Every Saturday is filled with breakout performances and disappointments alike in college football. Here, our writers react to some takes around the CFB world to help distinguish between recency bias and take lock.
Too Cold (agree with the take) or Too Bold (disagree)
1. Will Levis is not a round 1 prospect
Will Levis passed for just 109 yards today in Kentucky’s loss to Vanderbilt.
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 12, 2022
The Kentucky QB hasn’t passed for over 200 yards since Week 7 😬 pic.twitter.com/nGClRyvtF6
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis entered the year as one of the top quarterback prospects on nearly everyone’s boards. He was going in the top 10 in countless expert NFL mock drafts. After another poor performance in a home loss to Vanderbilt, fans are beginning to get tired of the hype. He’s toolsy but too raw right now to be a first-round draft pick. Too Cold or Too Bold?
Justin (@FF_Hulsey) – Too cold
I soured on Levis months ago after in-depth summer scouting and predicted major regression this season. That prediction was fueled by concerns that Kentucky would have a down year with an inexperienced offensive line and receiving corps. Sure, Levis is toolsy, but he is a one-read quarterback who has been talked up in draft circles due to some short-sighted Josh Allen comps. Levis could easily get pushed outside of my top 5 quarterbacks for 2023. Hendon Hooker, Anthony Richardson, and Bo Nix have cases to be made over him. The reality is starting to set in that there are only two first-round quarterbacks in this class, though.
Tyler (@FF_TJHernandez) – Too Cold
Still,I believe a team will still take the chance. Will Levis has the size and has shown glimpses of some raw attributes that could be developed in the NFL, but I don’t believe he is worth a first-round pick. While many teams are looking for an answer at quarterback, I just don’t think spending a first on Levis with the endless talent elsewhere on the board is a smart move. Levis could easily be at the top of Round 2, but I don’t think he is polished enough to warrant taking a developmental piece at quarterback. That said, I expect a team to take the chance and draft Levis in Round 1 due to the multiple question marks at quarterback in this draft class.
Tristan (@THETristanCook) – Too cold
I haven’t been a fan of Levis, and his year has confirmed that he isn’t a Round 1 prospect. However, if the question asked, ‘will he be taken in Round 1?’ I would say yes. The quarterback position is the premier position in sports, and there are plenty of teams that need one. We’ve seen plenty of quarterbacks be taken way earlier than they should be, and it wouldn’t shock me to see Levis be the next on that list. For me, there are only two quarterbacks worthy of round 1 draft capital: Bryce Young and CJ Stroud.
The Verdict: Too Cold (3/3)
2. Braelon Allen is not a top 3 RB in the 2024 class
Been biting my tongue because it will get me yelled at but Braelon Allen is not the next great Badger RB. He’s not bad, but he’s way more PJ Hill than he is Montee Ball. He can be productive, but if you’re looking for him to pull a JT vs Purdue 2018 this isn’t the guy.
— BuckAround (@Buck_Around) November 13, 2022
Allen roared onto the devy scene last year as a true freshman. He was one of the nation’s most efficient rushers and stuffed the highlight reel with big plays nearly every week. Unfortunately for his devy owners, his efficiency has fallen off this year, as has the hype. He isn’t producing the same number of big plays, and his stock is beginning to drop. After starting the year as the consensus RB2 in 2024, he’s fallen behind Raheim Sanders and Will Shipley for many fans. Too Cold or Too Bold?
Justin – Too bold
TreVeyon Henderson is locked into the top 3 for now, with the next tier consisting of Allen, Sanders, and Shipley. He may not be a complete prospect with the severe lack of receiving prowess, but I don’t expect that to hold him back much. He will be 20 years old when he is draft eligible, has rare big play ability, and more experience running between the tackles than any other back in the class. I love Sanders because of his power and versatility, but he has struggled of late as well, including a 17-60-0 game against Liberty. Shipley is the one to watch because he has the burst, vision, and receiving ability in a 200+ lbs frame. It’s fluid, but I currently rank them Henderson, Shipley, Allen, and Sanders.
Tyler – Too Bold
Braelon Allen is a phenomenal prospect and will remain locked in as the RB2 for 2024. Two games so far this season have been outright awful, but Allen still has many key traits that make him a fantastic running back. Great size and power allow Allen to run through most defenders, while his surprising speed allows him to run past defenders for big gains. While his bad games have been BAD, there’s no denying what Allen is as a prospect. I still have him locked in as my RB2 for 2024. I don’t think I could move him outside of the top 3 anytime soon.
Tristan – Too bold
In fact, I currently have Allen as my RB2 in the class. Many have moved Arkansas’ Rocket Sanders into the RB2 spot, but I still have Allen slightly ahead of him. At worst, Allen should be RB3 in the “consensus” rankings. It’s fair to knock Allen a bit for his change of direction skills, but overall I am still a fan of his game. My RB4 in the class is Will Shipley, but the gap between 3 and 4 is rather large. It wouldn’t shock me to have Shipley and/or other running backs close the gap to my top-3 RBs, but Allen is safely in there as of now.
The Verdict: Too Bold (3/3)
3. Josh Downs is a round 1 prospect
The Drake Maye to Josh Downs connection has been ridiculous the last 3 games (37 rec, 422 yds, 6 TDs).
