With Week Zero in the rearview, the football world now focuses on Week One. However, we have to look back at what we learned during the week zero games and evaluate the prospects therein.
Each week, I will look back at the top prospect performances from the games I watched the previous week.
I bought into a little bit of hype on Florida State QB D.J. Uiagalelei entering the 2024 season. After poor play at Clemson led to his benching, he transferred to Oregon State. I thought DJU improved enough to enter the draftable conversation for 2025. After one game in a Seminoles uniform, I am back out. Uiagalelei struggles mightily throwing the football beyond a reasonable area beyond the line of scrimmage. He has the size and athleticism you would want but the talent does not appear to be there.
We saw flashes of talent from the FSU backs Lawrence Toafili (57 yards one TD) and Roydell Williams (69 yards one TD). Both are solid in pass pro and catch the ball well. It helps when the FSU offensive line is so improved. Mainly thanks to the play of offensive tackles Darius Washington and Robert Scott Jr. And interior offensive linemen Maurice Smith and Keiondre Jones.
One positive note for FSU was their kicker, Ryan Fitzgerald made both of his field goals attempted. A 52-yard shot early in the 1st half and a 59-yard bomb to close out the half.
Speaking of offensive line play; the Georgia Tech offensive line put on a masterclass in run blocking over in Dublin. Right tackle Jordan Williams and center Weston Franklin are the top prospects on their OL. They neutralized the much more ballyhooed FSU defensive front. Edge rushers Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones, Jr. were held to three tackles (one solo) between them.
I have been a big fan of Tech DB Lamiles Brooks for a while. The former corner has found a home at free safety and appears to be thriving there. The 5th-year defender recorded seven tackles (three solos) and a TFL.
It was an up-and-down game for SMU QB Preston Stone. Another passer I was higher in than most entering the season, Stone was benched in the first half for reserve Kevin Jennings. However, with the Mustangs trailing in the second half to huge underdog Nevada, Stone was reinserted into the lineup. He finished the game 17/30 with 254 yards passing with a TD and interception.
That touchdown came in the final two minutes on a 34-yard pass to stud tight end RJ Maryland. Maryland is a top-3 TE in this class for me right now. RJM shows off great hands and acceleration down the field. He will not be asked to block much but he presents a mismatch in the open field. Maryland finished with 8 catches for 162 yards and the aforementioned TD.
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) August 25, 2024
Maryland is a former track athlete in high school. He is also the son of the 1991 NFL Draft’s number-one overall pick Russell Maryland.
Mustangs’ safety Isaiah Nwokobia also had a huge game with 13 tackles (8 solos) and a TFL. Nwokobia also can be an asset on special teams.
Former Texas DB Kitan Crawford stood out for Nevada at safety. The former corner had five tackles (three solos) against SMU.
I watched the FCS Kickoff classic from Montgomery, a week zero staple. The game was between North Alabama and Southeast Missouri State. It was mainly to see UNA safety Edwin White-Schultz. The preseason conference defensive player of the year was coming off a great season. EWS transferred to UNA from Kansas. Unfortunately, he appears to have been injured before this game and did not play.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!