College Football

College Football Week 5 Prospect Watch List

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:17 p.m. ET

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Sep 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Kermit Whitfield (8) in the first quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

The Watch List has been highlighting players for a third of the season and we have seen teams rise and fall with the contenders separating themselves from the pretenders. Teams such as Louisville, Houston, and Washington have been surprise contenders. USC, Georgia, and Ole Miss have left more to be desired.

As the season continues on into conference play, teams from the NFL will begin scrutinizing 2017 NFL draft prospects even closer. With each game becoming more important to the team and prospect  it is vital they both give it their all.

The prospects I list each week will include their last week’s box scores to provide some context on how they are performing. With that in mind let’s take a look at the next group of prospects to make the Watch List…

Sep 17, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson (4) hands the ball off to running back Darrell Henderson (8) against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Riley Ferguson (JR), QB, Memphis vs. Bowling Green

20/27, 359 YDS, 6 TD, 0 INT (passing), 2 ATT, -10 YDS, 1 TD

At one point, Riley Ferguson was in line to be the next starting quarterback at the University of Tennessee. In the end it didn’t work out for Ferguson and he transferred to community college at the end of his freshman year. After a dominant 2015 season, he found his way back to FBS level and has led the Tigers to a 3-0 record to start the season.

Against Bowling Green he completed 20 of 27 passes for 359 yards and six touchdowns, while also adding another score with his legs. Ferguson has displayed above average arm talent, with the ability to make every throw asked of him. He does possess some athletic ability to evade the pocket, but he is better suited as a pocket passer. Up next Riley Ferguson and the Tigers take on Ole Miss in what will be his toughest test yet.

Sep 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball in the second quarter as South Florida Bulls linebacker Danny Thomas (53) defends at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Dalvin Cook (JR), RB, Florida State vs. South Florida

28 ATT, 267 YDS, 2 TD (rushing), 4 REC 62 YDS

Dalvin Cook started this season without crossing the 100 yard barrier in his first three games and overall looked tentative and slower than he had the previous season. Against South Florida, Cook looked like the Heisman candidate from a season ago. On 28 rushing attempts Cook ran for 267 yards and two touchdowns. He displayed his patient running style, waiting for a hole to open before bursting through and utilizing his speed to run away from the defense.

Dalvin Cook has a favorable matchup against North Carolina this week. With a depleted Tar Heel front seven, Dalvin Cook should have himself another big game and could be in line to be the first repeat appearance on the Watch List. 

Sep 2, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo (7) catches a pass in front of Colgate Raiders defensive back Cortney Mimms (26) during the third quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Amba Etta-Tawo (SR), WR, Syracuse vs. Connecticut

12 REC, 270 YDS, 2 TD

A graduate transfer from Maryland, Etta-Tawo managed only 30 receptions for 438 yards and a single touchdown in his last two seasons combined. As a member of the Syracuse Orange, he has already hauled in 40 passes for 706 yards and five touchdowns. Against the Connecticut Huskies, Etta-Tawo hauled in 12 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns.

He has cemented himself as one of the better receivers in all of college football and was just added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. Against an inexperienced Notre Dame secondary, Amba Etta-Tawo appears to be in line for another big performance.  

Sep 18, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles defensive lineman Harold Landry (8) tackles Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Harold Landry (JR), DE, Boston College vs. Wagner

6 TKL, 5 TFL, 3 SCK, 1 FF

Harold Landry had himself quite the impressive game against Wagner this past Saturday. The junior defensive end finished the day with six tackles, five of which resulted in a loss. Landry also posted three sacks and forced fumble. His three sack performance put his total to 4.5 which is seventh best in the entire country.

Landry is a good athlete with above average strength and he plays with a non-stop motor. If he continues this level of play don’t be surprised to see his name start rising up draft boards as we get closer to draft time.

Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs as offensive tackle Bentley Spain (75) blocks at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels defeated the James Madison Dukes 56-28. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Switzer (SR), WR, North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh

16 REC, 208 YDS, 1 TD

The Pittsburgh Panthers have given up big games to wide receivers this season including a previous Watch List receiver James Washington.  Ryan Switzer the senior Tar Heel is the latest wide receiver to torch  their defense. In North Carolina’s comeback win over Pittsburgh, Switzer tied an ACC and school record with 16 receptions for 208 yards and a touchdown.

At 5’10” and only 185 pounds, Switzer is on the smaller side, but plays his role perfectly as a slot receiver. He is quick in and out of his cuts along the route tree and has great acceleration. He uses his hands well by plucking the ball out of the air instead of body-catching.

Ryan Switzer seems to have become Mitch Trubisky’s favorite target early on in 2016, so it should not surprise if his production remains high for the remainder of the season.

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