Week 8 saw another highly-ranked Big Ten team — this time Penn State — lose a bad game to a lesser opponent. There were also more questions than answers about highly-rated Oklahoma after their squeaker against Kansas. On the prospect front, two lesser-named tight ends continued to impress next-level decision-makers. We also saw the development of the next top linebacker from Wisconsin not named Watt. Here are the risers and sliders from Week 8 in our 2022 NFL Draft Stock Report.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Report: Risers from Week 8
A pair of tight ends highlight the Week 8 risers.
Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
Ohio State dominated Indiana from the get-go Saturday night. Nicholas Petit-Frere was the dominant force on OSU’s offensive line. The athletic left tackle displayed tremendous power, annihilating Hoosier defenders all night long.
He drove opponents from the line of scrimmage while displaying the ability to quickly get to the second level and block in motion. Petit-Frere has displayed consistent development in his game the past three seasons and grades as a Day 2 selection.
Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
Leo Chenal has been making up for lost time after missing almost the entire first month of the season when he tested positive for COVID. His most recent gem was 9 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks during the Badgers’ victory over Purdue. This comes a week after Chenal posted 17 tackles against Army. Chenal is a large, forceful linebacker who is best making plays up the field. The junior has watched his game take off this season, and he’s flying up draft boards.
Grant Calcaterra, TE, SMU
Many in the scouting community were surprised when Grant Calcaterra unretired and returned to the field, this time in an SMU uniform. It’s even more surprising how Calcaterra, who did not play football last season and played just three games in 2018, has not missed a beat on the field. He has been a pass-catching machine for SMU, just as he previously was for Oklahoma.
Against Tulane last week, his numbers included 7 receptions for 90 yards, giving Calcaterra 26 receptions in seven games this season. He possesses natural receiving skills and above-average speed. He grades as a Day 2 pick on the field. Yet, his concussion history –the reason Calcaterra took a sabbatical from football — must be thoroughly checked.
Derrick Deese Jr., TE, San Jose State
We highlighted Derrick Deese Jr. during our Between the Hashes podcast prior to the game against San Diego State one week ago. The senior responded with 6 receptions for 113 yards against the Aztecs. This weekend, he added another 6 catches for 106 yards against UNLV. It was the third time in seven games Deese produced 6+ receptions with more than 100 yards receiving.
The senior caught my eye last season during the Spartans’ magical campaign as he makes big plays during important moments. Graded as an undrafted free agent by some scouts, his ultimate draft position depends on his pre-draft testing numbers. Regardless, Deese has all the tools to make a next-level depth chart as a No. 2 move tight end.
Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
Iowa State defeated formerly unbeaten Oklahoma State in one of the weekend’s best games, and Hutchinson led the way. The senior wideout finished with 12 receptions for 125 yards and 2 TDs, all career single-game bests for Hutchinson. He is a nice-sized WR with consistent hands and a feisty game. I have graded him as a late-round pick since the summer, and that’s where he’ll end up if he runs decent 40-yard dash times before the draft.
Sleeper Prospect | Reed Blankenship, S, Middle Tennessee
If you’re looking for a versatile, underrated defensive back, watch Reed Blankenship’s film from the past five years. He’s a tackling machine — he’s totaled 385 tackles in his collegiate career while adding 8 interceptions. His stat line against UConn this week includes 9 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 2 fumble recoveries.
Blankenship will go late in the draft, if he’s even selected at all, due to poor testing numbers. He’ll come in somewhere around 6’1″, 205 pounds, and may not break 4.60 seconds in the 40. Yet, the fact is Blankenship is an outstanding football player and a “make it” type of prospect — a prospect that’s written off but makes a roster as a third safety/special teams player.
Small-School Prospect | Andrew Rupcich, OT, Culver-Stockton
Rarely does an NAIA player make me take notice of their next-level potential. Enter Andrew Rupcich. The first thing that stands out is his imposing size, as Rupcich measures 6’6″ and 334 pounds. Next is the way Rupcich plays to that size, dominating opponents on every single snap. Finally, there’s the athleticism, as Rupcich is not a heavy-footed plodder. Instead, he is a big blocker who is effective on the move.
Oh, and if you look hard enough, you’ll see Rupcich throw a 40-yard option pass during a game last season, putting the ball on a dime to the intended target. Obviously, the step up in competition will take time, but hopefully, we’ll see Rupcich in a postseason All-Star game come January. I know we’ll see him in a camp next summer.
Week 8 Sliders
Which NFL Draft prospect slid the most in Week 8?
Cade Otton, TE, Washington
Most agreed Cade Otton was ready for the NFL after two terrific seasons at Washington in 2019 and 2020. He disagreed, announcing his return to the Huskies by tweeting he had unfinished business. The decision may cost him in a variety of ways. Washington is not a good football team this year and may be on the outside looking in come bowl season.
Worse for Otton, he’s not met expectations and is putting up pedestrian numbers. He’s totaled 18 receptions for 181 receiving yards and 1 TD in five games. 8 of those catches and 82 of those yards came in the season opener against FCS opponent Montana. Otton has struggled with injuries and poor quarterback play this season, but the fact remains: he was much better a year ago, and he moves towards a draft rich with tight ends after a poor season.