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What a week it was in the college football world. We have a lot to talk about in terms of the 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report notes for Week 6… but I think context is important. This week, I think it’s important to set the stage about what really happened.
You can basically call Week 6 rat poison week. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, this pretty much sums it up.
We have to understand what we’re watching. These are college kids. You’re going to get more rollercoaster performances. You have to tier things in your mind to comprehend what you’re actually seeing. You can’t overreact to everything you see. A lot of upsets happened because of the rat poison effect.
It was minefield city this week.
Wait…
This just in. I’m getting a live look at the CFB contenders avoiding the minefields. Unfortunately, most got blown up along the way.
The slate for Week 6 includes Michigan State vs. Oregon, Syracuse vs. UNLV, Missouri vs. Texas A&M, Iowa vs. Ohio State, Ole Miss vs. South Carolina, Tennessee vs. Arkansas, and Miami vs. Cal. We will also do some quick hitters at the end from games that I flipped back and forth on. The slate is shorter this week because I did watch UFC and playoff baseball this past Saturday.
Oh, and before I begin. You may be wondering, Trey, I read this every week, but why should I trust you? Did anybody watch Zack Wheeler?
Trey is the person responsible for signing him with the Phillies. He wouldn’t be with the Phillies if I worked for another team during that time. He’s turned into one of, if not the greatest free agent starting pitching contract ever. My eyes work and you’ve come to the right place in terms of scouting.
It’s a matter of if you’re willing to put your ego and pride to the side. I do every Saturday. Remember… College Football IS the information process. We do these notes so that we can learn together so we know what to expect when these players make their way to the NFL. Those who do not understand the Saturday game can never truly comprehend the Sunday game.
Feel free to comment. I’m open to the feedback as always. Without further ado, let’s get to the notes!
Michigan State
Not sure what there is to say here. It’s Jonathan Smith’s first year on the job. Just not a ton to be excited about here. Malik Spencer and Charles Brantley might be a late round guy in the secondary. Other than that, this entire team is essentially on 2026 NFL Draft watch.
Oregon
Screw the score. That was a terrible Dillon Gabriel game. Thank god Oregon had no problems running the ball because they totally hid him when the game started to heat up. Two horrible picks in the red zone. The second one was the most concerning. Just not sure there is enough arm talent here. Josh Allen rips this ball in here for a score. Don’t see a ton of gas on the fastball. Has fast legs and can move but he just looks more and more like a backup.
This throw ^^^ I just don’t know how it doesn’t bother you. It just shows the limitations. Has quickness in the lower half but he’s small and the arm is just okay. Finished the game 20/32 for 257 yards, two scores, and two picks. I thought Oregon honestly did a great job managing him because if he actually had to carry the team in this one, it would have been ugly.
Jordan James is a damn stud. He went off in this one and he’s going to run faster than Bucky Irving. Speaking or Irving, he’s already looked good at the NFL level. James got rotational work last year but now he’s the guy. He might be better than Bucky too. Has the same contact balance but he’s faster. 24 carries for 166 yards and a score in this one.
Josh Conerly looks good. Passes the eyeball test just moving around in space. That guy can play. The offensive line looks way more settled in compared to the early part of the year. The Ducks seem to have found their group.
The tight end Terrance Ferguson looks like something too. Two big grabs in this one for 82 total yards. The tight end position as a whole is just such a wasteland. A guy that can move like this in space is just worth monitoring.
Tez Johnson had a nice game too. Ten catches for 84 yards and a score. Evan Stewart got a receiving touchdown as well.
Jordan Burch is something. Long, strong, moves great. Just looks like an athlete that can translate to the next level. Former five star guy who originally was at South Carolina but never put it together. He flashed in this one. 6-foot-6, 295, and just enormous/long for a DE. 2.5 sacks and 2.5 TFLs in this one. Looks mature and finally starting to put it together.
Liked what I saw from Jabbar Muhammed too. Was at Washington last year and Oklahoma State before that. 5-foot-10 but that guy battles and didn’t see a ton of big plays completed on his side of the field. He’s going to be a middle round draft pick at corner.
