In an Alabama/Texas A&M focused weekend scouting-wise, Mike Evans and John Fulton landed on opposite sides of impressing vs. not impressing spectrum. But besides that game, Allen Robinson and Bishop Sankey are two very talented juniors who impressed in their week three performances.
And as for the “unimpressive” crowd, a pair of 1st-round discussed defensive players in Stephon Tuitt of Notre Dame and Christian Jones of Florida State make up the group of prospects who didn’t live up to their high ceiling hype.
Who Impressed This Weekend
Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M (JR)
Evans came into the 2013 season as one of the best receivers in the country thanks to his size, physicality at the catch point, and route adjustments as he worked with Johnny Manziel. Evans certainly impressed against Alabama, forcing the Crimson Tide to throw multiple cornerbacks and defensive looks to attempt to stop him, but to no avail. Evans doesn’t possess elite speed to be a consistent vertical presence in the NFL, but he finishes every catch, has a thick and sturdy frame that allows him to stay balanced throughout, and is as reliable as they come as a pass catcher.
Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State (JR)
While most of the country was watching Mike Evans tear up Texas A&M, Robinson thoroughly impressed against UCF during the same time slot. Despite the loss and an overall sub-par collection of talent on the Penn State offense, Robinson is more than just a bright spot moving forward. He attacks the ball away from his body as well as any receiver in the country and he has the acceleration with and without the ball in his hands to get vertical. Penn State’s freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg has an NFL arm and loads of upside, and he’ll consistently be targeting on Penn State’s potentially future 1st rounder quite a bit this year.
RELATED LINK: How Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M Game Planned Against Alabama
Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington (JR)
Currently the nation’s leading rusher, Sankey has now had back to back very impressive performances against Boise State and Illinois. Sankey utilizes his powerful base and lower half to maintain his balance through the hole and contact. With patience and controlled explosiveness up through the hole, Sankey has been able to consistently take advantage of his burst and offensive blocking to rack up big chunks of yards. He should already he considered one of the top five draft eligible running backs in the country.
Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State
Another Pac-12 runner, Grice also had himself a day with four rushing touchdowns in a tight battle against Wisconsin. With his controlled feet and explosive burst once he finds a seam, Grice was able to guide this offense throughout the game and especially in short yardage situations. With his ability to finish runs in short yardage and his ability as a pass catcher on display, Grice is showing why he’s one of our favorite runners in the country.
Who Struggled This Weekend
John Fulton, CB, Alabama
Fulton was actually impressive in his attempts to cover Mike Evans in the 2012 version of the A&M/Alabama game, but was far less effective in 2013. He quickly received help on Evans after the first two drives for Texas A&M went in Evans’s favor, and Fulton wasn’t able to seize the opportunity to showcase his ability to be physical and attack the ball in air throughout the game. Fulton is still considered to be a late round considered cornerback.
RELATED LINK: Scouting Notebook – Brett Hundley Impresses, Tuitt/Nix Lackluster vs. Purdue
Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame
One of the prized recruits of the 2011 class and only of the most highly touted defensive players in the country, Tuitt certainly didn’t impress at the level anticipated against Purdue. Tuitt didn’t counter rush once inside throughout the game, and relied on bull rushes or attacking the edge as his pass rush moves, both of which were easy to gameplan for the Purdue offense. Tuitt being rendered irrelevant by one tackle far too often is a sign that he doesn’t have the development in his game to be worthy of a Top 20 pick right now.
Christian Jones, OLB, Florida State
One of our most highly touted linebackers in the country based off our pre-season work, Jones put up a lackluster performance against Nevada. Statisically he finished with just one solo tackle, but he wasn’t around the ball throughout the game and played “very tentatively” as our own Dan Claycomb put it. I wouldn’t expect this to be the norm for Jones, but it certainly wasn’t the type of display that was to be expected.
Injury News and Updates
Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State (JR)
–He missed this past weekend’s game with a sprained MCL, but is listed as questionable for this week’s game, though they may not rush him back, as they play Florida A&M next weekend.
Tyler Russell, QB, Mississippi State
-He suffered a concussion two weeks ago and was forced to miss this past weekend’s game. He’s likely to return next week when they play Troy.
Cody Fajardo, QB, Nevada (JR)
-Still recovering from a knee sprain that forced him out last week, Fajardo is listed as questionable, but they do not have a game for this weekend.
Jon Halapio, OG, Florida
-After missing the first two games with a torn pectoral muscle this season, he’s listed as questionable to return next week against Tennessee.
Deion Belue, CB, Alabama
–Belue suffered a turf toe injury this past weekend as he tried covering Mike Evans. However, he should be able to play next week at home against Colorado State.
Dexter McDougle, CB, Maryland
-McDougle suffered a shoulder injury this past week, and it’ll knock the senior out for the rest of the season.
Craig Loston, S, LSU
-Loston missed last week with a leg injury, and is listed as questionable for next week for the Tigers first SEC game when they play at home against Auburn.
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