In last week’s article, I mentioned how Ole Miss went from signature win over LSU to huge lose to Florida. This past weekend, it was Florida turn to tumble down the rankings after a loss to Missouri. The Gators fall to #16 with that loss, one spot ahead of a Mississippi State team that was dominated by Alabama. Miami faced Clemson, but it was not much of a contest with the Hurricanes continuing to roll. The same is true for Ohio State who passed a road test behind an incredibly productive day from star
receiver Jeremiah Smith and beat Iowa and their stingy defense.
There will be a couple of rivalry games this weekend that should be exciting. First, the Red River Rivalry between #1 Texas and Oklahoma is always entertaining. Although the Sooners are not ranked, Arch Manning and Texas have looked beatable. Second, a ranked-on-ranked top-10 matchup between #2 Georgia and #6 Alabama could go a long way to establishing what team makes it to the SEC Championship. #13 Oregon will host an undefeated #21 UCLA that has looked one of the Big Ten’s best teams.
Here are a few players who had a good week and might be able to help the Commanders. Let me know what you think about these prospects and feel free to comment with players that stood out to you.
Gio Lopez | QB | RS Junior | Wake Forest
Another week, another quarterback injury. Marcus Mariota exited the Commander’s game with a knee injury and was replaced by seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. While the rookies did some good things in the pass game, it was clear that many of the plays that take advantage of Jayden Daniels and Mariota’s mobility were off the table. Adding a mobile developmental QB would allow the offense to run many of the same plays for the backups.
In his first year at Wake Forest after a year in UNC, Gio Lopez is a big part of why Wake Forest looks like a contender in the ACC. Lopez has less than ideal height at 6’0”, but he’s sturdily built at 220 pounds. He has a quick release and he makes accurate passes with good ball placement. Lopez also capable of making plays with his legs in the run game. He’s not an elite runner at the position, but he will keep a defense honest and make them pay if they play man coverage against him. Lopez has a average arm, but quick and accurate passer can somewhat mitigate a lack of arm strength. Lopez went 20 of 27 for two touchdowns and added 88 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in a win over Stanford.
Jamal Roberts | RB | Senior | Missouri
The Commanders have not received much help from its run game. Austin Ekeler was arguably the best running back against the Colts and he just got the playbook last week. Bill has flashed, but he has not been consistently productive. White, who wasn’t healthy enough to go against the Colts, provides a boost in the passing game but not much on the ground.
Jamal Roberts, the Tigers’ 6’0, 216 pound lead back, was suppose to be the backup ot Ahmad Hardy this season. A unfortunate incident to Hardy before the season started opened the door for Roberts and he has been special. Mizzou uses a lot of zone blocking schemes and Roberts excels behind it. He has excellent burst through the line of scrimmage once he identifies the hole. He will break off long runs but can be caught from behind. He has enough power to push the pile on short yardage situations, but he is more of a straight line runner in the open field with little elusiveness. Roberts had 211 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in the Tigers’ win over Florida.
Umari Hutcher | WR | RS Senior | Syracuse
Injuries are starting to be more of an issue for Terry McClaurin as he missed the game against the Colts. Jaylin Lane’s dislocation and ankle fracture is likely to keep him out the remainder of the season. A player like Syracuse’s could be an interesting addition to the Commanders’ receiving room. Hutcher would be a large target at 6’3”, but at only 190 pounds, there could be legitimate concerns about his play strength. His long strides help him close space between defenders in off coverage. It allows him to run by them or break off routes short and make himself available to his quarterback. His competitiveness at he catch point and ability to adjust to passes are attributes Hatcher possesses. Route diversity and route polish would go a long way to helping Hutcher contribute at the next level. In a overtime win over UConn, Hatcher made 12 catches for 142 yards and three touchdowns.
