2019 NFL Draft: 5 prospects to watch in week 11 of College Football

Who are five players for the 2019 NFL Draft fans should keep their eyes on during college football’s week 11 slate?

The 2019 NFL Draft process is well underway.

Since the beginning of the season, prospects have risen and fallen on boards across the country. Some players have disappointed so far this season, while others have come out of nowhere to surprise us all.

In this column, we will find more under-the-radar prospects to watch rather than the obvious top guys. If a prospect has a big matchup this week, that could also be highlighted here. Here are five players to keep a close eye on in college football’s week 11 action.

1. Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State

Right now, a lot of the interior line class is a mystery. The best center prospect right now is Tyler Biadasz from Wisconsin, but as a redshirt sophomore, there’s a good chance he doesn’t declare.

So who is next when it comes to center prospects? Mississippi State center Elgton Jenkins deserves to be right at the forefront of the conversation. He anchors well at the point of attack and has enough athleticism to work to the second level.

This week, Mississippi State heads to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Jenkins will certainly have his hands full with Isaiah Buggs, Quinnen Williams, and Raekwon Davis on the interior. A part of the process is determining how a prospect plays and responds against top competition. With a strong game on Saturday, Jenkins will make many teams take notice of what he can do.

2. Zach Allen, DL, Boston College

In a stacked defensive line class, many forget about Boston College’s Zach Allen. Allen has played all over the Eagles line in college, and many project him more as a three technique rather than on the edge. Allen plays with great lower body strength and gets his pads low to push the pocket.

Winning with brute strength does work, but he will need to work on pass rush moves to rise in such a talented defensive line class.

That said, he has a chance to get more attention on the biggest stage of the week. The undefeated Clemson Tigers come to Chestnut Hill to keep their streak going. If Allen shows up in a big way against top competition, he will stick on people’s radars.

3. Zack Moss, RB, Utah

Utah running back Zack Moss was a hot name at the beginning of the season when it came to the most valuable players for every top 25 team. His 1,100 yard season as a sophomore showed a ton of promise.

So far this season, Moss already has passed the 1,000 yard mark and is averaging six yards per carry. He has plenty of burst in open space and good vision between the tackles.

This week, Utah hosts the Oregon Ducks, which many will tune into to see top quarterback prospect Justin Herbert. However, in a class that is missing a surefire top running back, Moss is someone to watch as a potential riser in the class.

4. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

As we’ve discussed briefly, Justin Herbert is the consensus top quarterback in the class right now. It’s a tough call after him for who is next. Dwayne Haskins makes a good argument for QB2 right now.

He has a great arm with good accuracy and touch down the field. However, he hasn’t handled the blitz well against tougher teams. Against Penn State, the Buckeyes drew up a lot of screens to neutralize the blitz, and Haskins got a rhythm going. He needs to learn how to handle the blitz by making quicker reads and stepping up in the pocket.

This week, the Buckeyes travel to East Lansing for a game with major playoff implications. Ohio State has to win to keep their hopes alive. Michigan State plays very good defense, and they will send blitzes all day long to see if Haskins can handle it. If he learns from the Penn State game, he could put together a strong performance and lessen concerns about his game.

5. Ben Banogu, EDGE, TCU

Like the defensive line class, the EDGE class for 2019 has plenty of top names. The class is very deep though, and Ben Banogu is one of those second tier guys to keep an eye on. He is a very good athlete and has an explosive first step. He wins with hand usage to soften the edge and has quickness to win with inside moves as well.

This week, TCU goes to face West Virginia in a game that many draft analysts will have eyes on. Banogu can help play spoiler for West Virginia by putting pressure on Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier, something he doesn’t handle very well. Also, Banogu can show he can perform against top competition, provided he takes some snaps against left tackle Yodny Cajuste.

BONUS: Potential Matchup to Watch – Montez Sweat vs. Jonah Williams

If this indeed happens, and Montez Sweat lines up against Jonah Williams on Saturday for Alabama vs. Mississippi State, we will witness a true treat. Jonah Williams is the top tackle in the class.

He’s very technically sound and is a great pass protector. Sweat is a very good pass rusher in the class, with good speed around the edge and enough technicality as a pass rusher. He uses the long arm move a lot, something that could be an issue for Williams. I am hoping this matchup happens on Saturday.