College football kicks off tonight, and as such, so does the scouting process for every NFL team. Here are tonight's top games and some players to follow:
When Louisville takes on Murray State (6 p.m., ESPNU), there will be a couple of intriguing players to watch for the Cardinals. Tight end Josh Chichester has freakish size at 6-foot-7 and 244 pounds. He's a converted wide receiver that clearly needs to add strength to his frame. Right now he's more of a split end. Senior running back Victor Anderson has showed glimpses of great speed and vision. He was slowed last season by injuries but see his stock could skyrocket this season.
Another running back who was hit by injuries last year was Temple junior Bernard Pierce. When healthy, he's a strong running back who has good patience. He'll get plenty of chances to show it when Temple hosts Villanova (7 p.m., ESPN3). Also keep an eye on Owls senior end Adrian Robinson. He'll have to play linebacker at the next level, but has shown he can generate pressure on the outside. The Wildcats don't have the apparent talent of previous seasons, but senior wide receiver Norman White could turn heads.
Thursday NFL Draft watch notes
Mississippi State is another team that is lacking the talent of previous years. Linebacker
could quickly make people forget about
, though. Maye is a Clemson transfer who plays with good instincts at weak-side linebacker. Mississippi State plays at Memphis and somehow this game isn’t televised.
Wake Forest at Syracuse (8 p.m. ESPN3) features two of the more underrated prospects in Orange junior offensive tackle
and defensive end Chandler Jones. Pugh could get challenged by Wake outside linebacker
. The senior showed last season he can rush the passer, but also play with enough discipline to handle the run.
The final televised game of note on the evening is Kentucky at Western Kentucky (9:15 p.m., ESPNU). Few are speaking highly of the Wildcats this season, but outside linebacker
and strong safety Winston Guy have been reliable players who projects as solid special teams performers at the next level. Wildcats junior guard
is inarguably the best player in the game and one of college football’s best interior blockers.
