Future Hogs – Week 3: College football players who could help the Commanders

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

It did not look like the premier matchup of Week 3 of the college football between LSU and Ole Miss would live up to the hype. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss looked like a Heisman front-runner in the first half, converting all his third downs and leading the Rebels to a 24-7 lead at the half. Lane Kiffin motivated the Tigers at halftime as they rallied to tie the game at 24-24 in the fourth quarter. Chambliss had a little magic left as he led the Rebels to the go ahead touchdown and two-point conversion. A tipped pass in the end zone on LSU’s final drive resulted in an interception of LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt that sealed the win for Ole Miss.

The other ranked-on-ranked games were competitive games. Louisville and SMU was a back and forth affair with Louisville taking the lead in the fourth quarter and holding on to it for the win. A failed two-point conversion allowed Texas Tech to escape an upset by Houston. Who didn’t escape being upset this weekend? Texas A&M. Despite being tied with Kentucky at halftime, 21 unanswered points in the third quarter was enough for a Wildcats win. Virginia will fall from the AP Top 25 after a loss to West Virginia.

Week 4 will feature a pivotal matchup between #10 LSU and #23 Texas A&M. A second loss for either team could end their chances for the College Football Playoff. #1 Texas will go on the road to #14 Tennessee in each team’s first SEC action. Several Big Ten teams will begin conference play. This includes #18 Michigan as they welcome #17 Iowa, a team that may finally have some offensive firepower, and #20 Oregon who will go on the road to face #12 USC who are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Here are a few players who had a good week and might be able to help the Commanders. Let me know what you think about these prospects and feel free to comment with players that stood out to you.

Aidan Chiles | QB | Senior | Northwestern

It was tough to see Jayden Daniels injure his elbow for a third time in the past year. While he has the talent of a top NFL QB, his health has to be a consideration with regards to his future in Washington. While I’m not at the point where the team should consider an early draft pick to replace him, it shows why it’s always important to continually look for talent at the position.

Aidan Chiles has played at Oregon State, Michigan State, and now Northwestern. He’s had an up and down career. He was benched last season at Michigan State as he and the team struggled. He decided to transfer to Northwestern and, so far, it looks like a good decision. Chiles is 6’4”, 225 pounds, so plenty of size for the position. When Chiles has times, he has good mechanics and delivers accurate passes. When he has to get rid of the ball quickly, those mechanics change and his accuracy can dip. While Chiles can run, he is more of a pocket passer with a strong enough arm for NFL throws. Chiles went 17 of 22 for 241 yards and three touchdowns and two touchdowns on the ground.

Keyjuan Brown | RB | Senior | Louisville

David Blough might have felt pressure to pass with how effectively Dallas scored, but there were moments in the run game. Although more attention has been given to his teammate and backfield-mate Isaac Brown, Keyjuan Brown looks more like a complete NFL back. He’s densely built at 5’10”, 215 pounds, but he has superb burst and speed at that size. Those qualities along with his vision make him a productive back in a zone blocking scheme. While he can lower his shoulder and deliver punishment, he’d much rather use his quick feet to juke tacklers. Where he isn’t much of a contributor is in the pass game since he only has 18 receptions in his career. Louisville got the win over SMU behind Keyjuan Brown’s 163 yards and two touchdown on 10 attempts.

Junior Sherrill | WR | Senior | Vanderbilt

The receivers for the Commanders were a mixed bag against Dallas. While Stefon Diggs had a respectable game, Terry McLaurin struggled. Dyami Brown made a few plays, but had a costly fumble. Antonio Williams made three catches, but wasn’t as impactful as he was in Week 1. Junior Sherrill fits the mold of receivers like Williams and Diggs. His route-running creates separation against defenders thanks to his nuance and attention to detail. His hands are reliable both as a receiver and a kick returner. After the catch, he has both elusiveness and toughness thanks to his 5’11”, 200 pound frame. My biggest question about his game is deep speed; he’ll make deep catches, but just doesn’t look like a burner. Sherrill had six catches, 108 yards, and two touchdowns in Vanderbilt’s win over NC State.

