Behind the Steel Curtain
Last week proved there are no dull Saturdays in college football, as we saw upstart South Florida upset the Florida Gators, and Troy take Clemson down to the wire in Death Valley. This weekend, we have a trio of top-20 matchups that will feature some big-time talent looking to improve their draft stock. Here are five players to keep an eye on.
Aguilar made his way to Tennessee via UCLA, and in two games, he has thrown for 535 yards and five touchdowns. The one-time no-star high school recruit wasn’t really on any NFL draft radar entering the season, but he’s turning heads. He’s a gunslinger who has been perfect for Josh Heupel’s fast-paced system that stresses stretching the field vertically. Last year, Vols QB Nico Iamaleava completed just 32% of his passes 20-plus yards down the field. Through two games, Aguilar is completing 57% of those.
They haven’t exactly played a murderer’s row in Syracuse and East Tennessee State, but that will change this week, as they welcome the Georgia Bulldogs to town in a battle of top-15 teams.
Carson Beck, QB, Miami
After a tumultuous campaign in Georgia last season, Beck was a bit of a forgotten man this offseason. But the 6’5, 225 lbs. signal-caller has put himself squarely back on the map. He’s completed 78% of his passes through two games with 4 TDs and no INTs, and led his Hurricanes to a huge week 1 win over Notre Dame. Per Fox Sports, he’s now tied for second in Heisman trophy odds.
He’s also 26-3 as a starter in his career, and I think that’s often overlooked. His Hurricanes will face USF in a battle of two ranked Florida squads and an elite matchup of quarterbacks.
Byrum Brown, QB, USF
Here is the other elite quarterback. Brown has his Bulls squarely in the playoff hunt, and he’s carried the offensive load, but through the air and on the ground. He’s completed 39 of 60 passes for 473 yards and a score, and also rushed for 109 yards and a TD. And oh yeah, his two wins are against Boise State and Florida.
Brown is a dual-threat who needs plenty of refinement in the passing game, but has a Cam Newton like frame, paired with incredible lower body strength and contact balance. He’s very similar to South Carolina’s Lanorris Sellers, who has already made an appearance on this list.
It’s all about consistency for Brown, and this will be a massive test.
Barion Brown, WR, LSU
The Steelers have high hopes for last year’s third-round pick, Roman Wilson, but he finished with as many catches as I did on Sunday against the Jets. If his struggles continue, the Steelers must find an explosive playmaker for their offense alongside DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III. LSU and former Kentucky standout Barion Brown is one of the most explosive playmakers in the country and has had a really strong start, hauling...