Randy Pittman Jr. | TE | Senior | SMU
Despite a healthy Chig Okonkwo, the Commanders struggled to get the tight ends involved in the passing game. Randy Pittman, Jr. could help because he is more of a big wide receiver. He’s 6’2”, 240 pounds, and line up in various places to create mismatches for the Mustangs. He can find the soft spot in zones and settle down or beat a defender in man. At the catchpoint, Pittman, Jr. shows very good body control by adjusting to catches outside the frame of his body. I haven’t seen much of him as a blocker, but I wouldn’t expect a lot out of him in this regard given his size. Pittman, Jr. made three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown as SMU beat Boston College.
Bruce Mitchell | C | RS Senior | BYU
We have discussed the woes of the Commanders’ interior offensive line ad nauseum. Starting Matt Gulbin did not help matters. A player that might solidify the middle of that line is Bruce Mitchell. One reason might because Mitchell is an older prospect. He did a three-year mission and is a redshirt senior, so I suspect he could be 25, mayb 26, on draft day. That also mean Mitchell has a mature body and the requisite strength for the position at the next level. In the run game, Mitchell can push defenders downfield or control the, turning them away from the play to create rushing lanes. BYU uses a gap scheme run game, but Mitchell looks to move well enough for zone blocking duties. In the pass game, Mitchell has a solid anchor and mirrors defenders well.
Ahmad Moten | DT | RS Senior | Miami
The Commanders front did a commendable job containing Jonathan Taylor and pressuring Daniel Jones. The line could use more talent that can beat blocks and make plays in the backfield without blitzing. Ahmad Moten, Sr. is part of arguably the most talented defensive line in the country. While Moten plays 3-technique for Miami, his quickness at 6’3”, 300 pounds, and his hand usage would allow him to play defensive end in a 3-4 front. Along with that quickness is Moten’s superb hand usage. It allows him to defeat blocks and disrupt action in the backfield. Moten two tackles, half a sack, and a forced fumble in Miami’s win over Clemson.
Braydon Brus | LB | Senior | Northwestern
Sonny Styles and the Commanders’ linebackers had a quiet week against the Colts. While they played well, they did not make the impact plays like they did against Seattle. Braydon Brus is prospect that could add depth and playmaking at the position. At 6’1”, 230 pounds, he’s a little shorter but about the same weight as both Kain Medrano and Ale Kaho. Brus has played weakside linebacker for the Wildcats, but he could transition to an inside linebacker in a 3-4. He has good instincts that allow him to shoot into the backfield and make plays. He’s not an elite athlete, but those instincts help him to be in the right places in zone coverage. He could improve taking on blockers and disengaging to make plays. Brus had nine tackles, a sack, a PBU, and an interception in Northwestern’s win over Penn State.
Ellis Robinson IV | CB | Junior | Clemson
While the Rasual Douglas was able to get an interception an Amik Robertson played his typical good game in coverage, the cornerback position still needs help. Ellis Robinson projects to be one of the best cornerbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft. Robinson plays sticky man coverage, mirroring the receivers off the line off scrimmage and throughout their routes. While he’s excellent in man coverage, he can be outmuscled by stronger receivers given his 6’0”, 180 pound frame. Nevertheless, Robinson IV uses his long arms to play passes without penalties. He looks to have good recovery speed if he does get beat downfield. Georgia doesn’t use him much in zone coverage, but his awareness suggests he should be good in this area. Robinson IV had a tackle, a PBU, and an interception to help the Bulldogs take down Vanderbilt.
Jaylen McClain | S | Junior | Ohio State
The Commanders miss the versatility of Nick Cross. While Jeremy Reaves is a future Ring of Honor inductee, he looks to be playing through injury and has had struggles at safety. Quan Martin has looked fairly pedestrian this season. Ohio State’s Jaylen McClain could give the Commanders a true free safety and allow for even more exotic looks at the line of scrimmage. McClain is smooth in coverage and quick to diagnose where the ball is going. He can break on the ball quickly and deliver hits to jar the ball loose to prevent receptions. His speed also helps him come from depth in run support. McClain had three tackles and an interception in the Buckeyes’ win over Iowa.
Which college players caught your eye in Week 5 and could help the Washington Commanders?
