NFL Draft 2018: Updated ranking of the top 32 draft prospects entering Week 9
Sam Hubbard
DE, Ohio State
The bye week came at the right time for the Ohio State Buckeyes. With a chance to put themselves back in front this week in their conference, they needed every bit of the rest that they got.
Sam Hubbard along with the other talented defensive linemen up front are going to have their biggest test of the season. They’ll take on the Penn State Nittany Lions and Heisman hopeful Saquon Barkley.
Last week, Barkley tore up what is a great Michigan defensive line with ease. This week, he’ll look to make a statement on the road against the Buckeyes. Even bigger implications are on the line in this one too.
Hubbard’s been a leader on this line and the way he’s able to get leverage and force run plays outside so his defense can make plays has been huge for the Buckeyes this season. Whether or not he’ll be able to manipulate the best running back in college football remains to be seen.
Arden Key
EDGE, LSU
Arden Key continues to see his season take flight. In many ways, it’s paralleling the way that the Tigers are finally beginning to take off. Now, that he along with his team looks healthy, they have won three straight.
It’s a perfect time for a bye week and a chance to get ready for the Alabama Crimson Tide. While some might argue it’s best to keep playing to keep things on a roll, the Tigers can reflect on what they’ve done right.
Key had two sacks in the road win against Ole Miss and put together the strong performance people have been expecting. After a slow start to the year after returning from injury, it looked like it was going to take some time.
Now that he is healthy and rounding into football shape, Key is starting to look like the real deal. Finishing strong is going to help him as the Tigers finally take flight. He gets a week to prepare for Alabama.