If you missed it, last week’s watch list included the likes of Texas QB Quinn Ewers, who ramped up his Heisman trophy campaign by taking down the Michigan Wolverines in the big house.
We also highlighted Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, who scampered for 192 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-34 loss at Oregon. Jeanty came eight yards shy of topping 200 for the second consecutive week.
After not scoring a touchdown in their opening Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, I think it’s fitting that we continue to highlight skill players for this Saturday. Here are a handful I’m keeping an eye on.
Simply put, Burden is arguably the best wide receiver in college football. He’s a technician in terms of route running, he has an enormous catch radius, and he’s shiftier than a Ferrari.
Unfortunately for fans and NFL teams – we haven’t been able to watch him all that much this season because Missouri hasn’t played decent competition. Burden has just seven receptions for 64 yards and a score – but he hasn’t been on the field much.
That will change on Saturday as the number 24 ranked Boston College Eagles come to town to try and stop the matchup nightmare that can be a real burden on an opposing team’s defense.
Brown is a back-to-back state champion in the 100- and 200-meter dash in the state of Tennessee, which by that measure alone displays why he’s one of the fastest players in college football. He’s only 6-foot-1 and 166 pounds, but he has the versatility to be more than just a gadget, as he rushed for 147 yards in 2023 and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns.
Through two games this season, he has just four catches for 28 yards – but has reached paydirt twice. If he wants to prove he’s a top receiver in this class, he certainly has the opportunity given the opponent. The number one ranked team in the country, Georgia, will be quite the test for the NFL hopeful.
The first word that comes to mind regarding Horton is polished. He has a relatively low ceiling but a very high floor. He had a chance to declare for the NFL Draft after last season and would have likely been a day-two pick, but he chose to return for his last year of eligibility. Part of the reason why he returned? To beat Colorado.
Horton’s production has been off the charts the past two seasons. In 2022, his first at Colorado State after transferring from Nevada, Horton reeled in 71 passes for 1,131 yards and eight scores. He followed that up last year with 96 catches and another eight touchdowns.
I think he’s someone who can jump out of bed and get you six catches on a Sunday. He and his Rams will get a chance in primetime on national television to avenge their heartbreaking overtime loss to Coach Prime’s Buffs last year.
Although Steelers QB Justin Fields held his own last week, there’s just no way we can shut the door on the black and gold not being interested in a signal-caller after one game.
Dart is an interesting prospect who’s a fringe first-rounder as of today. He’s a dual-threat quarterback, which is something that Pittsburgh clearly covets given how interested they were in Russell Wilson along with Fields. In his first three seasons with Ole Miss, he’s put the runnin’ in runnin’ rebels, scampering for 1,003 rush yards and nine touchdowns. And oh yeah, he’s had a decent start to this season…
He has a live arm, but it would rank middle of the pack in this quarterback class. But his toughness can’t be understated, as he regularly displays a willingness to stand in the pocket and take a lick before delivering a dime.
Versatile and tough? That sounds like a quarterback who will be high on the Steelers’ wish list.
I’m going to continue to put running backs on this list and you’re probably going to continue to hate it — but given the uncertainty of Najee Harris returning to the black and gold in 2025, they will need more than just Jaylen Warren toting the rock.
It just so happens that Warren and Gordon played at the same school, Oklahoma State.
Gordon is just 20 years old and won the Doak Walker Award given to the Nation’s best running back last season. The Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year led the FBS in rushing yards (1,614), 100-yard games (8), and carries of at least 30 yards (14.) His explosiveness speaks for itself.
However, last Saturday he struggled against Arkansas, rushing for only 49 yards on 17 carries. He will need a bounce-back game against a Tulsa defense that will also make him the focal point of their gameplan.
Which of these prospects will you be watching this Saturday? Let us know in the comments section!
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