Tag: pff college

This is where PFF thinks Wisconsin’s QB stacks up with rest of Big Ten

This is where PFF thinks Wisconsin’s QB stacks up with rest of Big Ten

The Wisconsin Badgers football team is less than a week away from their regular season opener Aug. 30 at home versus Western Michigan and they’ll have a new starting quarterback in 2024, handing the reins to transfer Tyler Van Dyke.

Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus College ranked the quarterbacks in the Big Ten, releasing his list on X. He considers Van Dyke to be the No. 3 overall QB in the conference.

Fellow transfer Dillon Gabriel (formerly with Oklahoma) and Penn State sophomore Drew Allar are the only two players considered to be better at the position by Wasserman.

Van Dyke transferred to Wisconsin in the offseason after four seasons at Miami, including an impressive 2021 campaign in which he compiled 2,931 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes while throwing six interceptions with the Hurricanes.

The Badgers will square off with both Gabriel and Allar in 2024, as well as Riley Moss (USC, No. 4) and Hudson Card (Purdue, No. 8) of the quarterbacks considered to be in the top half of the rankings.

Former Wisconsin legend ranked as highest-graded Big Ten player in PFF era

Former Wisconsin legend ranked as highest-graded Big Ten Player in PFF era

Former Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded player in the Big Ten since the outlet’s inception.

Graded at a 96.2, the current Indianapolis Colt landed just ahead of former Michigan Wolverine running back Blake Corum, former Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell, former UCLA lineman Laiatu Latu and former Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin.

PFF’s collegiate grading systems date to 2014, the same year as the inaugural College Football Playoff.

During his three seasons in Madison, Taylor was a two-time Doak Walker Award winner, Walter Camp Player of the Year finalist, Maxwell Award semifinalist, Lombardi Award semifinalist and unanimous first-team All-America selection.

The New Jersey native also became the seventh player in Football Bowl Subdivision history to rush for 6,000 yards after departing college and finished his career ranked No. 2 all-time among Big Ten players in rushing yards (6,174).

As a Colt, Taylor looks to bounce back after rushing for 741 yards and seven scores in only 10 games of action in 2023. Following a few injury-riddled seasons, he looks to replicate a 2021 season in which he posted 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns.

ProFootballFocus ranks Wisconsin starting RT one of the best tackles in Big Ten

PFF College ranks Wisconsin offensive lineman in top 10 in the Big Ten

The Wisconsin Badgers football team has plenty of veteran players, one of which is starting right tackle Riley Mahlman — who ProFootballFocus recently ranked in their top 10 returning tackles to the Big Ten in 2024.

Mahlman is the service’s seventh-highest-rated returning offensive tackle. Entering his fourth year with the Badgers, third as a starter, the 6-foot-8 athlete will look to continue his stellar play on Wisconsin’s offensive line.

In general, it’s a very experienced group up front for Luke Fickell’s squad in Madison. Four of the team’s five starters from last year are back with offensive tackle Jack Nelson and guards Joe Huber and Joe Brunner back for another season.

Additionally, veteran Jake Renfro is taking over at center for Tanor Bortolini (drafted by the Colts). He started 13 games for Cincinnati back in 2021 before missing 2022 with an injury. Even the replacements along Fickell’s offensive line has some on-field experience.

That line will be blocking for a new quarterback in 2024, either Tyler Van Dyke or Braedyn Locke, while running back Chez Mellusi is back for one last ride.

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Former Wisconsin quarterback leads one of ProFootballFocus top QB rooms entering 2024

Former Wisconsin quarterback leads one of ProFootballFocus top QB rooms entering 2024

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz leads the Florida Gators quarterback room to a No. 7 rating in ProFootballFocus’ QB room ranking entering 2024. Mertz is entering his second campaign in Gainesville, returning following a productive 2023 campaign.

The quarterback compiled 2,903 passing yards and 20 touchdowns over 11 games last season, excelling to put up career-best numbers across the board with the Gators. The 2024 campaign will be his sixth overall college campaign before he’ll likely look to go pro thereafter.

Also in the QB room will be freshman DJ Lagway, a former five-star and top overall quarterback in the class of 2024. It’s possible that if Mertz gets off to a slow start, Lagway could be the next in line.

In regards to the Badgers quarterbacks, graduate transfer Tyler Van Dyke (Miami-FL) and redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke are the two players in a position to start in 2024 in what will be the second season with Phil Longo’s air raid offense in Madison.

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PFF College grades Kool-Aid McKinstry as a top-10 player in CFB

Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry graded as the No. 7 player in CFB per PFF College

In the 2023 season, teams like Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State will pave the way to the College Football Playoff, but all three have flaws on their roster that leave the door open for other programs. At the same time, however, college football has maybe never been more talented.

The 2024 NFL draft is already speculated to be one of the strongest in recent memory. It will be headlined by generational talents like Caleb Williams at quarterback and Marvin Harrison Jr. at wide receiver offensively. On the defensive side of the ball, Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is widely regarded as the best player.

In PFF’s Top 10 players of the 2023 CFB season, McKinstry comes in as the highest defender ranking No. 7 overall. He is also the Tide’s highest-ranked player on the list. McKinstry was the leader of the Tide’s defensive secondary as he essentially shut down one side of the field. He only posted 35 tackles, one sack and one interception, but his lack of action has more to do with QBs being unwilling to throw the ball in his direction.

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PFF ranks the top 10 receiving corps in CFB

Alabama’s 2023 wide receivers rank among the top 10 units in all of college football.

