Welcome to the Playoffs! Congrats to all those that made it. Let’s see what’s in store for this week’s Pulse.
One Thing I Know…
I know Keelon Russell will be the top overall pick in the NFL draft someday. He has everything you want in a Franchise QB: arm talent, pocket presence, athleticism, and experience in a blue-blood program. Russell’s stats are solid. He currently ranks QB26 this season, but I’ve been thoroughly impressed by his weekly performance and development. Super Kamario will certainly push Russell, but I’ve seen enough. NFL 1.01 is happening.
One Thing I Think…
I think almost all players with remaining eligibility will return in 2027. Yes, there will be a few exceptions, particularly at WR and TE, whose first-round draft earning potential remains higher than NIL – Jeremiah Smith, Nick Marsh, Charlie Becker, Cam Coleman. But CFB money keeps growing without guardrails, to the point that it is financially irresponsible to test the pro waters without guarantees. UNC hoops star Henri Veesaar learned this lesson the hard way when he left close to $2 million on the table by entering the NBA draft.
Sam Darnold recently said most rookies are taking a pay cut from their college NIL contracts when they reach the NFL. Don’t be surprised if some of the higher-profile guys also return. We have seen this with Moore and Nix at Oregon, as well as Ward at Miami. I expect this trend to continue.
The Return of Bishop Davenport
No South Alabama player is happier about Bishop Davenport’s return to the starting lineup than Brendan Jenkins. In Davenport’s three starts, Jenkins is averaging 20.6 PPG. In the games with Jared Hollins as starter, Jenkins is averaging just 7.4 PPG. Jenkins could be in for a strong playoff push if Davenport remains the starter.
Quit Watch
Here are the teams I have on high alert to potentially mail it in the rest of the way. Maybe they underperform. Maybe some guys suddenly have a sore hammy. Either way, I have them on quit watch.
NC State- The abysmal performance with just 3 points at home against Duke last week makes this one low-hanging fruit. The remaining schedule of Syracuse, at FSU, and at UNC may look great, but starting an NC State player in the playoffs would make me as nervous as a pig at a packing plant.
LSU- A playoff-or-bust team assembled with portal mercenaries has me wondering how motivated they will remain if they get punched in the mouth early against Texas. They could essentially shut it down like FSU did last year after a few losses. However, it could go the opposite way for the remaining two games against TN and AR if LSU beats Texas. All three loss teams will need to impress the committee.
Nebraska– The Huskers already removed a pound of flesh by sacrificing Dana Holgorsen to the gods of the cornfield after that ugly performance against Illinois. If they can’t get right in a get-right game against Rutgers, then it’s an exercise in futility against OSU and Iowa.
Shoot From Deep (Sleepers)
How about some season-end dynasty options that aren’t being discussed? Most of these won’t hit. That’s what happens when you shoot from 30 feet out. But it’s orgasmic when they do hit.
Jyron Hughley, WVU (1st-year QB): Mike Hawkins returning to WVU would be surprising at this point, given how publicly critical his family has become of the program. Rich Rod will likely add a portal QB, but Hughley has the tools to be a system fit. He’s raw as a passer, but he went 131-1598-19 on the ground his senior year. He runs a 4.58 forty and has comps to Pat White in the C2C database.
Dylone Brooks, LaTech (2nd-year RB): Brooks popped in a big way for a week in early October with 200 yards and 2 TDs against Army. He has since been banged up. The staff really likes this kid, and he could take a big jump in 2027 with improved health.
Bryson Luter, Army (2nd-year QB): He’s next in line at West Point. God only knows how well he can pass, but he’s impressed on the ground, going 23-258-2 in spot duty.
JJ Hill, Mississippi State (1st-year RB): The sample size is small, and most of it was against ULM, but Hill has looked great. Per PFF, he has 8 missed tackles forced and 4 runs of 10+ yards on just 21 carries. At 220 lbs, he has the size to carry the load. It’s not crazy to think that Fluff moves on for a payday, with Mississippi State having so much of its NIL funds spoken for with Kamario Taylor’s new $7.5+ million deal.
Ty Hawkins, SMU (2nd-year QB): SMU can afford to add a transfer QB this offseason, but the staff is really excited for what they have in Hawkins. He doesn’t quite have Jennings’ arm talent, but he brings another element with his legs.
Cheers and good luck in the playoffs!
