Prospect Pulse: Week Four

Welcome to Prospect Pulse: Week Four, your premier source for tracking the Top Devy Prospects throughout the 2024 football season. Each week, we will spotlight key games and the standout players poised to make an impact, providing in-depth analysis and insights into their performances. Whether you are a fan, a scout, or just curious about the future stars of the NFL, “Prospect Pulse” will keep you updated. Stay tuned as we track the thrilling journey of these young athletes, game by game.

This week we talk about five matchups and 15 different players that are looking to make a statement to begin the 2024 college football season.

Game Scheduled for Saturday, September 21 at 3:40PM (EST)

UCLA – Running Back – T.J. Harden

The last two weeks LSU has struggled against the run by allowing 393 yards on the ground to opposing offenses. Currently, Harden has missed one game this season, which has allowed quarterback Ethan Garbers to be the teams leading rusher. Harden has not looked efficient in his opportunities, and if UCLA wants any success they need him to get back to his 2023 self. Last season, Harden averaged 5.3 yards-per-carry. This season, through two games he has averaged 2.7 yards-per-carry. The bright side, of Harden’s 57 yards rushing, 47 of those yards have came after contact. Plus, he has shown some relevancy in the passing game with nine receptions for 63 yards. The offensive line has struggled for UCLA. This week they will be tested again, but if Harden can get it going early then it will allow UCLA to open their playbook more.

LSU – Running Back – Caden Durham (Freshman)

Eyes were on quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to start the season, and we have not been disappointed. Currently, LSU has four receivers with more than ten receptions and over 140 yards receiving. Wide receiver, Kyren Lacy, has been the touchdown machine for Nussmeier with five touchdowns already. Tight end, Mason Taylor, has been effective with 17 receptions and 160 yards. It is safe to say that Nussmeier feeds his offense. On the other hand, the LSU running game has struggled this year. Until Durham was unleashed. Finally, in week three the freshman running back stepped into a role that he might not give up. Durham rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns. His 98 yards were a season high for the LSU offense. He was fluid in his maneuvers, evading tacklers, and keeping the chains moving forward. We know Nussmeier will continue to feed his receivers, but if LSU finally has their running game in place then they could be dangerous down the stretch.

LSU – Linebacker – Harold Perkins Jr

Perkins is a top linebacker prospect that has been struggling through the first three weeks. Through these weeks he has played the second most defensive snaps for LSU, however, he only has 14 total tackles with ten of them being assisted. Plus, as a projected top edge rusher, he has no sacks through three weeks. Perkins has been a force for LSU since he enrolled in the program. His tackling inefficiency is something to monitor. A 20 percent miss tackle rate is not something you want from a prospect that gets behind the line adding pressure. The struggles for Perkins could be why the LSU rushing defense has struggled. If Perkins starts clicking then the defense will find it’s pulse. In the SEC, that clicking needs to start sooner rather than later.

Tennessee (6) @ Oklahoma (15)

Game is Scheduled for Saturday, September 21 at 7:30PM (EST)

Tennessee – Running Back – Dylan Sampson

Sampson has been the guy in the backfield for Tennessee through three weeks. The junior back has 357 yards on the ground while averaging 7.9 yards-per-carry with nine touchdowns. Additionally, he has seven receptions for 70 yards. The Oklahoma defense has only allowed 233 rushing yards through three games. Their rush defense has been on point as their front seven is led by one of the nation’s top linebackers. The Sooners defense has a total of 86 run stops showing their ability to close the gaps quickly making it difficult for opposing rushers to gain momentum. The Tennessee offense could probably operate with quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, slinging the rock all game. However, having the rushing attack opens up the offense. Sampson does not go down easy as 217 of his yards have came from after contact. This will be his first big challenge of the season.

Tennessee – Edge – James Pearce Jr.

Earlier this year we said Pearce Jr could be the first overall draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is not making a case for himself through three weeks of play. The dominant edge rusher has been unable to make a solid impact. His six total pressures do the lead the team, but his 50 percent miss tackle rate is concerning. Pearce Jr. thrives at winning his battles with speed and strength. Plus, his arsenal of maneuvers to get around blockers is superb. Luckily, others have stepped up in his absence when closing the gaps to disrupt running lanes. This is a game where the pressure will matter because if Oklahoma’s quarterback, Jackson Arnold, is given time in the pocket he will slice up the defense. Pearce Jr. needs to make his presence felt this week and make an impact to not allow the possible upset.

Oklahoma – Quarterback – Jackson Arnold

Arnold has looked good through three weeks despite having two interceptions and nine sacks. The Sooners quarterback has 62.8 percent completion on the season. Last week, he showed some rushing upside after having 14 rushing attempts turn into 97 yards. He has not been ask to throw much after having only one game with over 30 passing attempts. This game might be different. The Tennessee defense has been great against the run. Through three weeks they have not allowed an opponent to gain over 75 yards on the ground. This is the first official test for Oklahoma in the SEC. Arnold has the traits to be a top NFL prospect, but moving to the SEC this season means he is facing tougher defenses that exploit opposing quarterbacks weaknesses. Luckily, the Sooners are at Oklahoma this week, but eyes will be on Arnold and how he leads this offense. This could be the game where Oklahoma is forced to rely on his arm and confidence in the pocket.

Oklahoma – Linebacker – Danny Stutsman

Stutsman is the Oklahoma Sooners defense, the energy starts with him. Currently, he leads the team in total tackles with 33, of those 21 have been solo tackles. Plus, that defensive front seven we spoke about earlier is led by him having 18 run stops. Opposing teams have been able to capitalize on his weaker coverage skills. Through three weeks he has allowed nine targets turn into nine receptions. Stutsman closing speed is remarkable though. He gets to the ball carrier quicker than a blink. The battle between Stutsman and Sampson will be one for the books. This matchup is one of those unstoppable forces versus an immovable object type of battles.

