The college football Week 1 slate is upon us, and the team of draft evaluators and CFB analysts at Pro Football Network are here with instant takeaways from the weekend slate. Find our immediate reactions to all the action from start to finish in college football’s Week 1 Saturday games.
College football Week 1 live blog
Taking into account all of the weekend’s slate of action, our CFB/Draft department will all be on hand for their instant reactions as they come in. For clarity’s sake, each takeaway, reaction, and result will be culminated by the initials of the analyst responsible: TP for Tony Pauline, CM for Cam Mellor, IC for Ian Cummings, OH for Oliver Hodgkinson, and JF for James Fragoza.
Oregon State CB Rejzohn Wright dominant early
10:50 PM: Oregon State kicked off their season with a late-window kick against Boise State. While their offense didn’t quite put forth a great opening frame, it was CB Rejzohn Wright that stole the show on defense. Wright broke up a pass on the first play of the Beavers season and then intercepted a Hank Bachmeier pass on the very next drive.
Wright has ideal length for the next level and has proven to be more than just a sticky coverage defender over his career. CM
Miyan Williams pulls away for Ohio State
10:34 PM: Miyan Williams helped pave the way for Ohio State on what may have been a game-clinching drive against Notre Dame. Williams provided body blow after body blow to the Fighting Irish defense before ultimately powering his way into the end zone to push OSU’s lead to 21-10. The Buckeyes have been forced to alter their game plan against Notre Dame with an injury to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. They’ve found their footing late in the game and have started to pull away, thanks in large part to Williams’ tough running style. CM
Anthony Richardson rises to the challenge
10:28 PM: The Florida Gators came out on top against the Utah Utes, thanks in large part to their quarterback Anthony Richardson. Commanding a terrific two-minute drive to give the Gators the lead in the waning stages of the fourth quarter, it was Richardson who gave Florida a chance all game. There is still a lot to clean up in his game but his natural athleticism was on display against the Utes.
Amari Burney called game at the end with an impressive play in coverage, intercepting Utah QB Cam Rising in the end zone. The throw would have likely won the game for Utah but Burney had other plans. CM
JMU QB Todd Centeio, WR Kris Thornton win big
10:00 PM: The JMU Dukes won their first game in the big leagues after moving up to the FBS level this season. Led by Colorado State transfer QB Todd Centeio, the Dukes were incredibly impressive in their first game, cruising past Middle Tennessee. Centeio threw six touchdowns and was a clear threat with his legs.
Kris Thornton, a 1,000-yard receiver last year, was on the receiving end of three touchdowns including one of the weekend’s top plays where he split coverage defenders and Centeio found him diving in the back of the end zone. With this duo, expect JMU to make noise in the Sun Belt this fall. CM
Brant Kuithe continues hot start, Tavion Thomas runs hard
9:55 PM: The Utah Utes are locked in a tough battle with the Florida Gators as the heat continues to takes its toll on each side. Still, Brant Kuithe is dominant over the middle of the field and Tavion Thomas has proven to be too much for Florida’s linebackers. It’s an impressive showing as the grind-it-out, punch-you-in-the-face approach from Utah’s offense is starting to pay dividends in the second half for the Utes. CM
C.J. Stroud: Short and intermediate passing leaves a lot to be desired
9:10 PM: For all the love that’s thrown towards CJ Stroud for his vertical passing, his short and intermediate game leaves a lot to be desired. He doesn’t set up screens all that well, he doesn’t consistently get the ball past the sticks on third and medium and really needs to improve that aspect of his game. By comparison, Bryce Young is outstanding in that regard. TP
Luke Wypler deserving of a Round 2 grade
9:00 PM: While everyone talks about Paris Johnson when the conversation centers on next level offensive line prospects from Ohio State, don’t sleep on center Luke Wypler. The third year sophomore has done a terrific job tonight, controlling the middle of the offensive line and showing power at the point as well as skill in motion. I actually graded Wypler slightly higher than Paris Johnson coming into the season and he’s earning that ranking this evening. TP
Garrett Williams looks good in the early going