Luke Reynolds | TE | Junior | Virginia Tech

With Chig Okonkwo hurt for the matchup with Dallas, the tight ends were not factors in the pass game. Luke Reynolds could change that. He followed James Franklin to Blacksburg from Penn State and he has shined in an increased role this season. It is hard to believe a tight end this athletic and quick is 6’4”, 250 pounds. Quickness and agility allows him to create separation when running routes and eluding tacklers after the catch. Reynolds adjusts easily to passes thanks to above-average body control. The blocking needs work. He will try to block, but his technique needs improvement in order for him to sustain blocks. Reynolds made 12 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in the Hokies win over Maryland.

Kade Pieper | OG | RS Junior | Iowa

It looked like the interior offensive line struggled opening holes in the run game early, but improved as the game went on. Pass protection was better than last week, but there is still need for improvement. Enter Kade Pieper. Now 6’3”, 293 pounds is small for an offensive lineman, but he is an athlete. He’s got elite quickness, an attribute necessary to play center. It also helps him in the zone blocking game reaching his landmarks. While he might be a smaller offensive line, Piper is strong. He anchors well against power and drives his legs to get movement as a run blocker. Iowa put up 55 points and over 600 yards against Northern Iowa behind Pieper and the offensive line.

Will Echoles | DL | Junior | Ole Miss

The Commanders’ run defense was a bright spot, but they need to add more to the defensive line. Daron Payne is in a contract year and Johnny Newton, who is recovering from a pectoral injury, has not impressed.

A lot of attention is given to Trinidad Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense, but Will Echoles may be the Rebels best draft prospect. Echoles has the size to play anywhere on a defensive interior at 6’3”, 315 pounds. What stands out right away is Echoles’ quickness. His hands are lightning fast and he slips by defenders so easily. This makes him so disruptive even if he doesn’t finish the play. He plays low and keeps leverage against blockers, controlling them until he can dispose of them when he gets to the ball. As a true junior, Echoles should only get stronger and more impactful. Echoles finished the day with five tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and half a sack in Ole Miss’ victory against LSU.

Owen Long | LB | Junior | Arizona State

Frankie Luvu was missed in Dallas. Leo Chenal looked unaware of his coverage assignments. Owen Long is only a junior, but he was all over the field for the Sun Devils as they took down Kansas. A transfer from Colorado State, Long led college football in total tackles last season. He’s smaller at 6’1”, 225 pounds, but it helps with his ability to move around the field. That makes him an asset in coverage and helps him make tackles out to the sidelines. He will have to put on some size to take on blockers in the run game, but he could be a good depth player that gives the Commanders some versatility in the middle of the defense. Long’s contribution to the Arizona State win: 12 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

Chris Peal | CB | Senior | Syracuse

Against Dallas, any cornerback not named Amik Robertson struggled. While Mike Sainristil had a better game, he was still targeted often by Dak Prescott. Rasul Douglas did not do much better. Maybe Chris Peal can help with that. He’s got great size at 6’1”, 200 pounds, and he has long arms that help him break up passes. He moves fluidly which helps him mirror receivers throughout their routes. He is active in run support and rarely misses tackles. The big knock against him is he has no interceptions in his career. In a loss to Pitt, Peal had three tackles and a PBU.

Kingston Lopa | S | RS Sophomore | California

The Commanders need to improve their coverage in the middle of the field. While Jeremy Reaves is a fan favorite for good reason, he’s a tick slow to recognize the developing play or just a little too slow to make a play. Given he’s only a redshirt sophomore, Kingston Lopa may not declare for the draft this year. His stock, however, may not be higher. He has five interceptions on the season playing in the middle of the Golden Bears secondary. He’s a tall safety at 6’5”, 210 pounds. You’d think it’d make it hard for him to change direction, but he flips his hips smoothly in coverage. He’s comfortable in both man and zone coverages with no problem making a play on the ball. One place where he could improve is his physicality around the line of scrimmage. Cal has been putting defensive backs into the league and Lopa looks to be next in line. He had five tackles, one for a loss, and an interception in a win over Wagner.

Which college players caught your eye in Week 3 and could help the Washington Commanders?

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos