This past weekend, the college football schedule saw 15 games canceled or postponed due to the current public health crisis and an unusual Sunday afternoon contest in the Pac-12. We also saw several underrated and unknown players on both sides of the ball boost their NFL Draft stock in Week 11 and make their cases to talent evaluators. Here are this week’s risers and sliders.
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NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 11 Risers
Ty Fryfogle, WR, Indiana
The Indiana Hoosiers are undefeated this season, have been an offensive juggernaut and have a game against Ohio State next week that has conference and national title implications. Ty Fryfogle has been the team’s best pass catcher and turned in another terrific performance in Week 11 against Michigan State to further raise his NFL Draft stock. The senior totaled 11 receptions, 200 receiving yards and two TDs, which gives Fryfogle more than 400 yards receiving in four games this season.
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Graded on my board as a late-round pick before the season, Fryfogle is a nice-sized possession receiver who gives effort in all areas of his game. Fryfogle could move into the middle rounds if he runs well before the draft, and he has all the tools to be a fifth receiver at the NFL level.
D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
Coming off an injury-shortened campaign in 2019, D’Wayne Eskridge has been lethal this year. The senior followed up his three-reception, 114-yard, two-TD performance against Akron in the season opener with 7/131/1 against Toledo last week. Eskridge measures just 5-foot-8.5 and 188 pounds, but he can fly. Averaging 24.5 yards per catch this season, he runs a legitimate 4.35 40-yard dash and can score from any point on the field.
Antonio Nunn, WR, Buffalo
Nunn is another MAC receiver making an impact in the early going and boosting his NFL Draft stock. He caught five passes for 137 yards and one TD against Miami-Ohio in Week 11 and is averaging 23.5 yards on 11 catches this year. Though Nunn is not as fast as Eskridge, he is slightly bigger and has enough ability to make a roster as a fifth receiver.
Kekaula Kaniho, CB, Boise State
The top three Boise State players on my board are all cornerbacks, and Kaniho has been the best of the trio this season. Four games into 2020, the senior has 18 tackles and four pass breakups. Three of those PBUs came during the Broncos’ blowout win over Colorado State. Kaniho is just 5-foot-9, but he’s instinctive and fierce. Expect Kaniho to be signed as a priority free agent, and he could make a roster as a dime back and special-teams player.
Myjai Sanders, Edge, Cincinnati
Sanders showed flashes of next-level ability last year, especially as a pass rusher, and this season he’s putting together a complete game. In seven games, Sanders has posted 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and three quarterback hurries while also breaking up four passes.
He’s an athletic edge rusher who comes out of a three-point stance and can stand over tackle. I presently grade the junior as a fifth-round prospect, but he has the ability to move up boards if he continues to progress.
Kyle Pugh, LB, Northern Illinois
Expectations were high for Pugh last year, but a shoulder injury cut his season short after just two games. Graded as a possible late draft pick, the sixth-year senior has returned with a vengeance this season.
Despite his team getting blown out by Central Michigan in Week 11, Pugh was a one-man wrecking crew, raising his NFL Draft stock with 14 tackles, 1.5 TFL and 1.5 sack. He’s a smallish run-and-chase linebacker with great speed and ability in pursuit.
NFL Draft Sleeper Prospect
Terry Myrick, LB, Eastern Michigan
Despite a junior campaign that included 89 tackles, scouts did not grade Myrick entering the season. I differed, as the linebacker was the only next-level prospect mentioned during my EMU writeup this summer, and he’s making me look smart. Myrick has totaled 10 tackles in each of EMU’s two games this season and has been a man on a mission.
He’s a terrific run-and-chase linebacker with a fierce attitude, and he goes sideline to sideline to make plays. Myrick has limited ball production in coverage and is primarily a run defender, but I could envision him as a backup inside linebacker and special-teams demon at the next level.
NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 11 Slider
Tanner Morgan, QB, Minnesota
Despite many grading Morgan as a top-100 pick, I bucked the trend and stamped him as a UDFA, and he’s playing like one this season. His play has been efficient at best, and uninspired in most cases. Morgan has passed for more than 200 yards in just one game, has four interceptions compared to just four touchdown passes, and completed just 48.5 percent of his throws against an Iowa defense that inspires fear in no one.
Tony Pauline is Pro Football Network’s Chief Draft Analyst and Insider. Follow him on Twitter @TonyPauline. Follow PFN on Twitter @PFN365.