Tag: Watch List

Penn State TE Theo Johnson named to John Mackey Award watch list

Theo Johnson hopes to become Penn State’s first John Mackey Award winner.

While most of the attention was placed on the massive realignment news flowing around the Big Ten and Big 12, college football’s award season continued to roll along on Friday with the release of the watch list for this year’s John Mackey Award. The top tight end award’s watch list included Penn State’s [autotag]Theo Johnson[/autotag] to get the season started.

This is the second year in a row Johnson has been named to the Mackey award watch list. Johnson is coming off a 2022 season with 20 receptions for 328 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games played. Johnson has 43 career receptions for 597 yards and five touchdowns during his three years at Penn State. He is expected to be Penn State’s top tight end option this season following the departure of Brenton Strange to the NFL.

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The John Mackey Award was first presented in 2000 to Purdue’s Tim Stratton. Penn State does not have a Mackey Award winner, and Iowa’s T.J. Hockenson was the last Big Ten player to take home the award in 2018. Five Big Ten players have won the award.

Last year’s Mackey Award winner was Brock Bowers of Georgia. Other notable winners of the award include Kyle Pitts of Florida (2020), Kellen Winslow II of Miami (2003), and Dallas Clark of Iowa (2002).

You can view the full watch list for the John Mackey Award in the official press release from the award’s official website.

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Wisconsin wide receiver named to Paul Hurnung Award watch list

More watch list news:

Wisconsin enters 2023 with arguably its greatest wide receiver core of all time. If it isn’t the best, and I don’t know what year would rival this group, it’s undoubtedly the deepest.

Phil Longo’s offense could go as far as seven-deep during a game. The starting group of Chimere Dike, C.J. Williams and Will Pauling aren’t far removed from the second trio of Keontez Lewis, Bryson Green and Skyler Bell. Then with a few wildcards like Quincy Burroughs and Chris Brooks Jr., it’s a unit that may be the best on the team when the season comes to a close.

While there was a sizable influx of talent during the offseason, Dike still figures to lead the way for the unit. A recent watch list would agree, as the Waukesha, Wisconsin native was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list for the most versatile player in college football.

The award has been given out since 2010. Notable former winners include Alabama’s DeVonta Smith in 2020, Purdue’s Rondale Moore in 2018, Penn State’s Saquon Barkley in 2017, Michigan’s Jabril Peppers in 2016 and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey in 2015.

Dike makes the list thanks to his part-time role as a return specialist. If he has a big season catching the football and a few splash plays on special teams, we could see the veteran Badger advance as a finalist.

Sooners LB Danny Stutsman named to Nagurski Award watch list

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman was named to the Nagurski Award watch list.

As fall camp gets ready to ramp up, watch list season begins in the world of college football awards.

This morning, Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman was named to the Nagurski Award watch list. Named after hall of famer Bronco Nagurski, the award is given to the best defensive player in the country.

After leading the Big 12 in tackles in 2022, the expectations are high for Stutsman in year two under Venables. He’s taken on a bigger leadership role and is looking to take his game to the next level in 2023.

Two Oklahoma Sooners have taken home the Nagurski, which has been in existence since 1993. [autotag]Roy Williams[/autotag] won it in 2001, and [autotag]Derrick Strait[/autotag] in 2003. Williams was the last safety to win the award, and Strait the last cornerback to take home the trophy. The only other defensive backs to win the Nagurski were Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey back in 1997 and 1998.

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2024 NFL draft watch list: Top defensive ends who fit the Saints’ standards

2024 NFL draft watch list: Highlighting top defensive ends who fit the New Orleans Saints’ standards | @DillySanders

The New Orleans Saints are very picky when it comes to their defensive ends — actively seeking out oversized edge players who are naturally-stout run defenders that earn sacks with high effort as opposed to speed and flexibility. It’s a prototype that’s hard knock to when it works, as has been the case with Cameron Jordan for more than a decade, but it limits their options in the draft to a frustrating degree. A lot of good players have gotten past the Saints because of poor system fits and athletic limitations.

But it’s an approach we should expect to continue. With that in mind, here are the top five prospects eligible for the 2024 NFL draft who fit what the Saints tend to look for:

2024 NFL draft watch list: Pass-rushing defensive ends for the New Orleans Saints

We’re continuing to survey the 2024 NFL draft, with our New Orleans Saints watch list focusing on the top pass-rushing defensive ends | @DillySanders

Could the New Orleans Saints pick another defensive lineman early in next year’s NFL draft? They’ve certainly set a precedent for it by investing so many early-round picks in the trenches, including a second rounder in 2023 with Isiah Foskey.