Syracuse
Kyle McCord can play. That’s the tweet. He had a few bonehead throws mixed in there that should have been picked. Still deserves credit for this win because he carried the damn team on his back. The guy threw the ball 63 times, so yeah, there is going to be some mistakes mixed in there when you ask the guy to throw it all over the lot. Three touchdowns and a pick but overcame a lot. Syracuse had two botched punts in the game and McCord still delivered 44 points in the OT win. Only Cam Ward has more passing yards than him in the ACC.
I’m not going to get carried away. I’ll just continue to warn you that if you view McCord as some Ohio State cast off that has no talent, that’s probably wrong. In fact, he’s probably better than the QB the Buckeyes have right now. It’s not just a probably either. Ohio State got a QB downgrade with Will Howard.
UNLV
Jalon Catalon was a player I LOVED at Arkansas. Then he got lost at Texas and I really thought it was the end of him. He looked terrible at Texas. Well, the guy looks healthy now and he was all over the place. 17 tackles in this one. Making key plays on the ball. More importantly, just looks like himself again. He’s firmly back on the radar and should be drafted if he keeps this up. More than drafted. Probably a third rounder with talent to start.
Remember when I said I wasn’t impressed with Ricky White? Well, he did this on special teams and hauled in ten receptions for 135 yards and a score. I appreciate his rebound effort. Doesn’t look slow. Just not sure how much of a real receiver he is yet. Glad to see that he’s making plays again.
Missouri
I won’t lie, this game got turned off pretty soon after half time. Mizzou got killed 41-10 in a game that was never close. In fairness, we should have seen this coming considering that Boston College and Vandy had them beat.
Luther Burden put up some stats but mostly in garbage time. Honestly, I think the only thing we can really take away from this game is that Brady Cook blows. 13/31 in this one. He can’t play and has totally regressed from last year. If Cook was a sleeper QB for you, cross him off the list. He can join Payton Throne in the fire into the sun for being worthless group.
Texas A&M
Good to see Connor Weigman get back on track. The Notre Dame game was so bad that it was hard to not be concerned. It didn’t take a heroic effort to win this one but Weigman was efficient going 18/22 in his first start back from injury. Based on how the early season went, we’ll take it. Needs to go back to school next year regardless of what happens the rest of the way. No reason to rush him based on where he’s at in the development track.
Le’Veon Moss totally took over. Was good to see because I was clamoring for more EJ Smith playing time (which should probably still happen but Moss proved he’s the guy there and shut me up). 12 carries for 138 yards and three scores. It was long run after long run, which is good to see from a 6-foot, 215 back who isn’t small. It was the best game of his career and is starting to establish himself as a real name. That’s all good news.
Nic Scourton is starting to really heat up. He’s getting better and better and just looks different. Early in the season I was in but remained skeptical. He’s heating up and turning into monster mode. He’s just different and even good players don’t make plays like this. Tilts the field and wrecks the game. Everything you could ask for in this one with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 TFLs.
Iowa
I don’t know why I even bother watching this team. They’re a total snoozefest every single time I watch them. I genuinely like good defense Big 10 football but their act is tired and lame. Cade McNamara blows but he’s been off the radar for a long time. Let me just get to the important part because I can’t imagine even rooting for this stale program.
Nice day for Kaleb Johnson rushing for 15 carries and 86 yards with a touchdown. Impressive against this front considering the run game was the focal point to shut down. He’s a big back that can break tackles. Doesn’t look slow either. The size is impressive but I think we’ll hold off true judgement until we see him test at the Combine. Doesn’t have to declare either. Less slippery than a Tyler Goodson but don’t think he’s untalented.
Luke Lachey is the next Iowa tight end. Five receptions for 39 yards in this one. Not ready to declare anything here yet. Just think at this point we can’t ignore the tight ends this program produces and this is the next one. We’ll see.
Jay Higgins had a great game. Linebacker who forced the Jeremiah Smith fumble. 14 tackles, one sack, and one TFL in this one. Quinshon Judkins did smurf him on one run but otherwise looked the part. Certainly has the best chance to make an NFL impact from this defense.
Ohio State
Caleb Downs is the best player on that team but he’s a 2026 conversation. If he’s not the best player, then Jeremiah Smith is and he’s a 2027 conversation. Hard to not talk about both of them.
I’m just not sure what we really learned here. 35-7 beatdown and the talent Ohio State has showed up. This was a walk-in-the-park game for them. I’ll just list out a few things that stood out to me but just think it should be noted that nothing really changed after this game.
