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It's back! College Football Season Is Here! It started last Saturday with a few games actually. The next few months are probably my favorite time of the year. I love to watch college football AND watch the Vikings. I can do both. For those of you that also like to watch both then you may like to check out some players that could be future Vikings.
In 2018, it is not quite clear what direction the team should go in the draft. Obviously the key decision will occur at QB. After that, I expect they may not be active at all in free agency with maybe one mid level signing and the rest minor. They have to decide if they want to try to extend Barr who will be on his 5th year option at 12.3 mil. They have to decide if they want to extend Hunter, Diggs, and Kendricks all of whom will be entering the final year of their contracts and they will not be able to franchise tag all 3 nor should they put themselves in that situation. They are likely to just pick up Waynes 5th year option and let him play for 4.1 mil in 2018.
This season is crucial for players to show their value for their next contracts. Some may garner a large deal and some may not. It is also key for other high paid players to prove their worthiness. Their could be some key departures due to contract size next off season. Players like Robison, Sendejo, Murray, Remmers, Boone, and possibly Rudolph & Reiff all could seriously be considered for release or be asked to restructure (take a pay cut) their contract.
I think that offensive tackle, quarterback, defensive tackle, and cornerback will be positions I watch a lot this year.
Here are some links to sites that have started to rank players. You can go to these sites to check on players.
http://walterfootball.com/draft2018QB.php
http://www.drafttek.com/2018-NFL-Draft-Prospect-Rankings/Top-QBs.asp
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=QB&draftyear=2018&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC
Here are some games this week that may be interesting.
The players listed are ones you might want to keep an eye on for next year's draft although some may stay in school and others are not shown.
Tulsa at #10 Oklahoma State Thursday, August 31 @ 7:30 PM
Kerwin Thomas CB Tulsa 5'10" 180
Jesse Brubaker DE Tulsa 6'3" 270
Nigel Carter DE Tulsa 6'3" 205
Brodrick Umblance DE Tulsa 6'0" 189
Jordan Mitchell S Tulsa 6'2" 195
Craig Suits S Tulsa 6'0" 223
Evan Plagg OT Tulsa 6'3" 295
Kolton Shindelar DT Tulsa 6'6" 280
Jeremy Smith DE Tulsa 6'5" 265
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Mason Rudolph QB Oklahoma State 6-4 230
James Washington WR Oklahoma State 6-0 205
Zachary Crabtree OT Oklahoma State 6-6 310
Tre Flowers SS Oklahoma State 6-2 198
Marcell Ateman WR Oklahoma State 6-3 215
Chad Whitener ILB Oklahoma State 6-0 248
North Dakota at Utah Thursday, August 31 @ 7:30 PM
Cole Reyes SS North Dakota 6-1 215
Deion Harris CB North Dakota 6-2 182 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lowell Lotulelei DT Utah 6-1 320
Filipo Mokofisi DT Utah 6-3 290
Darren Carrington II WR Utah 6-1 200
Kylie Fitts DE Utah 6-3 256
Chase Hansen SS Utah 6-2 220
#2 Ohio State at Indiana Thursday, August 31 @ 8:00 PM
Damon Webb SS Ohio State 5-11 195
Billy Price OG Ohio State 6-3 312
Dante Booker OLB Ohio State 6-2 240
Michael Hill DT Ohio State 6-2 305
Tyquan Lewis DE Ohio State 6-3 265
Jamarco Jones OT Ohio State 6-5 310
J.T. Barrett QB Ohio State 6-1 224
Marcus Baugh TE Ohio State 6-4 250
Chris Worley OLB Ohio State 6-2 225
Erick Smith SS Ohio State 6-0 202
Jalyn Holmes DE Ohio State 6-5 265
Jerome Baker OLB Ohio State 6-1 225
Sam Hubbard DE Ohio State 6-4 265
Denzel Ward CB Ohio State 5-10 191
Parris Campbell WR Ohio State 6-0 205
Brady Taylor OC Ohio State 6-5 300
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Richard Lagow QB Indiana 6-5 238
Tegray Scales ILB Indiana 6-0 230
Danny Friend TE Indiana 6-5 265
Rashard Fant CB Indiana 5-10 180
