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Week 0 Things to watch College football scouting 

Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers has the ability to be a top running back in the 2022 NFL Draft. He will look to have a huge season this year.
Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers has the ability to be a top running back in the 2022 NFL Draft. He will look to have a huge season this year.

By: Antoine Tshiyombo

Nebraska head to Champaign, Illinois to take on the fighting Illini at 10:00 AM pacific time. Cam Taylor-Britt CB out of Nebraska who is a big strong physical Corner takes on Brian Hightower a former Miami hurricane that transferred into Illinois last summer he is also a big WR and we should get a hands-on football game on the outside.

Long time Veteran Ben Stille of Nebraska brings his 14 career sacks to take on a suspect Illinois offense if he is to go from sleeper to prospect he needs to have a big game to start his campaign. 

At 11:00 am Pacific Time Connecticut Huskies Takes on the Fresno Bulldogs a game where I will be watching Ryan Van-Demark as Connecticut returns from a canceled season in 2020 and he has the body and pedigree to raise some eye browns starting this game. While on the other side you have to watch Fresno State 5”9 195 pound electric RB Ronnie Rivers who is trying to get back to his 2019 form Rivers had 39.7 percent of his runs in 2019 went for 15 yards or more and is a threat to take the distance at any point in this game with outstanding contact balance so you gotta wrap up if you’re the huskies. Even if you stop him running you still have great receiving ability to worry about. 

At 12:30 pm we have The Hawaii Rainbow Warrior heading to Pasadena California To play Senior QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the UCLA bruins. several guys to watch on the UCLA side of this match-up. Including my 51st rated Prospect in Sean Rhyan at left tackle who did give up a single sack last year at LT and has quick hands. While WR Kyle Philips will be a big shareholder in the passing game for Thompson Robinson and is currently 27th all-time in receptions in school history he is scheduled to graduate this year as a redshirt freshman. There are not a lot of NFL worthy prospects for the Rainbow warriors coming in but if there is a guy who might catch your eye it might Senior WR Jared Smart who is a slot WR exclusive out of Laney College has only 2 years of FBS experience but already has 123 Receptions he is a long shot to become an all-star but he is the best legit prospect for Hawaii.

Someone Who will be looking to keep the ball away from Jared Smart is Senior Saftey Quentin Lake for UCLA who had 149 snaps in the slot with 3 career interceptions. Lake is so smooth as a Saftey and I could see him starting his campaign to be a top 100 player in the class.

At 3:00 pm Eastern Illinois Panthers at Indiana State SycamoresJ.J Henderson CB out of Indiana State is a good return man and spent 4 years balling at Stentson making All PFL. Now he wants to make his mark before taking his talent possibly to the next level. Eastern Illinois brought in transfer Edge Justin Growelwho been getting buzz but needs to put things on tape and The sycamores is the perfect chance to do that. 

At 4:00 pm Alcorn State takes on North Carolina Central where 2019 SWAC championship MVP looks to show out after no season for The Braves allowing only 84.8 QB rating when targeting in 2019. Unfortunately, this seems to be the only prospect I seem to find in this game. North Carolina Central is however a 14+ favor in this game and should be a week 0 drive-by watch. 

At 6:30 pm Texas El Paso Miners take on the New Mexico State Aggies. Eli Johnson is the guy to watch not just because this former Ole Miss Rebels Center has one of the best Beards I have ever seen he hasn’t played football since 2019 where he started all 12 games. I want to see what Johnson an SEC player does vs a rebuild UTEP defensive line no excuse for him to not dominate. Justin Garrett isn’t a house hold name even Conference USA circles as his jr. teammate Jacob Cowing was more productive but don’t expect him in this draft cycle. 

At 7:30 pm Southern Utah Thunderbird take on San Jose Spartans and Former SEC QB Nick Starkel. Starkel is clearly the most notable name in this matchup Starkel has been through a journey with a rollercoaster of a career. The question Is how much does that get eyes your way. But he might not be the best prospect from the Spartans team in this Game Cade Hall is a legit candidate for Conference player of the year as an Edge Rusher at 6”2 260 had 12 sacks and 36 pressures last year and will look to be getting after the Thunderbirds. There are not a lot of high-rated prospects but I really want to see the 6”7 Braxton Jones who could get his name known to take on Cade Hall and see if Jones’ size and length give Hall trouble when they go up against each other.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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