NFL Draft 2022 Weekly Risers: Week Eight
Sam Hartman, QB Wake Forest
This quarterback class has been a peculiar one, to say the least. There were a chosen few predetermined before the season to be the headliners of the class. Eight weeks in, it’s looking as though the script has been flipped. Many will look at this class and say that no quarterbacks have stood out. While the top guys haven’t stood out as much as fans would hope, there have been breakout stars such as Sam Hartman this year.
Sam Hartman had a bit of a weird college career heading into his fourth year redshirt sophomore season. He started out his career splitting time with Jamie Newman, eventually seeing less and less time his first sophomore season. Last year has given a chance to lead the offense, Hartman showed flashes but was mired by extreme inconsistency. This year it looks like Hartman has put it together, leading the Demon Deacons to a 7-0 record. This past week Hartman torched a stout Army defense for five touchdowns and 458 yards in a 70-56 victory. Redshirt junior wide receiver Jaquarii Roberson is also someone to watch out for, Roberson scoring three touchdowns against the Black Knights.
2. Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh
There has been a question, have any of these quarterbacks even played like first-round picks? Not to question the potential of some of these guys, potential can push a quarterback into the first, but has anyone actually had a standout season that is pushing them into the first round? Kenny Pickett is one of the few quarterbacks that have a case.
Through seven games Pickett has thrown 23 touchdowns to only one interception. In a “prove it” game against a Clemson defense that is currently allowing the fifth-lowest points per game to opposing offenses, Pickett showed out with 302 passing yards and two touchdowns. After looking like the same solid but unspectacular quarterback over the past three years, Pickett looks like a new man in 2021. He’s making big-time throws and is making a case to go in the first round.
3. Derrick Deese, TE San Jose State
The 2022 tight end class is shaping up to be a good one, and two very interesting prospects are coming out of the Mountain West this year. Colorado State’s target monster Trey McBride has impressed greatly over the past two years, and now Derrick Deese is slowly turning heads. This week against UNLV, Deese caught six passes for 106 yards. Currently averaging over 17 yards a reception, Deese is a long and lean tight end who specializes at contested catches. He is one to watch out for Mobile in January.
4. Leo Chenal, LB Wisconsin
It would be downright disrespectful not to include Chenal on this list. Chenal had a breakout game against Purdue in the Badgers 30-13 victory over Purdue. Chenal resided in the Boilermakers backfield, recording 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. The week prior against Army, Chenal was all over the field with 19 tackles. Chenal shoots into the backfield like Bullet Bill from Mario Kart, has been great at tackling in space, and seems to know where the ball is going to before the quarterback even does. Chenal has been on fire these past two weeks and certainly is a name to watch out for down the home stretch of the season.
5. Xavier Hutchinson, WR Iowa State
Xavier Hutchinson was an underrated receiver entering the year. On the Senior Bowl watchlist after a strong first year at Iowa State that saw the junior reach over 700 yards, Hutchinson once again turned heads in the Cyclones 24-21 win over previously undefeated Oklahoma State. While Hutchinson’s stat line was good at 12 catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns, Hutchinson saw a 51-yard touchdown called back due to a very questionable taunting penalty. Xavier Hutchinson gets open extremely often, leading the Big 12 in receptions by a sizable margin.
Writer
-By: Jacob Keppen