Between the magical Seattle Mariners playoff run, the start of Kraken hockey, and these fascinating Seattle Seahawks, college football almost seems like an afterthought right now.
This isn’t a knock on Pacific Northwest football, they are well represented right now, especially with the Washington Huskies and Oregon Ducks. No, it just feels like one of those weird years in college football. The NIL era combined with the 12 team playoff format, has created a parity we have not seen, maybe in the history
of the sport. The game is changing, which I think is both good and bad, and the same could be said for this year’s draft class.
As an even playing field has caused some early chaos on Saturdays, there’s also a belief that this draft class is also playing a role in what some believe to be why we see so few great teams this year. When talking or listening to the majority of draft analysts out there, there’s a strong consensus that this is one of the worst draft classes in recent memory.
This is the third time I’ve heard this take in the past four drafts (QB heavy draft of 2024 being the exception). While I share similar views as the draft community, I am generally higher than most one certain prospects.
As some massive games get underway on Saturday, here are four prospects that I think would be tremendous fits in Seattle, and we should be keeping an eye on this weekend and going forward.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
We may be only five games into the season, but I feel pretty confident that Tyson is my WR1. The 6-2 200lbs wideout from Arizona State has been completely underrated, and may be the best player in college football.
In 2024, Tyson was cooking on his way to 1,100 yards and 10 TD’s before breaking his collarbone and missing the CFP. This year, he’s been even better, posting 39 receptions for 483 yards and 7 TD’s in just five games. I wrote before the season that he reminds me of Jaxson Smith-Njigba, and I continue to believe that.
Will he make it to Seattle’s pick in the draft? Not likely, but teams have specific WR preferences, and if Tyson is within range, his blue chip potential may be worth getting aggressive for.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
You’re probably thinking, we already have AJ Barner, and we just drafted Elijah Arroyo, why another tight end? That’s how good I believe Kenyon Sadiq will be.
Sadiq is one the most athletic and intimidating players on the field, no matter the opponent. At 6-3 245 lbs, and having reportedly ran a 4.55 40 time, they just don’t make many like him. He’s a good enough run blocker against a front seven, and he mauls when up against attacking DBs, as Oregon will send him out wide frequently for running plays.
The Ducks are a heavy run team that has talent everywhere, so Kenyon ‘s production isn’t necessarily eye popping, but his 13.6 you speak to athletic ability to get separation, and then be a nightmare to bring down. I believe that Sadiq could find a unique role in Seattle.
There’s room for 12 personnel rotation, and I think he can even move out wide, and create some real matchup problems as a big wide receiver, something this team doesn’t exactly have at the moment.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
If Oregon isn’t the best team in college football, it’s because their conference rival Ohio State, the defending national champions, have a stranglehold on that claim. It is early, but boasting arguably one the best defenses in the past 25 years, the Buckeyes are favored to repeat at champs.
Why is their defense so good? Well, they’re fantastic in all three areas, but it’s their ability to roll out the best and most athletic linebacker duo in the country that is destroying opposing offenses right now.
Sonny Styles got all of the recognition before the season started, and he’s continued his strong play from last year’s playoffs, but it’s the new starter, Arvell Reese, that has transformed an already great defense. Through the first five games, there has not been a better defensive player in college football than Reese.
At 6-3 243 lbs, Reese can do it all. He’s racking up tackles, but also has three sacks and multiple passes defended. His elite coverage skills along with Styles have completely taken away the middle of the field for opposing offenses. His instincts he shows on film, along with a blue chip burst, makes him an above average run defender and a potentially lethal blitzer, as shown with his three sacks.
Styles and Reese will both be taken in the first 50 picks of the upcoming draft, but it is Reese that will likely be taken in round one. He’s the type of linebacker that should make Mike Macdonald drool over his potential, and he feels like a perfect partner with Ernest Jones, turning a current weakness on the defense into an immediate strength.
Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon
I said that Oregon has talent everywhere, that includes along the defensive line, and specifically with their dominant edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei.
Uiagalelei, yes the brother of DJ, has taken the path of defense and is going to be a top 40 pick in the draft because of it. At 6-4, 270 lbs, Uiagalelei looks the part, despite not turning 21 until next July. After a successful sophomore season that saw him rack up 10.5 sacks for the Big Ten champions, Matayo looks even better this year.
Through five games, Uiagalelei has five tackles for a loss, including four sacks and three passes batted down at the line. He’s a day one starter when it comes to run defense, and his pass rush arsenal is impressive, consider his age. Against Penn State and their future NFL offensive lineman, Matayo was one of the best players in the field, racking up two TFL’s, a sack, and a batted down pass.
While this draft is considered weak, there is real talent along the trenches and especially at the edge spot. More popular names like Reuben Bain and Keldric Faulk will get all the highlights, but Uiagalelei may fit the draft needs of Seattle (potential Uchenna Nwosu replacement?) and will likely be in the range of where the Seahawks are expected to pick next spring. Getting a guy like Matayo in the 20’s could be a massive win in a potentially disappointing draft.
