During the school soccer season, Eric Galko, the Shrine Bowl Director of Football Operations and Player Personnel, will give us his breakout performers from the former week’s motion — the names you will have to know — as a result of it is by no means too early to communicate NFL Draft. With faculty soccer’s Week 8 within the books, let’s dive in.
Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
I take into account Pratt’s three-touchdown efficiency opposed to Oklahoma at the highway within the 2021 season opener and being inspired together with his poise and toughness. If no longer for being banged up to get started this season, we’d be listening to extra about his NFL possibilities, despite the fact that this is going to alternate within the coming weeks and months.
Eric Galko: “After overcoming injury to start the season, Michael Pratt has returned to his expected NFL-level throws, decision-making and ability to finish through contact that got scouts excited last season. Pratt’s been a staple in the minds of NFL evaluators, and he’s only solidified his value as a confident, tough, and consistent passer with dual-threat ability when needed, especially in close games like it was the last two weeks.”
Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
Brooks led the Red Raiders in dashing in 2021 and 2022, and he got here into this season averaging 5.0 yards consistent with raise, 45 receptions and 19 overall touchdowns. Through 8 video games, he is averaging 5.5 yards consistent with raise and already has six touchdowns.Â
Galko: “Tahj Brooks has been one of the country’s most productive rushers all season, putting up over 140 yards four times this year including this weekend against BYU. Against BYU, he forced 12 missed tackles, and his lateral jump cuts, contact balance, and ability to accelerate after first contact all stood out. He’s emerged as one of the better senior running backs in the country.”
Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
The Northwestern switch has been a shiny spot in this Cavaliers offense. Through seven video games this season he already has profession highs in receiving yards, yards consistent with catch and touchdowns, and he is had greater than 100 receiving yards 5 instances already.
Galko: “Washington has been a major bright spot for the Virginia offense all year, and was a major reason for the team’s upset over North Carolina this weekend. Washington is a decisive and complete route runner from the slot and still finishes at a high-level away from his game. He was incredibly slippery as a route runner and after catch in this game, and he’s shown NFL evaluators he can create yards after catch consistently at an NFL level this season.”
Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
Newton has been at the league’s radar since a season in the past when he had 3 defensive teammates drafted, including No. 5 total select, CB Devon Witherspoon. He used to be No. 8 on my midseason Top 50 Big Board, and it may not be a marvel if he is the following participant out of Illinois to in finding his manner into the primary spherical.
Galko: “Newton has been schemed against during the season, but he finally was able to go off against Wisconsin, posting three sacks and nine total pressures on the game. Newton’s explosiveness off the snap, violent and decisive hands, and athleticism to adjust and finish through contact is remarkable, showcases why he’s among the best defensive prospects in the 2024 draft class.”
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
The Western Michigan switch arrived in Tallahassee with 27 profession tackles for loss and six sacks, and halfway in the course of the 2023 season, he is appearing that the step up in pageant hasn’t required any adjustment. The uncooked stats don’t seem to be there, however when you watch him play, he is been extremely disruptive for the Seminoles.
Galko: “Fiske has been a major force for the Florida State defense this year, and his impact against Duke as a pass-rusher and interior penetrator was a major reason why the Duke offense struggled a bit in the second half. Fiske’s powerful hands and strong upfield burst after contact have always been his signature ability as a pass rusher, but against Duke he showcased the lateral adjustment and twitch to emerge as a complete A-gap penetrator from 0, 1, and 3-technique.”
Jalen Green, EDGE, James Madison
James Madison is 7-0 thank you, partly, to Green’s dominating 2023 marketing campaign. He has no less than 1.5 sacks in 5 instantly video games to move along side two pressured fumbles and an interception thus far this season.
Galko: “The FBS sack leader posted a five-sack performance against Marshall, and has put up an undeniable 15 sack season so far just eight weeks into the year. While Green is a little undersized and maybe doesn’t have the freaky athleticism NFL teams covet at the position, he’s shown he has the twitch, hand fighting and burst, and clear finishing ability on the quarterback. Green has vaulted himself into a must-watch edge rusher for NFL teams.”
Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
A staff chief and a steadying power within the secondary, Sainristil has two defensive touchdowns this season to move along side 3 interceptions and 4 pass breakups.Â
Galko: “Another week, another dynamic and impressive play forced by Mike Sainristil. Arguably the heart of the Michigan defense, Sainristill makes plays in run fits, coverage, or just ideal positioning each week to spearhead defensive domination. This game, he had multiple perimeter tackles and an interception off a potential back-shoulder wheel route from the nickel. Sainristill has three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns on the season.”
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Mitchell won’t but be widely recognized amongst nationwide media other people, however it is only an issue of time. I had him on my Top 50 Big Board as a result of his dimension, pace, protection talents and wrap-up-tackling talent.
Galko: “Mitchell continues to be one of the best cornerbacks in the country this season, and shouldn’t be a “sleeper” to anyone. Mitchell had another outstanding game vs. Miami (OH), including a crossfield endzone drag route knocked away to prevent a touchdown that highlighted just how special of an outside cornerback he can be in the NFL.”
Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
Jones got here into the 2023 season with 28 profession pass breakups and two interceptions. In seven video games, he already has 3 selections and seven PBUs. According to PFF, he has a completion-percentage-against of simply 29.4%.
Galko: “Jones played one of the most dominating coverage games a cornerback has had this year against Georgia Tech, finishing with more interceptions (two) than catches allowed (one) in the game. His sticky coverage on the perimeter as he worked vertically, as well as his control and twitch in nickel/short-area coverage, showcased why Northeast area scouts have been fans of Jones for multiple years.”