Xavier Hutchinson vs Texas
Iowa State wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson enters Week 7 inside the top 10 receiving yard leaders. Hutchinson is a blend of size and explosiveness with his 6’3″ frame. Iowa State doesn’t utilize Hutchinson down the field on the outside a lot, but he is able to attack downfield from the slot. Unlike most taller receiver prospects who lack high-end agility, Hutchinson is able to bring crisp routes and change of direction to his game. With this unique skill set Iowa State has a weapon, they can create mismatches with smaller slot corners or stiffer outside defenders.
Texas poses a problem for Hutchinson as he may not be able to use his size against his opposing corners as much as he is used to. Ohio State transfer and Longhorn starting corner Ryan Watts matches Hutchinson in the size department inch for inch. Watts will most likely be charged with manning Hutchinson when he lies up outside and especially in the endzone. Watts’ biggest flaw as a corner prospect is his agility, an area Hutchinson isn’t lacking in. Watts and the rest of the Longhorns’ defense will look to neutralize Hutchinson and limit his ability to take over the game as best they can.
Hendon Hooker vs Alabama
With the race for a 1st round quarterback status, Hendon Hooker has put his name in the hat as an intriguing prospect many in draft media are beginning to grow hyped for. Hooker has a prototypical size and high-level mobility to give any defense fits. The Volunteers’ QB has led them to an undefeated record and #6 overall ranking in the nation. He has done this by not throwing a single interception and rocking the 3rd highest QBR in the nation. However, Hooker will need to take his game to another level if he is going to top his week 7 opponent.
Alabama is coming off a tough win vs a Texas A&M team who were able to keep close despite a tumultuous quarterback situation. The Crimson Tide brings out one of the top defenses in the nation year in and year out. With their demotion to #3 in the nation this week they will have a chip on their shoulder and the next opponent will have to deal with it. Will Anderson continues to show why he is the number one prospect in the nation as an elite pass rusher off of the EDGE. Hooker will be under duress often in this game and he will need to be perfect if he hopes to pull out the upset.
Sean Tucker vs NC State
Syracuse has run their offense through star running back Sean Tucker. In a bid to be considered one of the top prospects of his position, Tucker put on a clinic vs Wagner. Week 7 will provide a substantially more formidable opponent than the Wagner Seahawks. Tucker will be asked to carry his team’s offense once again and that focus may be what leads to him facing more loaded boxes than he and the Orange would like.
NC State’s defense may not be as loaded as it has been in the past. However, the 15th-ranked school has had a plethora of NFL talent coming out of their front 7 in the past years. This team has a long legacy of defensive standout games and a focused point of attack when it comes to the Syracuse offense. The Wolfpack will look to neutralize Tucker as best they can, knowing that he is the main threat for the opposing offense. Forcing the Orange to beat them through the air by taking away easy runs for Tucker will challenge both him and his offensive line to take the hard-fought yards and execute their assignments to perfection to prevent a setback in the game plan.
Jordan Addison (WR – USC) vs Clark Phillips (CB – Utah)
We highlighted Phillips last week, but this matchup between two potential 1st round picks is too exciting to ignore. We discussed Phillips’ transition from a heavy zone to a heavy man corner and his success in both phases. This has led to the Utah corner becoming a real ball hawk and playmaker in the past few weeks with five interceptions on the season. He thrives against short quick cutting routes. Addison presents a different challenge this week.
The Lincoln Riley offense brings an NFL level of difficulty to the game for opposing secondaries. Jordan Addison’s over-the-top speed and in-space yards-after-catch ability make him a threat at multiple levels of the field. It’ll be interesting to see how Phillips plays against a receiver who is capable of winning on double moves as is where Addison finds success more often against an aggressive corner.
*data from Sports Info Solutions
