College Football 2024 Stock Up Week 3: Wyatt Milum, Jalen Milroe & Bradyn Swinson
SEC prospects dominated Week 3 of the college football season
Week 3 of college football delivered some big time performances for 2025 NFL Draft prospects we haven’t covered in this column yet. A couple of upset bids featured star-studded lineups for SEC programs. We’ll focus primarily on those SEC prospects today but also touch on the Backyard Brawl and some ACC action.
I do my best to avoid including tune-up games as part of this column. That means Omarion Hampton’s 210-yard rushing performance against North Carolina Central won’t make an appearance.
Only draft-eligible players appear in this series. All heights and weights are unofficial and shared by football programs unless specified. Pressure data and snap counts are courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Sacks and other official stats are from publicly available box scores.
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Stock Up: Bradyn Swinson, Edge LSU
Swinson flashed potential at Oregon but never authored a breakout season. It seems like the fifth times the charm as the veteran amassed seven pressures, including three sacks, and a forced fumble against South Carolina. The Tigers needed someone on their defense to step up, and Swinson came through with a clutch sack as the clock ticked under a minute in the 36-33 shootout.
Swinson dominated South Carolina’s offensive tackles with his long arms. He had easy access to tackles’ chests and used his heavy hands and powerful extensions to knock blockers out of his way. That made it easy for Swinson to access the B-gap and hunt down the quarterback.
Even though I watched the game live, the amount of displacement Swinson generated on the All-22 surprised me. He did a fantastic job channeling power through his hands and dictating the terms of engagement to South Carolina’s linemen.
Some of the rush moves Swinson put on tape included two-handed swipes, swims, speed to power, and chops. LSU lined him up as an off-ball player several times and let him walk down into the gap as a stand-up rusher. The Tigers took advantage of the athletic mismatch Swinson created against South Carolina’s interior linemen. Swinson also showed off his closing burst on some stunts.
Stock Up: Wyatt Milum, LT West Virginia
Milum didn’t allow a pressure during West Virginia’s out of conference games against Penn State and Pittsburgh. Both performances were better than his games versus the Nittany Lions and Panthers in 2023. The fourth-year starter engineered a strong showing in the Backyard Brawl.
Milum put his play strength and motor on tape with several pancakes and takedowns in pass protection. He took two or three Panthers defenders to the ground in the first quarter alone. His footwork and hand usage are both patient and controlled so he rarely suffers costly technical breakdowns. Milum’s anchor is strong enough to eat bull rushes, and defenders rarely find success when trying to play through his frame.
Milum also offers value in the run game. He has the open field speed and movement skills to pull and pick off defenders near the boundary on wide zone runs or in the box as part of a gap scheme. He digs out 4 and 5-techs to create open B-gaps and takes good angles to pick off second level defenders. Milum’s also a people mover on down blocks and creates great horizontal displacement.
What stood out the most about Milum’s game against Pittsburgh was how frequently he took defenders to the ground. Call it a superior showing of balance or power, it’s just impressive how many defenders he folded. He did have a costly holding call in the loss.
Milum projects best as a guard at the next level. A team might try him at tackle first, but his short arms and foot speed are a bad combination for a lineman operating on an island.
Stock Up: Jalon Walker, LB/Edge Georgia (Scouting Report)
Man, what I would give for Walker to be 6-4, 265 lbs. with 34-inch arms. Unfortunately, the junior is more in the 6-2, 245 lb. range, and that undersized frame prevents him for projecting as a top 15 prospect in the class. He should still go in the top 50 selections and has a pathway to being a first rounder as a linebacker-edge hybrid.
Walker picked up a single-game career-high eight pressures in Georgia’s defensive battle against Kentucky, applying pressure on 38.1% of his rush snaps. He had an awesome pressure on an inside-swim eliminated by a controversial roughing the passer call.