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 14, 2022
Maye is the real deal. Good luck trying to cover Downs 1v1 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/JYHiNiILbt
UNC WR Josh Downs was highly productive last year, and he hasn’t missed a beat despite a change at quarterback. His 154 yards and 3 touchdowns on Saturday helped the Tar Heels to a big win at Wake Forest. Despite being on the smaller side and operating mostly out of the slot, his talent is impossible to deny. Many are expecting to see his name called in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. Too Cold or Too Bold?
Justin – Too cold
Downs is one of my favorite prospects to evaluate in this class and someone I expect to have several shares of. Yes, his size is a valid concern, but he is as gifted as any receiver in this group. Downs has elite footwork, quickness, and hands with skills that translate to the next level. He is a borderline first-round selection in the NFL Draft, and one of the best second-round picks you can make in dynasty rookie drafts next year. If he was 191 lbs. instead of 171, I think Downs is squarely in the WR1 conversation.
Tyler – Too Cold
I love watching Josh Downs slice up defenses. Downs has an innate ability to get open due to his stellar speed and route running. He plays much bigger than his 5’10”, 175 lbs frame with his sure hands and excellent body control. I believe Downs will be a slot machine in the NFL. It may be later in the first round, but Downs looks like a fantastic prospect and someone that teams would be able to immediately start in the slot. With some questions at the wide receiver position in the 2023 class, expect a team to snag Downs as a “safer” pick and watch him flourish for years to come.
Tristan – Too bold
I am a big fan of Josh Downs, but I have him ranked as my WR5 in this class. It wouldn’t shock me to see all five (and maybe more) wide receivers get drafted in Round 1, but not until I see some testing numbers in the pre-draft process. If we see quarterbacks get pushed up into Round 1, then that leaves fewer opportunities for Downs to be drafted. I’d say early round 2 is where I would currently project him to go, but that could shift dramatically based on testing results. In no particular order, my top four are Boutte, Njigba, Addison, and Johnston. I have Downs behind them.
The Verdict: Too Cold (2/3)
4. Trey Benson is a potential future NFL starter
For the third straight week, #FSU‘s Trey Benson has been named the ACC Running Back of the Week.
— Curt Weiler (@CurtMWeiler) November 15, 2022
He’s the first player in ACC history to win three straight outright RB of the Week honors.
The Florida State Seminoles have torn up each of their last three opponents, mainly on the back of transfer running back Trey Benson. He totaled 440 yards and 2 touchdowns from scrimmage in that span. His 7.37 YPC ranks second in the nation this year. Benson certainly has the size and is putting together the production, and fans are thinking we will see him playing on Sundays. Too Cold or Too Bold?
Justin – Too cold
Benson is a Power 5 running back producing at a high level and has an NFL frame. That alone should command our attention and put Benson on the 2023 radar. More importantly, there may not be a harder running back to tackle in the country than Benson. His footwork and vision are impressive as well. I have him on my scout list and will watch more film in the coming weeks, but he has the potential to make an impact at the next level.
Tyler – Too Bold
At least for right now. While Benson has the size and has shown plenty of great traits in his recent outbreak, it’s been three games. Continued production and dominance will shoot Benson up draft boards, but I think it’s too early to call him a future NFL starter. This huge increase in touches has also come from a Treshaun Ward injury. I am interested to see what the touches and production look like when/if Ward is fully healthy again this season.
Tristan – I’ll go too bold
Benson has the NFL frame, but it is too early to call him a future NFL starter. I think he’s on a trajectory to get drafted right now, but I’m not ready to go beyond that. If he continues to lead the backfield and produce at the current rate, his likelihood goes way up. And, if he can confirm what we’ve seen so far with good measurables, those odds go way up. But right now, it’s too early for me.
The Verdict: Too Bold (2/3)
5. Marvin Harrison Jr. is a Ja’Marr Chase-level prospect (or better)
Marvin Harrison Jr. is the definition of elite pic.twitter.com/U6Dw7RHIcQ
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 12, 2022
For most fans and evaluators alike, Ja’Marr Chase is the best WR draft prospect in recent memory. That may not last very long. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. seems to be garnering nearly as much hype with elite tape, athleticism, and production. He’s already done enough to make some fans compare him to Chase as a prospect. Too Cold or Too Bold?
Justin – Too cold
Three months ago, I said Harrison would be the Devy WR1 at the start of the 2023 college football season. He might be there now. His physical profile and testing will be off the charts. Combine that with his production at Wide Receiver U and pedigree, and you have a damn-near-perfect prospect. It’s hard to find any weaknesses in his game while you watch him glide all over the field. He is my Devy WR1 and one of the best receivers I have ever scouted.
Tyler – Too Cold
Marvin Harrison Jr. looks like one of the best receivers in recent history and has an honest chance to be drafted higher than his HOF father. He dominates every aspect of the receiving game, has the production to back up his skill, and shows almost no flaws as a prospect. MHJ is about as complete as a receiving prospect could be. He has consistently shown scouts and fans alike why he will be the top wide receiver prospect in 2024 and possibly the best prospect we’ve seen in recent history.
Tristan – I will say too cold
I think the hype is too high on Marvin Harrison Jr., so I’m tempted to say ‘too bold.’ Don’t get me wrong, MHJ has looked amazing, and l think he’s almost certainly going to be the top-ranked WR in the 2024 class. However, I’m a little more bearish on how good MHJ will be. Right now, the 2024 wide receiver class isn’t super deep. The WR2 in the class for me is Xavier Worthy, but after that, there are quite a few question marks. So yes, Marvin Harrison Jr. is a Ja’Marr Chase-level prospect, but he looks much better because his class isn’t particularly great right now.
