College Football Week 3 Prospect Series: Hall & Van Dyke Go On The Road

We’re into Week 3 of the college football season, and there are several big-time prospect matchups to look forward to this week. This article focuses on the best matchups between draft-eligible players as we look forward to the 2023 NFL Draft. These matchups provide an excellent opportunity to see tape on some of the best prospects as we can examine how they fare against top opponents. You can find a recap of the matchups discussed in the Week 2 prospect series at the bottom of this page.

QB Jaren Hall (BYU) vs Oregon Defense

I came away from last week’s matchup between BYU and Baylor incredibly impressed by Jaren Hall’s poise, leadership, and accuracy with the football, and he’s emerging on the NFL radar. After ranking 15th in the country in QBR in 2021, Hall is off to a solid start to this season despite facing difficult opponents. This week, he travels to face an Oregon defense featuring top draft candidates Noah Sewell, Justin Flowe, and Christian Gonzalez in what figures to be a raucous atmosphere. If Hall can remain poised and lead BYU to a win in this environment, it will further boost his draft prospects.

#BYU QB Jaren Hall made impressive throws on Saturday against #Baylor.

The first one is just perfect placement in the back of the end zone, but my attention turns to the 2nd throw.

Turns down an out route towards the sideline, hits BS dig. Used his eyes well to hold safeties. pic.twitter.com/yXujrLBXST

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) September 16, 2022

QB Tyler Van Dyke (Miami) vs Texas A&M Secondary

Tyler Van Dyke has had a solid start to the season with 454 passing yards on a 73.3% completion rate, but his opponents haven’t put up much of a fight. This week, he faces his toughest test thus far in a Texas A&M secondary that held App State’s Chase Brice to just 134 yards last week after he threw for six touchdowns against UNC. Safety Antonio Johnson is the big name as a potential top-ten pick, but Jaylon Jones and Demani Richardson are on the draft radar, as well.

This bullet by Tyler Van Dyke was something else 😳 pic.twitter.com/gt1Nx52jzz

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 10, 2022

OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn State) vs EDs Derick Hall and Colby Wooden (Auburn)

Penn State lost Rasheed Walker to the NFL draft last year, but Fashanu has kicked to left tackle and has been even better than Walker thus far. He has the second-highest pass-blocking grade in the country per PFF and has allowed no pressures on 85 pass-blocking snaps. This week, Fashanu faces his toughest test yet in Hall and Wooden who have combined for 20 pressures in just two games. Hall, in particular, is a potential first-round pick at edge. Fashanu’s play could be the deciding factor in Penn State winning this road game against Auburn.

Most pass-blocking snaps without a pressure allowed among Power Five tackles in Week 1⃣

💪 Olumuyiwa Fashanu – 44 pic.twitter.com/Imu8G9pGJg

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 9, 2022

WR Kayshon Boutte (LSU) vs CB Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State)

It’s been a bizarre start to the season for Kayshon Boutte, but after a much maligned Week 1 showing, he got off the schneid with five catches for 42 yards against Southern. Still, he needs to start producing at a higher level to cement himself as an early first-round pick. This week, Boutte faces Emmanuel Forbes, a cornerback rising up draft boards who held Arizona’s star wideout Jacob Cowing in check last week. PFF tracked him with just one catch for four yards allowed to Cowing on three targets, and if he produces at that level again against Boutte, we need to start talking about Forbes as a potential first rounder.

Was only a matter of time before Emmanuel Forbes grabbed an INT tonight pic.twitter.com/G3bRXnWigt

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 11, 2022

WR Charlie Jones (Purdue) vs CB Garrett Williams (Syracuse)

Charlie Jones has rapidly emerged on the national stage since transferring from Iowa with 21 catches and four touchdowns in just two games at Purdue. Jones was the Big Ten’s return man of the year last year, and he’s emerging as a legitimate draftable talent at receiver. This week provides the toughest test for him so far, though, as Garrett Williams is a potential first-round cornerback. Williams has allowed just a 77.9 passer rating through two games, and he’ll be part of a secondary looking to make Aidan O’Connell’s life difficult in a much-anticipated matchup.

