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We examine five standout performers who are 2022 NFL Draft eligible. Yes, only five, there are many more, but five per week and in no particular order will be the routine this season. If you want to send a player to be considered, you can hit us up on Twitter, or Instagram.
Michigan State Junior RB Kenneth Walker 5-10, 210lbs vs. Northwestern
Kenneth Walker had himself a game in week one rushing for 264 yards on 23 rush attempts and 4 rush touchdowns against the Northwestern Wildcats, a team who ranked 2nd in the Big Ten in average yards per play a season ago; Walker rushed for 11.5 yards per attempt. To be fair and not to take away from Walker's performance, Northwestern ranked at the bottom of the Big Ten in yards per rush attempt average in 2020.
Ole Miss Junior QB Matt Corral 6-0, 200lbs vs. Louisville
Matt Corral showed that he is in complete control of the offense down in Oxford. He shows good poise; he is a mobile and athletic QB who extends plays. Against the Louisville Cardinals defense in week one, Corral had zero problems operating the offense while head coach and primary Ole Miss play call Lane Kiffen was out due to a positive Covid test. Corral went 22-32 for 384 yards and 1 pass TD; he ran the football 12 times, for 55 yards and 1 TD. The Louisville defense ranked 4th in the ACC in yards per pass attempt yards in 2020 and gave up the 2nd fewest pass TD's in the ACC in 2020. Sure it is not the grandest stage, but Corral is off to a great start in 2021.
Ole Miss WR Senior WR Dontario Drummond 6-1, 220lbs vs. Louisville
Ole Miss has become a WR factory in recent years producing D.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown, and in the most recent draft Elijah Moore. Dontario Drummond is a guy to keep an eye on. Drummond brought in 9 catches for 177 yards and a TD. He averaged 19 yards per catch, displaying a knack for the big play with five plays of over 20+ yards in week one.
Notre Dame Junior Safety Kyle Hamilton 6-4, 220lbs vs. Florida State
At 6-4, 220lbs, Hamilton is an absolute specimen of a player. He made some big-time plays against FSU, including a jaw-dropping INT where he covers a lot of ground from his right safety spot on the far hash to the sideline where he would intercept the football. Hamilton's game-changing ability from the safety position was on display in week one, where he picked off two passes and had 6 total tackles. Hamilton is a bonified first-round NFL draft prospect.
UCLA Junior RB Zach Charbonnet 6-1, 220lbs vs LSU
The Michigan Transfer RB has made quite a splash in his first two games as UCLA's starter at RB. In week zero, Charbonnet burst onto the scene against Hawaii, rushing for 117 yards on 6 carries and scoring 3 TD's. Yes, 6 carries and 3 TD's sounds like he was running against air. So, in comes the LSU Tigers; Charbonnet has no issues leading the UCLA backfield with 11 rush attempts and 117 more yards against an SEC opponent. He currently averages 13 yards per rush attempt. From a football scouting intel point of view, His former RB coach Jay Harbaugh at Michigan compared his style of play to NFL RB David Johnson. Charbonnet has two catches in two games as a receiver, and that is an area to keep an eye on.