Player Report – Week 3
Senior WR Reggie Roberson Jr. (SMU)
Roberson Jr. spent his freshman season at West Virginia before transferring to SMU. This is his third year starting for the Mustangs. He started eight games last year before getting injured for the remainder of the season. He was the second-leading receiver on the team behind James Proche in 2019. This year, he is clearly Shane Buechele’s favorite target in the passing game. He posted nine receptions for 103 yards and two TD’s against North Texas. He lines up as the X receiver on the left side majority of the time. He shows good speed. He is a very good vertical threat, especially on post routes. He tracks the ball well over his shoulder. He was clutch on third downs and kept the chains moving for his team on Saturday. He was quick in and out of his breaks. Roberson Jr. is one of the top senior receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Junior RB Brenden Knox (Marshall)He rushed for 138 yards and scored a TD in a win against Appalachian State. Junior RB was named C-USA MVP last year. He displayed good cutback ability and vision. Knox is a power runner who lowers his shoulder and finishes his runs. He regularly churns those feet upon initial contact and pushes the pile. He also uses an effective stiff arm. He lacks speed, and I want to see him be more involved in the passing game. He is an above average pass protector. He is a willing blocker who quickly recognizes his blitz assignments. However, he needs to work on his technique because he likes to go for the cut block or throw his shoulder in the way of the defender.
Senior LB Tavante Beckett (Marshall)
He had 16 total tackles in the win against Appalachian State. He is an undersized LB (5’10, 215 pounds) who covers a lot of ground on the field. He has outstanding sideline-to-sideline speed and good instincts. He is a reliable tackler in the open field. He changes directions well. He started his career at Virginia Tech where he had some off the field issues. He transferred to Marshall and became the leader of the defense last season. He led C-USA with 121 tackles in 2019. At the next level, he will have to make the switch to strong safety due to his lack of size. I am also convinced that he will become a special teams’ demon in the NFL.
Junior TE Hunter Long (Boston College)
The top three tight ends in the 2021 NFL Draft are Kyle Pitts from Florida, Pat Freiermuth from Penn State and Brevin Jordan from Miami, FL. Hunter Long is only a junior, but I expect him to lead that second tier of tight ends in next year’s draft. He is a tough, hard-nosed TE who is able to hold up well as a pass blocker. This year, Boston College will open up its offense and throw the ball more with a new offensive coordinator (Frank Cignetti Jr.) and a promising new QB (Phil Jurkovec). We saw glimpses of that when Long caught seven receptions for 93 yards and one TD against Duke. He showed good hands and terrific hand/eye coordination. He came up with a spectacular one-handed catch while the defender was holding him. In the fourth quarter, he made a diving downfield catch. He used his body effectively to shield the defenders away from the ball and make a couple of catches in traffic.
Junior S Paris Ford (Pittsburgh)
Paris Ford established himself as one of the top safeties in CFB last year. He led Pitt with 97 tackles, three INT’s, 11 PBU’s and three forced fumbles. With DT Jaylen Twyman opting out for the season, Ford is the top playmaker on this defense. Against Syracuse, he recorded four tackles. He came up with a TFL when he quickly blew up the bubble screen. In the second half, he read the RB screen and came up with a diving INT. He diagnoses plays quickly. He has very good speed. He is a physical player who likes to deliver the big hit.
