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Whether you're taking a look ahead (far ahead) to the 2016 NFL Draft, actually enjoy college football, or have NCAA games on in the background Saturday, you might be interested in knowing which top college players are worth keeping an eye on. There are too many to name, but here are a few that should be of interest to Steelers fans both in terms of the next draft, and in the interest of seeing some good football.
Taylor Decker, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
When:
The Ohio State Buckeyes, top ranked in the nation, take on the unranked Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 24 in Piscataway New Jersey.
Who:
Taylor Decker has played both right and left tackle.At 6'7" and 315 pounds. His arm length works to his advantage, but his height sometimes poses a problem.
Why:
Ohio State has no shortage of talented players, and the Pittsburgh Steelers often fill in gaps on their roster with Buckeyes. Both defensive end Cam Heyward and linebacker Ryan Shazier were first round picks out of Ohio. With Kelvin Beachum recently injured and Mike Adams recovering from an injury since the off season, the offensive line could need some attention in 2016. Beachum is also in a contract year, and so is Ramon Foster. Even though offensive line coach Mike Munchak prefers to develop later-round talent, offensive linemen could be on his radar.
Jeremy Cash, Strong Safety, Duke
When:
The Duke Blue Devils face off against the Virginia Tech Hokies in Virginia at 3:30 p.m. on ESPU.
Who:
Jeremy Cash, a strong safety from Duke is extremely versatile. Able to play both safety and cornerback, he is equally adept in coverage and in the box. He's a hard-hitter. CBS Sports says he plays "with nonstop violence and hustle." A quick bit of Cash trivia: He started his college career at Ohio State.
Why:
The phrase "plays with nonstop violence" really says it all. He could bring a level of nasty to the Steelers secondary, a hard-hitting menace capable of breaking up plays and stopping them before they even start. The Steelers secondary has performed surprisingly well this year, but it is likely the Steelers will have an eye on a prospect who can play safety since several players in the dusk of their careers.
Leonard Fournette, Running Back, LSU
When:
LSU takes on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at home on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPU.
Who:
Leonard Fournette is a sophomore running back out of LSU. He is not eligible for the 2016 draft, but he is a stupendous player to watch. His awesomeness really speaks for itself:
Why:
First the match up between LSU and Western Kentucky is deceptively competitivve. WKU has averaged 55 points in their last four games, and has a red-hot offense. Actually, it is a Baylor-hot offense. They are really that good. LSU has an astounding secondary with several defensive backs expected to be drafted in the first round. So, don't dismiss this game because of the Hilltoppers.
Back to Fournette. If you aren't a college football fan, Fournette will make a fan out of you. If you want to see an astoundingly awesome running back (and earn the right to say, "I saw him way back when"), tune in on Saturday. There is minimal likelihood he will end up playing for the Steelers, but if his career continues on this trajectory, he will be one of the best NFL running backs of all time. Do yourself a favor and check him out.
Watch him go Mike Tyson on a Gator defender:
Be careful going after Leonard Fournette. https://t.co/OvxNcIW4Nb
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) October 18, 2015
Yeah, plays like that make him one to watch week after week.
Runner up:
Dalvin Cook, Running Back, Florida State. Again, another player that isn't on the list as a prospective Steelers draft pick. He's made the list as a player that is flat-out fun to watch. Like Fournette, Cook is an explosive player with tremendous potential. The Florida State Seminoles go to Georgia to play the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacktons Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on ESP2.