Welcome to “I Got 5 On It”, each week I’ll be picking five news-worthy subjects based around college football to cover. Ranging from views on Devy prospects, general college football talk, interesting stats, and a little bit of hip-hop music mixed in now and then.
1. 2022 Rookie 1st Round
After 10 Devy Superflex Mock Drafts, we already have a big picture of what Rookie Drafts will look like next Spring.
Who I expect to fall:
George Pickens: ADP hasn’t caught up to his injury yet. Only two mocks have taken place since Pickens tore his ACL. If Pickens doesn’t make a quick recovery and play this Fall, I expect him to be a late 1st or even early 2nd Round pick this time next year. No matter if Pickens plays this Fall or not, I expect him to go pro.
Eric Gray: I’ve never been as high as consensus on Gray. At the moment he’s projected to be the 10th pick in next year’s Rookie Drafts that’s incredibly rich for my blood. As an early to mid 2nd round pick, Gray intrigues me.
Who will rise into the 1st:
Both Drake London and John Metchie are just outside the current top 12 picks. With increased roles in 2021, both should see a nice bump in their ranks. If Justyn Ross can prove he’s healthy and back to 2019 form, expect his 17 ADP to rise much closer into the 1st round as well.
Big Risers:
Zay Flowers is the current 45th player off the board for the class of 2022. So far he’s seen a big bump in his ADP in April so it appears his ADP will be catching up to his talent soon. Texas A&M WR, Ainias Smith, is the 48th player in the 2022 class. Smith reminds me of former Florida Gator, Kadarius Toney, with his versatility and yards after the catch. Smith will be heavily involved in the 2021 offense. Nevada, WR Romeo Doubs, is going off as the 55th player for the class of 2022. With another year with a healthy connection with Carson Strong, Doubs will be a much higher asset in the Rookie Draft next Spring. G5ers like Reggie Roberson and Jalen Tolbert aren’t going off the board until well past what would be the 5th round of Rookie drafts. Now is the time to snag one or both.
Big Fallers:
Kedon Slovis and Jayden Daniels are being heavily propped up by having QB listed next to their names. Both are going in the early to mid 2nd round. Slovis will be a big faller, once people really see how weak his arm is. Daniels weighs 180lbs if he’s lucky. No clue how a guy with a negative BMI stays healthy in the NFL, I like Daniels’ game, but the weight scares the hell out of me. Joe Ngata is going off just inside the top 24 picks at the moment. We’ve seen absolutely nothing from Ngata to this point to still be drafting him this high. I imagine he has to stick around for a 4th year anyways at Clemson. Jadon Haselwood and Trey Sanders are still being propped up by lofty recruiting ranks. Both have had major injuries and virtually no production. No reason for either to still be going this high. Sanders is Alabama’s RB3 this season if he’s lucky to not get passed up after sitting out spring ball for his second major surgery in two years. Zamir White still has a 2nd round Rookie ADP. Why? No idea. He’s had more knee surgeries than I can count, lost speed and explosion, and lacks passing game chops. I think he’ll be lucky to be a draftable rookie in a four-round draft next year once we see his testing numbers.
2. Don’t buy into the hype
Every year the same prospects get hyped and disappoint on the field. This year is no different.
JaShaun Corbin, FSU: This is the fourth straight offseason that Corbin has received hype. Corbin is a player that I’ve never really understood the hype surrounding the senior-to-be. I recall being in a draft prior to Corbin’s freshmen year and he went in the first round. I was baffled then, and I’m still baffled by the hype. In his first year in Tallahassee last season, Corbin managed 400 rushing yards but had an impressive 19 catches in two games. I highly doubt 2021 is his year, don’t buy into the hype once again.
Keyvone Lee, Penn State: One player that continues to get a lot of hype that I totally don’t understand is Keyvone Lee of Penn State. He’s slow, unathletic, and old. Lee played his true freshman season as a 20-year-old. He’s older than his fellow teammates Noah Cain and Devyn Ford, despite both backs being on Penn State’s campus one full year longer than Lee. Lee rushed for over 1,200 yards as a freshman in high school but slowly saw his production drop off each year in high school. Lee is built like a beast. He was listed at 230lbs as a true freshman, not sure that’s a good thing though. Lee could shed some of that weight and try to add some more speed and agility to his game.
