With Week 11 of the 2021 college football season set to kick off, conference championship games begin in less than a month. And that means we're getting closer to the early stages of the 2022 NFL draft process. Prospects are adding a little bit more to their game tape sample size, while scouts and evaluators are scrambling to get last-second notes and live-scouting opportunities in their regions.
These last few weeks matter a great deal. Scouts won't have another in-person opportunity to gather intel about most prospects until February's Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl events, March's scouting combine in Indianapolis and the spring's pro days. With nearly five months until an NFL team is on the clock for the No. 1 overall selection, there's still plenty more to learn about this class.
This Saturday brings a few top-tier receivers facing off in Purdue versus Ohio State, a key game for a quarterback prospect with more to prove and important opportunities for linemen on both sides of the ball to make a statement.
Let's dive into five draft prospects whom I will have a close eye on during this weekend's slate of college games.
Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Week 11 opponent: at San Diego State (10:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports)
2021 stats: 3,197 passing yards, 25 TDs, 7 INTs
Playing in the Mountain West and the Pacific time zone, Strong often finds himself in Saturday's finale. Similar to the way Zach Wilson did last season at BYU, Strong provides intriguing late-night football for viewers out east. The Nevada signal-caller faced lots of in-game adversity in a tough victory last week over San Jose State. And during the most pivotal moment of the game -- tied 24-24 with 30 seconds left -- Strong converted on a fourth-and-9 pass attempt that helped set up a game-winning field goal.
Strong now faces his toughest test of the year on Saturday. San Diego State's defense enters the matchup with the ninth-best defense in yards allowed per game (300.1) and is tied for the 10th-best mark in the country in points allowed (16.7). It's a stifling unit that has made points hard to come by for opponents, and this game is one that evaluators will use when projecting Strong to the next level.
The biggest concern surrounding the 6-foot-4, 215-pound thrower is his mobility outside of the pocket. He's more than capable of winning within structure and navigating throughout the tackle box, but when things break down, will he be able to ad-lib his way out of trouble? That's one of the big question marks for his draft stock.
Strong's pro projection is similar to what we saw a year ago in Mac Jones, now with the New England Patriots. He doesn't have the consistent mobility to outrace defenders outside of the pocket, but his work within it shows plenty of encouraging traits that could help him overcome those deficiencies. Jones' early success in the NFL and a good team fit could make NFL scouts feel better about Strong. Organizations that are comfortable with the long-term fit of a prospect who has traditional pocket-passer traits could have Strong higher on their board than others.
Defensive lineman Cameron Thomas, the leader of the San Diego State defense, spearheads the Aztecs against Strong and the Wolf Pack. Thomas, one of the biggest risers in Mel Kiper's updated 2022 Big Board rankings, has been a nuisance for quarterbacks, and this matchup is a litmus test for Strong's mobility.
David Bell, WR, Purdue
Week 11 opponent: at Ohio State (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
2021 stats: 64 receptions, 1,003 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Bell inked his name at the top of the record books last Saturday against No. 3-ranked Michigan State: He had his 15th career 100-yard receiving game -- a new program record -- with 11 catches, 217 yards and a touchdown. Bell has five 100-yard receiving games this year, including a 240-yard performance against Iowa in October. Now he enters another hostile Big Ten environment.
The Boilermakers' top offensive threat has a prime opportunity against Ohio State to strengthen what has already been an impressive junior campaign. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Bell is a sure-handed, multilevel threat who thrives on winning with route detail and smart angles to garner separation.
Bell's draft stock and target range will be heavily dependent on his true speed. While his vertical ability won't consistently threaten the cushion of athletic defensive backs, he has been able to win with exceptional body control and a knack for plucking the ball out of the air in contested situations.
Purdue extends its lead over Iowa on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Aidan O'Connell to David Bell.
Known for its lineage of first-round defensive backs, the Buckeyes' secondary isn't as strong as in years past, but cornerback Sevyn Banks is a prospect who has NFL traits. The Buckeyes have the fourth-worst pass defense in the Big Ten, which means there will be opportunities for Bell to have another standout performance.
On the other side of this matchup, the Buckeyes have a dynamic wide receiver duo in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, who could be first-round picks in April. Bell will get his shot to prove that his name belongs in the Round 1 discussion, too.
Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Week 11 opponent: at Wake Forest (7:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network)
With the current state of offensive line play around the NFL, teams are always searching for help at multiple spots. And offensive tackle joins quarterback, defensive end and cornerback as the four premium positions on a roster regarding team building.
Ekwonu, a player spotlighted with many preseason accolades, has lived up to the hype this season. The blindside protector of the Wolfpack's offense, Ekwonu is known for his physicality as a run-blocker. The games that stuck out when studying him from this season were his matchups against Clemson, South Florida and Mississippi State. His overwhelming strength and ability to finish defenders were on full display throughout those contests.
NC State OT Ikem Ekwonu (6040, 320, Jr.) has been impressive so far this season. Ridiculous strength levels, athleticism, and urge to finish. Showed it all vs. Clemson. Reminds me a lot of Kelechi Osemele coming out of Iowa State. pic.twitter.com/E4ur1ZosWe
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 1, 2021
Pass protection is the area where Ekwonu has made the most improvement during his junior season. At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, he has allowed pressure on only 1.3% of 311 pass-blocking snaps over eight games this year. The discussion surrounding him among scouts is whether he'd be best suited as a guard or tackle in the NFL, but Ekwonu has shown the ability to play tackle at the next level through this season.
This Saturday, I will get a close look at the potential first-round offensive tackle as the Wolfpack battle Wake Forest in a matchup between ranked conference opponents.
DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Week 11 opponent: at Ole Miss (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
2021 stats: 41 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks
A top recruit of the 2019 recruiting class, Leal is the anchor of a Texas A&M defense that contains plenty of future draft picks. Leal's production has remained steady throughout the season, as he has recorded at least five tackles in all but two of his eight games.
His impact can get somewhat lost in the shuffle because of how many hats he wears along the Aggies' defensive front. That's also an issue for evaluators: His constant position shuffling means it is harder to see his full potential. Of 439 total defensive snaps this season, Leal has spent 226 at defensive end and 164 as a defensive tackle. But the ability to play any position up front is a sub headline under his name on his pre-draft résumé and will be seen as a positive for many teams.
Opinions will vary about his position at the next level, but Leal's game translates well to the NFL because of his versatility, strength and heavy hands at the point of attack. When talking to me about Leal this week, an NFL scout used the words "solid" and "dependable" to describe his game. But Leal doesn't possess the flashy upside or the potential to light up a box score. Teams seeking linemen who will consistently post 10-12 sacks per season likely won't be very interested in him.
But if you want a defensive line prospect who can be counted upon as a stout option inside or outside and plays with maximum effort, he could be a welcome addition. A matchup with Ole Miss and its high-octane offensive attack will give evaluators a good glimpse of him in more of a pass-rushing role.
Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Week 11 opponent: at Auburn (12 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Cross had a few fans in league circles coming into the season, but there were concerns about his playing weight and strength levels. Only a redshirt sophomore, he has shown improvement in those areas. Once listed at 270 pounds when starting his Bulldogs career, he's now up to 315.
Cross was a three-star prospect as a high school junior, but after a breakout campaign and the college summer camp circuit, he ended up the top-ranked player in the state of Mississippi for the 2019 recruiting cycle. A similar story has occurred during his college career in Starkville. Since redshirting in his first season with the program, Cross has constantly improved each year. He is an ascending prospect, and his career trajectory provides a glimpse of what could come at the next level. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has him ranked at No. 6 overall, while Todd McShay has him No. 7. He is the second-best offensive tackle prospect for both behind Alabama's Evan Neal.
An offensive tackle in a Mike Leach-led offense is assured of gaining lots of experience as a pass-protector. Mississippi State has dropped back to pass 78.2% of the time this season. And despite the vast pass-run splits, Cross has allowed pressure on only 0.6% of his 472 pass-blocking snaps.
As a run-blocker, the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder has displayed improved strength and bend to uncoil his hips in order to create running lanes. Cross still has room for growth in the ground game because of a lack of exposure to it. With more strength and the continued maturation of his frame, he has the tools to improve in that area. Entering an SEC battle against Auburn, the consistency of his strength at the point of attack will be a trait to monitor.