowaty may be the Pittsburgh offensive lineman generating early-round buzz, but it was the prospect lining up next to him that was most impressive in a win over Penn State.

Johnson was an effective pass blocker, but his run blocking is what helped the Panthers win this in-state rivalry. Johnson was stellar whether he was asked to block the defender opposite him, or pulling to lead the way for running back James Conner.

Penn State finished last season as the 14th best total defense in the FBS, allowing just over 324 yards per game. On the ground alone, Pittsburgh racked up 341. Johnson likely won’t be selected as early in the NFL Draft as Bisnowaty, but he does have the talent to be a second-day pick.

Donnel Pumphrey (RB – San Diego State): Marshall Faulk is no longer the career rushing leader at San Diego State. That honor now belongs to Donnel Pumphrey after he gashed California for 281 yards and three touchdowns in an upset victory.

Pumphrey now has 4,651 rushing yards in his career and has anywhere from 10-12 games left to add to his record. Pumphrey’s lack of size (5-foot-8, 180 pounds) will hurt his NFL Draft stock, but his receiving ability will earn him a role at the next level. In addition to holding the school’s rushing record, he has 880 career receiving yards.

Zane Gonzalez (K – Arizona State): Lost in the barrage of scoring in the game was the performance by Arizona State kicker Zane Gonzalez. The senior kicker has continued his momentum from last season and is making his case to be a late-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Gonzalez finished the 2015 season 14-of-15 on field goals and didn’t miss an extra point all season. He also led the FBS in touchback percentage. Against the Red Raiders, Gonzalez connected on his only field goal attempt and converted all nine of his extra point attempts.

Even more impressive was his leg on kickoffs. An explosive Texas Tech return team gained zero yards on kickoff returns. Gonzalez booted nine touchbacks and forced a fair catch at the eight-yard line after a Texas Tech penalty allowed Arizona State to kickoff from the 50.

Moving the kickoff from the 30-yard line to the 35 has diminished the need for a kickoff specialist on NFL teams, however Gonzalez will have a chance to compete for a roster spot in training camp. Whether or not he’s drafted may be determined by his play down the stretch.

Next: Stock Up: Defense

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