Recap of TCU RB Kendre Miller vs. Texas DT Keondre Coburn
TCU kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive with a 17-10 win over Texas this past week. Kendre Miller’s 75-yard touchdown run in the middle of the third quarter proved to be quite the difference maker. TCU had been staying true to running the ball, despite little success through the first half and the early stages of the third quarter. That was until Miller received a carry up the middle, sucked the linebacker inside, and immediately hit his crease off tackle to fly for 75 yards up the sideline and a touchdown. Miller showcased his vision and elite speed on this run on a night that he proved to be a true workhorse. He ended up finishing the night with 21 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown while also chipping in 1 reception for 10 yards. Miller continues to impress and rise up draft boards with his consistent motor and his ability to turn some negative plays into positive ones. As for the other side of the ball, Coburn held his own and, for most of the night, clogged up the middle of the field and the TCU rushing attack. Even on the long Miller run, he did his job by creating a push into the backfield and leaving a gap for his linebacker to fill. Coburn finished the night with five total tackles and will continue to try to push himself into the back end of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
This Week's Matchup to Watch
Kentucky QB Will Levis vs. Georgia’s Defense
Kentucky hosts #1 Georgia on Saturday in a game that shouldn’t be close, but the implications could weigh heavy for Will Levis. Despite a shaky season, Levis is one of the top quarterback prospects for this upcoming NFL Draft. He has become a bit of a head-scratcher regarding his draft stock, staying virtually the same even though his statistics have been below average, especially his nine interceptions in nine games. His season reached a low point last week as he struggled against Vanderbilt, throwing an interception on an 11-of-23 day that included no scores and now leaves him with a QBR of 54.3 on the year. This year, Levis has had to fight through injuries and an offensive line that has been abysmal in pass blocking. Regardless though, his draft stock has remained the same because of his skill set, which has still been on display in flashes throughout the season. Levis has a rocket for an arm and a quick release which allows him to get the ball out quickly. His 6-foot-3 and 232-pound frame is ideal for a future NFL quarterback, and his current offensive system translates well to the NFL game. For his size, he moves well around the pocket, but there are legitimate concerns about his decision-making when it comes to anticipatory throws or when he is having to move to his second and third reads. He has all the intangibles as far as being a leader, a hard worker, and characteristics that every NFL GM wants in a starting quarterback. But the concerns are still there as far as his production goes. He has the potential to be great, but we have rarely seen it this year. At some point, results matter, and Levis will more than likely be able to secure himself as a first-round pick based on potential. But it does leave a massive question mark for how his NFL career could play out.
Usually, we highlight a defensive prospect, and just a few weeks ago, we looked at Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo. Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter should be a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, but we won’t fully highlight him this week as it is more about how Levis can handle this Georgia defense as an entire unit. We have seen this defense shut down everyone due to their defensive pressure and ability to lock up receivers on the outside; they have clearly shown they are the best defensive group in the country. I’m interested to see if Levis can truly show his potential in a spot against the best in the country. Or do we see the same dominant Georgia defense and another mediocre stat line for Levis? Somewhere his potential will have to flash, and for NFL GMs, this would be a heck of a spot for Levis to do so. If not, Levis will be a true potential-based pick and a heavy risk that could set an NFL team’s five-year plans behind schedule, pending on how much a team is willing to invest in him in this upcoming NFL Draft.