5 Prospects Lions Should Watch in Week 7
The race for a national championship is heating up amongst college football's best. Through six weeks, many have made their claim at potential playoff berths.
As the games continue to carry heavy weight amongst the elite, NFL scouts will pore over the best of the best. The Detroit Lions will be firmly in the mix with the best prospects, as Brad Holmes and company continue to scout the top players available.
Here are five prospects the Lions should watch in Week 7.
Penn State OT Olu Fashanu
Game: Noon vs. Massachusetts (Big 10 Network)
Fashanu is one of the highest-rated prospects in the entire Draft, and Detroit's success likely means it won't get a shot at taking the talented blocker. However, he's a player worth watching as the season enters its home stretch.
Penn State's tackle has proven to be everything desired of a top pick. He's good with his hand placement and agile in his sets. This production has been proven sustainable throughout his career. An example of his consistency is the fact that he has been penalized just three times in his college career.
Alabama WR Jermaine Burton
Game: Noon vs. Arkansas (ESPN)
Alabama's offense seems to have found its groove in recent weeks. Quarterback Jalen Milroe had a big game last week against Texas A&M, thanks in part to the big game of Burton.
The talented wideout had nine catches and two scores against the Aggies, which doubled his previous season totals in both categories. After a slow start to the season, his performance in Week 6 was worth noting.
Now, the Crimson Tide wideout must continue proving his mettle against Arkansas. He's a vertical threat with strong speed to match, which has caused problems at the college ranks and can certainly translate to the pro level.
Washington EDGE Bralen Trice
Game: 3:30 p.m. vs. Oregon (ABC)
Trice has gotten off to a slower start this season than last. He has just one sack through the Huskies' first five games, after totaling nine in the 2022 campaign.
Still, there's plenty to like about Trice's potential. He notched 70 pressures last season, an elite amount. His tape shows a player who is fearless and relentless in his pursuit of opposing quarterbacks.
Trice has the chance to make a major statement Saturday when the Huskies take on Oregon. The battle of top-10 teams creates a chance for one team to stake its claim at the Pac-12 title, and Trice and company are hoping to put Washington at the top.
Ohio State DT Michael Hall Jr.
Game: Noon at Purdue (Peacock)
The Lions need to solidify their defensive line, though it appears to be crystallizing nicely. This position remains one in need of depth ahead of next season.
Hall has been impactful for the Buckeyes in 2023, anchoring their run-stopping efforts with 1.5 tackles for loss. He could stand to add physicality and polish, but he appears to be a player worth a mid-round pick.
His ability to clog run lanes would be a nice fit alongside Alim McNeill. Detroit is still discovering what it has in Levi Onwuzurike, which leaves the door open for the Lions to add more talent at the position next to McNeill, Isaiah Buggs and yet-to-debut rookie Brodric Martin.
USC S Calen Bullock
Game: 7:30 p.m. at Notre Dame (NBC)
Bullock has been one of the top defensive backs in all of college football in 2023. USC's defense has been much maligned for its struggles under coordinator Alex Grinch, but Bullock has proven to be a bright spot.
He's far and away the top Pro Football Focus-graded defender on the Trojan defense. The junior is building on his success from last season, when he picked off five passes and was named a PFF All-American for his efforts.
The Lions value their takeaway-oriented defensive backs. Bullock has the skill set to match the efforts of recent Brad Holmes draft picks Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. He's also an adept tackler, as PFF has him graded at a 67.5 mark with just five misses.