8:35 PM: Syracuse cornerback Garrett Williams was someone I identified as a potential day three pick off his sophomore film of 2021. Thus far he’s done a terrific job helping to shut down the explosive Louisville offense and their quarterback, Malik Cunningham. Williams has made several big plays and leads the SU defense in tackles during the early going of this contest. He’s a long corner who flashes solid ball skills and a lot of toughness. TP
Brant Kuithe off to a HOT start
8:25 PM: Brant Kuithe of Utah is off to a terrific start with 6 receptions, 41 yards and 1 TD as the first half of the Utes game against Florida is coming to a close. Part of Kuithe’s resurgence tonight is the way he’s being used; Kuithe has lined up in the slot, lined up in the backfield and has been moved around all night. He better get used to it as Kuithe measures 6-feet-1.5-inches, 225 pounds and has no true next level position. I would expect the team that draft’s or signs Kuithe will use him as a hybrid H-back/fullback/tight end. TP
8:10 PM: Lest we forget, safety Brandon Joseph is wearing a Notre Dame jersey these days after transferring from Northwestern and he’s making his presence felt early on against Ohio State. The long, smooth safety just put a crushing blow on receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and has shown terrific range in center field. TP
Steele Chambers could be exactly that at linebacker
7:50 PM: Notre Dame broke a big play early on, only to be kept out of the end zone when the Buckeye defense stiffened. The OSU defender who killed the drive was linebacker Steele Chambers, presently sitting #3 on my Ohio State board with a second round grade. Few talk about Chambers and its a shame- he’s a terrific athlete who plays with next level speed and instincts. TP
Big match-ups in Columbus
7:45 PM: The eyes of the college football world will be on Columbus tonight as #5 Notre Dame takes on #2 Ohio State. The eyes of the scouting world will primarily be on Ohio State offensive lineman Paris Johnson trying to slow down Irish pass rusher Isaiah Foskey.
Foskey grades as a 2nd round prospect on my board. Paris Johnson? Also a 2nd round prospect. And yes- i know many have already anointed Johnson as the top left tackle for the 2023 NFL Draft yet Johnson has yet to take a snap at the position for the Buckeyes, playing guard last season, inside of Nicholas Petite-Frere. TP
Barn burner in Laramie
7:40 PM: What a game in Laramie as Tulsa and Wyoming at going blow for blow into the second OT. The fumble by receiver Keylon Stokes as Tulsa looked poised to be driving for the winning score is a highlight that will be shown all weekend and its a shame. The super senior, graded by NFL scouts as a late round pick, has had a terrific contest, registering 11 receptions, 136 yards and 1 TD through two OT’s. Tulsa’s other NFL prospect at receiver, JuanCarlos Santana, also had a terrific game catching 7 passes for 102 yards with 1 TD. TP
Puka Nacua, Max Tooley fly early for BYU
7:10 PM: The BYU Cougars had to wait through a two-hour weather delay before kicking off their 2022 season. It didn’t seem to bother them at all as WR Puka Nacua took a jet sweep 75 yards for a touchdown on the very first play. Nacua scored again in the first quarter and LB Max Tooley intercepted a Gerry Bohanon pass, returning it for a touchdown to jump BYU’s lead to 21-0 just six minutes into the game.
Nacua did however leave the Cougars’ third drive with an apparent leg injury giving cause for some concern. CM
Houston, UTSA provide fireworks
6:45 PM: The UTSA Roadrunners and Houston Cougars head to overtime after each quarterback had shining moments to close the fourth quarter. Clayton Tune took Houston down to field goal range with a commanding 11-play drive. The would-be game-winning field goal by Bubba Baxa was undone after Frank Harris impressively led UTSA on a four-play drive in less than 20 seconds to tie the game again. The fireworks continue in overtime here. CM
Jayden de Laura, Arizona start strong
5:58 PM: The Arizona Wildcats needed an injection of talent and it seems that they got it from their quarterback position this fall. Former Washington State QB Jayden de laura is making his name known against San Diego State and a talented secondary. Former UTEP WR Jacob Cowing was also a big get in the transfer portal for Arizona and this duo has connected for multiple big gains early and often for the Wildcats. The Pac-12 South may have a new combination to watch out for in 2022. CM
Stetson Bennett IV, Dillon Gabriel impressing
5:30 PM: It’s been an utter disaster for a few programs in the 3:30 window. The Oregon Ducks are completely flat on offense as Auburn transfer Bo Nix has looked sluggish in his debut for Oregon. The UCLA Bruins have been relatively flat in 100-degree heat against Bowling Green. And the Cincinnati Bearcats lack an identity on both sides of the ball against Arkansas.
