D’Eriq King is one of the more intriguing 2021 NFL Draft prospects, but can the 5-foot-9 quarterback measure up to Trevor Lawrence when Clemson hosts Miami?
This weekend there are some big matchups across the country. Four of the NFL Draft prospects in the spotlight this weekend come from the Clemson-Miami game on Saturday night.
It’s Clemson’s first big test of the season and arguably the biggest test until Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne meet Notre Dame next month as they look to answer any lingering questions about their place in the NFL Draft. For the Hurricanes, it is an opportunity for two of their best offensive players, D’Eriq King and Brevin Jordan, to prove they measure up. Literally, in the case of the 5-foot-9 King whose game is much larger than his diminutive frame.
Not to be overlooked, BYU junior quarterback Zach Wilson is completing over 80 percent of his passes. That is not a typo. Wilson and the Cougars look to continue tearing through the competition when they take on the UTSA Roadrunners.
How will the quarterbacks fare when Miami and Clemson square off?
Trevor Lawrence (1st Round No. 1 Pick) QB
The junior from Cartersville, Georiga, came into this season with as many expectations as on a player in a long time. Losing his top two receivers from last season was supposed to affect his game this season. Then there was the poor performance in the National Title game.
Lawrence has responded in kind. There was no slow start this season. Lawrence has completed nearly 75 percent of his passes and has yet to throw an interception. Nine receivers have at least three receptions this season.
The Tigers play against the Miami Hurricanes this weekend, Lawrence’s toughest opponent this season. Barring a catastrophic injury or criminal scandal, Lawrence will be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Lawrence has a rather compact delivery for a quarterback his height and does not lock onto a receiver.
Their game against Miami is an opportunity to show what he can do against a better defense in prime time.
Travis Etienne (1st Round) RB
What NFL scouts love most about Etienne, in addition to the measurables, is the lack of hits on his body. The true senior won’t come into the NFL with 1,000 college carries on his body. It is not because of durability issues, either. Etienne does not need the carries to get the yards. Scouts love the career 7.7 yards per carry average.
There were some initial concerns about Etienne’s size, but Etienne continued to add weight throughout his college career. At 210 pounds, size should not be an issue. Etienne’s tape tells the story of why scouts justify the first-round grade.
Etienne is one of the most dynamic players in the country with the ball in his hands. Few players can score from anywhere on the field; Etienne is one of the few. Etienne is as comfortable running between the tackles as running on the perimeter. Etienne also contributes in the passing game.
D’Eriq King (7th Round) QB
At 5-foot-9, there are some things scouts want to see in King because of the height. First are the accuracy and ball placement. Second, how many times do defenders batt down balls? King has shown improvement in both. So far this season, King has the highest completion percentage of his career at 66.7 percent.
The leadership and steadying hand King has displayed at Miami cannot be ignored either. The Hurricanes needed quality, efficient quarterback play this season, and King has provided that. The offense runs well with King, and he has taken care of the football throwing no interceptions so far this season.
King has a huge game against Clemson this weekend. If King lights up the Tigers, a team has to give him a look at quarterback.
Brevin Jordan (2nd Round) TE
Brevin Jordan has steadily gotten more comfortable in Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee‘s offense. Conversely, Lashlee has found creative ways to scheme Jordan open as well. Jordan is a bit of a tweener — not big enough to be an NFL tight end, but a step slow to be a big receiver — that won’t matter much at the next level.
The tight end position is so different that Jordan fits in an offense that can use him as an H-back or a wide-open system like the Kansas City Chiefs. Jordan needs to demonstrate an ability to take over games. With respect to Mark Pope and Mike Harley, Jordan is the best receiver on the team but can disappear in games at times.
This matchup against Clemson allows Jordan to rise to the occasion and produce quality tape against a top-notch opponent.
Zach Wilson (1st-2nd Round) QB
Here is an interesting Zach Wilson statistic; the junior quarterback has thrown 11 incomplete passes this season in BYU’s first three games. Against Louisiana Tech, Wilson threw as many touchdowns as incompletions (2). Wilson’s accuracy has scouts enamored. The junior is not throwing swing passes and bubble screens either.
Though there might be some questions about high-end arm talent, Wilson’s accuracy is not in question. Not only does Wilson complete a high number of passes, but Wilson also throws with anticipation and nearly flawless ball placement. Receivers love quarterbacks like this because the ball placement allows them to run after the catch.
Wilson threw 12 consecutive, complete passes against Louisiana Tech; expect the same against Texas-San Antonio this weekend.
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