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Football analyst- Mel Kiper Jr. has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on "SportsCenter," ESPN studio shows and ESPN Radio. He is the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes regularly for ESPN+.
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senior NFL draft analyst- Todd McShay is a senior NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting reports on the nation's top pro prospects. He also serves as a college football field analyst on Saturdays in the fall. Todd joined ESPN in 2006 and contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live, College Football Live and ESPN Radio. He is a Massachusetts native and was a backup quarterback at the University of Richmond. You can follow Todd on Twitter via @McShay13.
ESPN NFL draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay run through college football's biggest surprises through two weeks, and what to watch moving forward.
They also pick out 2019 prospects rising up draft boards, identify two under-the-radar prospects to keep an eye on and give their current picks for the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy CFB MVP.
Early-season surprises to watch
1. Who needs Baker Mayfield?
Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray has been tremendous in two blowout wins. There has been no drop-off for Lincoln Riley and the Sooners, and you could make the case that Murray's running ability takes the offense to a new level. Murray, who was taken in the first round of the MLB draft and is likely a one-and-done starter, has an underrated arm for his small frame. He ranks No. 2 in FBS in Total QBR (95.6). With running back Rodney Anderson out for the season, Murray is going to have to take on a bigger load running the ball if the Sooners want to get to the College Football Playoff. -- Kiper
2. Georgia's offense looks really good.
I'm not saying this offense wasn't supposed to be good, but the Dawgs lost Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and standout tackle Isaiah Wynn to the draft, and a road game at South Carolina early on could've caused some hiccups. Instead they were efficient and Jake Fromm looked great as they rolled up 30 first downs in what became a blowout win. Fromm was 15-for-18 passing, and D'Andre Swift, Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien impressed on the ground. -- McShay
3. What is going on with Khalil Tate?
The Arizona quarterback was on my Heisman watch list heading into the season. He averaged 9.2 yards per carry and had almost 1,500 rushing yards last season. Now? Fifteen carries for 22 yards through two games. He has completed only 51.9 percent of his passes. And the Wildcats are 0-2. New coach Kevin Sumlin has changed the offense, and Tate can't do anything. This was one of college football's most dynamic players a year ago -- let him run wild. It's going to be tough for Sumlin to get Arizona to a bowl game. -- Kiper
4. Florida's loss and offensive struggles.
Don't tell me you saw a home loss to Kentucky coming. The 31-game win streak over the Cats was the fourth-longest in NCAA history in an uninterrupted series. And even if streaks are made to be broken, the offense will have some Gators fans worried. Feleipe Franks was just 17-for-38 against Kentucky, and Dan Mullen's team has Mississippi State, LSU and Georgia on the calendar in coming weeks. -- McShay
5. How about Herm Edwards and Arizona State's 2-0 start?
My pal Dari Nowkhah picked Michigan State to make the College Football Playoff. Not quite, Dari. The Sun Devils now have a blowout victory over UTSA and an upset win against the Spartans. Now, Herm's guys have a challenging Pac-12 schedule, with games at Washington, USC and Oregon. The Sun Devils could still be 6-6. But Herm clearly has them going in the right direction, and I'm excited to see how Arizona State improves in the next few years. -- Kiper
6. QB Kellen Mond is officially on the radar.
The Texas A&M true sophomore put up 430 yards passing, three TDs and no picks against Clemson's loaded defense on Saturday night, and he often had to make plays in the face of pressure -- check out his touchdown throw at the 1:50 mark here. He's now No. 11 overall in Total QBR through two weeks, and, again, this is a true sophomore. What's scary: The Aggies still have to travel to Bama, Auburn and Mississippi State this year, and also close the regular season with LSU. -- McShay
Almost famous under-the-radar prospects
Keep an eye on these potential Day 2 or Day 3 picks:
Khalil Hodge, LB, Buffalo
You know all about former Buffalo defender Khalil Mack, who just signed the richest deal for a defensive player in NFL history, but the Bulls have a prospect to watch for the 2019 class. Hodge is a versatile and complete linebacker whose 154 tackles last season ranked No. 2 in FBS. With the ability to cover backs and tight ends, he can be a three-down linebacker in the NFL, likely as an inside linebacker. He shows good pursuit to the football and he can take on blocks. Hodge had 10 tackles and two pass breakups in Buffalo's win over Temple on Saturday. I have him graded as a third- or fourth-round pick right now. -- Kiper
Kelvin McKnight, WR, Samford
McKnight had a monster game against the Seminoles, with 14 catches for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He's not a big guy at 5-foot-8 and 186 pounds, but he has some twitch to him and was able to get behind Florida State coverage for a 54-yard touchdown on Samford's first offensive play of the game. He did a nice job finding pockets in the coverage and was great on scramble plays, finding space when his QB was on the run. -- McShay
Prospects on the rise
These are the 2019 NFL draft prospects moving up boards:
Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
This is obviously more about Week 1, when Stidham went 26-for-36 for 273 yards and a TD against a very good Washington secondary. (Stidham had just 11 throws in a Week 2 blowout of Alabama State). Against the Huskies he was poised and limited mistakes -- he had two poor decisions the entire game and neither was debilitating. The 6-3, 215-pound signal-caller is a natural passer and you're seeing a more comfortable version in 2018, his second season under Gus Malzahn. The more I'm around Stidham, the more I like his calm demeanor and maturity. Scouts were impressed with his work against Washington. -- McShay
Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford
The third-year sophomore might be the best tight end prospect in the country. At 6-5, 252 pounds, he's a complete player. Smith made several nice catches in the Cardinal's win over USC -- four total for 77 yards -- consistently finding open zones and making plays down the field. I love his ability to sustain blocks in the run game, too -- that's what NFL teams are looking for in pro-ready tight ends. He was extremely impressive, and he's one to watch for Round 1 in April -- if he decides to enter the draft. -- Kiper
College Football's Most Valuable Players
These aren't the top candidates for the Heisman Trophy -- these are the MVPs of CFB.
Kiper's top three:
1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama: The sophomore has been lights out in two games, and the Bama offense looks unstoppable. Tagovailoa is a precise passer with an effortless motion -- he's a big-time prospect for the 2020 class.
2. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State: I have also been impressed by Haskins, who has nine touchdown passes and one pick so far. The ball just jumps out of his hand. He could take the Ohio State offense to a new level -- the Buckeyes have already crushed two Power 5 teams.
3. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin: Taylor is averaging 7.8 yards on his 51 carries through two games, and he already has five touchdowns. Now, can we get some more targets in the passing game?
McShay's top three:
1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin: No. 3, Mel? Taylor might be the most explosive out of all the Wisconsin running backs of recent years, a list that includes names like Melvin Gordon and Montee Ball.
2. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia: Grier is averaging 381 passing yards per game through two weeks, but he has thrown the ball only 60 times. Conference play awaits.
3. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston Two games, 4.0 tackles for loss and two wins for his team. If Oliver continues to dominate and the Cougars keep winning, he's an MVP candidate from the defensive side of the ball.
If the College Football Playoff started today ...
Kiper's top four teams:
1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Clemson
4. Ohio State
McShay's top four teams:
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma
4. Georgia