Future Hogs Week 6: College football players who could help the Commanders

Down went #1 in Week 6 of college football. The Red River Rivalry between #1 Texas and Oklahoma went to the Sooners. Although Arch Manning threw for three touchdowns, he also threw a pick-six and a late interception to set up the game-winning field goal. In the matchup between #2 Georgia and #6 Alabama, a controversial no-call on what appeared to be pass interference by the Bulldogs helped them hold on to the lead in Tuscaloosa. With their starting quarterback Dante Moore recovering from a concussion, Oregon’s playoff chances all but faded away against a UCLA team that looks for real but lost it’s starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Elsewhere in the Big Ten, #7 Indiana needed two fourth quarter touchdowns to survive the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Things will only get tougher for Indiana as they go to Columbus and take on Jeremiah Smith and #4 Ohio State. Texas, now ranked #7, will try to rebound against Florida, while #1 Georgia will take on Auburn. In what is likely their toughest test of the season, #2 Notre Dame will go to Utah to face off against #8 BYU. The SEC will feature a number of ranked-on-ranked matchups: #16 Mississippi State vs. #22 LSU, #13 Missouri vs. #9 Ole Miss, and #6 Alabama vs. #14 Tennessee. Finally, #18 Oklahoma State and their QB Drew Mestemaker, who’s looking more and more like the top quarterback in the draft, will play #20 Houston.

Here are a few players who had a good week and might be able to help out the Commanders. Let me know what you think about these prospects and feel free to post players that stood out to you.

LaNorris Sellers | QB | RS Junior | South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers is a frustrating NFL prospect. He looks the part of an NFL quarterback. He’s 6’3”, 238 pounds, has a big arm, and he’s mobile. When Sellers plays his best, there are the slightest glimpses of Cam Newton. Those glimpses were on full display when the Gamecocks played Florida. Sellers found open receivers and threw the ball with accuracy. He even made some tight window throws downfield. The problem is Sellers is very inconsistent. As an example, he only completed 44% of his passes against Towson earlier this season. He also needs to read defenses more quickly and be more decisive as a playmaker. In the right place, Sellers might develop into a starter, but I think he would be a quality backup at the next level. The Gamecocks beat the Gators, and Sellers went 23 of 35, a completion percentage of 66%, four touchdowns through the air and one on the ground.

Isaac Brown | RB | Junior | Louisville

Isaac Brown is a home-run hitter. At 5’9”, 190 lbs, Brown is smaller, but he’s stout. Brown does many of the things an NFL running back must do. He’ll run between the tackles for positive yards and catch the ball out of the backfield. But Brown’s super power is his speed. If he can get in space, it is unlikely anyone will be able to catch him. Where Brown is lacking is that he’s not a particularly creative runner that will make defenders miss in space, and he’s not powerful enough to consistently break tackles and churn out tough yardage. Brown had a career-high 235 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in a win over Florida State.

Nick Marsh | WR | Junior | Indiana

The Commanders need a number one receiver and Indiana looks like they have two prospects that can be just that. I discussed Charlie Becker earlier this year, now it’s Nick Marsh’s turn. A transfer from Michigan State, Marsh is every bit of 6’3”, 210 pounds, and he uses that size to bully defensive backs. Yet at that size, he moves like a smaller receiver through the stems of his routes. He looks like he has plenty of speed to run away from defenders after catch. Another thing about Marsh is he will block his behind off. In the discussion for the second receiver to be drafted after Jeremiah Smith, Marsh made a strong case against Nebraska. He made six catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns as the Hoosiers handed the Cornhuskers their first loss.

Patrick Overmyer | TE | Senior | Houston

One bright spot of the Commanders’ game against the Giants was Chig Okonkwo showing a little of what made him a coveted free agent. Patrick Overmyer is another prospect that is a receiving threat as a tight end. Overmyer stands 6’5” and weighs 240 pounds. Houston mostly uses Overmyer flexed off the line as a big slot receiver. From that spot, he is a mismatch for many defenders: too fast for linebackers and too big for defensive backs. They often line him up in the backfield where he either lead blocks or sneaks out for a pass. If the Commanders want to be creative with their use of a tight end, Overmeyer should be on their list of draft prospects. He had eight receptions for 83 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Kansas State.

