2024 NFL Draft Stock Report: Pop Tarts Bowl
We’re just doing quick hitters for this Pop Tarts Bowl when it comes to the 2024 NFL Draft Stock Report series. As soon as NC State linebacker Payton Wilson opted of the game it had a whole lot less juice. Plus, there was so much other stuff on that I wasn’t totally dialed into the game. Still, I’ll provide thoughts that you just may want to hear. Let’s get to the notes on Kansas State and NC State.
By the way, awesome trophy. I’m not sure anything measures up to the Mayo Bowl. This might be a close second. Just a thing of beauty that is. This is what Bowl season is all about.
Kansas State
Avery Johnson isn’t a real quarterback right now but you can tell he’s going to give them juice in the future. Not accurate at all right now. Couldn’t complete 60% if his life depended on it. Good little pistol on him. Incredible the kind of athletes playing quarterback in college now. More toolsy than a good player but K-State should be excited about him. Highest ceiling of the guys they’ve had in a while.
Should we discount DJ Giddens? Maybe not. K State has produced guys exactly like this in the past. Deuce Vaughn (too soon to say) and Darren Sproles. Giddens is another back in that mold. What are the odds he pans out? Did we learn anything to make a call?
28 carries for 151 yards and a score. Shot out of a cannon on his 37-yard touchdown reception too. Wouldn’t get crazy but maybe a late-round running back who can make a name for himself eventually.
Offensive line deserves credit, obviously. All five starters played. Zero opt outs on the line. That stuff matters in games like this. Cooper Beebe is the known commodity inside. We’ll see how he moves at the combine but looked solid in the game.
NC State
Brennan Armstrong is terrible. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. Congratulations on being able to run like Tommy DeVito. That’s about where the praise should end. I think we’re maybe underselling how down the ACC is right now. Everybody acted like Devin Leary was going to help Kentucky. Guy was terrible all year. Put up decent numbers in the ACC but I told you he sucked.
Here we are with Armstrong. Like DeVito, neither have the ability to complete a consistent pass in the drop back pass game. This is not someone you’re drafting. All he will ever be is a red headed meme like DeVito is with chicken cutlets. That’s best case. Finished the game 14/28 for 164 yards and a pick. Only damage he did was with his legs. Something that won’t happen at the next level.
I think the receiver stinks too. The media can brag him up all they want. It’s like a bad impression of Deebo Samuel. He wants to be Deebo but he’s terrible at all of the things that makes Deebo good. What did he really do in the game? Seven catches for 72 yards. Another 23 rushing yards on three carries.
He was kinda just there. 187. I know he’s just a freshman but there’s a million gadget guys that look like this. Is the hype warranted? Got a ways to go in order to get on the radar.
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