Hogs Haven
Back for a fifth year, Future Hogs is a series of articles that looks at draft-eligible college football players throughout the season that might improve the Washington Commanders. I’ll feature players each week whose play stands out and how they could fit on the Commanders’ roster.
The first week – not counting Week 0 – of college football featured some competitive matchups of heavyweights. The top-ranked team preseason, Texas, took on last year’s champion, #3 ranked Ohio State, in a defensive struggle. In the end, the Buckeyes prevailed and claimed the top spot from the Longhorns. LSU and Clemson featured two top quarterback prospects in Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik and two teams ranked in the Top 10. Nussmeier and LSU made a few more plays to beat Clemson in a battle of the Tigers. In the last matchup of teams ranked in the top 10, Miami outlasted Notre Dame.
There are a handful of contests to look forward to in Week 2. Michigan will take on Oklahoma in a contest that features teams ranked in the Top 25. Iowa will take on Iowa State for the right to hoist the Cy-Hawk Trophy. In an early SEC matchup, Ole Miss will face Kentucky.
Here are a few players who had a good week and might be able to help out the Commanders. Let me know what you think about these prospects and feel free to post players that stood out to you.
After an incredible rookie campaign, Jayden Daniels is the unquestionable starter for the Commanders. Marcus Mariota is a good veteran backup that fits Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, but he is getting older and is dealing with injuries. New addition Josh Johnson has been around long enough to play for virtually every NFL team. Given Jayden Daniels’ maturity, I think the team should look for a young backup to groom in Kingsbury’s offense.
After spending last year in Washington State, John Mateer transferred to Oklahoma to lead the Sooner offense. He isn’t the tallest signal caller, but he is well built at 6’1”, 224 lbs. Mateer’s footwork and mechanics are good and he even delivers balls from varying arm angles. You can see him work through progressions and look off safeties to open throwing lanes. On top of his passing ability, he’s a talented runner with almost 1,000 yards for Washington State last season. In a win over Illinois State, Mateer went 30 of 37 for 392 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. He also added a touchdown on the ground.
The Commanders used their last 2025 draft pick on Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt and all he did was perform well enough for the team to trade Brian Robinson, Jr. Throw in a healthy Austin Ekeler, hard-running Chris Rodriguez, and versatile Jeremy McNichols, and the Commanders have a respectable collection of backs. However, with only Croskey-Merritt signed beyond this season,...
