National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Week 2 Prospect Stock Report

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:52 p.m. ET

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Sep 10, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Kalen Ballage (7) crosses the goal line to score a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Before a full slate of NFL games kicked off on Sunday, college football wrapped up its second week of action. After a slew of upsets shook up the polls following opening week, Week two featured less surprises and more of the nation’s top teams, and NFL Draft prospects, taking care of business.

Ranked teams finished strong, as 21 of the 23 came out on top. Only Big 12 schools TCU and Oklahoma State stumbled. While the top programs may have had success, that doesn’t mean the prospects from those schools performed well.

The traditional powerhouses weren’t the only schools to have prospects deliver stock-enhancing performances either. Included in these lists are multiple players from Group of Five conferences. While they don’t receive the hype many Power Five prospects do, there were a few who took advantage of their moment in the spotlight.

Sep 19, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush (10) warms up prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse won 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Offense

Cooper Rush (QB – Central Michigan): Cooper Rush entered this game as one of the top senior quarterbacks available in the 2017 NFL Draft, but isn’t well-known to casual fans. The fact is, Central Michigan is rarely featured prominently on television or in the news.

Despite that fact, the Chippewas have made their presence felt in the NFL and the draft. Offensive linemen Joe Staley and Eric Fisher were selected in the first round (Fisher first overall), while Antonio Brown has become one of the best wide receivers in the league. While Rush isn’t expected to be a first-round pick, he is a better prospect than former CMU QB Dan LeFevour, who was a sixth-round pick in 2010.

Rush and Central Michigan upset Oklahoma State, the school’s first win against a ranked opponent since 1991. Rush finished the game 30-of-42 for 361 yards and four touchdowns. The game will be known for the game-winning Hail Mary play that never should have been run, but it was Rush’s pinpoint accuracy and decision making that allowed Central Michigan to stay in the game.

Kalen Ballage (RB – Arizona State): Texas Tech and Arizona State turned into a video game type shootout Saturday night and Kalen Ballage was Tecmo Bowl Bo Jackson. Seemingly every time he touched the ball, Ballage wound up in the end zone. His eight touchdowns tied the FBS single-game record.

Even against Texas Tech’s Division III defense, eight touchdowns is quite the feat. Even more impressive was the fact that he scored eight times on just 15 offensive touches. Demario Richard is the workhorse in the Sun Devils backfield, however Ballage was rewarded with the ball near the goal line.

At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Ballage has primarily been the goal line back for Arizona State. Many of his touchdowns against the Red Raiders were short runs, but he also displayed solid elusiveness and breakaway speed to separate himself from defenders. One game won’t send his NFL Draft stock into the early rounds, however he’s earned a longer look from scouts.

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Dorian Johnson (LG – Pittsburgh): Left tackle Adam Bisnowaty may be the Pittsburgh offensive lineman generating early-round buzz, but it was the prospect lining up next to him that was most impressive in a win over Penn State.

Johnson was an effective pass blocker, but his run blocking is what helped the Panthers win this in-state rivalry. Johnson was stellar whether he was asked to block the defender opposite him, or pulling to lead the way for running back James Conner.

Penn State finished last season as the 14th best total defense in the FBS, allowing just over 324 yards per game. On the ground alone, Pittsburgh racked up 341. Johnson likely won’t be selected as early in the NFL Draft as Bisnowaty, but he does have the talent to be a second-day pick.

Donnel Pumphrey (RB – San Diego State): Marshall Faulk is no longer the career rushing leader at San Diego State. That honor now belongs to Donnel Pumphrey after he gashed California for 281 yards and three touchdowns in an upset victory.

Pumphrey now has 4,651 rushing yards in his career and has anywhere from 10-12 games left to add to his record. Pumphrey’s lack of size (5-foot-8, 180 pounds) will hurt his NFL Draft stock, but his receiving ability will earn him a role at the next level. In addition to holding the school’s rushing record, he has 880 career receiving yards.

Zane Gonzalez (K – Arizona State): Lost in the barrage of scoring in the game was the performance by Arizona State kicker Zane Gonzalez. The senior kicker has continued his momentum from last season and is making his case to be a late-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Gonzalez finished the 2015 season 14-of-15 on field goals and didn’t miss an extra point all season. He also led the FBS in touchback percentage. Against the Red Raiders, Gonzalez connected on his only field goal attempt and converted all nine of his extra point attempts.

Even more impressive was his leg on kickoffs. An explosive Texas Tech return team gained zero yards on kickoff returns. Gonzalez booted nine touchbacks and forced a fair catch at the eight-yard line after a Texas Tech penalty allowed Arizona State to kickoff from the 50.

Moving the kickoff from the 30-yard line to the 35 has diminished the need for a kickoff specialist on NFL teams, however Gonzalez will have a chance to compete for a roster spot in training camp. Whether or not he’s drafted may be determined by his play down the stretch.

Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns his second interception during the second half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Defense

Malik Hooker (FS – Ohio State): Not many schools can replace the likes of safeties Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell overnight, but Ohio State has done just that. Damon Webb and Malik Hooker have stepped up and taken over right where Bell and Powell left off.

Hooker is only a redshirt sophomore, however he’s already creating a name for himself. After intercepting two passes and leading the team in tackles in his first career start versus Bowling Green, he followed up with another interception against Tulsa. This time around, Hooker finished the play by returning the ball for a score.

Hooker has displayed very good awareness in his first two starts against both the pass and the run. If he can continue to play at a high level, he may follow in former teammate Eli Apple’s footsteps and declare for the NFL Draft as a redshirt sophomore.

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Jordan Sterns (FS – Oklahoma State): Oklahoma State may have been upset by Central Michigan, but the score could have been a lot more one-sided if not for the play of safety Jordan Sterns in the secondary.