This past season, it took injuries to Journey Brown, Noah Cain, and Devyn Ford for Lee to see the field in an impactful role. A healthy Cain is most likely the starter in 2021 for the Nittany Lions. Lee will be fighting for the RB2 spot with Ford and Caziah Holmes. Penn State even added a transfer in John Lovett from Baylor. He tallied nearly 2,000 total yards and 18 TDs in four seasons at Baylor. I can’t imagine Lovett picked Penn State to be running fourth on the depth chart, so he’ll be another threat to Lee in 2021. I would highly advise staying away from Lee, there are numerous 2023 backs that I’d take over Lee. He’s about as J.A.G. as it gets.
Both names I mentioned above Trey Sanders and Jadon Haselwood belong on this list. Sanders has been on the Alabama campus for two years and has had major knee and hip surgery. He was overhyped due to his recruiting ranking now he’s Alabama’s RB3 (at best) in his junior year. Sanders won’t be active until Fall camp so he might even slide further down the depth chart. Even in 2022, he’ll be Alabama’s RB2, at best. He’s not surpassing Jase McClellan. McClellan was a long-time OU commit where he would have been teammates with Haselwood. Haselwood is heading into his third year in Norman. He’s had major knee surgery and very little production. He was overrated coming out of high school and he’s done nothing over two years to change that opinion.
Others: Desmond Ridder, Cin…CJ Johnson, ECU…Ty Fryfogle, Ind…Re’Mahn Davis, Vandy…Darnell Washington, UGA…Anthony Richardson, UF…Camar Wheaton, Ala.
3. G5 Incoming WRs
Preview of my Top 20 incoming FR G5 WRs.
Jamari Gassett, Buffalo: Buffalo was able to dip into the Sunshine State for a speedster. Gassett has a 10.92 100-meter time under his belt from the spring of 2020 but claims he’ll be down to 10.7 by the end of his senior year. Gassett received late offers from Rutgers and Utah but stuck to his Buffalo commitment. As a senior, Gassett hauled in 45-1066-9 (23.7 YPR) and 4 total returns on special teams for TDs. Gassett plays at the second-highest level in the state of Florida and displays great speed against top-level competition. Incredibly elusive in the open field.
Outlook: Gassett has a ton of talent and will give MAC defenders a lot of fits. Buffalo isn’t known for having productive receivers, but I think Gassett can be a worthy C2C stash. Antonio Nunn had a decent season in 2020 that gives me some hope for Gassett.
Roc Taylor, Memphis: Taylor was technically listed as an ATH by 247Sports. Memphis snagged themselves another late former P5 signee. Taylor was a long-time Tennessee Vols commit before the new coaching staff pulled his offer. Memphis quickly jumped on Taylor and secured his commitment. As a senior, Taylor pulled in 52-1014-17 (19.5 YPR). Taylor is the first receiver on this list with some size, listed at 6’2” and 212lbs. Taylor shows good speed and has the skill to be a vertical threat in college.
Outlook: Taylor has a lot of potential, and it excites me to see him at Memphis. The ability to develop a WR at Tennessee compared to Memphis isn’t even close. Taylor has a chance to produce sooner than Tyrese Johnson at Memphis. Taylor is a really good C2C stash.
4. J.J. McCarthy
After being a successful starter for Nazareth High School in IL, McCarthy moved onto IMG Academy in FL. McCarthy wanted the chance to get premiere training and to face the top competition in the nation. He wrapped up his senior year with a 6-0 record. He tossed 1,392 yards and 16 TDs to 0 INTs. McCarthy only completed 57% of his passes, less than ideal when you think of the talent that he was throwing too – highly-rated prospects like Jacorey Brooks (Alabama) and Malik McClain (Florida State).
McCarthy signed with the Michigan Wolverines and finds himself getting some good reviews from spring practice. “He is what a five-star is supposed to look like.” And thanks to the strength & conditioning and nutrition programs, JJ looks even better than he did when first arrived. He has packed on over 15 lbs. of muscle since he checked in back in January and is checking in at over 200 lbs. That’s significant because JJ has gotten bigger in the weight room in the past, only to lose that mass when he got back on the field or court. That hasn’t been an issue in Ann Arbor.
Which leads to another observation that was shared with me… JJ has surprised with his athleticism. The QB run game, while not a staple skill-set for JJ, opens up more when he’s in there. He has always moved around pretty well, and now has a little more burst to him.”
