Three College Football Players To Watch

Which potential Eagles should you keep an eye out for today?

By Chris Jastrzembski· 10/29/2016, 8:00 a.m.

Cooper Kupp. (USA TODAY Sports)

There are nine undefeated teams in Division I, but seven of them are on the road this week, which could create a ton of chaos as the month of October draws to a close. There’s three big top-25 battles that could also decide conference championship games, and perhaps even the College Football Playoff. The three away teams in those games, No. 3 Clemson, No. 4 Washington, and No. 7 Nebraska, are also undefeated. Home field advantage could be huge this week, as we saw last week in Penn State.

Eagles fans should keep a close eye on these three college football players during today’s slate of games.

1. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington (Division I-AA)
This week’s opponent: vs. No. 16 Montana — 3:30 p.m.

We give you our first Division I-AA prospect in the redshirt-senior wide receiver from the Eagles of Eastern Washington. Kupp is one of the top offensive players in FCS, winning the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player last season, and being a candidate again this season. Up until today, Kupp has caught 59 catches for 866 yards and eight touchdowns. Kupp is an aggresive receiver and refuses to cough up the football. He also has good awareness for the ball and his surroundings. The only thing he doesn’t have, which the Eagles may be looking for, is breakaway speed to get away from defenders. Kupp is an intriguing propsect, and is currently projected as a second or third round pick.

2. Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
This week’s opponent: @ No. 12 Florida State — 8 p.m. (ABC)

Last year was his first as a starter and almost jumped to the NFL last season, but decided against it and is now a senior captain on the Tigers. He was one of the ACC’s leaders in pass breakups with 19 and led Clemson with five interceptions. So far this season, he has six pass breakups and is tied for the team lead in that category. He has great ball skills, toughness, and a combination of both size and speed, but needs to work on his technique and has to stay on top of routes. Tankersley would be a great addition to the Eagles’ small cornerback group.

3. Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
This week’s opponent: vs. Arizona State — 5 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)

Freeman is one of the lone bright spots on this Oregon team, but even he isn’t having a great season. After rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two season, Freeman has only rushed for 523 yards on 82 carries for seven touchdowns. He’s rushed for a grand total of 60 yards on 26 carries in his past two games. Regardless of Oregon’s very bad season, “Rolls Royce” is an elusive and even stronger running back, and is also a threat catching the ball. He does not have great speed and has also not played in a pro-style setting in Oregon, which could affect him. With how Freeman and the Ducks have played this season, he may decide to stay for a senior season and try to improve his draft stock, which is currently a second round pick.

Game Of The Week: No. 4 Washington @ No. 17 Utah — 3:30 p.m. (FS1)

A majority of Pac-12 coaches don’t see a weakness in Washington at all. They are running away with the Pac-12 this season, and a win over Utah would help their case. The Huskies’ defense is very fast and physical, and with teams such as Alabama and Clemson getting the publicity so far this season, Chris Petersen and his team are happy with staying under the radar. This is Washington’s first 7-0 record since 1992.

Honorable Mentions: No. 10 West Virginia @ Oklahoma State (Noon, FOX); No. 14 Florida vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville) (3:30 p.m., CBS); No. 8 Baylor @ Texas (3:30 p.m., ABC); No. 7 Nebraska @ No. 11 Wisconsin (7 p.m., ABC); No. 3 Clemson @ No. 12 Florida State (8 p.m., ABC)

Here are the players we’ve previously highlighted:

October 22

Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin

Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

Marquis Haynes, OLB/DE, Ole Miss

October 15

Zach Cunningham, OLB, Vanderbilt

Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State

Damore’ea Stringfellow, WR, Ole Miss

October 8

John Ross, WR, Washington

Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan