NFL Draft 2022 Weekly Risers: Week 12
This crazy season is almost coming to an end. With just a little football left before conference championships, the action has fully heated up! This is the best time of the college football year, where every down can make or break your season that you’ve worked so hard for over the past few months. Here are your weekly risers.
Malik Cunningham, QB Louisville
Malik Cunningham against the Duke Blue Devils was one of the most dominant performances of the season by a single player. It was one of the performances we get every year from Cunningham that fires up intrigue with him as an NFL prospect. In the Cardinals 62-22 win over Duke, Cunningham threw for over 300 yards and five touchdowns while racking up an additional 224 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. It was a one-man show, Cunningham showing off his strength and athleticism all night. Cunningham has been inconsistent over the past few years, but the talent has always been evident. With great games like this, Cunningham has some potential as a developmental quarterback.
2. Dominique Robinson, EDGE Miami (Ohio)
When Dominique Robinson was announced for this year’s Senior Bowl, he was a name that was clearly flying under the radar for many including myself. One of the first acceptances, Robinson wasn’t a name I truly recognized yet. In his previous game against Bowling Green State, I see why Jim Nagy made sure to bring him into Mobile. Robinson has a ton of raw athletic potential just waiting to be untapped. We saw a bit of this against the Falcons, Robinson getting to the quarterback twice. New to the position, Robinson started out as a wide receiver and has just transitioned to edge rusher this year. He has a lot of potential.
3. Khalil Shakir, WR Boise State
Khalil Shakir has been killing Mountain West Conference defenses for the past three years, and he’s playing his best football in 2021. The senior receiver has over 1,000 yards this season, the Broncos offense featuring his special skill set heavily. Against New Mexico State this past week, Shakir caught seven passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. He also added a rush for 33 yards. Shakir is an explosive route runner who is a terror in the open field with the ball in his hands. Watch out for him at the Senior Bowl.
4. Desmond Ridder, QB Cincinnati
This week was everything for Cincinnati. A team that while undefeated, and while beating a top 10 opponent in Notre Dame early in the year, still felt as though they had not proven themselves as true playoff contenders. In the past few weeks Cincy has been pushed to the limit by Navy, Tulsa, and South Florida… not exactly the best of opponents. Against one of the best teams the American Athletic Conference has to offer in SMU, Cincinnati took care of business 48-14 and everything started with senior star quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Ridder is a player who has received some criticism from the mainstream media for his play. While a good college quarterback he still hasn’t proven to be an elite quarterback yet. Against SMU, Ridder definitely played like one. Getting it done through the air with three passing touchdowns and on the ground with a 40-yard scamper, Ridder silenced a lot of critics this past Saturday.
5. Tyler Badie, RB Missouri
In a running back class that has become somewhat underrated, Tyler Badie is one to watch out for. With Larry Roundtree off to the NFL 2021 was Badie’s chance, and the senior has made a great impact for the Tigers. A finalist for the Doak Walker award, Badie has nearly 1,400 rushing yards this year, as well as 13 touchdowns. He’s been a monstrous receiving back, catching 53 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns. Badie’s running dominance was on display in Missouri’s win over Florida, the senior back racking up 147 yards and a touchdown.
Writer
-By: Jacob Keppen