Top Performers Week 6 NCAA Football: Rising Stock Week 6

 

By Ken Noble

Yet another weekly look at some draft eligible players who helped themselves this week. Week 6 of the NCAA football season was a wild one, because players like Spencer Rattler realized their Heisman hopes are slim and Matt Corral made a definitive statement to NFL scouts. Which under the radar or less talked about players stood out in week 6 of the college football season?

 

Isaiah Likely, Tight End, Coastal Carolina

The Coastal Carolina tight end may not be the biggest name on the team. Obviously that honor belongs to QB Grayson McCall. However, Chanticleers tight end Isaiah Likely is likely to hear his name called in Las Vegas at the 2022 NFL Draft next April. The tight end position is headlined by Jalen Wydermyer of Texas A&M, though after him scouts seem to vary on who fills out their top 5.

Well after this weekend Likely has helped himself a great deal. I wouldn’t say he is an unknown, but to the casual fan he may be. Moreover ,Likely has looked the part of an NFL tight end for the better part of two years. Just last season he reeled in 30 receptions for 601 yards and 5 TDs. He stands 6’ 4” and weighs 240 lbs. Likely is built to bully opposing safeties. Entering the season he had made my watch list for sure.

After the first 5 weeks he had looked solid, but hadn’t stood out. With the rest of the crowd all looking the same way, Likely  chose a good time to explode for 232 yards and four touchdowns this weekend. That is an insane stat line for a tight end. Isaiah did a good job of reminding us all that he is there, because if he continues to dominate like he did Saturday, he could be in the TE 2 conversation.

With no real threats left on Coastal Carolina’s schedule, Likely needs more dominate performances to continue to propel himself up draft boards. Considering he won’t be facing any real threats, he can’t afford to get complacent.

 

Darrian Beavers, Linebacker, Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati has put themselves in a good spot to possibly make the CFP. Yes another victory over a ranked team would help, but for now they have done plenty. Many people are talking about Desmond Ridder and the offense. However, the team is far from lacking star power on defense either. Players like Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Myjai Sanders have been receiving first round praise for sometime.

But watching their game against Temple this weekend the player who kept catching my eye was none of the aforementioned. Instead it was senior linebacker Darrian Beavers who seemed to do it all. He recorded 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 FF. This brought his season stat line to 34 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 Sacks, 2 FF, and 2 FR. It’s not just the all around statistical contribution that make Beavers special though.

Beavers just shows up when needed and he does so in a big way. He is a large bodied linebacker that plays the run, drops into coverage and blitzes well. To clarify he has a 6’ 4” 255 lb. frame, and he plays like a well controlled wrecking ball. I noticed him making the plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet against Notre Dame too.

Similar to Coastal Carolina, Cincinnati wont really see any tough competition until the Bowl weeks. Beavers needs to continue to show he can play hard at all times and produce when no one is watching. I don’t expect him to be a day one pick by any means, but players like Beavers deserve their chance to play in the NFL. He has a few weeks left to keep catching the eyes of NFL scouts, who can be slower than us to find the talent anyway.

 

Reggie Roberson, Wide Receiver, SMU Mustangs

Prior to the season Roberson was a hot name in scouting circles. He had already produced over 800 yards and six touchdowns in both 2018 and 2019. Then Roberson averaged 21.5 yards a reception in the crazy 2020 season as well. Roberson was a name to watch as a mid-round talent who may elevate his status with a good 2021.

Before this weekend he had underwhelmed to say the least. Even this weekend he didn’t wow any one with his stats. He had a modest 5-100-1 line against Navy. Roberson may not be putting up Drake London numbers, but he did enough to remind us all he is still alive.

With meaningful games to still be played for SMU, Roberson picked the right time to step it up. He needs to shine against teams like Memphis and Houston. The game against Cincinnati later in the year will be one to watch as well. If he can play well in those games, he should solidify himself as early mid-round pick with his big play ability and explosiveness.

 

Adrian Martinez, Quarterback, Nebraska

I never thought I’d be writing about Adrian Martinez in a draft article prior to the season. The Cornhusker quarterback was not on my radar as an NFL QB. However, he has done everything he needed to do to improve his game. As a result he looks more composed in the pocket and less like a run first QB.

On the season he has thrown for 1,754 yards and 9 touchdowns to only 3 INTs. We all know he can run already. This weekend he kept the Cornhuskers in the game against number 8 Michigan. He threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns while avoiding players like Aidan Hutchinson all day. For good measure he added another TD with his legs as well.

Don’t go thinking I’m labeling him a top QB, because I am not. I am saying I think if he keeps performing at his current level he can earn a mid to late round draft pick and an opportunity to earn a backup role on an NFL team. Due to his play style he may be a good fit in Chicago or Baltimore as a back up.

 

Riley Moss, Cornerback, Iowa Hawkeyes

 

Moss is an athlete and one that should be talked about more than he is. The ball hawking corner is a big reason Iowa is undefeated and sports one of the best defenses in the country. Saturday the Iowa vs Penn State game was one of the ones I was most excited to watch. It didn’t let me down either.

Prior to Moss injuring his knee on a non contact victory celebration, he made an incredible interception. One where he played the ball better than even the wide receiver did. Moss was shutting down the Penn State receivers and making things hard on Sean Clifford, whom got injured too.

On the season Moss has come up big each week. He has recorded 23 tackles, 4 INTs, 7 passes defended and 2 touchdowns. Moss looks like the real deal and I think scouts are taking notice. I just hope that the injury isn’t too bad, and if it is serious, hopefully he has done enough to not be forgotten.

 

Honorable Mention

Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Jermaine Waller, Cornerback, Virginia Tech