NFL Draft 2018 player rankings – Saquon Barkley worthy of top pick?
Malik Jefferson
OLB, Texas
After a hard-fought loss on the road to USC in Week 3, Texas had this past week off. It was probably a needed break as they gear up for conference play and some big games ahead of them on the year.
Against USC, Malik Jefferson had his finest performance of the season. He was all over the field making tackles and certainly did not make it easy on the USC offensive line. The pressure that he and the defense brought gave Sam Darnold one of the toughest challenges of his career yet.
The thing about Jefferson has always been that he has a high motor and can make a big play but he needs the consistency as well. Against the Trojans, that consistency was there and he looked like the pass rushing prospect everyone expected him to be.
He’ll have his hands full in a few weeks when the Longhorns prepare for Orlando Brown and Texas. Before that, they have a trip to take on Iowa State and then a home contest against Kansas State. Some consistent performances following the USC one will have him rising again.
Tony Brown
CB, Alabama
The Vanderbilt Commodores wanted Alabama and they got them. Tony Brown and the defense flexed their muscles against a conference opponent that came into the game with plenty of confidence to start the year.
Alabama went on the road and won the game 59-0. Brown finished the night with two tackles, but once again was used in a variety of ways. He loves to hit and be physical while also shutting down the man across from him.
They held the Commodores to only 78 yards and it’s mind boggling just to think about. Brown didn’t have a night that jumped off the stat sheet, but when a total team defensive effort like that is had, it’s a great one for everyone.
With all the discussion of who is the best team in the country, Alabama made sure to make a statement against Vanderbilt. While they were the heavy favorites, to hold any program to zero points and 78 total yards is a statement in itself.