On the other hand, Georgia is looking every play like they’re challengers for the National Championship again. Stetson Bennett IV hasn’t been asked to do much by way of throwing downfield, but he hasn’t had to as he’s been nearly flawless against what was thought would be a formidable defense at Oregon. Oklahoma also seems to have found a nice rhythm with Dillon Gabriel at the helm. After slowing to the lead, they have started humming on offense with Gabriel flashing some terrific arm strength and placement early in the second half. CM
5:01 PM: Tyrell Shavers is proving to be a big-play threat for San Diego State. Shavers — a 6’6” target and a former Alabama commit — easily outmatched his coverage defender with size and body control to inch SDSU closer to Arizona in the first half. He has surprising moves and elusiveness for a man his size and he’s a threat at the catch point. CM
Jalen Carter shows up early for Georgia
4:42 PM: Georgia DT Jalen Carter shows up early against Oregon. Carter jumped the snap, used his strength against Oregon’s guard, and blew up the intended point of attack on a third and short that stymied the running back. Carter is no stranger to pre-snap jumps but the strength to finish plays and blow up intended rushing lanes is on display early in 2022. CM
4:30 PM: Clayton Tune has quietly gotten in rhythm for the Houston Cougars. After successfully maneuvering the pocket and unleashing a strong-armed throw over the middle of the field to have his pass dropped, Tune quickly readjusted and unleashed a strike to WR Tank Dell. Tune has showcased what makes him a special college football player and likely NFL Draft pick next April early on against UTSA. CM
3:20: As the noon games close out, here are a few things I’ll be watching as the 3:30 games kick off:
Bo Nix startled everyone by transferring from Auburn to Oregon in the offseason. His first game with the Ducks is against a former SEC foe, the Georgia Bulldogs. And while the storyline will be the return of Nix to the SEC, I’ll be watching a different return.
Defensive back Tykee Smith made his own headlines in 2021 when he transferred from West Virginia to Georgia. Smith had a tremendous campaign for the Mountaineers in 2020, so much so that I graded him as a Day 2 prospect. However, he struggled with injury at the start of last season and was eventually shut down after a few attempts to play. Most will be watching Kelee Ringo in the Georgia secondary today, but keep a close eye on Smith.
Another return that will be closely monitored is Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon, who was expected to enter the 2022 NFL Draft before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in mid-October. Scouts will be monitoring Catalon today against Cincinnati, but here’s a heads up: keep a close watch on Razorback corner Myles Slusher. The junior has built a buzz for himself in the scouting community, and word is he will enter the draft off a good season.
Finally, Bethune-Cookman stands no chance today against the Miami Hurricanes, but the Wildcats have a sleeper at the tight end position. I’ve had Kemari Averett rated as a fringe late-round prospect the past three years after he caught my eye as a freshman at Louisville. Averett is massive at 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds. He’s also relatively quick, moves well for a big tight end, and shows good speed. More than anything else, Averett is a terrific pass catcher who could get an invitation to a postseason All-Star game and make a late rise up draft boards. TP
2:50: Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec has taken a beating today, and he’s also made some questionable passes. He just threw his second bad interception of the day due to his inability to find the defender in the secondary. The first pick resulted from Jurkovec delivering the ball into double coverage. Though I complimented him early in the game, I’ve never been sold on Jurkovec as a Day 2 draft pick. His physical ability is evident, but he has too many inconsistencies and lapses for a top-90 prospect. TP
2:30: About an hour ago, it was reported that Cincinnati Bearcats starting center Jake Renfro will be lost for the season after sustaining a significant knee injury in practice. The loss of Renfro hurts the UC offensive line this season and affects the potential depth at the center position in the 2023 NFL Draft. Off his sophomore tape of 2021, I graded Renfro as a mid-fifth-round pick, but I felt he could move into the second day if he continued to improve his game. That will have to wait. TP
2:20: I’ve never understood the love for Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras, ranked by some as a middle-round pick. On film, he’s an immobile, quasi-accurate passer who is more of a game manager despite his size and arm strength. He’s really stinking it up today against IAA/FCS opponent South Dakota State. Midway through the third quarter, Petras has completed six of 16 passes for 41 yards with no touchdowns and one INT. I have graded Petras as a UDFA for the past two years. TP
1:55: Earlier today, I mentioned how good North Carolina State linebacker Isaiah Moore looked in the first half. Moore just made a terrific play on 3rd-and-short to shut down East Carolina’s drive at the end of the second quarter.
Moore’s linebacker teammate Payton Wilson has been on the field sporadically today, and that’s not a good sign. Wilson is a terrific defender with next-level size (6-foot-4 and 240 pounds), athleticism, and football skill. Injuries, specifically shoulder injuries, have held him back.
