TCU’s Trevone Boykin showing NFL poise to go with a big-time arm

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin and receiver Kolby Listenbee put on a show last week, one that’s going to have NFL scouts talking.

by Dan Kadar

Sep 16, 2015, 6:00 PM UTC

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

As expected, TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin looked good throwing for 285 yards and four touchdowns against Stephen F. Austin. But it was how he generated those yards that stands out. His most impressive throw was one of his first, a 51-yard first quarter pass to wide receiver Kolby Listenbee -- an NFL talent in his own regard.

The ball was in the air for about 60 yards after dropping back, and the senior quarterback dropped it right over Listenbee’s shoulder over a cornerback. Last season, Boykin might not have been able to make that throw. But early on this season he’s looking more developed passing from the pocket. In the face of pressure, Boykin looks more poised instead of just taking off with the ball as he had in the past.

Listenbee, who had six catches for 142 yards in the game, is used as a vertical threat in TCU's offense. Because of that, his route running often gets dinged. Perhaps the fastest receiver in college football, Listenbee is the type of player you maximize his obvious speed advantage instead of dwelling on his weaknesses. That's what the Arizona Cardinals did with John Brown when he came out of Pittsburg State, and Listenbee can be used in a similar fashion.

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After last season, Georgia linebackers Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins could have gone pro and been top 100 picks in the draft. Floyd returned to Georgia after shoulder surgery forced him to miss the team’s bowl game. Jenkins did so to work on his weaknesses and boost his draft stock.

If the early season is any indication, both made the right move. On Saturday against Vanderbilt, Floyd and Jenkins both had stellar games. Jenkins, who was named the team’s most-improved player last season, looks even better as a senior. Against the Commodores, he had 11 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Much of Jenkins’ damage came in the first half when he showed off fast hands and impressive closing speed.

Jenkins often excels when he can take on a blocker and get into the backfield with an impressive swim move. That was no different on Saturday when he forced Vanderbilt to change right tackles to try and account for his play. Jenkins’ power play was so good on Saturday he caught a few rare snaps inside to try and give Georgia a mismatch against a guard.

Floyd’s stat line may not look as impressive with seven tackles and a half sack, but he looks like a much different player this season. As a junior, Floyd is playing more as an inside linebacker and the move really takes advantage of his lateral speed. The knock on Floyd in the past is his inability to shed blockers. But playing in space, it allows Floyd to attack.

Right now, if he can keep up this type of play, Jenkins looks like a possible top 40 selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. Floyd’s stock should only continue to rise as he acquaints himself to the new position.

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One of the first quarterbacks expected to be taken in the 2016 draft is Michigan State senior Connor Cook. Playing against Oregon in the week’s premiere game, we saw his pros and cons. When he gets in rhythm, Cook’s strengths stand out. He gets the ball out quickly and throws with great touch. Cook is particularly adept at short and intermediate timing throws.

When Cook is pressured, though, his footwork becomes erratic and he'll fall off his throws. He'll also stare down his target, which resulted in an interception against the Ducks. An easy comparison for Cook is Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals, which is good and bad. Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams had an up-and-down game, but there's plenty of time to evaluate his play as it relates to the draft.

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Ole Miss junior Laquon Treadwell looks like he might go wire-to-wire being considered the best wide receiver eligible for the 2016 draft. He checks all the metaphorical boxes. He’s got good size and hands, is really physical after the catch and has enough wiggle in his game. A broken leg cost Treadwell the last four games of the 2014 season, but he looked unaffected by the injury catching five passes for 73 yards.

Treadwell and Ole Miss will get a good test in Week 3 against Alabama. In that game we'll also find out a lot about Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly, who has looked good in two starts after transferring from junior college.

Treadwell's teammate Robert Nkemdiche won't put together a lot of big stats this season. Playing defensive tackle, rare is the play where Nkemdiche sees a single blocker. Still, he gets disruption up front when he plays low to get leverage. In some ways Nkemdiche is like Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has a good burst and follows through with impressive power.

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After sending Kwon Alexander to the NFL, LSU's next linebacker export is going to be Kendell Beckwith. The junior showed why against Mississippi State, finishing with a team-leading eight tackles. Beckwith is quick to diagnose and break on the ball, and he's a dependable tackler. Getting off blocks is the big issue for Beckwith.

In that game we saw the good and bad of LSU left tackle Jerald Hawkins. When Hawkins, a junior, could show off his athleticism, he looked like a first-round pick. It’s the power game where Hawkins has to be more consistent. Mississippi State’s defensive linemen knocked him a round a bit. Hawkins also has to work his hands faster. You can clearly see the potential with Hawkins, who is in his third year starting, but he’s not quite there yet.

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Teams that refuse to deal with character issues may take Rutgers wide receiver Leonte Carroo off their big board. Carroo was suspended indefinitely on Sunday following an incident outside Rutgers' football headquarters. Few details about the incident have been released, but there was reportedly a fight. However, Carroo's involvement thus far is unclear. Carroo was already suspended a half for violating curfew, so this isn't a good look for a potential top 100 draft pick.

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