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2018 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 13

By Shawn Spencer

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 30: The line of scrimmage as the Alabama Crimson Tide line up against the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 30, 2013 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 30: The line of scrimmage as the Alabama Crimson Tide line up against the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 30, 2013 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Hercules Mata'afa 2018 NFL Draft
Hercules Mata'afa 2018 NFL Draft /

Hercules Mata’afa (DE – Washington State) vs. Washington

Who will take on USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game? For Washington State, the answer is simple–win and they’re in. A loss to Washington in the Apple Cup, however, would put Stanford in the title game. In order to slow down the Washington offense, the Cougars are going to need a big game from defensive end Hercules Mata’afa.

SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 29: Washington State Governor Jay Inslee presents the Apple Cup to Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian following a game against Washington State at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. Washington won the game 27-17. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 29: Washington State Governor Jay Inslee presents the Apple Cup to Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian following a game against Washington State at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. Washington won the game 27-17. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Mata’afa is coming off a career game against Utah. The junior edge rusher recorded eight tackles, five for a loss and three sacks. He now has an impressive 21.5 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks on the season, both easily team highs. He possesses one of the best motors in college football, however, he does overrun plays and finds himself out of position at times against the run. Versus a Washington offense that features Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman in the backfield, Mata’afa will need to contain the run as well.

Mata’afa spends a lot of his time going up against interior offensive linemen. In the NFL, he’ll play a much different role. Listed at 252 pounds, he’ll likely stand up and rush the quarterback on passing downs to start off. He’ll have to gain weight to fit as a 4-3 defensive end, so expect 3-4 teams to have Mata’afa higher on their 2018 NFL Draft boards. As a redshirt junior he could elect to go back to school for another season and improve his stock. As of now, he’s a likely day two pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

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