Today is much lighter than Thursday in games, but has just as many good draft prospects, especially for Michigan State when the Spartans host Youngstown State (7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network). First, though, some thoughts on TCU at Baylor (8 p.m., ESPN).
Friday NFL Draft watch notes: QBs Robert Griffin and Kirk Cousins on display
If Baylor junior Robert Griffin wants to prove he's a legit quarterback prospect, he'll get no better chance than to show it tonight. Texas Christian may be the best defense Griffin faces this season, lead by intense linebacker Tank Carder. TCU's defense isn't as loaded as previous seasons, but Carder is as impactful as any player they've had.
In the 4-2-5 defense TCU employs, Carder plays more of a middle linebacker role. In the NFL he projects as a weak-side linebacker due to his ability to get after the ball.
Some are considering Griffin as a top quarterback prospect. After two seasons, I'm still hesitant to think of him as anything more than an athletic weapon. Griffin's best receiver is slot man Kendall Wright. Although he's slightly undersized, Wright has shown good hands and a penchant for making positive plays.
Michigan State's Kirk Cousins is another quarterback who generated a solid amount of preseason praise. He showed last season, while completing 68 percent of his passes, that he's a proficient pocket passer. He's a player that could develop into a top 50 pick with another good season.
Michigan State also has a solid guard prospect in Joel Foreman. The senior is a strong, heady guard who knows how to maintain his gap.
One player who needs to consistently play well for Michigan State this season is defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. He has a chance at being a top 15 in April, but only if he plays with a better effort from game-to-game. Worthy has good explosiveness off the snap. As we've seen in recent years, so sort of defensive tackles are highly coveted.
Spartans junior running back Edwin Baker probably won't come out after this season, but he's fun to watch. He runs with a lot of power and has good vision.
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