Alabama fans have grown accustomed to having some of the best players in all of college football representing the Crimson Tide, especially at the wide receiver position. The Tide has earned the nickname “WRU,” or Wide Receiver University, for the production of guys like Julio Jones and Amari Cooper and in recent years they have been extra skilled with guys like Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, John Metchie and Jameson Williams among many others.

However, the Alabama receiving corps seemingly took a step back in 2022, as it was one of the least effective position groups on the roster. Jahmyr Gibbs led the team in receptions as a running back last season with 44.

The WR room lost a ton of talent to the transfer portal this offseason in guys like JoJo Earle and Traeshon Holden, but the offense will feature a lot of the same guys from last season such as JaCorey Brooks and Jermaine Burton. Incoming transfer, Malik Benson, is another potential star to keep an eye on as he who the No. 1 JUCO player in the country who can completely change the dynamics of the offense.

PFF College ranked the top 10 receiving corps in college football and Alabama snuck onto the list at No. 10. While they do have a lot to prove this season, they have all of the talent they need to have a successful season.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Alabama’s running back room ranked in the top ten of college football

Alabama football expected to have one of the most talented running back rooms in 2023

Alabama’s dynasty was originally built on an elite running game and dominant offensive lines. Over the past couple of years, however, they have gotten away from that identity.

Granted, the Tide had a solid run of NFL quarterbacks in Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and Bryce Young, but the key to success in 2023 will be getting back to the ground game. Alabama has had some incredibly special talent at the position in guys like Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Jahmyr Gibbs and so many more.

It will be no easy task trying to replace the Tide’s leading rusher from the 2022 season in Gibbs, as he led the way with 151 carries as well as tacking on 44 receptions which also led the team. Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams will both find bigger roles in the offense this season. McClellan had 112 rushing attempts for 655 yards and seven scores while Williams had 56 carries for 250 yards and four scores.

There are also sky-high expectations for incoming freshman Justice Haynes who is a four-star recruit and was ranked as the second RB in the 2023 recruiting cycle. However, people in Tuscaloosa seem to believe that Haynes could be the Tide’s leading back by the end of the season. Haynes played varsity all four years of high school and posted a mind-boggling 777 carries, 7,407 yards, and 91 touchdowns.

Between McClellan, Williams and Haynes the Alabama faithful should have high hopes for this position group. Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus also holds the Crimson Tide running back room in high regard as he ranks them as one of the ten best in college football alongside fellow SEC foes Arkansas and Georgia.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Alabama leads the way with most former players currently on NFL rosters

Alabama football is dominating current NFL rosters!

If you know anything about college football or the NFL, then you likely know that no program has sent more players to the next level than Alabama since [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] arrived in Tuscaloosa back in 2007.

Despite two consecutive seasons without a national championship (a rarity in Tuscaloosa), Alabama’s dominance on NFL rosters has continued.

On Wednesday, PFF College released a graphic displaying which college programs currently have the most former players in the NFL, and Alabama has a massive advantage.

Alabama currently has 83 former players on NFL rosters with the next closest program having 70 and that being SEC rival, LSU. Ohio State, Georgia, and Michigan round out the top five.

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In a loaded draft class, Will Anderson Jr. is the elite prospect

Will Anderson No. 1 EDGE prospect in the 2023 NFL draft

The 2023 NFL draft isn’t receiving the respect it deserves as a lot of the scouts and executives in the NFL are saying that there are only about 15 players worthy of a first-round selection. The Quarterback and EDGE positions are very talented though with 4 QBs expected to go in the top ten and ten EDGE rushers to go in the first two rounds. The two are the most widely regarded as the most important position in the modern-day NFL.

Will Anderson’s former Alabama teammate, Bryce Young, is expected to be one of those four QBs taken as well CJ Stroud, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson. All signs point to Bryce Young becoming the first ever Crimson Tide player to be taken No. 1 overall in the draft.

PFF College grades the top ten EDGE rushers in the class and they rank Will Anderson Jr. as the top prospect. Tyree Wilson, who is No. 5 on this list, will more than likely be a top-ten pick that is how talented this group is.

Nobody has wreaked more havoc in college football over the past two years than Anderson. He has led the country in tackles for loss and sacks during that time span. He was also a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and two-time Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner in his three-year collegiate career.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Will Anderson through the NFL draft process.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

On3 Sports ranks the top available players in the transfer portal

Former Longhorns Brenen Thompson and Byron Vaughns are among the top 10 players available in the transfer portal.

The post-spring round of the transfer portal has produced quality free agents across the country. Many of those players are tied to the state of Texas and the Big 12 conference.

On3 Sports ranked the Top 10 best available players in the transfer portal on Wednesday. There are several familiar names.

Georgia defensive tackle Bear Alexander leads the way after starting on the Bulldogs’ national championship winning team last season. Alexander was high school teammates with three Longhorns at Denton Ryan High School, but we don’t expect Texas to win his recruitment.

Texas transfer wide receiver Brenen Thompson and former Texas defender Byron Vaughns make the cut. It’s uncertain if Texas burnt the bridge with Vaughns or if both parties would consider a reunion. Nevertheless, the productive edge rusher should be one of the more popular transfers remaining.

TCU transfer receiver Jordan Hudson and former Cincinnati linebacker Jaheim Thomas depart their respective Big 12 squads in what could be huge losses for both teams.

Here’s a look at On3 Sports’ top available players in the transfer portal at this time.