The college football offseason is a drag, but it is a great time to discuss all kinds of topics around the sport. This spring and summer, the cast of writers here at The Student Section will discuss what’s going to happen on the gridiron this fall. Wednesday, we discussed whom we would pick first in the 2017 NFL Draft. Today, we stay on the topic of the NFL Draft by discussing which player will increase his draft stock the most this season…
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Question: Which player will help his 2017 NFL Draft stock the most in 2017?
Kevin Causey: On Twitter @CFBZ
There is a huge premium on quarterbacks in the NFL. The 2017 NFL Draft class has a lot of quarterbacks that need to prove themselves. This means there is a great chance that a story similar to Carson Wentz will emerge again this season.
Looking at the FCS QB ranks, one QB that stands out as an NFL scout’s dream. That’s Montana’s Brady Gustafson. He’s 6’6″, and that sound you hear is NFL scouts drooling. However, Gustafson is far from a done deal. He has to prove himself this season by staying healthy.
On August 29, 2015, Gustafson went head-to-head with Wentz. Montana topped North Dakota State, 38-35, with Gustafson throwing for 434 yards and 3 TDs. More performances like that will shoot Gustafson up many draft boards.
Phil Harrison: On Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFB
While it would be easy to go with a guy like Deshaun Watson of Clemson, or any other player high up on the crystal ball of everything 2017, those players can only hurt their stock in the upcoming draft by pulling an Axl Rose and failing to show for the concert that will be next year’s college football season. Instead, it makes more sense to look for a guy that has all the tools in the world, but is coming off a rather unassuming, if not underwhelming, season. That guy for me would be a quarterback for an Urban Meyer-led football team that wears the colors scarlet and gray.
Coming off perhaps the most publicized quarterback race of all time, J.T. Barrett was thought to be the leader in the clubhouse for another national title run in 2015. All he did before breaking his leg in the season finale versus Michigan in 2014 was re-write Ohio State and Big Ten passing records, and finish in the top five of the Heisman voting.
But … we all know how last year played out, and it didn’t quite follow the script of a blockbuster sequel.
Fortunately, all was not lost. Once Barrett did shake off the rust and perhaps some physical and psychological scars of a comeback from injury, he began to hit his stride. The Michigan State game was a dumpster fire, and operating a motor vehicle with a beer in his hand didn’t help things, but from the Michigan game on, Barrett looked more like the version of the 2014 Jack-In-The-Box quarterback that surprised everyone by so impressively replacing the human spin-cycle, Braxton Miller.
Fast forward to this year, and No. 16 is the undeniable starter under center. There are no injury concerns, no chances of being consumed by others trying to take his spot, and no second guessing by his head coach. If Barrett can show the accuracy and leadership he displayed in 2014 and at the end of last year, and then raise the ante by winning games with what many consider to be lesser talent and experience around him on offense, you can bet he’ll skyrocket up the draft boards once the book is closed on the 2016-’17 college football season.
Terry Johnson: On Twitter @SectionTPJ
The player who will raise his draft stock the most is Georgia’s Nick Chubb.
While everyone in the media gushed over Leonard Fournette, Chubb quietly emerged as the most consistent running back in the country. Since assuming the starting role midway through the 2014 campaign, Chubb has been virtually unstoppable, rushing for 2,066 yards (7.4 ypc) and 19 touchdowns. During that span, he’s eclipsed the 100-yard barrier in every game, including a 20-carry, 146-yard effort against a stout Alabama front seven that led the nation in rushing defense last season.
Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury against Tennessee, which might make some franchises nervous. Given the number of quality running backs in the draft this season (e.g. Fournette, Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffery), Chubb will have to prove to everyone that he’s completely healthy if he’s going to be a first-round pick.
Regardless of whether the Dawgs turn to Jacob Eason to open up the offense (as I think they should) or play some version of Vince Dooley’s “three yards and a cloud of dust scheme,” I expect Chubb to prove to NFL scouts that he’s one of – if not the – top backs in the draft. He’s already shown that he’s the most consistent rusher in the country by going over the century mark against every opponent he’s faced.
Other running backs at the top of the draft board can’t say that.
Joe Dexter: On Twitter @BuckeyeRadio
Is it odd to believe that the most talented player in college football could also improve his draft stock during the upcoming season?
Deshaun Watson has shown the intangibles to be great at the next level. The touch on his passes downfield is unmatched. His accuracy is something professional coaches dream about. His toughness as a leader plays a major role in making the Clemson program one of the best in college football.
Yet, he heads into 2016 after an unbelievable performance in the CFP national championship game with some things to prove to scouts.
Despite playing in just 23 games, Watson has already shown he has what it takes to play at the next level. He can make plays in big games. His ability as a dual-threat and spread quarterback has never been in question.
Can he make the transition, though, that many others haven’t from that offense? With weapons like Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, we will soon find out.
For Watson, this year has to be about improving play progression, fine tuning the little things, and completely blowing the top off defenses that don’t belong on the same field.
If he does those things, he will improve his draft stock drastically, even though he’s already considered one of the best players in college football.
