NFL Perspective: Top College Performers in Week 5

Jameis Winston

All it takes is one great game to get noticed by NFL scouts.

However, if a college player is going to become a legitimate prospect with first- or second-round draft potential, it’s about doing it on a consistent basis.

As the calendar gets ready to turn to October, the top scouts in the NFL have gotten into the serious part of their job. They may have identified the athletes in their region who have potential, and now it’s time to determine if they are actual NFL players.

The reports that are written now will go a long way towards determining where a player will be drafted. The Combine testing and individual workouts will confirm those assessments, but never forget that the best general managers and coaches make the first part of their draft decisions on how well and how consistent the draft prospects are in games.

Here’s a look at how five of the top players performed in Week Five of the college football season.

QB Jameis Winston, Florida State – A week after his one-game suspension resulting from his vulgar display in one of the Florida State eating facilities, Winston was back in the lineup for the Seminoles. Winston has top-10 physical ability, but his lack of maturity is considered alarming by a number of the top pro scouts. He is going to have to win over the key decision-makers if he is going to earn a high draft status. Winston made several mistakes in Florida State’s 56-41 victory over North Carolina State, and his two interception angered his coaches and had scouts shaking their heads. He made some plays in the second half to help the Seminoles avoid the upset, but he was quite sloppy and needs to tighten up.

RB Todd Gurley, Georgia – At the start of the season, Gurley looked like a first- or second-round draft pick. After Georgia’s 35-32 victory over Tennessee, you can take the second-round grade off of him. He is looking more and more like a first-round pick with every carry he makes. Gurley had a spectacular 208-yard effort against the Volunteers in which he gave a remarkable display of his power, speed and athleticism. Gurley is a bruiser at 6-1 and 232 pounds, but he wowed the fans in Athens, Ga. when he hurdled over a tackler as he sped down the sidelines during a 26-yard gain in the fourth quarter. Gurley is now a legitimate Heisman contender.

QB Brett Hundley, UCLA – Hundley has had a difficult time living up to the preseason expectations in the early part of the season, but he was at his best in the Bruins’ impressive 62-27 road victory at Arizona State. Hundley, 6-3 and 227 pounds, was on top of his game against the Sun Devils. He completed 18-of-23 passes for 355 yards with four touchdown passes and no interceptions. While Hundley was helped out by some poor Arizona State pass defense, he put each of his throws where he needed to and helped his draft status with his performance. A very likely first-round choice.

RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin – The Badgers will get into the Big Ten portion of their schedule when they go to Northwestern next Saturday, but Gordon showed he is in midseason form with a sensational effort against South Florida. Gordon carried 32 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns, and showed plenty of power in finishing his runs. The 6-1, 207-yard Gordon cemented his first-round status with his power-running effort against the Bulls.

OT Andrus Peat, Stanford – This big left tackle is rated as the third-best player at his position in the country and he has an excellent chance to be drafted in the top half of the first round. At 6-7 and 314 pounds, Peat has the ideal build for the position and is an outstanding pass blocker. He showed his talent as a run blocker in Stanford’s hard-fought 20-13 win at Washington as the Cardinal ran for 186 yards.