College football is back, and that means we are on high alert for new film from NFL Draft prospects. While Week 0 doesn’t always provide a plethora of intriguing names, this year is slightly different, as there are legitimate prospects suiting up for their first game this weekend. Here are nine players I’ll keep my eye on during the opening weekend of college football.
1. Jayden Maiava, Quarterback, USC (6040, 218)
Maiava is probably the weekend's highlight, with plenty of attention in the scouting community. Boasting a big frame, a ton of athletic upside, and an inconsistent body of work, Maiava will look to overcome fraudulent scheme allegations with high-level anticipatory throws and better field vision. Maiava was incredibly productive as a junior, throwing for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns, and possessing an 89.9 QBR, good for second in the nation. His sack avoidance and pocket navigation are outstanding, and he’ll hope to vault into first-round conversation with a big debut against San Jose State on Saturday.
2. Jaden Craig, Quarterback, TCU (6030, 225)
After two years as a starter at Harvard, Craig will take a massive leap in competition level and show the world whether he’s ready for the big stage. Craig has an impressive arm, with easy zip and a wide array of arm slots without sacrificing accuracy. He’s an above-average athlete who can drop the football in a bucket, especially when pushing to the deep third. Craig caught Bill Belichick’s eye ahead of this game, with the Hall of Fame coach explaining how impressed he was by Craig after digging into the film. I currently consider Craig a better prospect than Maiava, as his pinpoint accuracy could be ultra valuable as a backup (or more) in the NFL. TCU kicks off against North Carolina at noon ET on Saturday.
3. Jekail Middlebrook, Running Back, Virginia (5100, 198)
After three years at Middle Tennessee, Middlebrook transferred to Virginia and won the starting job over a slew of running backs, including Peyton Lewis, the bigger name in the portal this offseason. Middlebrook racked up over 1,100 all-purpose yards last year, displaying excellent contact balance, breaking off tons of chunk runs, and showing off chops as a receiver (and blocker, something that could get him extended eyes this fall). He’ll hope to vault his way into Day 2 discussions, though he’s more likely to be a Day 3 selection next spring. Virginia kicks off against NC State on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET.