But they don’t have a long-term fix at the position right now, and Cameron Jordan isn’t getting any younger. It shouldn’t shock anyone if the Saints add another edge rusher in the 2024 class. New Orleans values different factors in their athletic skill sets at defensive ends on the left and right sides of the formation, with most of the players on the right side (Carl Granderson, Payton Turner, Foskey, and before them Marcus Davenport) all weighing in at around 265 to 270 pounds while Jordan and his backups on the left side often tip the scales at 280 pounds or more.

With that in mind, here are five prospects eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that we’ll be watching closely during the upcoming college football season:

Mock Draft Monday: Saints projected to pick Boston College guard Christian Mahogany

Mock Draft Monday: New Orleans Saints projected to pick fast-rising Boston College guard Christian Mahogany, a name high on our 2024 watch list

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It’s time for another 2024 mock draft as we continue to build our New Orleans Saints watch list in anticipation of the college football season. The Saints were projected to pick fast-rising Boston College guard Christian Mahogany, a name already high on our 2024 watch list, in this admittedly way-too-early model from ESPN’s Jordan Reid. Here’s Reid’s reasoning:

Interior offensive line is a major question mark for the Saints, with their top three options — Andrus Peat, Cesar Ruiz and Calvin Throckmorton — all scheduled to become free agents following the season. Mahogany was getting early-round buzz before tearing his right ACL heading into the 2022 season, and now that he is healthy, scouts are watching to see if he can follow Chris Lindstrom (2019) and Zion Johnson (2022) as the next Boston College first-round lineman. Mahogany has spent time at both guard spots, and at 6-foot-3, 335 pounds, he is tough to beat.

Few teams invest early-round picks in the trenches like New Orleans. Since Jeff Ireland was hired to oversee their college scouting department in 2015, New Orleans has picked offensive or defensive linemen with 11 of their 19 selections in the first two rounds. As Reid observed, the Saints will be looking for new blood at guard next offseason with all three of their top players at the position headed for free agency.

If Mahogany meets expectations and helps the Boston College line return to form, he could very well end up being their pick next April. But first he needs to prove he’s fully recovered from last year’s knee injury, and that he can play at a high enough level to justify that kind of buzz. So which other positions are on Reid’s radar when it comes to New Orleans?

Beyond the interior offensive line, Reid highlighted wide receiver and the defensive line as positions of need. Some prospects in his mock draft who could fit what the Saints typically look for include Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy (though he’s skinny at just 160 pounds; Rashid Shaheed is the lightest receiver in New Orleans at a listed 181 pounds) and Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, a disruptive player who lined up at both end and tackle. We’ll add them both to the list.

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Why Tulane QB Michael Pratt belongs on Saints 2024 NFL Draft watch list

Why Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt belongs on your New Orleans Saints 2024 NFL draft watch list | @crissy_froyd

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It’s not been long that the 2023 NFL draft has been in the books, but there is always room for early predictions for the next event — especially when it comes to the doldrums of the offseason.

There is no sure telling what the 2024 NFL draft will hold for the New Orleans Saints (and it will be a while before anyone has a clue as to just what the picture will look like).

Depending on a number of factors, it could be possible that the Saints pick up another signal-caller in next year’s draft. And based on how the chips fall, prospects like Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt — who reasonably has a mid-round grade on him going into 2023 — could be a potential option should he choose to declare. According to some NFL sources, Pratt is being talked about not far behind Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, largely ranked as the top two quarterbacks in the upcoming draft class.

Pratt was a key piece of the Green Wave’s historic 2022 turnaround from 2-10 to 10-2, making some personal strides of his own as he finished out the year with a 63.6% completion rate, 3,010 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and just five interceptions on 338 passing attempts.

While there are some things to clean up including some aspects surrounding processing and cleaning up footwork, Pratt brings a complete package as a quarterback who is a clean and accurate passer with solid arm strength, has everything one could ask for intangibly speaking and shows the ability to improvise when the pocket collapses and use his legs in tough fashion without being overly reckless.

He expects to shine through even more as a passer this year.