Matt Craycraft | C | Senior | Duke

It wasn’t all bad for Lucas Patrick against the Giants, but I saw multiple plays where he was knocked into the backfield by defensive tackles. Matt Craycraft has started at center for the Blue Devils since 2023. He’s a smart player, not because he goes to Duke, but because he’s been named All-ACC Academic 2023-2025. On the field, Craycraft is simply a solid player in the middle of the line. At 6’3”, 305 pounds, Craycraft is athletic enough to play in a zone-blocking scheme and strong enough for a gap-blocking scheme. His awareness in pass protection allows him to identify incoming blitzers, recognize twisting rushers, and block defenders in space. It’d be nice to see him play a little nastier and finish his blocks with authority. Although the Blue Devils did not get the win against Georgia Tech, he helped their running back Nate Sheppard gain almost 100 yards both rushing and receiving. Craycraft is #72.

Xavier Gilliam | DT | Junior | Tennessee

The Commanders run defense has been one of the best in the NFL. But, it needs more players who can win one-on-one matchups in the pass game. Xavier Gilliam has terrorized offenses this season. He’s a local product that played at Quince Orchard before two seasons at Penn State. The volunteers have unleashed the 6’2”, 305 pound transfer. He is explosive off the line of scrimmage and relentless forcing the issue into the backfield. Gilliam combines his initial quickness with various moves to maneuver past defenders. He is strong enough to bench press blockers and disengage to make a play. Gilliam lines up as a nose for Tennessee, but he’d likely play defensive end for the Commanders, kicking inside in four-man fronts. Gilliam helped Tennessee defeat Arkansas with four tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble that he recovered.

Owen Heinecke | LB | Senior | Oklahoma

Owen Heinecke was a key contributor in Oklahoma’s win over Texas. He began his career playing lacrosse at Ohio State before transferring to Oklahoma. He declared for the NFL draft last season, even participated at the Combine (his RAS might not be high enough for Adam Peters), but returned to school after being granted another year of eligibility. Listed at 6’1”, 230 pounds by Oklahoma, he’s instinctual which helps him diagnose plays. It allows him to beat blockers to the ball and be an effective blitzer. With a non-stop motor, Heinecke makes a lot of plays because of effort. While he is great at shooting gaps into the backfield, he could improve taking on blockers and disengaging to make plays. Heinecke had nine tackles, 2.5 for a loss, in the Sooners win over the Longhorns.

Jalen Mayo | CB | Senior | Houston

A fifth-year senior that went from Virginia Union to Stephen F. Austin to Houston, Jalen Mayo is putting together tape that will make NFL evaluators pay attention. He’s got great size at 6’2”, 190 pounds. It allows him to be physical when he plays press man. If his punch doesn’t disrupt a route, Mayo has the footwork and lower body agility to stick with his receiver. While he’s better in press man than zone, he has shown the ability to play both effectively. It’d be nice to see him be a little less of a shoestring tackler, but he will fly to the ball to make a play. Mayo had three tackles and a PBU in Houston’s win over Kansas State.

Robert Fitzgerald | S | RS Senior | Northwestern

Can you imagine Robert Fitzgerald playing where RFK Stadium once stood? If the Commanders are interested in a productive safety, then that might be a reality. Fitzgerald is 6’, 210 pounds, and uses that size to secure tackles. He had over 100 last season and is on pace to match that number this season. In coverage, Fitzgerald is good in zone, reading the eyes of the quarterback. He triggers to the ball quickly too, either to breakup passes or take them away. While I don’t think he has enough speed to be a single-high free safety, he’ll be effective in other zone coverages and near the line of scrimmage. Fitzgerald had seven tackles and a pick-six in the Wildcats win over Ball State.

Which college players caught your eye in Week 6 and could help the Washington Commanders?