Ohio State has the best one-two punch at running back in the country and it’s not close. 13 for 78 for Judkins and 11 for 61 for Henderson. Both are NFL players and good ones.
Three touchdown grabs for Emeka Egbuka. Seems to be healthy this year compared to last year when he was dealing with the ankle. On the scale of Ohio State receivers, he most resembles JSN. Smaller and should be a factor out of the slot. He’s just never going to be a number one air craft guy for anyone. It is what it is but he can clearly play.
Jack Sawyer is more than just a sidekick. He could be the better version of Sam Hubbard. Had 1.5 sacks and 1.5 TFLs in this one. Starting to make his own set of plays. Not quite Aidan Hutchinson good but he’s improving.
Not sure how anyone can like what they see from Will Howard. I don’t care what the stats say. Chickster could have beat Iowa as the starting QB for Ohio State. Throw the stats away. He looks like a bad impression of Will Levis. Less arm power, not as big of a knucklehead, but a wildcat quarterback who greatly benefits from the environment. That’s not an NFL player. Not a backup either. It’s clearly the biggest concern for the team as the season progresses. Totally mediocre and have no idea what he does well.
Ole Miss
Another boat race game. This one was never close and honestly, I had MLB playoffs on more than this one. We’re going to race through this game here.
Again, just not sure how anyone loves Jaxson Dart. Just isn’t good enough as a pure passer. You can see he’s a version of those past USC quarterbacks with more mobility. When I say past USC quarterbacks, I mean castoffs like Kedon Slovis. Draftable but no way this is a franchise guy.
Decent day for Henry Parish Jr. 21 carries for 81 yards and a score. Should be on the radar as a late round guy.
Ole Miss really wanted to get JJ Pegues in the end zone and they succeeded… more than once.
Tre Harris looked good again but Antwane Wells finally came to life. Was this just a revenge game against his old team or will Wells finally prove he’s a guy and past all the past injuries?
Some of the defenders on this team are starting to emerge. It’s not just transfer Walter Nolen. Jared Ivey had two sacks in this one. I’ve been impressed with Trey Amos too. Starting to look like a complete corner. Has done a nice job being thrust into a starting role after being a situational guy at Bama. Previously was with the Ragin Cajuns. Has proved he’s SEC caliber.
South Carolina
Couldn’t run the ball and once that happened, it was over. Rocket Sanders couldn’t get going. Unfortunately, I don’t control the sticks with LaNorris Sellers and he’s not advanced enough yet to win a game like this from behind.
Robby Ashford should be sent home and continues to be worthless. Not sure why he’s even out there and his fumble was so brutal.
Tennessee
Good taste of reality for Tennessee. Emotional win for Josh Heupal last game beating the team he played for as a player. Nico the floor is lava has unlimited potential but isn’t quite there as a passer. He wins this game with more game reps. Will be scary eventually but needs to keep progressing in that area. Again, a 2026 or 27 conversation.
The Vols have some crazy WR talent. Just didn’t get to totally see it in this one. Squirrel White had seven grabs in this one but didn’t make any real splash plays and got hurt.
Dylan Sampson > Jaylen Wright. Maybe he’s not as fast but he’s just a way more complete running back. 22 carries for 138 yards and two scores. Every game it seems like he finds a way to churn out huge runs. Has really nice cuts and vision too. He was the offense for Tennessee.
This front did a great job stopping the run. They only gave up 19 points including the free touchdown they let them have to try to get the ball back. Most of the time, that’s more than enough but the road environment and lack of offense killed them.
Arkansas
Landon Jackson and Xavien Sorey had good games. Few splash plays but nothing jarring enough to dive into further. Both are NFL guys.
Taylen Green got hurt late in the game. He stinks anyway. The backup did enough to engineer the game winning scoring drive. Honestly, I think Ja’Quindon Jackson is the one who deserves the shoutout. Screw the stats (20 carries for 57 yards and a score). That guy is a total hammer. For a converted QB, he doesn’t run like it. Short yardage? I trust Jackson. Hammer time. Need that type of back, got no problem adding him to the roster.
Little Satenga is interesting too. Wiggler with slot upside? Could be something.
Miami
All these top teams got upset. Miami was the one team who survived. Cam Ward. What else can you say?
