The second full college football slate is in the books, and it’s time to look at which players helped and hurt their NFL draft stock in this week’s Risers and Sliders. This past weekend saw some exciting finishes and upsets. It also saw a couple of skill position players who led their teams to thrilling victories boost their draft stock in the process. So that’s where this week’s list begins.
2023 Big Board Risers
Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
I wrote glowingly about Cedric Tillman over the summer during my preview of Volunteers’ prospects. And if this pace continues, the senior receiver will make a big move up draft boards. During Saturday’s overtime win against Pittsburgh, Tillman led all pass catchers with 9 receptions for 162 yards and posted one touchdown. He’s a big, fast receiver, measuring 6-foot-3 and over 210 pounds while timing in the 4.4s in the forty and playing even faster. If Tillman keeps this pace up, he’ll be selected earlier than former Tennessee receiver Alontae Taylor, the 49th selection in last April’s draft.
Camerun Peoples, RB, Appalachian State
Earlier this year, there were rumblings Camerun Peoples would enter the 2022 NFL Draft, but he decided to return for his senior season. He’s now making the most of the opportunity this year. On Saturday, Peoples was a catalyst during Appalachian State’s upset victory over Texas A&M. The gritty ball carrier finished with 112 yards on 19 carries and posted more rushing yardage than the entire Texas A&M squad. Peoples is a hard-charging 225-pound ball carrier with sneaky speed and a great burst. He hits the whole hard and is tough to stop. His pass-catching ability leaves a lot to be desired, as Peoples has just seven career receptions in college. Regardless, his ability to pick up the tough yardage or beat defenders into the open field could push him into the draft’s second day next April.
Shaka Heyward, LB, Duke
The Blue Devils pulled an upset of sorts, holding on to beat Northwestern 31-23. Duke controlled the game for the most part as Northwestern was constantly playing from behind. Shaka Heyward had a terrific game accounting for seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. The productive three-year starter offers solid size at 6-feet-2.5, 230 pounds, and outstanding football intelligence. He’s productive playing in space and will be a terrific late-round pick who can make a roster as an eighth linebacker/special teams player.
Kenderick Duncan, S/OLB, Louisville
Over the past three years, Kenderick Duncan has been one of my favorite under-the-radar players, and he shined against Central Florida. During the Cardinals come from behind victory, Duncan led all defenders with 13 tackles. He’s a 215-pound safety with excellent cover skills between the numbers. Duncan, graded as a fifth-round pick on my board, can be used as a zone safety and may even get looks at outside linebacker.
Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas
The Razorbacks came out and hammered South Carolina, rolling over the Gamecocks’ defense for 295 yards rushing on their way to victory. Ricky Stromberg paved the way for much of it, proving he’s a tough, intelligent blocker. Stromberg did a terrific job opening up the middle of the line, sealing defenders from the action, and protecting his mobile quarterback. He’s a big blocker on the pivot at 6-foot-3.5 and 315 pounds, but truth be told, a bit stiff. I’ve had a draftable grade on Stromberg the past two seasons and believe he has starting potential in a power gap offense.
Keondre Coburn, DT, Texas
The Longhorns lost a heartbreaker to Alabama in the final seconds even though the UT defense held the Crimson Tide in check for most of the game. And for much of it, Keondre Coburn was the dominant force up front for Texas. His measly three tackles don’t tell the story as Coburn was consistently double-teamed up front and the focus of the Tides’ attention. Coburn is an athletic lineman with enough movement skills to get consideration at the three-technique spot yet the size to hold up at nose tackle. He needs to better condition himself, but Coburn is on the fringe of breaking into the third round.
Tyler Lacy, DL, Oklahoma State
Tyler Lacy is a player I gloated about over the summer, mentioning I did not understand how scouts believed him to be nothing more than a late-round prospect. Evidently, Lacy is not happy about the slight either. He was unstoppable against Arizona State, posting five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. More than that, Lacy was a disruptive nuisance and had to be accounted for on every snap. Lacy is quick, super explosive, and very intense. He easily moves his 6-foot-4, 275-pound frame around the field and comes with scheme versatility. While I presently have a fifth-round grade on Lacy, a big move up draft boards could be in the offing.
Andre Carter II, DE, Army
Army has lost two close games starting the season, most recently coming up on the short end to UTSA in overtime. Yet their next-level prospect, a player who’ll be the best to come from any of the military academies in decades, is off to a fast start. Andre Carter II finished Saturday’s contest with four tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, and one QB hit. Carter was able to accomplish his feats despite the fact that UTSA kept rolling protections his way to prevent him from disrupting the action. The senior is a tall (6-feet-6), athletic defensive lineman with growth potential and presently grades as a day two prospect. Expect Carter to be very active in the postseason at either the Senior or Shrine Bowl as well as the Combine.
Sleeper prospect: Andre Sam, S, Marshall
For the past two seasons, I’ve had Andre Sam as a potential late-round pick based on his play for McNeese State. In fact, I spoke with several scouts about his next-level potential during last year’s Shrine Bowl, yet did not get good feedback. Sam transferred to Marshall and is playing like he wants to silence the doubters.
He had a terrific outing during the Herds’ upset victory over Notre Dame in South Bend, totaling 10 tackles and breaking up a pass. Most impressive was the way Sam quarterbacked the secondary, stayed within the system, and showed great discipline — all while making plays. His 40-yard dash time will determine whether or not Sam is selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, but rest assured that he will be in an NFL camp competing for a job next summer.
Small-school sleeper: Tim DeMorat, QB, Fordham
The Rams pulled an upset largely on the arm of Tim DeMorat, defeating CAA member Monmouth by a score of 52-49. DeMorat completed 34 of 51 passes for 452 yards with six touchdowns. He also tossed two interceptions.
The prior week against Wagner, DeMorat totaled 386 passing yards and five touchdowns in a victory. DeMorat is a nice size, strong-armed passer with the ability to make all the throws that have been overlooked in the scouting community. He possesses the physical skills to compete for a job in camp next summer.
2023 Big Board Sliders
Phil Jurkovec, QB, Boston College
There’s a lot of love for Phil Jurkovec inside and outside of the scouting community, with some believing the Boston College quarterback is a day two prospect. Count me as someone that’s always been a non-believer. While Jurkovec possesses the size, arm strength, and athleticism to play on Sunday, his accuracy and pass placement leave a lot to be desired.
During Saturday’s loss to Virginia Tech, the second in two weeks for Boston College, Jurkovec completed 16 of 29 passes for just 144 yards with both a touchdown and an interception. Jurkovec makes open receivers work too hard to come away with the reception, which ends up in missed opportunity after missed opportunity for the offense.