Most targets without a drop so far this season:

1. Charlie Jones: 28
2. Marvin Harrison Jr: 20
2. Michael Mayer: 20 pic.twitter.com/mMCjj4gJdd

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 14, 2022

OT Jaxson Kirkland (Washington) vs ED Jacoby Windmon (Michigan State)

Finally making his return for Washington, Jaxson Kirkland couldn’t be coming back at a better time with Washington’s matchup this week. UNLV transfer Jacoby Windmon has been superb through two games with eleven total pressures and six sacks, which leads all Power Five edge rushers. Upcoming matchups against Power Five teams will tell us more about Windmon’s draft prospects, and Kirkland, a likely Day 2 pick in 2023, will present a tough test. Kirkland was likely set to be an early pick last year prior to his ankle injury, and he’ll be looking to re-solidify that status.

Jacoby Windmon is off to such a great start. 5.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in just two games. Great speed off the edge and great flexibility.

2x @bigten Defensive Player of the Week!@MSU_Football @JW1NDMON #nfldraft #GoGreen

pic.twitter.com/cpAkTE5cpj

— Draft Avenue (@DraftAvenue) September 13, 2022

Week 2 Prospect Matchup Recap

RB Bijan Robinson (Texas) vs Alabama run defense

Texas nearly beat Alabama last week, and arguably should have with some of the questionable calls that went against the Longhorns. However, Bijan Robinson wasn’t a major factor as he ran for just 57 yards on 21 carries (2.7 YPC). Robinson did come up with three catches for 73 yards, including the impressive catch below, but he only had one carry of 10+ yards and was mostly held in check by one of the best run defenses in the country.

Bijan Robinson is going top 10 in the NFL draft.

pic.twitter.com/NNZHPp7g52

— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) September 10, 2022

OG Clark Barrington (BYU) vs DT Siaki Ika (Baylor)

The BYU offensive line mostly had the upper hand in this game as they didn’t allow a single sack against Baylor. Barrington, in particular, only allowed one pressure for the game. Siaki Ika was a non-factor in the pass-rush in this game with no pressures registered, and while had four tackles, his overall impact was mitigated.

OT Javon Foster (Missouri) vs ED Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Kansas State)

Javon Foster struggled at left tackle last week as he allowed four total pressures, and he got worked by Felix Anudike-Uzomah on numerous occasions. In the video below, you can see Foster struggle to get his feet set and deal with a nasty rip through move by Anudike-Uzomah. The Kansas State edge ended the game with four pressures and a 18.5% pass-rush win rate, and he clearly had the upper hand.

Three-play sequence to end the half vs. Missouri from Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Doesn't get a sack on any of these plays, but he's absolutely working the LT.

Brutal inside-outside combo with a rip to finish on the first rep. *Explosive* bull-rush. Violent swims. He's relentless. pic.twitter.com/y3ggckIjR8

— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) September 12, 2022

WR Jadon Haselwood (Arkansas) vs CB Cam Smith (South Carolina)

Unfortunately, we didn’t see much of this matchup on Saturday as Jadon Haselwood played the majority of his snaps in the slot while Cam Smith was on the perimeter. One one target in this matchup, Haselwood had a three-yard reception. Obviously, there’s not much to take away from that sample size, but we’ll be keeping an eye on both of these players moving forward.

TE Jaheim Bell (South Carolina) vs S Jalen Catalon (Arkansas)

Sadly, Jalen Catalon didn’t play on Saturday and will not return this season after requiring surgery on his shoulder. Obviously, his health is the most important aspect to his scouting evaluation moving forward. Jaheim Bell finished this game with no receptions, but he did have four rushing attempts for just five yards with a touchdown. Hopefully, he will be more involved in the receiving game next week.