Sterns broke up three Cooper Rush passes in the first half, two of which occurred in the red zone. He did a good job closing on the receiver and making a play on the ball.

The secondary for the Cowboys fell apart in the second half, however Sterns was solid throughout. The Big 12 schedule will be a test for the secondary on a weekly basis, so Sterns will need to show continued improvement to secure his spot in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Teez Tabor (CB – Florida): After missing the season opener against Massachusetts due to a suspension, Teez Tabor made his season debut against Kentucky. A potential first-round pick, Tabor made an immediate impact for the Gators.

The play of the game came on a wide receiver screen in which Tabor jumped the route and beat a blocker to the point of attack on his way to picking off the pass. Tabor will face much tougher competition in SEC play than Kentucky, however his return to the field couldn’t have gone much better.

Florida’s top CB last season, Vernon Hargreaves III, was selected 11th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. Tabor isn’t expected to be selected that early, however he will be in the running for a first-round pick.

Kai Nacua (FS – BYU): The Holy War between Brigham Young and Utah was a very sloppy game for both offenses as the schools combined to turn the ball over nine times. While the offensive units played poorly, some of the credit belongs to both defenses. The standout was BYU safety Kai Nacua.

Sure Nacua was ejected from the game on a questionable targeting call, but his impact was felt long before he left. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Nacua’s backup was ejected on the very next play after another targeting call. Take a look at the hit delivered by Nacua and determine for yourself whether or not he should have been ejected.

Nacua tied the school record with six interceptions a season ago, and already has three this season. Unlike some safeties who are purely center fielders in the secondary, Nacua isn’t afraid to initiate contact and provide support against the run.

It’s unlikely Nacua will be selected as early as teammate Bronson Kaufusi (third round) was last season, however Nacua’s play warrants a selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Sep 10, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) talks with an official during the second half against the Troy Trojans at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Offense

Deshaun Watson (QB – Clemson): Deshaun Watson’s struggles in the season opener against Auburn were initially chalked up to rust and the fact that he was facing an SEC defense. His performance in Week 2 however, was simply poor play.

Facing Troy, Clemson was expected to get out to a big lead early with the arm and legs of Watson providing a first-half cushion. That big lead never came as Watson made multiple poor decisions and errant passes throughout the game.

For a quarterback in contention to be the first-overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, Watson needs to improve quickly. Facing South Carolina State this weekend should help his confidence, however the same could have been said about Troy. With a showdown against Louisville looming on October 1, Watson needs to be at his best.

Dan Skipper (LT – Arkansas): Dan Skipper may have saved the game by blocking a field goal, however his play at left tackle exasperated concerns scouts already had.

TCU defensive end Josh Carraway provided a tough test for Skipper. The speed of Carraway caused problems for the 6-foot-9 Skipper, whose foot speed just isn’t what it needs to be for a blindside tackle in the NFL. As a right side only tackle, it’s likely Skipper’s stock will fall to the second day of the NFL Draft.

J.T. Barrett (QB – Ohio State): Despite another blowout victory, J.T. Barrett did not play like an NFL prospect. The Ohio State defense bailed him out, but Barrett needs to step up his play in order for the Buckeyes to make a playoff run.

Barrett finished the game 14-of-22 passing for 149 yards. He failed to throw a touchdown pass in the game, and the offense failed to reach the end zone until midway through the third quarter. The issue was sustaining drives as Barrett threw the ball nine times on third down, yet converted on just one of those attempts. Throw in a lost fumble and this tape is one Barrett will want to forget.

Teammates and former quarterbacks Braxton Miller and Cardale Jones were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, however it’s far from a lock that Barrett hears his name called in the draft. He could wait until 2018, but a position change may be in order if Barrett wants to make an NFL roster.

Sep 3, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Eastern Kentucky Colonels quarterback Bennie Coney (4) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive tackle Jake Replogle (54) at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Replogle (DT – Purdue): Jake Replogle is Purdue’s top prospect eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft. In fact, he’s just about Purdue’s only legitimate prospect. Two games into the season however, he has yet to return to 2015 form.

Replogle and former teammate Ra’Zahn Howard created chaos in opponent’s backfields when they were both on the field. Over the past two seasons, Replogle has recorded 24.5 tackles for a loss, thanks to a lot of help from Howard. Howard entered the Supplemental Draft this season and Replogle looks lost without him.

Opposing interior linemen have ganged up on Replogle and limited him to just one tackle for a loss through two games. He’s going to have to find new ways of creating pressure in order to secure his place in the draft.

Josh Harvey-Clemons (SS – Louisville): Josh Harvey-Clemons made four tackles in the Friday night contest against Syracuse, but it was the one he missed that grabbed the attention of evaluators.

Syracuse QB Eric Dungey rolled to his left and threw a pass deep downfield to WR Amba Etta-Tawo. After two Louisville defenders collided, Harvey-Clemons chased down the receiver and missed a tackle when the receiver was nowhere near full speed.

Harvey-Clemons is typically a sure tackler, but there are times when he plays out of control. He already has red flags off the field during his time at Georgia, so he can’t afford to miss opportunities on the field.

Derek Barnett (DE – Tennessee): Derek Barnett got off to a great start to the season when he made seven tackles in the opener against Appalachian State. That momentum didn’t carry over to the next week as the star defensive end was completely taken out of the game by Virginia Tech.

Barnett finished with one tackle in the game and was also flagged for being offsides. While the Virginia Tech offensive line deserves a lot of the credit, there were plays in which Barnett appeared to take off. His motor will be worth monitoring over the next few games as he looks to improve his NFL Draft stock.

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