College football is back! Okay, it was officially back last week, with a batch of games during Week 0 that served as an appetizer before the Labor Day weekend slate of games. Let’s dive into six prospects for Green Bay Packers fans to watch on Saturday
Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Buy Packers TicketsBrian Gutekunst selected an edge rusher nicknamed Hercules out of Iowa with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. If Gutekunst dips his toes back into the Hawkeye prospect pool, DeJean could be a player he targets in the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft. The versatile Hawkeye defensive back checks all the boxes. He’s a high-end athlete, that competed in four sports in high school and was a state champion in the long jump and 100-meter dash. He’ll be 21 in February and he’s a movable piece in the secondary. The Hawkeye defensive back can line up in the slot, on the boundary and deep.
Aside from his versatility and athleticism, DeJean has outstanding ball skills. He picked off five passes last season, with three touchdowns and eight pass deflections. To go along with all that he logged 186 special teams snaps last season and recorded seven tackles. If the Packers draft DeJean in the first round, they’ll likely view him as a safety.
The Hawkeyes square off against Utah State at 11 a.m. The game will be aired on FS1.
#Iowa DB Cooper DeJean
Down 30+ points in the middle of the 4th qtr. and still guarding Marvin Harrison Jr. like the game is on the line.
Love seeing this. Competitor. I like him as a safety. pic.twitter.com/7FdtsPK8Fm
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) August 17, 2023
Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
As a redshirt freshman, Hicks recorded 76 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and seven pass deflections last season. Hicks has disciplined eyes and arrives on time to disrupt the catch point. He’s active against the run and explodes coming downhill, however, he’ll need to clean up his technique, as he was credited with 12 missed tackles last season.
Washington State plays Colorado State at 6 p.m. The game will be aired on CBS Sports Network.
#Pac12 Freshman of the Week, presented by @Nextiva: Jaden Hicks 🐾
Full release ➡️ https://t.co/F3xPzC1Llj#GoCougs @WSUCougarFB pic.twitter.com/BBh3PdIHr0
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) November 7, 2022
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Bulldogs will win in a laugher against UT Martin today. This game will likely be over by the end of the first quarter. Having said that, Mims is reason enough to tune in. With his frame and athleticism, the Georiga offensive tackle has all the tools in the shed. He enters this season with two career starts at right tackle and in those two starts, he’s given up zero sacks and zero pressures.
The Bulldogs open the season against UT Martin at 5 p.m. The game will be aired on ESPN+/SEC Network+.
“I’ve heard from college coaches and NFL Execs, they expect him to be one of the best linemen in CFB” https://t.co/9OTlcOoovK
— Brooks Austin (@BrooksAustinBA) August 31, 2023
George Holani, RB, Boise State
Holani enters his final season at Boise with 29 career starts to his name. The former four-star recruit finished last season with 1,157 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 24 receptions for 151 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Holani is a patient runner with good vision. When he sees the hole he squirts through it with adequate burst. According to Pro Football Focus, the Broncos running back finished last season with 758 yards after contact.
Boise State plays Washington at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
Watch him.
George Holani was named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back 👏
🔗➡️: https://t.co/IGkmtXqbmS#Compete #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/IaiUoCoTBC
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) August 9, 2023
Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
After starting nine games at left guard in 2020, Frazier has since started 25 straight games at center for West Virginia. A high school wrestler, Frazier does a great job of outleveraging the man across from him. He has a high football IQ and quickly deciphers what’s coming his way.
West Virginia plays Penn State at 6:30 p.m. The game will be aired on NBC.
Sanoussi Kane, DB, Purdue
Kane started 12 games for Purdue last season and he responded with 72 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. At 6-0, 215 pounds, Kane is a well-put-together safety. He’s fearless in run support, however, he needs to play more disciplined. He was credited with 16 whiffs last season. The Purdue defensive back is capable of wearing multiple hats for a defensive coordinator. Kane also brings special teams value, with 467 snaps on special teams during his first three seasons.
Purdue opens the season against Fresno State at 11 a.m. The game will be aired on Big 10 Network.
