National Football League

The Watch List: College Football Week 2

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:45 p.m. ET

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Each week, The Watch List provides a quick rundown on some of the most intriguing draft prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Welcome to the Watch List! Each week, the goal of this column will be to provide a small sample of draft eligible prospects for everyone to keep an eye on during the college games over the weekend. There will be no restrictions other than the player must be available for the upcoming 2017 Draft. This post will cover not only FBS caliber prospects, but will also feature some of the top prospects from the FCS.

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 first group of prospects to make the Watch List…

Sep 3, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) and Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Cam Phillips (5) reacts before the game against the Liberty Flames at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

11 REC 117 YDS 1 TD

Despite turnover among the coaching staff and at the quarterback position, Isaiah Ford continued his dominant play from his sophomore season against Liberty. Based on his game against the Flames, Ford has had no issue developing a rapport with quarterback Jerod Evans. He was targeted 17 times and wound up with 11 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Ford has his first big test of the year against Tennessee. He will face off against fellow NFL draft prospect CB Cameron Sutton.  

Sep 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes II (5) scores against Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks safety Ahmad Muhammad (37) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

30/43 483 YDS 4 TD passing, 10 ATT 57 YDS 2 TD rushing

Patrick Mahomes II has been mentioned as a dark horse Heisman candidate, and after his performance against Stephen F. Austin it is clear why. The Lumberjacks didn’t have an answer for for Mahomes who put up 407 yards and five touchdowns in the first half alone. This Saturday Mahomes will have a tougher task when he travels to Tempe, AZ to take on the Sun Devils. In a game that should be a barn burner, Patrick Mahomes will have to put his strong arm on display in a game that could be decided by who scores last.

Sep 3, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Eastern Washington Eagles wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) makes the touchdown catch against the against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Eagles won 45-42. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

12 REC 206 YDS 3 TD receiving, 2 ATT 29 YDS rushing

Cooper Kupp picked up right where he left off last season with an impressive performance against Washington State. Last year’s Walter Payton award winner hauled in 12 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns. With his impressive performance against the Cougars, Kupp become the all time FCS leader in touchdown catches with 59. This week the Eagles take on the No. 1 ranked North Dakota State. Look for Cooper Kupp to have a big game against a pair of sophomore cornerbacks in Jalen Allison and Dakota Reid.

Sep 3, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) scores on a four yard touchdown run against defensive back Rob Rolle (4) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

17 ATT 53 YDS 1 TD rushing, 3 REC 16 YDS, 1 TD receiving

Perhaps the biggest story to start the 2016 college football season was the return of James Conner. The junior running back from the University of Pittsburgh missed the entire 2015 season with a season-ending knee injury followed by a diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma. Conner didn’t have an eye-popping game from a statistical standpoint, but he did find the endzone twice in his first game back since he was declared cancer free. His upcoming game against in-state rivals Penn State should bring out the best from Conner as he will be going up against another stud running back in Saquon Barkley.

Oct 24, 2015; Corvallis, OR, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) tackles Oregon State Beavers quarterback Nick Mitchell (14) at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

8 TKL (1 For Loss), 1 INT, 1 PD

If you don’t know who Chidobe Awuzie is by now you will soon. The senior cornerback out of Colorado is rapidly rising up draft boards and has established himself as one of the top corners in the country. In their 44-7 win over in-state rival CSU, Chidobe Awuzie was by far the best player on the field. He was on the field almost the entire game and collected eight tackles, an interception and a pass breakup. This week against Idaho State look for Awuzie to again be a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball.

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