Let’s see if we can spot any hidden gems
Good morning New York Giants fans! Happy Saturday and welcome to Week 6 of the 2024 college football season.
Last week we saw a heavyweight match-up between Alabama and Georgia that was looking like it was going to be an absolute rout by Alabama — at least until Georgia came from behind to make things incredibly interesting to say the least.
This week, I want to keep our focus on bigger schools, but schools with prospects who could be flying under the radar. Giants GM Joe Schoen has a habit of spending mid-round picks on players who are just off the national radar. Players like Dru Phillips and Micah McFadden weren’t high on draft boards, but have traits to fit well with what the Giants need from them.
Let’s take a look at a few games — and players — who could catch the Giants’ eye this time around.
(24) Texas A&M vs. (11) Missouri
ABC – noon
We get a battle between ranked teams in the SEC to start our day today.
As with almost any game featuring Mizzou, wide receiver Luther Burden III will likely be the main draw. He’s generally considered to be one of the top two or three receivers in what’s shaping up to be another stacked receiver class. He’s less of a classic X or Flanker, and much more in the mold of Deebo Samuel as a quick, powerful, run-after-catch nightmare for defenses.
Quarterback Brady Cook has earned some looks as well and is generally considered a developmental prospect. He doesn’t have elite physical traits, but is solid in most facets and flashes as a passer. It’s also noteworthy that Joe Schoen has already personally attended a Missouri game.
Players to watch
- Connor Weigman (QB) – Questionable
- Moose Muhammed III (WR)
- Nic Scourton (EDGE)
- Shemar Turner (DL)
- Shemar Stewart (DL)
Missouri
- Brady Cook (QB)
- Luthor Burden III (WR)
- Armand Membou (OT)
- Marcus Bryant (OT)
- Toriano Price (CB)
(3) Ohio State vs. Iowa
CBS – 3:30 p.m.
We’ve talked about OSU before, and I’m not going to spend much time on them in this piece: They’re good and stacked with future NFL players. The Buckeyes have players at almost every position who will be drafted highly and the best way to scout them right now is to just enjoy the game and take note of anyone who jumps off the screen. There’s plenty of time to go back and watch them again later.
Instead, I want to take the time to talk about Iowa. The Hawkeyes could be a sneaky team to watch for the Giants in the middle and later rounds of the draft. Looking ahead, safeties Sabastian Castro and Xavier Nwankpa, linebacker Jay Higgins, and tight end Luke Lachey could all catch the Giants’ eye in the mid rounds.
Lachey is definitely a player to watch for the Giants. He caught scouts’ eyes in 2022 and had high expectations in 2023, only to have his season ended after 10 catches due to a nasty leg injury. He’s a big (6-foot-6, 255-pound) tight end with smooth athleticism, upside as a receiver, and the kind of blocking ability you expect from an Iowa tight end.
Jay Higgins is an intriguing option as well. He’s a smart, aggressive, tough, and high productive off-ball linebacker who can play in space as well as downhill. The Giants have one of the better linebacking duos in the NFL with Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden. However, both ‘backers will be entering the final year of their contracts in 2025, which could put linebacker as an under-the-radar need for the Giants.
Castro is a versatile nickel defender who can play safety or cornerback. He profiles similarly to Dru Phillips, but that could increase his appeal to the Giants. Phillips’ versatility, quick trigger, and aggressive, physical play have made him a bright spot on the Giants’ season, and the team might be willing to double down on that skill set. Nwankpa, conversely, is more of a developmental player at this time. However, he has the size and range to play both free and box safety.
Florida State vs. (17) Clemson
ESPN – 7 p.m.
We finish up tonight in the ACC and a battle between programs that are in lulls, at least in the standings. That said, both Clemson and FSU are able to attract NFL talent and we should keep an eye on their rosters, even if the teams themselves aren’t where they want to be.
On the Florida State side of things, we definitely should be watching the edge duo of Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr.
Payton has prototypical size at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds and also has the kind of athleticism that makes scouts stand up and take notice. He was the ACC Defensive Rookie Of the Year in 2022 and has the tools and experience to play a variety of roles at the NFL level. Jones Jr. has similar size at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, and is another athletic and fluid defender. He transferred from Georgia following the 2023 season, where he played a very diverse role in Kirby Smart’s defense that was somewhat similar to how Leonard Floyd or Lorenzo Carter were used.
On the Clemson side of things, Giants fans will definitely want to keep an eye on right tackle Blake Miller. Miller has started every game and played every snap since arriving at Clemson and is one of the best offensive tackles in the country. He has solid size at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds and plays with a definite mean streak. Miller is a former wrestler and has enough athleticism to counteract his size, and gives him the versatility to play in schemes that emphasize power or athleticism in linemen.
Defensively, linebacker Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter is one of the best in the nation, and could be a Day 2 option for the Giants if they want to prepare for Okereke or McFadden’s departure.
Players to watch
Florida State
- Patrick Payton (EDGE)
- Marvin Jones Jr (EDGE)
- Joshua Farmer (DL)
- DJ Lundy (LB)
- Fentrell Cypress (CB)
Clemson
- Cade Klubnik (QB)
- Blake Miller (OT)
- Jake Briningstool (TE)
- Phil Mafah (RB)
- Barrett Carter (LB)
- DeMonte Capeheart (DL)