Game is Scheduled for Saturday, September 21 at 7:30PM (EST)

Iowa – Running Back – Kaleb Johnson

The devy community is not talking enough about Johnson. Through three weeks he already has more yards on the ground than he did all last year. He is running with vision and evading defenders every chance he gets with 19 missed tackles forced. Plus, his contact balance has been superb to start the season as 308, 64 percent, of his yards have came from after contact. The team struggled against Iowa State, but Johnson did everything he can to lift the offense. Do not let the bad offense ruin your chance to see something special in Johnson.

Iowa – Linebacker – Jay Higgins

The pulse of the Iowa defense is Higgins. He has some of the best ball pursuit in the nation. Once his eyes are on the ball he gets there quickly and is efficient with his tackles. For his career he has less than ten percent miss tackle rate. This season he has less than five percent tackles missed. He continues to find ways to bring ball carriers down no matter the elusiveness in the opposing player. Higgins leads the team in run stops with 13. Whenever Higgins is on the field teams try to avoid him, but his speed allows him to get to the ball carrier regardless. He can cause chaos for any opposing offense.

Minnesota – Running Back – Darius Taylor

Taylor has only played in two games, but it seems he is gaining momentum. In week one, he had 64 yards rushing. However, in week two, he nearly doubled his yards with 125 rushing yards. He shines in making defenders miss and not going down on first contact. Of his total yards, 75.6 percent have came from after contact. We have been saying that Taylor is something special all year. This week he has a tough matchup against Iowa, a school known for solid linebacker play. However, it seems that after missing week one that Taylor is healthy. This might be the week Minnesota relies on him to carry the ball 20 or more times. Last season, in four games with over 20 carries, Taylor averaged 184 yards per game. Moral of the story, let Taylor be the workhorse back and good things happen.

Game is Scheduled for Saturday, September 21 at Noon (EST)

NC State – Wide Receiver – Kevin Concepcion

The Clemson defense has struggled against the pass this season, however, NC State might be going through a quarterback change. Grayson McCall has struggled, but freshman quarterback, C.J. Bailey, has stepped in showing a little more juice to his game. Regardless of who is under center, one thing is certain, Concepcion is the Wolfpack’s top receiver. When targeted, Concepcion has caught 71 percent of his passes for 199 yards. The impressive part is that 68 percent of his yards have been after the catch. He makes defenders miss with his agility and uses quick cuts to gain separation allowing him to breakaway in the open field. Clemson struggled against Georgia (as expected), but then they dominated against Appalachian State (as expected). This week is the in between game as NC State is not better than Georgia, but they are better than Appalachian State. NC State should be able to add points to the board. It is possible that if Concepcion helps NC State take the lead early that they keep it all game.

Clemson – Quarterback – Cade Klubnik

We saw Klubnik struggle against Georgia. However, we saw him find success in week two. Against Appalachian State, Klubnik threw with 92.3 percent completion for 378 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. NC State has showed weakness in their passing defense allowing over 200 yards per game. On the other hand, NC State also has three interceptions. Klubnik will need to play his game, not let pressure get to him, and stand with confidence in the pocket. NC State can force some turnovers. If Klubnik allows them to get turnovers early then it could be a long day for the Clemson offense.

Clemson – Linebacker – Barrett Carter

Through two weeks one of the presumed top linebackers in the nation has been silent. Last season, Carter showed his explosiveness by getting to gaps quickly shutting down running lanes. This season, he has continued to show flaws in his tackling mechanics by missing a third of his tackles. Freshman linebacker, Sammy Brown, looked great in his debut against Appalachian State with seven solo tackles. The job is still Carter’s but if he continues to miss his tackles and lacks to add any pressure then Brown could overtake the role we thought Carter would shine in.

Game is Scheduled for Saturday, September 21 at 3:30PM (EST)

USC – Wide Receiver – Zachariah Branch

This USC offense has been spreading the ball, 14 different receivers have at least one catch. However, Branch leads the team with 11 targets, but is second in receptions with eight. He is a playmaker in the passing game with a knack for picking up extra yardage. Branch leads the team in yards after the catch and his speed is second to none. The running game has worked for USC thus far, but against a Michigan front seven the pressure will come to the backfield. This might allow USC to dial in on their explosive playmaker a bit more. USC only has two touchdowns through the air this season. Branch has zero touchdowns. They need to get the ball into his hands more and watch him do the rest.

Michigan – Tight End – Colston Loveland

Through three weeks, Loveland is leading the Wolverines receiving room. He has 79.2 percent completion when targeted with 187 yards. On the other hand, two interceptions have came when thrown his way and he has one fumble against him. Loveland is also used in the running game. Michigan utilizes his big frame and speed to block downfield for their running backs. In fact, outside of the offensive line and quarterback, Loveland is on the field more than any other offensive player. Michigan will need more than just their offense to have a chance against USC. Loveland can be the safety net for any quarterback under center. He is arguably the top tight end of the 2025 draft class. His ability to line up anywhere on the field with his ability to be effective when asked to block makes him a great prospect to watch. Eyes will continue to be on him as he continues to rise up draft boards.

That concludes my week four Prospect Pulse. Stay tuned for more Prospect Pulse articles highlighting different prospects each week. Follow me on X @thepprshow for daily and weekly recap threads. If you enjoy fantasy football then do not forget to subscribe to our Fantasy Football Universe YouTube page. Plus, for more articles like this on our website fantasyfootballuniverse.com. Thank you for reading!