We’re back! Week 3 will kick off today and we have some fun matchups and players to talk about, but before we do, we’ve got some good news and bad news to start this week off.
The good news: The Big-Ten is back! That means that not only will we get to see some top draft prospects return, but some of you will be introduced to the best brand of football on the planet.
The bad news: The Big-Ten season doesn’t start until October 24th so we have to ride out the weird scheduling that has come from this awful, no good, very bad year.
Before we get into this week’s players I want to fill you in on how our players from week 2 performed.
Chatarius “Tutu” Atwell, WR, Louisville
- Tutu played well in Louisville’s 35-21 win vs. Western Kentucky. He led the Cardinals in catches with 7 and had 78 yards which was good for second on the team. Not his best performance but the team performed well enough to where he wasn’t needed to be the game breaker he’s capable of being.
Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
- Marvin Wilson had a superb game last week. Though Florida State fell short against Georgia Tech - a 16-13 Yellowjacket win - Wilson was a star. He ended the game with 3 tackles, a blocked kick and a QB hit that led directly to an interception. Not gaudy stats by any means but he played one hell of a game. Check out his blocked kick.
FLORIDA STATE BLOCKS ANOTHER FG! This time it's big Marvin Wilson! pic.twitter.com/HbgdgixVV9
— KÏŁŁÄ ČÄM (@FTBeard1) September 12, 2020
Chazz Surratt, LB, UNC
- Surratt had by far the best performance out of the bunch, putting up 9 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (TFL), 2 QB hurries and 2.0 sacks against Syracuse in a 31-6 win. Picking up right where he left off in 2019, Surratt perhaps has the best opportunity to climb the boards out of New England Patriots range. Despite that, he’s still fun as hell to watch.
Now let’s get into this week’s players to watch.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, OLB, Notre Dame
- Matchup: vs. USF
- Gametime: 2:30pm
- Network: USA (weird)
Owusu-Koramoah is the classic guy who over produces at a top program but slips in the draft because he doesn’t “have all the tools”. In the Fighting Irish’s season opening win Owusu-Koramoah (aka The JOKer) stood out with 9 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, and a forced fumble.
He didn’t always stand out, as it took him two and a half years to see the field, but once he did he played phenomenal. In his first year starting (2019) he led the team with 80 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Brian Kelly took his time with Owusu-Koramoah’s development and it paid in full as he has been the leader of the Notre Dame defense since the start of last season... taking time with developing players and then letting them turn loose once they’re ready, we all know a guy who does that.
Bill Belichick is more than ok with taking the best player available, no matter what the fit is or how much talent he has at a given position. If the Patriots find themselves picking in the middle to back end of the second round, don’t be surprised to see them take a guy like Owusu-Koramoah.
This week will be a good test for him as Notre Dame takes on USF, who will run the ball a TON. When they do throw the ball it’s in the middle of the field to their tight ends. All their offensive plays will wind up in Owusu-Koramoah country. In addition to watching The JOKer, keep an eye out for Charlie Weis Jr, son of former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who is the new OC at USF.
Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
- Matchup: #18 Louisville
- Gametime: 7:30pm
- Network: ABC
Brevin Jordan has unlimited potential. The former four-star prospect out of Bishop Gorman high school in Las Vegas — a national powerhouse — has become the focal point of a Miami offense that overflows with talent. He has 70 catches for 833 yards and 7 touchdowns over 19 college games.
The thought that he hasn’t reached his full potential yet is scary, as he gets better every time you see him. He plays well in both the running and passing game as a blocker and has lined up all over the place in Miami.
Bill Belichick seems to know what he’s looking for in tight ends as they’ve always contributed under him. Jordan would immediately become the most dynamic tight end on the Patriots offense if he ends up there, even with two rookies this season, passing up on a player this good would be a mistake, especially if you have trouble at your skill positions.
The likelihood that he ends up in New England is right around 0, but nevertheless he is an exciting athlete who is enjoyable to watch no matter where he’s playing, this week it happens to be on primetime in a top-25 matchup. If you end up watching this game, don’t think about any connection to the Patriots. Just watch the most electrifying tight end in the country go to work.
Tyler Vrabel, OT, Boston College
- Matchup: @ Duke
- Gametime: 12:00pm
- Network: ESPN3
Yes, THAT kind of Vrabel.
Not only is Tyler Vrabel the son of former Patriot, and current Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel, but he is one of the best offensive tackles in the entire country. The 6’5” 305 lb left tackle led the way for the best -non option- rushing attack in all of college football last season.
After redshirting his freshman season Vrabel came on strong in 2019, starting all 13 games and being named to the All-ACC honorable mention team. This year he will have a lot more riding on his plate, as he is technically eligible for the draft in 2021. Whether he declares or not is one thing, but he will have the chance to make a name for himself in 2020.
We all know Mike Vrabel from his eight outstanding seasons in New England, so it will be fun to take a look at what his son can do on the opposite side of the ball. We can all sit back, relax, and forget that the former Patriot captain ripped out hearts in January.
This is the perfect week to watch Vrabel as he will be going one on one with a top 5 pass rushing prospect in Chris Rumph Jr., who is also the son of a highly respected football player/coach in his own right. Vrabel will perhaps see no tougher opponent than Rumph this year. In addition to the one on one matchup, Duke and BC always have fun competitive matchups.
That will do for week 3, we have not only three great players but three great games for everyone to watch. Follow along with me on Twitter: @KeaganStiefel as I will be live tweeting all three games. See you in Week 4 where we will be able to talk about Alabama, and the defending champion LSU Tigers!