Simmie Cobbs Jr. WR Indiana 6-3 220
#8 Washington at Rutgers Friday, September 1 @ 8:00 PM
Azeem Victor ILB Washington 6-2 222
Dante Pettis WR Washington 6-0 192
Coleman Shelton OC Washington 6-4 293
Lavon Coleman RB Washington 5-11 228
Keishawn Bierria ILB Washington 6-1 225
Vita Vea DT Washington 6-4 344
Drew Sample TE Washington 6-4 260
Myles Gaskin RB Washington 5-09 191
Trey Adams OT Washington 6-7 320
Greg Gaines DT Washington 6-1 321
Jake Browning QB Washington 6-1 209
JoJo McIntosh SS Washington 6-0 209 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Janarion Grant WR Rutgers 5-09 176
Sebastian Joseph DT Rutgers 6-4 295
Utah State at #9 Wisconsin Saturday, September 2 @ 12:00 PM
Dallin Leavitt S Utah State 5'10" 205
Jaren Colston-Green WR Utah State 6'2" 185
Jalen Davis CB Utah State 5'10" 185
Ian Togiai DE Utah State 6'2" 285
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Troy Fumagalli TE Wisconsin 6-5 249
Jack Cichy ILB Wisconsin 6-1 233
Chikwe Obasih DE Wisconsin 6-2 270
Austin Ramesh FB Wisconsin 6-1 251
D’Cota Dixon SS Wisconsin 5-10 198
Derrick Tindal CB Wisconsin 5-11 176
Alec James DE Wisconsin 6-3 266
Beau Benzschawel OG Wisconsin 6-5 316
Michael Deiter OC Wisconsin 6-5 329
T.J. Edwards ILB Wisconsin 6-1 244
Maryland at #23 Texas Saturday, September 2 @ 12:00 PM
Damian Prince OG Maryland 6-3 315
Jesse Aniebonam DE Maryland 6-3 260
Jermaine Carter Jr. ILB Maryland 5-11 235
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Malik Jefferson ILB Texas 6-2 240
Connor Williams OT Texas 6-5 320
Armani Watts FS Texas AM 5-11 205
Wyoming at Iowa Saturday, September 2 @ 12:00 PM
Josh Allen QB Wyoming 6-4 233
Andrew Wingard FS Wyoming 5-11 209 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josey Jewell ILB Iowa 6-1 236
Akrum Wadley RB Iowa 5-10 191
Ike Boettger OT Iowa 6-5 307
Sean Welsh OC Iowa 6-3 290
Miles Taylor SS Iowa 6-0 205
Nathan Bazata DT Iowa 6-2 285
Boone Myers OG Iowa 6-5 305
Ben Niemann OLB Iowa 6-2 230
#11 Michigan at #17 Florida Saturday, September 2 @ 3:30 PM
Mason Cole OC Michigan 6-4 305
Khalid Hill FB Michigan 6-1 263
Maurice Hurst DT Michigan 6-2 282
Henry Poggi FB Michigan 6-3 257
Mike McCray OLB Michigan 6-3 248
Ty Isaac RB Michigan 6-2 230
John O’Korn QB Michigan 6-3 215
Wilton Speight QB Michigan 6-5 243
Grant Newsome OT Michigan 6-6 318
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Deandre Goolsby TE Florida 6-3 244
Duke Dawson CB Florida 5-11 208
Nick Washington FS Florida 6-0 197
Malik Zaire QB Florida 6-0 225
Martez Ivey OT Florida 6-5 305
Antonio Callaway WR Florida 5-11 197
Jordan Scarlett RB Florida 5-10 213
Western Michigan at #4 USC Saturday, September 2 @ 4:15 PM
Chukwuma Okorafor OT Western Michigan 6-5 330
Asantay Brown SS Western Michigan 5-11 210
Darius Phillips CB Western Michigan 5-10 191
Jarvion Franklin RB Western Michigan 5-11 228
Robert Spillane ILB Western Michigan 6-1 218
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Viane Talamaivao OG Southern California 6-2 315
Chris Hawkins FS Southern California 5-11 188
Toa Lobendahn OC Southern California 6-2 295
Steven Mitchell Jr WR Southern California 5-10 192
Uchenna Nwosu OLB Southern California 6-2 235
Cameron Smith ILB Southern California 6-1 245
Ronald Jones II RB Southern California 6-0 195
Porter Gustin OLB Southern California 6-4 260
Iman Marshall CB Southern California 6-0 200
Marvell Tell III FS Southern California 6-2 190
Rasheem Green DE Southern California 6-4 280
Deontay Burnett WR Southern California 5-11 170
#3 Florida State at #1 Alabama Saturday, September 2 @ 8:00 PM
Trey Marshall SS Florida State 6-0 207
Matthew Thomas OLB Florida State 6-2 227
Derrick Nnadi DT Florida State 6-0 312
Jacob Pugh DE Florida State 6-3 232
Nate Andrews SS Florida State 5-11 210
RoDerrick Hoskins ILB Florida State 6-2 245
Rick Leonard DE Florida State 6-6 287
Tarvarus McFadden CB Florida State 6-1 198
Derwin James FS Florida State 6-2 211
Josh Sweat DE Florida State 6-4 250
Ryan Izzo TE Florida State 6-4 245