“I think footwork-wise, I’m understanding the offense and being in the offense for two years with Coach Nagle has been a huge bonus,” Pratt told me this offseason. “Being on the same page with him and knowing what he’s looking for. I think better footwork has led to improved accuracy and I’ve been getting the ball out faster and more on time.”

There is no questioning that quarterback has been a point of issue for the team since the departure of future Hall of Fame signal-caller Drew Brees when he made the decision to retire from the NFL.

It’s obvious at this point that Jameis Winston projects as no more than a high-end backup based on the inconsistent body of work he has put up over the course of his NFL career. There’s room for doubt about his future, as reflected not only by the tape, but by the fact the Saints signed him to just a one-year amended deal ahead of the season.

There are question marks surrounding just how much Derek Carr will pan out with a change of scenery. And, regardless, there is no denying that he is in the final years of his career based on age alone.

The Saints spent a late-round draft pick on former Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener, who projects as a player with a high floor and a solid ceiling.

Between all three of these players, how things shake out with their performances this season, who the Saints choose to hold onto, where the Saints finish among the NFL and how Pratt performs on 2023 will all need to be factored in, but there’s plenty of intrigue surrounding the idea of keeping the Uptown quarterback in New Orleans.

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2024 NFL draft prospects to add to your Saints watch list in the fall

The Saints scouting department is already working on their 2024 draft prospect watch lists, so why shouldn’t you? Four names to know, and when to tune in:

The New Orleans Saints are all-in on the 2023 season, as they should be. After successfully recruiting Derek Carr and investing in the talent around him, they have all of their attention focused on the games in front of them.

Well, almost all of it. Jeff Ireland and his scouting department are busy planning out their campus visits and game assignments for the 2023 college football season, eager to get to work on identifying the next wave of NFL draft prospects. So where could they be looking?

Here are four names to add to your 2024 watch list, and when to tune in for their biggest early-season matchups with other legit NFL prospects:

Two Gators make 2022 Rotary Lombardi Award Watchlist

Florida had a pair of linemen featured on the Rotary Lombardi Award watchlist on Monday.

Florida right guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] and JACK linebacker [autotag]Brenton Cox Jr[/autotag]. are among the 90 players who landed on the Rotary Lombardi Award watchlist Monday when the committee released its midseason update.

According to the award’s website, the accolade “goes annually to the college football lineman — offense or defense — who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of Vince Lombardi.” A subcommittee of the Rotary Lombardi Award committee compiles the watchlist and includes SID submissions. To be considered for the watchlist, players must also have started at least one game at an NCAA Division 1 college or university.

Torrence is currently on the mend, but he’s been one of the best offensive linemen in all of college football this season. He’s transitioned from the Group of Five to the Power Five seamlessly and has first-round potential if he can stay healthy.

Cox flirted with the draft last year but came back to raise his stock. His personal goal was to break the school’s sack record of 13, but he’s only at two through seven games. Still, Cox has been one of Florida’s best players on defense this year. He has a team-high eight tackles for loss and was named Co-SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after Florida’s win over Utah.

It will take a big run for either Gator to beat out some of the other names on the watchlist, but being recognized is always a positive. Both men should warrant plenty of attention come draft season regardless of how many awards they win.

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Pair of Sooners wide receivers named to Earl Campbell Award watch list

Theo Wease and Marvin Mims named to the Earl Campbell Award watch list for 2022.

Texas high school football has produced some of the greatest college football players. One such player was Texas Longhorns’ legend, Earl Campbell. Campbell, a native of Tyler, Texas, rushed for 4,443 yards over four seasons with the Longhorns before a long and storied career in the NFL with the Houston Oilers and one season with New Orleans.

Named after the legendary runner, the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is given to the former Texas high school player who embodies “integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity.”

Placed on the preseason watch list for the award are Oklahoma wide receivers Marvin Mims (Frisco) and Theo Wease (Allen).

Wease is returning from a foot injury that kept him out for much of the 2021 season. In 2020, he tied for the team lead in receptions with Marvin Mims.

Mims has led the Oklahoma Sooners in receiving yards each of the last two seasons, despite being underutilized for much of the second half of the season.

In a new offense, a fresh start’s arrived for both Wease and Mims with Jeff Lebby calling the plays.

Awarded since 2013, Oklahoma leads the nation with two recipients; Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.

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