The 30 Day Countdown rolls on, as we arrive at Day 27. Today, I am putting the GM hat on yet again, and we’re drafting an offensive player from the Big Ten to fill a position of need. The stipulations are the same as they’ve been the past 2 seasons: no all Conference honors, no All American honors. With that out of the way, let’s get started and find us a contributor, and feel free to agree or disagree or add your own player below!
WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
2024 Stats: 28 receptions, 594 yards, 7 touchdowns.
The Huskies are
pretty set at the WR1 spot, with Denzel Boston coming off a great season and new additions like Omari Evans ready to take some of the burden off him (as well as returning players such as Kevin Green, who seem geared up to take that next step). So why is Cooper on this list?
Turn your attention to the first 2 stats. 28 catches for 594 yards translates into a 21.2 yards per reception average, good for 4th in FBS among qualifying receivers. That says to me that Cooper is a big play threat, something that the Huskies need, now that Giles Jackson has moved on. Omari Evans looks to be that guy for the Huskies this season, but Cooper hauled in some big time receptions in the Hoosiers break out run to the CFP albeit in limited volume.
Plus, as the old adage goes, you can’t coach speed!
G Beau Stephens, Iowa
2024 Stats: 11 games played, 71.1 total PFF Grade, 69.8 Pass Block Grade, 69.5 Run Block Grade
Now, I hear what you might be saying, “aren’t we set at OL?” And yes, I feel more confident in our OL room as a whole than I did last year. But Coach Fisch said at his media day availability, there’s a lot of competition at the guard spot.
Enter Iowa guard Beau Stephens. Stephens is a physical specimen, standing 6’6” and weighing 322 pounds. According to his PFF grades, he especially excelled in pass blocking, posting a grade above 70 in 5 games last season, including a 79.8 against the Huskies.
Proven production could help Stephens step up in a big way for the Hawkeyes this season, improving those run blocking numbers and solidifying him as one of the best interior o-linemen in the country. Plus, lining up across from a guy who’s 6’6” and 322 pounds has to be intimidating for any defensive lineman!
WR Jacory Barney Jr., Nebraska
2024 Stats: 55 receptions, 447 yards, 0 TD, 73.7 PFF Grade
This is a weird one, but stick with me. Barney Jr. had 293 total snaps last season where he lined up in the slot, and posted a very good mark of 73.7 on PFF. Even if he didn’t score on any catches, he still had a solid year in that department, hauling in 55 for pretty good yardage for a Freshman. For the Huskies, needing a solid slot guy after Giles Jackson’s departure, those are good numbers.
But what really put him over the top for inclusion on this list are his rushing numbers, tallying 10 carries for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns. This solidifies him as a slot/gadget guy that I’m sure Coach Fisch could use in creative ways, a la Giles. I’ve always had an affinity for fast players like Chico McClatcher, Giles Jackson, Keith Reynolds last year (though he’s now at Miami of Ohio), that are versatile and can hurt you in a lot of ways, and Barney is one of those guys and would be a great addition for the Huskies.
My Choice: Give me the Cornhusker, Jacory Barney! Cooper probably has great speed, but the Huskies already have Omari Evans and guys like Kevin Green and RVB behind him. Having a guy who played on the offensive front for a physical team like Iowa would be nice, but we have guys chomping at the bit for playing time at guard so he’s out. But Barney fills the need for a slot receiver while also giving the Huskies a guy who can do damage in any facet of the game, whether catching passes, returning kicks and punts, or running on end arounds and shovel passes. And as I said, I have an affinity for guys who can line up anywhere and keep defenses guessing.
But who would you choose? Let us know in the poll, and feel free to add your own if you’d like!
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- Friday Dots: Who are the Huskies’ top draft prospects for 2018?
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