College football is in full swing and Falcons fans are getting close to shifting focus to the draft without playing a game. However, the Falcons are projected to have seven picks in next year’s draft, and they must get those picks correct to build the foundation of a contending Falcons roster.
Okay, enough talking about it; here are 12 prospects for Falcons fans to watch in week two of college football.
Iapani Laloulu, C, Oregon @ Oklahoma State, Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK,12 pm EST, ESPN/Disney+
If the Falcons are looking for a center in next year’s draft, the most experienced and possibly the best center in all of college football is Oregon’s Iapani Laloulu. A physical presence in the run game and powerful at 6’2”, 325 pounds, Laloulu has all the makings of a franchise center.
D.J. Hicks, DT, Texas A&M vs. Arizona State, Kyle Field, College Station, TX, 12 pm EST, ABC
Maason Smith, DaShawn Hand and LaCale London are playing for their jobs this season, but not to start next season. The interior of the defense has to improve if the Falcons are going to be consistent in the coming years. DJ HIcks is a potential day-two guy that will give you some real juice in the pass rush department. He hasn’t shown the requisite run-stopping to be a three-down player, but his explosiveness and relentless motor could give him a floor in that department as well.
Cole Sullivan, LB, Oklahoma @ Michigan, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI, 12 pm EST, Fox
The linebacker room looks improved from a year ago, but there is still the question of if Divine Deablo will resign in 2027. So, with this huge domino sitting out there, the linebacker position is on my radar as well. Cole Sullivan is looking to take on a full-time role and make his old team regret letting him walk in the portal. Sullivan has awesome instincts and the speed to cover a lot of ground in both the run and passing game.
Tony Rojas, LB, Penn State vs. Temple, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA, 12 pm EST, ESPN2
If coverage ability is what you’re looking for, Tony Rojas, has it in spades. Coming back from a torn ACL last season, Rojas is looking to prove that he still has that same explosiveness. Rojas has already started the season off hot, recording a sack and two tackles for loss against Marshall in the season opener.
Lance Heard, OT, Kentucky vs. Alabama, Kroger Field, Lexington, KY, 3:30 pm EST, ABC/Disney+
At 6’6”, 325 pounds and moves like a cat, Lance Heard is one of the nastiest tackles in this draft. Heard loves to make opposing defenders pay for even daring to be in his path while he’s on the move. Outside of Jordan Seaton, Heard may have the best movement skills of any tackle in this class, and the Falcons like tackleswho can move.
CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame vs. Rice, Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN, 3:30 pm EST, NBC
https://x.com/NFLDraftDome/status/2096718665739571282
Notre Dame hasn’t been challenged yet, and probably won’t be against Rice. But, as the saying goes, pro quarterbacks beat up on inferior talent and that’s what Carr should do. Carr has NFL-caliber arm talent and his film is littered with NFL throws both in-structure and out of it.
Elinneus Davis, DT, Washington vs. Utah State, Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA, 3:30 pm EST, Big Ten Network
At 6’3”, 315 pounds, Elinneus Davis is one of the biggest defensive tackles in the draft, but he won’t add anything to the pass rush, so he may fall to day three. But on early downs, Davis will be a load to move in the run game and can be an early addition to any NFL team looking to stop the run more effectively.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas vs. Ohio State, DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX, 7:30 pm EST, ABC
Guys, with the way this season has started, we may be in range. Arch Manning looks to be the belle of the ball in this loaded quarterback class. He has the last name that adds plenty of eyeballs on whoever does take the Heisman candidate; he’s got the explosiveness to add to the running game and an arm that can make any throw necessary on the field.
Arion Carter, LB, Tennessee @ Georgia Tech, Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA, 7 pm EST, ESPN
Arion Carter should be all over the field today against Georgia Tech, wreaking havoc from sideline to sideline. One of the more explosive athletes at the position, Carter may be worth following this season.
Mateen Ibirogba, DT, Texas Tech @ Oregon State, Beaver Stadium, Corvallis, OR, 7:30 pm EST, CBS
Mateen Ibirogba jumped from Georgetown to Wake Forest and then from Wake Forest to College Football Playoff contender Texas Tech. Ibirogba’s 23.7% pass-rush win rate gives you a look at why he was so highly touted in the portal, and the fact that 301 pounds shouldn’t move that easily.
Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa vs. Iowa State, Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA, 7:30 pm EST, NBC
Look at that, another Iowa offensive lineman that’s looking to be a top offensive tackle prospect. What else is new? Trevor Lauck plays incredibly in both the run and pass game; the only question is if he’s a tackle or a guard at the next level. Either way, no matter where he plays, you’ll want him on your NFL team.
Bryant Williams, OT, Arkansas @ Utah, Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT, 10:15 pm EST, ESPN
If the Falcons try to snag a second tackle on day three, Arkansas’ Bryant Williams may be a nice bet. Williams is transferring to the Razorbacks from Louisiana, where Arkansas offensive line coach Marcus Johnson highlighted his length, size and pass protection as the biggest reasons he made the jump from the Sun Belt to the SEC.
