Week 10 of college football was slow for the draft-eligible prospects at the top of the class. Two were on a bye this week, and the two who did play had quiet performances. There will be many more opportunities for fireworks this upcoming Saturday, with big tests ahead for all of the top prospects.
Dante Moore, Oregon, 6'3", 210 lbs.
Moore was one of the top prospects who had this past Saturday off. So far, Moore has thrown for 19 touchdowns, 1,772 pass yards, and four interceptions, along with 40 rush attempts for 131 yards. He's led the Ducks to a 7-1 record and a ranking of 6th in the country. His next test comes against the Iowa Hawkeyes this Saturday. Iowa likes to drag its opponents down into a defensive battle and play ball control to win its matchups. It will be a good test for Moore, and evaluators will be watching intently to see how he and the offense execute.
(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, 6'5", 225 lbs.
14-21, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 4 carries, 24 yards
Mendoza wasn't tasked to do a ton in second-ranked Indiana's win versus Maryland on Saturday. The Hoosiers' running game and defense ruled the day-the second passing touchdown didn't occur until the fourth quarter, when the game was in hand and the starters, including Mendoza, were rested. Mendoza's interception was only his 4th on the season. His stats to this point: 2,124 passing yards, 25 touchdowns (2nd in the country behind Baylor's Sawyer Robinson), and four interceptions.
He'll look to keep his Heisman campaign rolling against a reeling Penn State team this upcoming Saturday. Penn State, despite its lost season, still has some firepower on the defensive side. They slowed down the vaunted Ohio State offense for a time before ultimately breaking down due to being left on the field too long because of the struggles of their offense. Mendoza and the Hoosiers will be tested this weekend.
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina, 6'3", 240 lbs.
16-30, 180 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 15 carries, -17 yards, 1 TD
It was an up-and-down game for Sellers; again, he showed some of his tantalizing athletic capabilities, but he was sacked six times and threw two picks. It's hard to get a full read on Sellers-he's let down by his offensive line, but he's also had his struggles. This game highlighted why so many are calling for him to stay in college for another year and transfer to another program. To be a top prospect, you want them to take over a game and win one when they aren't supposed to. Sellers has not done that yet, but he's had flashes where evaluators believe he eventually can. At this point, he needs more time and possibly a better supporting cast.
Sellers and the Gamecocks are in the midst of a brutal SEC schedule, having faced LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Ole Miss consecutively. Unfortunately, it won't get any easier this week, as they face 3rd ranked Texas A&M at Kyle Field. The Aggies defense will surely make things difficult again for Sellers.
Ty Simpson, Alabama, 6'2", 208 lbs.
Simpson was another prospect who was idle this past weekend, as he and Alabama recuperated after surging to the 4th overall ranking in the country following a shock loss to Florida State on opening day. Since then, the Crimson Tide, led by Simpson, has been a well-oiled machine. Simpson has been a big part of that, throwing for 2,184 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just one interception. He'll face an LSU team in the midst of a coaching search after Brian Kelly was let go following a crushing loss to Texas A&M.