Week 10: Key NFL Draft Prospect Matchup
Cam Akers, Running back, Florida State (5’11”, 210 pounds) vs. The Miami Hurricanes Defense
The in-state rivalry between the Florida State Seminoles and the Miami Hurricanes comes to fruition this Saturday. The biggest matchup is how the Miami defense will attempt to contain the gifted Cam Akers. In this week’s article, I have thoroughly addressed the outstanding season that Akers has had. To be blunt, he is a top-10 running back in all of college football right now. The Miami Hurricanes have been a major disappointment in 2019, especially their defense, which is loaded with NFL talent. Let’s take a gander at those defenders that will be key in containing Akers.
Shaq Quarterman, Linebacker, Miami (6’1″, 242 pounds)
Quarterman entered the season with a lot of hype, even being touted a 2nd round 2020 NFL draft prospect. He has been very underwhelming in 2019 and as Tony Pauline pointed out in NCAA College Football Week 9 Live Blog with Tony Pauline, he doesn’t look very athletic. With that said, Quarterman is coming off of his best game of the 2019 season. For the Hurricanes to contain Akers and ultimately win this game, the Miami defense will need a stellar performance from Quarterman.
Michael Pinckney, Linebacker, Miami (6’1″, 228 pounds)
Pinckney might not be as polished as his teammate Shaq Quarterman; however, he is a far superior athlete. Pinckney has good speed and is a finisher. It will be paramount that Pinckney plays well for the Hurricanes to win the game. Pinckney has the tools and production to make an NFL roster, a big-time performance here could help catch scouts’ attention.
Jonathan Garvin, Defensive End, Miami (6’4″, 250 pounds) and Trevon Hill, Defensive End, Miami (6’5″. 245 pounds)
Jonathan Garvin is another Miami Hurricane player that entered the season with a great deal of hype, yet has failed to deliver. He looks the part of a future NFL defensive end; however, he needs better production to be a serious top-level NFL prospect. He has been among the FBS leaders in pressures applied, just would like to see more of that pressure turn into sacks.
Trevon Hill has played pretty well as a pass-rusher in 2019; however, he has been sub-par against the run. It is likely that the Hurricanes will rotate many snaps between Garvin and Hill for this weeks’ matchup against the Seminoles. For both Hill and Garvin, it will be essential that they set the edge, forcing Akers to run between the tackles.
My take, Akers’s ability to run with tremendous balance and burst will overwhelm the Miami defense.
Projected Winner: Cam Akers