Alec Eberle OC Florida State 6-3 294
Jacques Patrick RB Florida State 6-1 233
Brock Ruble OT Florida State 6-7 319 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DaShawn Hand DE Alabama 6-4 288
Anthony Averett CB Alabama 6-0 185
Shaun Dion Hamilton ILB Alabama 6-0 235
Tony Brown CB Alabama 6-0 198
Robert Foster WR Alabama 6-1 196
Bradley Bozeman OC Alabama 6-5 314
Rashaan Evans ILB Alabama 6-2 232
Hootie Jones SS Alabama 6-1 215
Joshua Frazier DT Alabama 6-3 318
Calvin Ridley WR Alabama 6-1 190
Ronnie Harrison SS Alabama 6-2 214
Minkah Fitzpatrick FS Alabama 6-0 201
Ross Pierschbacher OG Alabama 6-3 304
Christian Miller OLB Alabama 6-3 240
DaRon Payne DT Alabama 6-2 308
Bo Scarbrough RB Alabama 6-1 232
Damien Harris RB Alabama 5-10 216
Lester Cotton OG Alabama 6-3 324
#22 West Virginia at #21 Virginia Tech Sunday, September 3 @ 7:30 PM
Ka'Raun White WR West Virginia 6'1" 197
Mike Daniels Jr. CB West Virginia 5'11" 204
Xavier Preston LB West Virginia 6'2" 238
Elijah Battle CB West Virginia 5'11" 189
Elijah Wellman TE West Virginia 6'1" 241
Grant Lingafelter OG West Virginia 6'6" 306
Kyzir White SS West Virginia 6-3 215
Justin Crawford RB West Virginia 5-10 198
Kyle Bosch OG West Virginia 6-5 305
Dravon Askew-Henry FS West Virginia 5-11 198
Al-Rasheed Benton ILB West Virginia 6-1 235
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Brandon Facyson CB Virginia Tech 6-1 197
Wyatt Teller OG Virginia Tech 6-5 304
Andrew Motuapuaka ILB Virginia Tech 5-11 235
Greg Stroman CB Virginia Tech 6-0 180
Tremaine Edmunds OLB Virginia Tech 6-4 236
Terrell Edmunds SS Virginia Tech 6-1 210
Texas A&M at UCLA Sunday, September 3 @ 7:30 PM
Armani Watts FS Texas A&M 5-11 205
Qualen Cunningham DE Texas A&M 6-3 240
Zaycoven Henderson DT Texas A&M 6-1 305
Priest Willis CB Texas A&M 6-1 200
Christian Kirk WR Texas A&M 5-11 200
Otaro Alaka ILB Texas A&M 6-2 240
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Scott Quessenberry OC UCLA 6-3 315
Kenny Young ILB UCLA 6-1 235
Jaleel Wadood FS UCLA 5-10 175
Eldridge Massington WR UCLA 6-2 210
Josh Rosen QB UCLA 6-3 220
#25 Tennessee at Georgia Tech Monday, September 4 @ 8:00 PM
Todd Kelly Jr. SS Tennessee 5-11 208
Ethan Wolf TE Tennessee 6-5 245
Brett Kendrick OT Tennessee 6-5 318
Coleman Thomas OC Tennessee 6-5 301
Shaq Wiggins CB Tennessee 5-09 172
Evan Berry SS Tennessee 5-11 207
Jashon Robertson OG Tennessee 6-3 305
Kendal Vickers DT Tennessee 6-3 295
Justin Martin CB Tennessee 6-1 183
Darrin Kirkland Jr. ILB Tennessee 6-1 230 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KeShun Freeman OLB Georgia Tech 6-2 250
Feel free to give a shout out to other games your going to watch and list any other players you like.
I am going to a mock because it is just what I do.
R1: Minkah Fitzpatrick CB Alabama 6'2" 216
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R2: Da'Ron Payne DT Alabama 6'2" 319
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R3: Billy Price OG Ohio State 6'3" 315
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R5: Peter Kalambayi OLB Stanford 6'2" 245
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R6: Allen Lazard WR Iowa State 6'5" 223
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R6: Jamar Summers S Connecticut 6'0" 185
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R6: Dallas Goedert TE South Dakota State 6'4" 250
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R7: J.T. Barrett QB Ohio State 6'1" 225
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Here is another one just for the heck of it.
R1: Saquon Barkley RB Penn State 5'11" 223
R2: Jordan Thomas CB Oklahoma 6'0" 192
R3: Da'Shawn Hand DT Alabama 6'4" 280
R5: Trey Marshall S Florida State 6'1" 204
R6: Mitch Hyatt OT Clemson 6'5" 295
R6: Ebenezer Ogundeko DE Tennessee State 6'2" 255
R6: Dallas Goedert TE South Dakota State 6'4" 250
R7: J.T. Barrett QB Ohio State 6'1" 225
I like this second one better.
Well there you have it. Enjoy the first week of college football!