During the college football season, Eric Galko, the Shrine Bowl Director of Football Operations and Player Personnel, will give us his breakout performers from the previous week’s action — the names you should know — because it’s never too early to talk NFL Draft. With college football’s Week 8 in the books, let’s dive in.
Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
I remember Pratt’s three-touchdown performance against Oklahoma on the road in the 2021 season opener and being impressed with his poise and toughness. If not for being banged up to start this season, we would be hearing more about his NFL prospects, though that is going to change in the coming weeks and months.
Eric Galko: “After overcoming injury to start the season, Michael Pratt has returned to his expected NFL-level throws, decision-making and ability to finish through contact that got scouts excited last season. Pratt’s been a staple in the minds of NFL evaluators, and he’s only solidified his value as a confident, tough, and consistent passer with dual-threat ability when needed, especially in close games like it was the last two weeks.”
Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
Brooks led the Red Raiders in rushing in 2021 and 2022, and he came into this season averaging 5.0 yards per carry, 45 receptions and 19 total touchdowns. Through eight games, he’s averaging 5.5 yards per carry and already has six touchdowns.
Galko: “Tahj Brooks has been one of the country’s most productive rushers all season, putting up over 140 yards four times this year including this weekend against BYU. Against BYU, he forced 12 missed tackles, and his lateral jump cuts, contact balance, and ability to accelerate after first contact all stood out. He’s emerged as one of the better senior running backs in the country.”
Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
The Northwestern transfer has been a bright spot on this Cavaliers offense. Through seven games this season he already has career highs in receiving yards, yards per catch and touchdowns, and he’s had more than 100 receiving yards five times already.
Galko: “Washington has been a major bright spot for the Virginia offense all year, and was a major reason for the team’s upset over North Carolina this weekend. Washington is a decisive and complete route runner from the slot and still finishes at a high-level away from his game. He was incredibly slippery as a route runner and after catch in this game, and he’s shown NFL evaluators he can create yards after catch consistently at an NFL level this season.”
Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
Newton has been on the league’s radar since a season ago when he had three defensive teammates drafted, including No. 5 overall pick, CB Devon Witherspoon. He was No. 8 on my midseason Top 50 Big Board, and it won’t be a surprise if he’s the next player out of Illinois to find his way into the first round.
Galko: “Newton has been schemed against during the season, but he finally was able to go off against Wisconsin, posting three sacks and nine total pressures on the game. Newton’s explosiveness off the snap, violent and decisive hands, and athleticism to adjust and finish through contact is remarkable, showcases why he’s among the best defensive prospects in the 2024 draft class.”
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
The Western Michigan transfer arrived in Tallahassee with 27 career tackles for loss and six sacks, and midway through the 2023 season, he’s showing that the step up in competition hasn’t required any adjustment. The raw stats aren’t there, but if you watch him play, he’s been incredibly disruptive for the Seminoles.
Galko: “Fiske has been a major force for the Florida State defense this year, and his impact against Duke as a pass-rusher and interior penetrator was a major reason why the Duke offense struggled a bit in the second half. Fiske’s powerful hands and strong upfield burst after contact have always been his signature ability as a pass rusher, but against Duke he showcased the lateral adjustment and twitch to emerge as a complete A-gap penetrator from 0, 1, and 3-technique.”
Jalen Green, EDGE, James Madison
James Madison is 7-0 thanks, in part, to Green’s dominating 2023 campaign. He has at least 1.5 sacks in five straight games to go along with two forced fumbles and an interception so far this season.
Galko: “The FBS sack leader posted a five-sack performance against Marshall, and has put up an undeniable 15 sack season so far just eight weeks into the year. While Green is a little undersized and maybe doesn’t have the freaky athleticism NFL teams covet at the position, he’s shown he has the twitch, hand fighting and burst, and clear finishing ability on the quarterback. Green has vaulted himself into a must-watch edge rusher for NFL teams.”
Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
A team leader and a steadying force in the secondary, Sainristil has two defensive touchdowns this season to go along with three interceptions and four pass breakups.
Galko: “Another week, another dynamic and impressive play forced by Mike Sainristil. Arguably the heart of the Michigan defense, Sainristill makes plays in run fits, coverage, or just ideal positioning each week to spearhead defensive domination. This game, he had multiple perimeter tackles and an interception off a potential back-shoulder wheel route from the nickel. Sainristill has three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns on the season.”
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Mitchell may not yet be well known among national media folks, but it’s only a matter of time. I had him on my Top 50 Big Board because of his size, speed, coverage skills and wrap-up-tackling ability.
Galko: “Mitchell continues to be one of the best cornerbacks in the country this season, and shouldn’t be a “sleeper” to anyone. Mitchell had another outstanding game vs. Miami (OH), including a crossfield endzone drag route knocked away to prevent a touchdown that highlighted just how special of an outside cornerback he can be in the NFL.”
Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
Jones came into the 2023 season with 28 career pass breakups and two interceptions. In seven games, he already has three picks and seven PBUs. According to PFF, he has a completion-percentage-against of just 29.4%.
Galko: “Jones played one of the most dominating coverage games a cornerback has had this year against Georgia Tech, finishing with more interceptions (two) than catches allowed (one) in the game. His sticky coverage on the perimeter as he worked vertically, as well as his control and twitch in nickel/short-area coverage, showcased why Northeast area scouts have been fans of Jones for multiple years.”
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Author: Ryan Wilson
October 23, 2023 | 10:05 pm
