Dynasty Scouts Conference Review: Big Ten and ACC
We will be reviewing the risers, fallers, a premier conference performer, and we will shine a spotlight on the top freshmen every week. These weekly recaps will keep you informed on the “hot” college players around the country and will make studying for your future rookie draft effortless.
BIG 10
Premier Conference Performer
Shannon Brooks, RB Minnesota (Freshman)
17 carries, 174 yards, three touchdowns, four catches, five yards vs. Illinois
He sealed a 32-23 victory for the Golden Gophers by rushing for a 75-yard touchdown with 1:25 remaining in the game. In the second quarter he was able to breakaway from the defense to score on a 38-yard touchdown run. This is the second game of the season where he was able to explode for over 170 yards rushing. He has seven touchdowns on the season with 636 yards rushing.
[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]
Rising
Brandon Ross, RB Maryland (Senior)
19 carries, 250 yards, three touchdowns vs. Indiana
This was the biggest game of his career, reaching 250 yards rushing for the fourth-most in school history. He flew by the defense for two long touchdown runs of 79 and 75 yards. He also scored on a 22-yard scamper in the first quarter. This is the third game this season where he rushed for over 100 yards rushing.
Paul James, RB Rutgers (Senior)
18 carries, 116 yards, three touchdowns vs. Army
James wore down the defense with his physical running style. Rutgers made it a point that they were going to pound the ball down Army’s throat, and James’ production saw an uptick from it. He did his job, he ran efficiently while making sure the ball was secured at all times. He scored on three short-yardage touchdowns, which helped the Scarlet Knights snap a four-game losing streak.
Malik Turner, WR Illinois (Sophomore)
11 catches, 126 yards, one touchdown vs. Minnesota
This was the first game in his career where he got an extensive amount of targets. Illinois was playing from behind most the game and quarterback Wes Lunt leaned on Turner as his go to option. In the first quarter, he was able to effortlessly separate from a defender for a 13-yard touchdown reception.
Amara Darboh, WR Michigan (Senior)
Seven catches, 68 yards, one touchdown vs. Penn State
Darboh made an amazing over the shoulder catch for a 26-yard gain in the second quarter. Later in the same drive quarterback Jake Rudock found Darboh for a 11-yard touchdown pass. He’s a good route runner and has great hands. He currently leads the team in receptions (52) and receiving yards (635).
Falling
Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State (Junior)
12 carries, 33 yards, one touchdown vs. Michigan State
Michigan State did a very good job at obtaining their goal of stopping the run and the read option. Due to suspect play calling from the coaching staff, Elliott didn’t get the amount of touches as he normally would. He received just two carries in the second half. Still, the Spartan defense had him contained to just 2.8 yards per carry. After the game, he declared that he wasn’t going to return to Ohio State next season and blasted the coaching staff for their play calling. Although, it was one of the lowest points of his career, Elliott’s emotional outbreak after the game should not put a black eye on his draft status. He was highly likely going to declare for the draft after this season, so there’s nothing alarming about him stating that he wasn’t coming back to Ohio State next season.
J.T. Barrett, QB Ohio State (Sophomore)
9/16 passing, 46 yards, one touchdown, 15 carries, 44 yards vs. Michigan State
Going into the season, one of the things Ohio State had to hang their hat on was that they had multiple talented quarterbacks on the roster. Earlier this season Cardale Jones flamed out, leaving the fate of Ohio State’s playoff chances on Barrett’s shoulders. Michigan State did a superb job at stopping the read option and that took away Barrett’s bread and butter of using the read option to set up the pass. He struggled to find his receivers, and hurt the team’s ability to convert third downs. His receivers didn’t help by dropping passes, but his inability to make plays killed any chance of Ohio State being able to run away with this game.
Jordan Howard, RB Indiana (Junior)
Three carries, 14 yards vs. Maryland
Howard left the game in the first quarter after tweaking his knee and he did not return. This is the second injury to sideline him this season, the other injury was a sprained ankle that he suffered against Ohio State. Keep an eye on the practice reports this week to see if there’s a chance that he’s going to play next week against Purdue.
Freshman Spotlight
LJ Scott, RB Michigan State (Freshman)
13 carries, 58 yards, one catch, two yards vs. Ohio State
Scott had issues with fumbling the ball earlier this season. He regained the faith of his coaching staff with his gritty effort against Ohio State. He helped the team sustain drives in the second half by using his size to power his way through the defense on many short yardage situations. If it wasn’t for him converting critical third downs late in the game, Michigan State might not have came away with the win.
ACC
Premier Conference Performer
Tyler Boyd, WR Pittsburgh (Junior)
Eleven catches, 103 yards, one touchdown, four carries, 50 yards vs. Louisville
I would hate to see what this offense would look like without Boyd. He is the heart and soul of the team. They are doing what ever they can to get the ball in his hands, either by getting him involved in the run game or manufacturing way to get him the ball in the passing game. He made a difficult catch with two defenders draped over him for a 35-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. He currently ranks second in ACC in receiving with 803 yards.
Rising
Elijah Hood, RB North Carolina (Sophomore)
17 carries, 115 yards, two touchdowns vs. Virginia Tech
Hood scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to give the Tar Heels the lead. This was his sixth game with over 100 yards rushing. He currently ranks second in the ACC in rushing with 1,060 yards. He’s been highly efficient this year with 6.2 yards per carry.
Dalvin Cook, RB Florida State (Sophomore)
15 carries, 106 yards, two touchdowns, once catch, five yards vs. Chattanooga
Cook was expected to have a big game against Chattanooga, an inferior opponent. He did all his damage in the first half. He was pulled out of the game in the second half due to Florida State having a commanding lead. He is currently ranked sixth in the nation in rushing with 1,475 yards.
Qadree Ollison, RB Pittsburgh (Freshman)
28 carries, 152 yards, one touchdown, once catch, one yard vs. Louisville
Once Pitt established their commanding lead, they leaned on Ollison to wear down the defense and control the clock. He has four games with over 100 yards rushing and ranks fourth in the ACC in rushing with 1,011 yards.
Falling
Joseph Yearby, RB Miami (Sophomore)
13 carries, 47 yards, one touchdown vs. Georgia Tech
Yearby couldn’t get anything going. He was stuffed multiple times at the line of scrimmage.
He had three big games at the beginning of the season, ever since then he has been hit or miss.
Zack Mahoney, QB Syracuse (Sophomore)
10/21 passing, 152 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, 12 carries, 14 yards vs. North Carolina State
Mahoney only completed 47.62 percent of passes as he was inaccurate with a lot of his throws. NC State did a good job at stopping the read option which left Mahoney stuffed at the line of scrimmage whenever he tried to run the ball.
Shaquille Powell, RB Duke (Senior)
Three carries, 14 yards vs. Virginia
Powell is losing carries to other running backs on the team. There were three running backs who received more carries than him. With only 488 yards and three touchdowns, it’s safe to say that his senior campaign has been a bust.
Freshman Spotlight
Jacques Patrick, RB Florida State
16 carries, 77 yards, two touchdowns vs. Chattanooga
I’m infatuated with this kid. He’s big, 6-2 232 pounds, and he’s very quick for his size. He’s physical at the point of attack using his body as a battering ram to pickup extra yardage. Every time he gets the opportunity to play he produces.
[/am4show]
