Following Saturday’s slate of games, we’ll highlight several college football prospects and their respective performances as well as how they might be viewed going forward in the 2023 NFL Draft specifically by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Drew Sanders, OLB, Arkansas
The Arkansas Razorbacks took care of business against the South Carolina Gamecocks in Fayetteville on Saturday, winning 44-30 in SEC action. While offense lit up the Hogs’ scorecard, the most dominant player on the field graced the defensive side of football. OLB Drew Sanders had a memorable game as he totaled 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles. , and a high-impact pass deflection putting pressure on Spencer Rattler and forcing turnovers to bring the ball back to the attack.
A former five-star rookie, Alabama transferred little playing time in his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide, favoring an inside-conference move to Arkansas. After recording a sack in his previous game, Sanders is hot to start 2022. Although he may only be a junior, if production continues for the talented athlete with an NFL frame, Sanders could be tempted to report early.
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The USC Trojans appear to be in control of the PAC 12 conference at the start of the season after beating Stanford 41-28. QB Caleb Williams seemed in control the whole game and Biletnikoff 2021 winner WR Jordan Addison looked comfortable with his new team. He torched the Cardinal defense with seven receptions for 172 yards and two TDs. He posted a dirty route running to break free from corner coverage Kyu Blu Kelly, beating him over the top for a 75-yard TD strike. Addison entered 2022 as one of the nation’s top WR prospects, and with the early chemistry between him and his star QB, the former Pitt wide could be in line for a spectacular season.
Andrew Vorhees, OL, USC
While the likes of Caleb Williams, Jordan Addison and Travis Dye will make headlines for USC’s attack, OL’s Andrew Vorhees himself had an impressive game against the PAC 12 team rival. The 6’6, 325-pound senior looked like a seasoned veteran against the Cardinal’s front seven, being solid in pass protection while having the athleticism and mobility to shoot and get out into space to pick up some blocks in the running game. He is extremely versatile, having started five games at right guard, eight games at left guard and four games at left tackle prior to 2022. Although only a prospect as a 6th-year senior, Vorhees is also polite that he comes and figures to be plug-and-play the day he is drafted.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
Tillman was highlighted as a player to watch in our preview series and the wide receiver did not disappoint. The Volunteers won in a shootout against the Pitt Panthers 34-27 in overtime and Tillman stole the show in the passing game as he had nine receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown. Tillman grabbed the game-winning TD in overtime to put Tennessee on top.
Having the size and body control to be a viable threat in the red zone, the 6’3, 215-pound senior has improved his game each season, having the opportunity to turn pro last year, but chose to come back and further improve his draft stock. So far in 2022, Tillman is doing just that as a likely midterm WR prospect that continues to rise.
Jacoby Windmon, OLB, Michigan State
The Michigan State Spartans decimated the Akron Zips at home Saturday in a 52-0 shutout. The defense was impeccable for the Spartans and Jacoby Windmon led the way with his second outstanding performance of the season. He posted five tackles, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one pass deflection against Akron, after a four-sack performance with a forced fumble against West Michigan. Windmon showcased a full toolkit as a pass thrower, having the speed and burst to gain edge as well as the strength and hand movements to defeat blocks regularly to get into the pocket and force the ball several times.
The 6’2, 250-pound senior came to East Lansing as a transfer from UNLV this season and is off to a strong start with 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in two games. If production follows him into Big Ten conference play, look for Windom to gain more traction as one of the best pass rushers in this draft class.
What do you think of the names listed above and their potential fit in Pittsburgh? Do you think they could translate well to the league? What other names stood out on Saturday that the Steelers might have interest in spring? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below and thanks again for reading!
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