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NFL Draft: Week 1 stock up, stock down

By Joe Romano

PALO ALTO, CA - AUGUST 31: Stanford Cardinals wide receiver Jj Arcega-Whiteside (19) looks back for a pass overthrown during the game between San Diego State Aztecs and the Stanford Cardinals on Friday, August 31, 2018 at Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - AUGUST 31: Stanford Cardinals wide receiver Jj Arcega-Whiteside (19) looks back for a pass overthrown during the game between San Diego State Aztecs and the Stanford Cardinals on Friday, August 31, 2018 at Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 05: University of Miami Hurricanes Offensive Lineman Brendan Loftus (75), University of Miami Hurricanes Offensive Lineman Nick Linder (68) and University of Miami Hurricanes Defensive Lineman Gerald Willis (91) before the start of the NCAA football game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the University of Miami Hurricanes on November 5, 2016, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 05: University of Miami Hurricanes Offensive Lineman Brendan Loftus (75), University of Miami Hurricanes Offensive Lineman Nick Linder (68) and University of Miami Hurricanes Defensive Lineman Gerald Willis (91) before the start of the NCAA football game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the University of Miami Hurricanes on November 5, 2016, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Gerald Willis III, DT, Miami

Another ACC team that had a disappointing opening weekend was the Miami Hurricanes. The LSU Tigers walked into AT&T Stadium on Sunday night and laid the wood to the top-10 Canes. Offensively the Hurricanes could not get anything going, thanks mostly in part to a bad offensive line and even worse quarterback play. Subsequently the defense started off looking lost but eventually found their way as the game progressed. That is no surprise for a team replacing so much talent up front against a run-first offense like LSU.

A bright spot for UM up front was the talented Gerald Willis. He was a frequent face in the backfield on both passing and running downs. The Tigers were relying heavily on their run game and Willis seemed like the only Hurricane making plays to stuff that.

The former University of Florida transfer always had talent, evident by his four-star rating coming out of high school. With a troubled pass behind him, he dominated on Sunday and is next in line of talented defensive tackles for the Hurricanes. A defensive tackle with a stat line like Willis is a rarity. His night finished with eight tackles, four for loss, a sack and pass break-up against the Tigers.

His high motor and upside will make him a riser throughout the season if he can dominate like that. LSU may have been the best offensive line the Canes face all season, which means we are in line for more dominant performances from the redshirt senior. Miami will need it if they expect to live up to the preseason expectations.

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