Player Report – Week 2
Senior DE/OLB DeAngelo Malone (Western Kentucky)
Malone was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. He picked up right where he left off last year with a dominant performance against Louisville. He recorded eight total tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and 3.5 TFL’s. He displays a very quick first step. He relies on his speed rush, but also has an effective inside move and can get skinny. His athleticism and closing speed are impressive. On a couple of occasions, he was able to disengage from the block of an O-lineman and be a factor against the run. He needs to get stronger and put on more weight. He projects as a 3-4 OLB at the next level.
Junior CB Asante Samuel Jr. (Florida State)
His father played CB in the NFL for over a decade with three different teams: Patriots, Eagles and Falcons. After a productive sophomore campaign, Samuel Jr. already picked off two passes (only one INT previously) in the season-opener against GA Tech. On the first INT, he read the QB’s eyes and drifted into his zone responsibility. The second INT was a complete miscue by the QB, and the pass was thrown right to him. He displays outstanding speed and quick feet. He is also good in run support. Despite being undersized, he doesn’t shy away from contact and is a reliable open field tackler.
Redshirt Sophomore OLB Amari Gainer (Florida State)
Another defensive player for the Seminoles who caught my eye against Georgia Tech. The redshirt sophomore is playing the Stud position in a new 3-4 scheme, which is basically the hybrid OLB role. It looks like he will be a versatile chess piece in this defense. They used him in blitz situations off the edge on a couple of occasions, and the speedy LB was comfortable dropping back into coverage. He was a factor against the run. He was able to read and react quickly and showed good tackling form.
Senior RB Michael Carter (North Carolina)
UNC has a lot of offensive weapons with QB Sam Howell, WR’s Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, but Carter is an important X factor for the team this year. He only touched the ball 13 times on offense, but he had 138 yards both rushing and receiving. He is so shifty and shows a great burst in the open field. He makes the first defender miss. He is very dangerous on RB screens. He is an outstanding receiver out of the backfield. He also adds value as a kick returner. He is similar to a former UNC RB and current Bengal Gio Bernard.
Senior WR Jonathan Adams Jr. (Arkansas State)
Omar Bayless was the go-to-guy in the passing game for Arkansas State last year and he had an outstanding senior season. In 2020, Adams Jr. is going to be that guy. He caught eight receptions for 98 yards and scored three TD’s in an upset win over Kansas State. He looked like a basketball player out there. He used his body and was able to outbox the defenders in the end zone. He showed a large catching radius and very good ball skills. He exceled in contested situations, displayed good leaping ability.
Senior QB Bailey Zappe (Houston Baptist)
I wanted to include a small school prospect who has shined in the early part of this season. Zappe completed 30/49 passes for 567 passing yards and four TD’s in a 35-33 loss to Texas Tech last Saturday. So far in two games, he has thrown for 1,047 passing yards and no interceptions. Against the Red Raiders, he picked the zone defense apart. Texas Tech dropped eight defenders back with regularity, and Zappe worked through his progressions and found the open receiver. He bought time in the pocket, extended the play, kept his eyes downfield and made good decisions. He displayed good accuracy. He showed a nice touch especially on downfield throws. At times, his footwork got him in troubleand threw a few passes off his back foot. But when he steps into his throws, he can fit the ball into a tight spot. He demonstrated great poise during the game. The coaches have total trust in him, and Zappe frequently makes audible calls at the line of scrimmage. He is a competitor and a leader for his team.