Now before you go anointing him the starter, you should also know it hasn’t been all rainbows and roses for the talented youngster. And no one should’ve expected for it to be. His youth has really shown at times. I’m told his most glaring mistakes are of the decision-making variety, and they almost always stem from trying to do too much. Remember that one of JJ’s best traits is his improvisational skill. If a play isn’t there to be made in the pocket, he’ll try to extend it. Once he gets on the move his eyes are always downfield… just like coaches coach it. But JJ just isn’t the type to extend a play just to checkdown. Sometimes he’ll try to make the big play even if it means squeezing a ball into coverage or throwing it 50 yards back across his body. When it works it’s a “wow” play. When it doesn’t it’s a missed opportunity to move the chains, or worse, a turnover. JJ is going to give you more wow plays than the other QBs, but he’s going to give you more forced plays too. At least right now.
To be clear, that’s not something anyone I’ve spoken to sees as a problem. The kid threw 13 interceptions up through his junior year. He didn’t throw any at IMG. What’s happening now is he’s figuring out what he can and can’t get away with at the college level. Via 247Sports.
McCarthy making an impact in practice is a great development for Jim Harbaugh and crew. McCarthy is the physically most talented QB on the roster, but we just have to hope he’s mentally ready to go this fall. rSO Cade McNamara is the overwhelming favorite to land the starting gig. UM’s new QB said so himself this week.
5. Freshman Spotlight
Moving forward until next Fall, when we have some game action again, I’ll be highlighting an incoming freshman each week in the 5 spot. This week we take a look at Arkansas RB, Raheim Sanders. Sanders was listed as the 7th best ATH by 247Sports and a borderline top 150 prospect. He finds his way to Arkansas via Rockledge, Florida. Sanders was actually listed as a WR upon signing with the Razorbacks. During Spring practice he made the move to RB. Which is much more fitting of his 6’2″ and 210lb frame. In his first year running track, Sanders clocked an 11.31 100-meter time. According to his Razorback bio, Sanders wasn’t the most productive player in high school but was used in many ways. “Played running back, wide receiver and linebacker for head coach Wayne Younger at Rockledge High School … As a senior, rushed for 317 yards (15.9 ypc) and four touchdowns while making 24 catches for 391 yards (16.3 ypc) with four touchdowns … Also totaled 237 kick return yards with a touchdown … As a junior rushed for 33 yards (6.6 ypc) and a touchdown, made 15 catches for 368 yards (24.5 ypc) with two scores and registered 225 kickoff return yards … Defensively, made 24 tackles in his high school career, totaling 8.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks as a junior “
Sanders is a relatively new name on my radar. He’s a player that’s been highlighted during spring practice by the Razorbacks coaching staff. The previously stated 11.31 100-meter time has to be very old. Man, Sanders can fly. He’s much improved from whenever that time was recorded. Sanders has a great frame, can easily bulk up to over 220lbs. Very raw as a running-back prospect appears to have spent the majority of his high school career playing receiver with some spot duty in the backfield. This bodes well for his pass-catching abilities as a running back. Even with flipping around positions, it’s surprising to see Sanders only manage 700 offensive yards as a senior (MaxPreps claims he played in 8 games in 2020). Not sure how a guy with that speed and burst isn’t touching the ball 15-20 times a game at the high school level. There are not that many better options on his high school team.
Sanders is a very raw prospect but his upside is the moon. His size, speed, and receiving abilities as a back are very intriguing. It honestly wouldn’t surprise me to see Sanders blow up at some point in his career. I think he’ll get some playing time in 2021, but due to being raw at the position and some decent talent in front of him, it’ll be limited snaps. If you told me in three years that Sanders was a top 3 back in this class, I wouldn’t be too surprised. He’s got the tools, they just need to be refined.
Coach’s Take: Spring practice.
“I like Sanders a lot,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “Rocket Sanders, he’s never carried the ball and he’s never gotten hit here yet, so we’ve got to find that out there, and we will pretty fast. I like Sanders back there because he’s a big back that’s a very physical guy.”
Coach’s Take: National signing day.
“Rocket Sanders can play several different spots. We want him as a wide receiver, but he’s going to play running back for as well. And of course Jaedon Wilson is a long ball threat. He can catch. Great size on him,” Pittman said. “I thought Coach Stepp did a great job with those guys. If you look, there’s a lot of talent there with Ketron and Rocket and Jaden and Bryce.”
Teammate’s Take:
“I like him a lot. Raheim, he’s real good,” Treylon Burks said. “He comes in. He works hard every day. He doesn’t talk back. When he has a bad play he misses, I’ve always told him if he doesn’t know the play, mess up 100 percent going 100 percent every time. I think he’s caught on to that, and I think he’s going to be a pretty good player for us.”
An anonymous SEC West scout:
“Like a full-bodied Ainias Smith, playing in a more progressive offense”
