Following the slate of games on Saturday, we will be highlighting several college football prospects and their respective performances as well as how they could be viewed going forward into the 2024 NFL Draft specifically by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Alabama WR Jermaine Burton
The Crimson Tide went into College Station and topped the Texas A&M Aggies, 26-20 in another tight SEC matchup. Alabama received a stellar performance from WR #3 Jermaine Burton as the 6-0, 194-pound senior had a career day against the Aggies, catching nine passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. The Georgia transfer showcased his impressive speed and explosiveness in this contest, stretching the field vertically while making a couple contested catches along the sideline. Burton also showed off his speed after the catch, taking a slant route over the middle to the house as he ran past multiple defenders attempting to take him down.
Burton isn’t considered one of the top prospects in this draft class, but he possesses a game built for the NFL as a vertical threat that can excel in the slot. He’ll likely be a mid-round pick come April and will give a team plenty of value relative to his draft position.
UNC QB Drake Maye
The Tar Heels dismantled the Syracuse Orange on Saturday, winning 40-7 in a laugher. A lot of that came on the arm and legs of QB #10 Drake Maye as the 6-foot-4, 230-pound redshirt sophomore completed 70.2% of his passes for 442 yards and three touchdowns with zero picks and added another 55 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Maye is often considered the No. 2 in this draft class behind USC’s Caleb Williams, having the prototypical size and arm talent you want in an NFL quarterback. He can make every throw in the book and has the mobility to extend plays and create for himself when the play breaks down. Expect Maye to be a top-five pick this spring and likely one of the next franchise quarterbacks in the league for a long time.
LSU DL Maason Smith
The LSU Tigers won in a thriller against the Missouri Tigers, beating their SEC rival 49-39. While both offenses lit up the scoreboard, DL #0 Maason Smith managed to have a good game after highlighting him in the players to watch for piece prior to Saturday’s action. Smith posted four total tackles (two solo), a TFL, a sack, and a pass breakup in the contest, finally getting to the quarterback after getting blanked the first several weeks of the season. Smith has everything you want physically in a 3-technique/4i, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 315 pounds with long arms and great athleticism. He just needs his technique/production to catch up as he’s just scratching the surface of what he could become.
Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
The Seminoles took care of business at home against Virginia Tech, winning 39-17 to stay undefeated on the season. EDGE #5 Jared Verse put together a strong performance against the Hokies, racking up two sacks and three total tackles on the day. Verse only had 0.5 sacks heading into the game, a far cry from the production the top-10 projected pick was supposed to have this season. However, he rebounded and managed to show off his combination of strength and power on Saturday, showing scouts why he still deserves to be considered one of the top EDGE rushers in the class and a likely first-round lock.
Ohio State S Josh Proctor
The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Maryland Terrapins at The Shoe on Saturday afternoon, winning in convincing fashion, 37-17. The offense looked sharp for Ohio State, but S #41 Josh Proctor was key in sealing the win for the Buckeyes. Proctor had seven total tackles (six solo) and an interception returned for a touchdown against the Terrapins. The sixth-year senior has good measurables (6-foot-205 pounds), playing a bit of a safety/dime linebacker role for the Buckeyes while having played deep in coverage at times as well. He managed to jump the route from the nickel on the pick-six, reading the play and got Ohio State back into the game after starting the contest down 10-0.
Proctor isn’t considered a great athlete and will get knocked for his age, but he is a heady, dependable player whoshould be considered in the later rounds of the upcoming draft. Proctor could be a special teams ace for the team that selects him and be a big nickel/strong safety at the next level, playing in sub packages where he can play with the ball in front of him to make impactful plays.
