Future Hogs – Week 8: A look at college football players who could help the Washington Commanders

Any week in college football where the top team goes down is a big deal and that’s exactly what happened in Week 8. Texas, coming off a Red River Rivalry win, was overwhelmed by Georgia’s defense. The Longhorns were replaced atop the rankings by Oregon who blew out Purdue on Friday night. Texas wasn’t the only team slipping down the rankings. Alabama held Tennessee scoreless in the first half, but allowed score 24 in the second half and fell to the Volunteers. With 12 teams going to the playoffs, Alabama might be able to sneak in, but will need some help. They are behind the likes of Indiana, BYU, and Iowa State.

Week 9 has a lot of fun matchups with some top teams facing challenging opponents. Two teams hoping to be the Group of Five representative in the playoff will square off with Boise State visiting UNLV. Texas will try to bounce back against a Vanderbilt team that knocked Alabama from the top of the rankings. Speaking of Alabama, they will try to avoid their third loss with Missouri coming to Tuscaloosa. Oregon will try to remain undefeated against a tough, one-loss Illinois team. Lastly, LSU and Texas A&M will face off in a battle of one-loss SEC teams.

Below are just a few players who had a good week and might be able to improve the Commanders’ roster. Let me know what you think of these prospects and feel free to post players that stood out to you.

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Diego Pavia, QB, Senior, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt is having its best season in recent memory thanks to the play of a lot of players, chief among them Diego Pavia. Pavia is small for the quarterback position at 6’, 207 lbs, but he plays with a ton of heart. Pavia can play within structure, but often makes something out of nothing when the play breaks down. With the ability to hurt you with his legs, I see shades of Baker Mayfield. Pavia threw for 275 yards and a touchdown on 17 of 31 passes while chipping in 13 rushes for 83 yards and a touchdown.

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Dylan Sampson, RB, Junior, Tennessee

A lot hung in the balance in the matchup between Alabama and Tennessee as both teams came into the game with one loss. The Volunteers outlasted the Tide, and a big part of that was Dylan Sampson. The 5’11”, 201 lb, junior fumbled early in the matchup, but bounced back with a lot of tough running between tackles. There are runs where he uses his vision to find a small amount of daylight for positive yardage. He has good contact balance and often fights through first contact. On 26 carries, Sampson had 139 yards and two touchdowns. It was his sixth 100-yard game and sixth multiple touchdown game of the season.

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Darius Lassiter, WR, Redshirt Senior, BYU

BYU survived a scare on Friday night from Oklahoma State, winning on a late touchdown pass to Darius Lassiter. The 6’2”, 210 lb wideout not only showed sure hands, but a little elusiveness to get in the endzone and secure the victory. However, Lassiter has done this all season, making catches in traffic and fighting through contact for additional yardage. He has build-up speed that allows him to make plays deep downfield. Lassiter finished the game against Oklahoma State with six catches and 129 yards to go with the game-winning TD.

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John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Junior, Wyoming

Usually Wyoming is producing linebackers that are productive NFL players. Turns out there is a talented tight end in Laramie. A true junior, John Michael Gyllenborg will probably return to school for at least one more season. But if he declares, he should hear his name called during the draft. He’s 6’5”, 247 lbs, and incredibly quick at that size. He uses that quickness to create separation and make a lot of plays deep down the field for the Cowboys. He needs work as a blocker, but he tries and wins with just effort occasionally. In a loss to San Jose State, Gyllenborg had five catches for 137 yards and a touchdown.

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Will Campbell, OT, Junior, LSU

If he declares for the NFL Draft, Will Campbell has a good chance to be the first offensive tackle drafted. It’s easy to understand when you consider his size at 6’6”, 323 lbs, and his movement skills at that size. The left tackle is light on his feet and easily changes directions to mirror rushers. He has good pop in his hands, can generate movement in the run game, and shows the ability to anchor against power rushes. Against Arkansas’ Landon Jackson, a top defensive end prospect, Campbell’s lack of length shows up on a few plays. He gave his quarterback time to make throws and opened up lanes in the run game to help the Tigers take down the Razorbacks. Bonus scouting: check out the play of right tackle #50 Emery Jones.

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Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DE, Redshirt Senior, Virginia Tech

The Commanders’ pass rush has performed better over the past few games, but the unit could use a little more talent. This is especially the case with Dante Fowler, Jr. and Clelin Ferrell on one-year deals. The Commanders don’t have to go far to check out Antwaun Powell-Ryland. The Hokie has good size and length at 6’3”, 252 lbs, and is very strong at that size. He loves a good rip move to get around tackles, but also has pressured QBs using spins and power rushes. Powell-Ryland was unstoppable against Boston College, terrorizing the Eagles to the tune of seven tackles and four sacks.

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Jalon Walker, LB, Junior, Georgia

Georgia took down top-ranked Texas by playing tenacious defense to slow down one of the nation’s top offenses. Several players contributed, but Jalon Walker stood out. He is listed as a linebacker, but he’s more of an edge rusher and is probably better suited for a 3-4 OLB role. However, with the way Washington’s used Frankie Luvu, a player like Walker is intriguing. Walker is a solid 6’2”, 245 lbs with long arms. That length works in his favor rushing off the edge along with good burst and closing speed. Walker has a relentless motor that he uses to keep working until he gets home. Against one of the best pair of tackles in college football in Kelvin Banks, Jr. and Cameron Williams, Walker had eight tackles, three sacks, four QB hits, and a fumble recovery.

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Daylen Everette, CB, Junior, Georgia

Speaking of Georgia beating Texas, their secondary got in on the action, led by Daylen Everette. The 6’1”, 190 lb corner has had some ups and downs this year, but it was all ups against the Longhorns. Everette not only looked good in coverage, but also provided a well-timed blitz that played a significant role in the game’s outcome. He finished the day with seven tackles, two forced fumbles including a strip sack he recovered, a PBU, and an interception.

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Nick Emmanwori, S, Junior, South Carolina

Last week, I highlighted O’Donnell Fortune from the Gamecocks’ secondary. This week it’s Nick Emmanowari’s turn. What I love about Emmanwori is his blend of size – 6’3”, 227 lbs – and athleticism. According to Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, Emmanwori’s “Combine” numbers: broad jump 11’4”, vertical jumps 42”, bench press 225 lbs 24 times, and can run up to 23 mph. He is almost a clone of Jeremy Chinn. On the field, Emmanwori is a tackling machine, and with that athletic ability, can line up at the line of scrimmage or single-high. To beat Oklahoma, Emmanwori had 11 tackles, one for a loss, two PBUs, and two picks with one being a pick six.

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