2021 NFL Draft Weekly Risers: Week 14 Edition
This past week in college football saw a large cast of great performances. We are entering the home stretch of the college season, with only two more weeks before conference championships. It’s the perfect time for a player to rise up draft boards with a streak of big performances in the spotlight to close out the season. Here are your weekly risers for week 14.
1: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE Miami
While all the attention this draft process has been on Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau, I think The U’s other defensive end Jaelan Phillips might be as talented if not more. The talent has always been there for Phillips. Phillips was 247’s #1 recruit for the 2017 class. His time in UCLA, unfortunately, wasn’t great, he only was able to play 10 games in 2 seasons for the Bruins due to concussions. There were even talks of him retiring due to the concussions. Instead, Phillips transferred to Miami and has revitalized his career. He looks like that former #1 recruit, tearing up the ACC this season. In a blowout win over Duke, Phillips had 3.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He just seems to make all of the plays for Miami this season. He has great athleticism and pass rush moves. He’s been a matchup nightmare this year and is possibly playing himself into first-round consideration.
2: Quincy Roche, EDGE Miami
For the second week in a row, let's double-dip on two linemen from the same team. Quincy Roche is also a transfer to Miami after playing his last two years at Temple. It was a highly heralded move. Roche was a force at Temple the year before, with 13 sacks. It appears Saturday was Roche’s breakout game for the Hurricanes. Roche had 3 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks against the Blue Devils. While not getting to the quarterback as much this year, Roche has lived in the backfield earning 14 TFLs this season. Just like his partner Phillips, Roche is a highly talented player with a ton of NFL upside. With everything clicking, watch out for 8-1 Miami the rest of this season.
3: Ian Book, QB Notre Dame
The emergence of senior quarterback Ian Book for the Fighting Irish has been a fun one to watch this year. Despite throwing for 34 touchdowns the year prior, there wasn’t much hype for Book heading into this season. After a solid start to the season, Book has risen his play on the big stage and is leading Notre Dame on a college football playoff-worthy campaign. Against Syracuse this past week, Book threw for three touchdowns and rushed for an additional two touchdowns. Book perfectly embodies Notre Dame. A college quarterback who’s as tough as they come, Book will have the chance to lead Notre Dame to glory this year; as well as prove that he can be worth a shot for an NFL team in this year’s edition of the Senior Bowl.
4: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR USC
In an already loaded wide receiver class, Amon-Ra St. Brown has just put his name amongst the top candidates. Against Washington State, St. Brown finished with a 65 yards and a whopping four receiving touchdowns. All four of the touchdowns came in the first quarter. The brother of current Packers wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown looks like a potential middle round sleeper at wide receiver. He’s a good athlete that can run routes and has some really good hands. St. Brown is certainly one to watch out for.
5: Carson Strong, QB Nevada
Carson Strong is the best college quarterback that you haven’t heard about. Playing for Nevada in the Mountain West conference, Strong has not received the attention that he truly deserves this year. In a 37-26 victory over Fresno State, Strong finished with 354 yards and 5 touchdowns. His arm is the same as his last name, and he throws one of the best deep balls in college today. He’s still very young, only a redshirt sophomore so he probably won’t declare this year. There are still definitely a lot of things to work with, but compared to last year Carson Strong is one of the most improved players in college football. Keep an eye out for Strong over the next year or two.
Writer
-By: Jacob Keppen