Week 7: ACC Draft Stars
Larrell Murchison, Defensive Tackle, North Carolina State
It is time to start paying serious attention to NC State defensive tackle Larrell Murchison. Under head coach Roy Williams, he has 7 sacks on the season, including 5.5 sacks in his last two games. His play is already starting to cement his status as an intriguing mid-round draft pick. On Saturday, his pass rush was evident as he wracked up 2 sacks and 6 tackles, which included two for a loss. His play was good enough to catch Pro Football Network draft guru Tony Pauline’s attention.
In the video below, watch Murchison split a double team to bring down Syracuse quarterback Tommy Devito for a sack. This play highlights Murchison’s violent hands and motor.
So far this season, there have been just 10 games with an FBS team recording 8+ sacks in single game — led by Larrell Murchison, @PackFootball accounts for 2 of those games, in back-to-back weeks, writes @bgeis_bird https://t.co/nYN9S1njhj pic.twitter.com/8OmWmvGyrQ
— ACCSports.com (@ACCSports) October 12, 2019
Murchison’s draft stock is certainly on the rise and at this point, he looks like a top 120 selection in the 2020 NFL draft.
Sage Surratt, Wide Receiver, Wake Forest
Sage Surratt is another repeat offender, as he finds himself on the “ACC Draft Stars” for a second time. It also doesn’t hurt that the ACC named Surratt the “ACC Player of the Week” and with good reason. In a losing effort, Sage Surratt was very easily the best offensive player in the ACC in Week 7. The box score shows an extraordinary 12 catches for 196 yards and 3 touchdowns. Even more impressive, he averaged 16.3 yards per catch.
Surratt has a basketball background, which is evident in his leaping ability. He can win the contested catch and simply out-jump opposing defensive backs. Let’s not sleep on his speed, as he has the ability to beat defenses deep, which is highlighted in the video below.
Sage Surratt shows off the wheels! ?#GoDeacs #MustSeeACC | @WakeFB @SageSurratt_14 pic.twitter.com/STqaGfgedQ
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 13, 2019
Surratt is only a redshirt sophomore, so it is not likely that he declares. However, if he chooses to do so, he warrants a top-75 draft selection.
Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker, Clemson
Isaiah Simmons was the best defensive player on the field in Clemson’s obliteration of the Florida State Seminoles. Simmons was brilliant, accounting for 8 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and 2 tackles for a loss. His sideline-to-sideline speed and play-making ability are unmatched.
As fellow draftnik Matt Wise said in a conversation with me this week, Isaiah Simmons is a unicorn. His athleticism, speed, and knack for making plays are unparalleled.
Isaiah Simmons is just a freak. The athleticism and aggressive play are hard not to fall in love with pic.twitter.com/qdqPalbOWV
— Rob Paul (@RobPaulNFL) October 12, 2019
Simmons’ draft stock continues to soar and at this point, it would not surprise me if he ends up being a top 10 pick in the 2020 draft. Not only is Simmons the most versatile player in the ACC, the hybrid linebacker is the most versatile player in all of college football.