The pick 6 was brutal. No question about that. With that said, think it’s worth noting that this game was tougher than it seems. Night game on the road at Cal with a huge travel across the country. It’s not the first time he’s done this too with the across the field cheese throw. I just think he can be coached out this. How hard of a fix is it to say to the guy – “hey, I know you’re stupid talented, but enough with the across the field throws. Just get rid of it”. Maybe that’s easier said than done but I think it’s a product of going hero mode and most of the time it works.
Down early and this MFer does what he always does. Strike after strike to get you back into it. Another 400+ passing yard day (35/53 for 437 yards, two scores, and a pick). Added another score with his legs. He scored 28 points in the final 20 minutes of the game to lead the comeback. It’s one thing to put up numbers. It’s another to lead your team back when the defense knows you’re throwing.
It was more of the same that we’ve seen with Ward but did it with no margin for error late. Poised, makes big throws, teammates feel confident and it exudes with him under center. Arm is a plus. So good at the arm angles and improvising.
If the draft were tomorrow and I needed a QB, I would turn the card in for Ward. It should be noted this isn’t really a new development for me. He’s clearly established himself more but we saw all the flashes last year when he was at Washington State. I said he was better than Michael Penix a year ago.
Xavier Restrepo is the best and most reliable weapon on that team. That’s clear by now.
Damien Martinez is a stock down. Had 51 yards in the passing game, which is a huge positive. He’s just not taking a strangle hold of this backfield. Mark Fletcher out rushed him and I’m not sure he’s the third or fourth best back there. Good hammer but how much juice does he really have? Maybe my expectations are out of wack because I expected more. It was just more meh. 12 carries for 42 yards and a score. Meh. Meh. Uh?
Isaiah Horton is pretty good too. Sammy Brown… I can live without.
Cal
Really just here for Jaydn Ott. A running back sleeper who just isn’t performing. A nothing burger of seven carries for two yards and a score. Did pick up 75 yards in the passing game but I’m just not sure how I’m supposed to view this positively. I need way more for a back who was supposed to be a nice mix of Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett. I’m not sure he’s better than either the way things are going.
Quick Hitters:
Kaytron Allen got the full workload against UCLA with Nick Singleton out. 21 carries for 78 yards and a score. Got about what I expected. Will say it again. Penn State has two NFL backs. Not just one.
Drew Allar is the new Godfather 3 meme. He leaves you wanting more but I’d be scared to totally discount him. Would also be scared to totally jump in on the fan club too.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith with seven grabs for 95 yards against Georgia with putrid Payton Throne throwing him the ball. That Penn State mold Jahan Dotson is what you’re looking at. Just not sure if he’s better yet.
Jarquez Hunter 13 carries for 91 yards and a score against Georgia. He really looks similar to Tank Bigsby, who by the way is starting to turn it on at the NFL level. Breaks tackles and has good hands. Hunter is an NFL back too.
Carson Beck rebounded nicely. Auburn stinks but you got more of those NFL throws with less of the panic plays from Beck. Nice to see.
Trevor Etienne with two rushing touchdowns. Still prefer him over the older brother. Bigger with the same wiggle.
Kevin Jennings at SMU has real talent. Wish he was taller but he’s a threat with the legs. Carved up Louisville and it was impressive. It’s Jennings > Shough > Riley Leonard. The tight end RJ Maryland had 83 yards in this one. No idea if he can hold up as a blocker yet but his receiving talent is obvious.
Ja’Corey Brooks, the Bama transfer, finally looks like a Bama player. Made some huge splash plays in this one. Three catches for 121 yards and two scores. Has some size to him. Just glad to see he can move and convert on some of these plays. Been something I’ve been waiting for.
I tried to tell you to pump the brakes on Miller Moss. After losing to Minnesota and looking terrible, will you listen now? I don’t hate the guy but let’s calm down and recognize Lincoln Riley does a lot of the heavy lifting.
Rat Poison…
It’s hard to win from behind. Jalen Milroe did a good job battling back. The defense didn’t hold up well. What would it look like without the 17-year-old demon out there? Milroe has certainly improved but how much of it is real beyond the DeBoer oozing effect? That part I still don’t know.
Jam Miller looked decent but only had five carries soooo?
Germie Bernard is good.
Credit to Diego Pavia for being a baller. Get him on a preseason roster and let him fight for a back up job.
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