Connect with us
Home » news » college football players to watch week 5

News

College Football Players to Watch: Week 5

Find out which players you should look for this week in college football.

Published

on

With the fifth week of the college football season upon us, the cream of the crop is starting to climb to the top. After the feeling out process during the first couple weeks, the players with the most talent are beginning to show why they are considered some of the best players in college football. Players like Jaylon Smith, Robert Nkemdiche and Jared Goff have proved why they were considered elite this offseason.

On the other side of the spectrum, some players haven’t lived up to their expectations, especially at the quarterback position. Players such as Jeremy Johnson, Gunner Kiel and Christian Hackenberg have failed to live up to their lofty preseason expectations.

This week, there are a few high-profile matchups to watch from highly touted prospects. One matchup pits two potential top-10 picks against each other in a highly anticipated SEC matchup. Without further ado, let’s take a look at a few of the best individual matchups in college football this week.

Cam Robinson vs. Jordan Jenkins

Cam Robinson is only a true sophomore, but you’d be hard-pressed to find an offensive lineman playing better than Alabama’s left tackle. Robinson has been dominant in the run game and has shown significant improvements from his freshman year as a pass protector. This week, he will have his hands full, as he will take on the dangerous Georgia outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins.

Jenkins isn’t going to wow anyone with his athletic traits, but he wins with technical savvy and impressive strength for his size (6-foot-2 and 253 pounds). For Jenkins to have a good day against Robinson he is going to have to set up his pass rush extremely well. Robinson is too big and strong for Jenkins to meet him head up at the point of attack; therefore, Jenkins will need to give Robinson a variety of looks and take advantage of his opportunities when they present themselves.

Alabama is known for their ability to dominate opposing front-sevens and the matchup between Robinson and Jenkins will go a long way to determining whether the Crimson Tide will roll through the Bulldog’s defense.

Mike Williams vs. KeiVarae Russell

One of the most underrated matchups will take place when Notre Dame takes on Clemson on Saturday. Not only is this a very even matchup between undefeated teams, but two top prospects will battle each other on the outside throughout the contest.

Clemson receiver Mike Williams is one of the most dynamic receivers in the nation. He has great size, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, and great athleticism to put opposing defensive backs in a pickle. He can win at the catch point and he can outrun defensive backs on a go route. He is still raw as a route runner, but his size allows him to shield defenders and make plays in traffic.

Notre Dame defensive back KeiVarae Russell is one of the few defensive backs that matches up well with Williams. He has good size, 6-foot and 190 pounds, to go along with the physicality to disrupt Williams during his routes. He can battle at the catch point and he tends to get his hands on a lot of balls.

Look for this matchup to be hotly contested where both players have their ups and downs throughout the game.

Laquon Treadwell vs. Vernon Hargreaves

The biggest individual matchup this week pits two potential top-10 picks in the 2016 NFL draft. Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell is a physical freak who bullies opposing defensive backs on a regular basis. Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves is an amazing athlete with elite coverage skills that allow him to dominate opposing receivers.

Treadwell thrives with his ability to physically dominate opposing defenders with his size, strength and athleticism. Treadwell has the best ball skills in the country as he routinely brings down difficult catches, no matter who has the unfortunate assignment of covering him. Hargreaves isn’t afraid to be physical either, but he thrives with his incredible footwork and ability to cut off receivers and disrupt passing lanes.

Treadwell is going to try and wall off Hargreaves and beat him at the catch point and it will be up to Hargreaves to not let Treadwell push him off his spot. This matchup will have a huge bearing on the draft stock of each player and it could push either one into top-five consideration come draft time.

John Owning is a NFL columnist for Football Insiders. He has years of experience covering the NFL, NFL draft and NCAA football. John's work has been featured on the Bleacher Report and DraftBreakdown.com

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Buccaneers admit mistake, boot Aguayo

Published

on

In the NFL, it’s always better to admit a mistake than to compound it. For the Buccaneers, the decision to burn a 2016 second-round pick on kicker Robert Aguayo has proven to be a mistake. The Buccaneers made the definitive admission of their error on Saturday, cutting Aguayo. He exits with $428,000 in fully-guaranteed salary [more]

Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading

News

Did Bucs put too much pressure on Aguayo?

Published

on

After the Buccaneers surprised everyone by taking a kicker with the 59th overall pick in the draft, G.M. Jason Licht explained the move by heaping superlatives on the player. “I was very excited along with my staff and coaches about Roberto for a very long time,” Licht told PFT Live in May 2016. “It’s not [more]

Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading

News

Broncos holding their breath on Derek Wolfe

Published

on

Only two days after losing Billy Winn for the year with a torn ACL, the Broncos are now sweating out another potentially serious injury along the defensive line. Via multiple reports, Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe was carted off the field during practice on Saturday. It’s being described as a right ankle injury by coach [more]

Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading

The NFL On Twitter


Insiders On Facebook

Trending Now

Copyright © 2021 Insider Sports, Inc