CFB Week 3 Stock Report

Written by Christian Lysek

I regret to say that I watched zero college football on Saturday. None. Not even my Hokies. I spent the day at a cabin with no service or cable, so instead my friends and I enjoyed nature and had a good ole time. Thanks to the magic of Youtube, however, I have been able to catch up on some of the games, and I am able to bring you my latest stock report. Read on to find out who is soaring and who is plummeting.

Stock Up:

Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State

Rashaad Penny

Perhaps you have heard Rashaad Penny's name before today, but even if you haven't, all you need to know is that this kid is legit. At 5'11'' and 220 pounds, Penny is a bigger
back, but he has real-deal speed. He is leading the FBS right now in rushing yards with 588 and has four touchdowns in only three games. Penny's stock is soaring and he could be a top-50 or even first round guy by the end of the season.

Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State

Nick Fitzgerald is one of those toolsy quarterbacks that scouts drool over despite having lackluster accuracy. At least, he used to have lackluster accuracy. Fitzgerald was dominate against LSU, completing 65.2% of his 23 passes for 2 touchdowns while rushing for 2 more in Mississippi State's 37-7 win. If he keeps his completion percentage up, he could quickly find his way into the first or second round.

Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas

Has Jefferson finally turned the corner? Against USC on Saturday, Jefferson sure looked like he might have. Jefferson flew all over the field racking up 11 tackles, 9 of them solo. With more games like this, Jefferson is going to fly up my board.

Duke Dawson, CB. Florida

If you want to know why a bad Florida team was still in the game against Tennessee, look no further than Duke Dawson. The senior made a crucial red zone pick to halt a Tennessee scoring drive, keeping the Gators in contention to win. Dawson has balled out so far this season, with two interceptions (one pick six) in each of the first two games. He appears to the next stud corner from Florida.

Josh Adams, RB, Norte Dame

Boston College always has a strong defense, but you wouldn't know it by the way Josh Adams ran them over. Adams had a monster day, running for 229 yards on only 18 carries. Adams is probably a late round player, but he is looking like a gem at this point.

Cam Phillips, WR, Virginia Tech

I'm giving a bonus slot this week because Cam Phillips has been balling out for my Hokies. The 6', 200 pound receiver already has 27 receptions for 417 yards and 5 touchdowns. Phillips will most likely earn a Senior Bowl invite and could be a round two or three player come the draft.

Stock Down: 

Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

There is no reason for the Josh Allen hype train to keep on chugging. None. Zero. Allen had a chance to wow scouts this weekend against an Oregon defense that is average at best, but he had a miserable day. Allen was 9 of 24 for 64 yards and a pick. I don't want to hear "Well Josh Allen has no help" or whatever. Elite quarterback prospects do not have these kinds of performances, period. At this point, Allen might not even crack my top-100.

Connor Williams, OT, Texas

Unfortunately for Connor Williams, his declining stock has nothing to do with his play on the field. Williams tore his meniscus against USC, and his status for the rest of the season is in doubt. Hopefully, Williams will make a full, healthy recovery, because he is an elite talent who deserves a shot in the pros.

Max Browne, QB, Pitt
Max Browne created a little buzz this offseason as a graduate transfer to Pitt, but it is probably safe to say that the buzz has dissipated. Browne didn't even survive two full quarters against Oklahoma State before he was benched. His draft stock is at UDFA.

Anthony Averett

Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
I recently watched the Colorado State/Alabama game, and one player I was not impressed with was Anthony Averett. Averett drew two pass interference penalties and gave up a touchdown (he also would have given up another if not for a highly questionable incompletion call), and he got beat on quite a few routes. Averett needs to perform better once the ball is in the air, especially in the red-zone, if he wants to be drafted in the top two rounds.

Antonio Callaway/Jordan Scarlett

The nightmare continues for Florida. Antonio Callaway and Jordan Scarlett along with several other players are still being suspended for credit card fraud. At this point, these Gator players will be lucky if they don't end up in jail.

Names to Know:

Shawun Lurry, CB, NIU

Shawun Lurry

While Shawun Lurry's size will not impress anybody (5'8'' 180 pounds according to the team website), Lurry's production will give him a look from NFL scouts. Lurry nabbed his 13th career interception this past weekend against Nebraska, which he returned 87 yards for a touchdown. If Lurry tests well athletically, he is a slot corner candidate in the pros.

Brandon Silvers, QB, Troy
Another week, another sleeper quarterback. Brandon Silvers is a guy I haven't been able to watch yet, but from what I am reading a hearing, his size (6'3'' 220 pounds) and production (beat New Mexico State this past weekend) have scouts on notice. I especially want to see him against LSU on the 30th of September.

Aeris Williams, RB, Mississippi State
While Nick Fitzgerald is grabbing all of the headlines, Bulldog running back Aeris Williams has quietly had a very productive start to 2017. Williams already has 48 touches for 336 yards (7 YPC) and one touchdown this season, and he is a sleeper to watch this season.


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All statistics come from ESPN stats on ESPN.com expect for TFLs, which come from sports-reference.com