Wilson suffered a major shoulder injury early in his NCSU career and was limited to just five games last season after a second injury to the joint. From a talent standpoint, he grades as a middle-round pick, but there will be a ton of medical red flags on Wilson moving towards April 2023. TP
1:25: Sam Houston State is holding up well against Texas A&M and is down just 10-0 in the closing moments of the first half. Part of the reason the Bearkats are not down by more is a terrific interception made by Texas transfer BJ Foster, whom I mentioned at the start of the day. Foster intercepted a deep TAMU pass that looked like a sure score as the Aggies drove. He has solid size and showed terrific ball skills when he got a chance to play for Texas, but he’s fallen under the radar in the scouting community. TP
1:15: After a closer than expected opening, it looks like North Carolina State is about to blow the game open against East Carolina. I have been impressed with linebacker Isaiah Moore in the early going. Moore has been consistently productive for NCSU over the past four years, even though injury limited him to just seven games last season. He has nice size (6-foot-2 and 240 pounds), speed (4.75 40), and football intelligence. I presently have a sixth-round grade on Moore. TP
1:10: Appalachian State is ahead of North Carolina by a touchdown as the second quarter hits the midway point in what would be an upset. The App State defense has been strong, and it’s led by linebacker Trey Cobb, a crazily underrated prospect with a three-down game.
Cobb has been a force against the run, showed ability as a pass rusher, and made a number of plays in space today. He’s a safety-sized linebacker with terrific instincts and intensity. I presently grade Cobb as a PFA, but the late rounds are not out of the question for the senior. TP
12:50: Welcome back, Christian Braswell! Braswell was a terrific cornerback for Temple two years ago and a player I graded as a late-round prospect. After much mayhem in the Temple program, Braswell and a slew of teammates transferred. That included defensive tackle Ifeanyi Maijeh, who followed Braswell to Rutgers.
Braswell just made a terrific interception in zone coverage against Boston College (on a pass Phil Jurkovec never should’ve thrown). Ironically, Jurkovec was looking for Zay Flowers, who was covered by Max Melton. Braswell has solid size and speed, but he was non-existent last season. If he gets his game back to the level it was in 2019, he will get looks in the late rounds. TP
12:35: Phil Jurkovec looks sharp in the early going against Rutgers. I have been generally impressed with his accuracy and pass placement during the opening drives. In the past, Jurkovec all too often made receivers work hard to come away with the catch — not today. TP
12:20: We just saw why I have Boston College receiver Zay Flowers graded as a sixth-round prospect. At 5-foot-9 and just over 170 pounds, Flowers is fast but lacks an elite second gear, which prevented him from catching a long pass on third down. He looks like a 4.47 40 guy, which isn’t bad — it’s just not Day 2 material. TP
The best corner you’ve never heard of?
11:50: Week 1 on the college football schedule has several top-ranked matchups throughout the day and evening as well as a lot of teams taking on cream-puff opponents.
The fun starts right at noon as Rutgers travels to Boston College. The big matchup here is BC signal-caller Phil Jurkovec and wideout Zay Flowers against Max Melton, the potentially dominant cornerback from Rutgers.
Jurkovec returns from an injury that sidelined him for the second half of 2021. He’s got a big arm but can be all over the place with throws. Flowers is a reliable intermediate-range target that can also double as a return specialist. He’s small and lacks the deep burst. Both grade as Day 3 prospects on my board.
Max Melton is brother to Bo Melton, the seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks presently on the team’s practice squad. Max is more athletic than his older brother, who blew up the Combine, timing 4.34s in the 40, touching 38 inches in the vertical jump, and running 6.98 in the three-cone.
Melton flashed brilliance last season as a sophomore, and though I have him rated as a third-round prospect, some in the scouting community believe he has first-round potential. I’m told if Melton has a big season, he’s likely to enter the NFL draft.
The other game to keep an eye on is Sam Houston State making the short trip to get pounded by Texas A&M. The Bearkats have had a solid FCS/IAA program in recent years, but I’ll be interested in watching a pair of transfers on the field today.
BJ Foster showed me a lot of ability early in his career at Texas before slipping through the cracks. I have him graded as a PFA. Likewise, running back Dezmon Jackson was explosive during his short stint at Oklahoma State before making the move to Sam Houston. He comes with nice size and power, yet has never been really productive. TP