All eyes were on Mykel Williams (Scouting Report) entering the season, but Walker is a more explosive, bendier pass rusher. The hybrid defender also has a deeper bag of pass rush moves, including long-arms, chops, cross-chops, rips, spins, swims, club-swims, swipe-swims, and some speed to power.
Over the summer, the Bulldogs claimed Walker would play more of an off-ball linebacker role. Through the year’s first three games, he’s played more snaps on the edge than off the line.
Stock Up: Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama (Scouting Report)
The NFL’s willingness to spend premier draft capital on unpolished mobile quarterbacks with cannons for arms bodes well for Milroe. His accuracy, ball placement, and processing are still works in progress, but the 6-2, 225 lb. redshirt junior has all of the physical tools teams want.
Milroe completed 12 of 17 pass attempts for 196 yards and three touchdowns and ran 14 times for 75 yards and two additional scores as Alabama clobbered Wisconsin.
Alabama’s drive right before half is the sequence that illustrates Milroe’s potential the best. With 36 seconds left and the ball on their own 27-yard line, Alabama completed passes of 47 and 26 yards in a two-play touchdown drive. Milroe throws lightning bolts (velocity) and accesses all levels of the field with his arm strength. He’s also putting more touch on his passes.
Milroe has the speed to handle designed quarterback runs and RPO-heavy playcalling. His mobility and speed are among the best in the 2025 class. Milroe’s 225 lb. frame also has the power to punish defensive backs who try to bring him down and the contact balance to create yards after contact.
Stock Up: Armand Membou, RT Missouri (Scouting Report)
Boston College terrorized Florida State’s offensive tackles a few weeks ago, but there wasn’t much the Eagles could do against Membou. The junior’s thick frame makes him an impassable obstacle for bull rushers, and his explosive first step makes it difficult for speed rushers to win the corner.
At 6-3, 325 lbs., Membou is a rare mover for a player with his density. Boston College didn’t have a player strong enough to bull rush him consistently. Some of their speed rushers made it to the top of the arc before Membou overpowered them. Several Eagles defenders ended up on the ground while trying and failing to find a way around the big right tackle.
The Tigers found plenty of success on the ground against Boston College. Membou showcased his versatility by quickly kicking out to pick off Neto Okpala on runs going through the B-gap, working to the second level on zone runs, and driving Boston College’s down linemen off the line and into the linebacker level.
There’s room for Membou to be more aggressive and assertive in the run game. Sometimes it looks like he’s content to handle his assignment and move to the next play instead of trying to overpower and pancake defenders.
Many analysts project Membou inside to guard at the next level because of concerns about his measurables not reaching tackle thresholds. He deserves a shot at right tackle if he continues polishing his technique and performs well against the edge rushers for Alabama, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas A&M.
Stock Up: Raheim Sanders, RB South Carolina (2023 Scouting Report)
Coming off the 2022 season, Sanders was a top running back prospect with top 70 pick aspirations. Injuries, including a torn labrum, and analysts souring on his play style led to his stock plummeting. Sanders transferred to South Carolina hoping for a fresh start, and the move is paying off big time.
An injury to redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers led to the Gamecocks leaning more into the run game in their heart-breaking 36-33 loss to No. 16 LSU. Sanders carried the ball 19 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns, including this 66-yard explosion. Despite standing 6-0.5, 241 lbs. (per the Senior Bowl), Sanders has the burst and top gear to rip off big runs.
Sanders almost had three rushing touchdowns. He broke a 27-yard run through a big A-gap and came close to erasing the safety’s angle. Sanders pulled past the safety, but the defender got just enough of the big back’s outside leg to bring him down inside the five-yard line.
Sanders’ inconsistent vision and contact balance were concerns at Arkansas. He still needs to work on those areas but checked the box for both on this ten-yard touchdown run. Sanders found the big cutback lane before shoving aside a high tackle attempt to reach the end zone.
Stock Up: Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Edge Virginia Tech
I debated whether playing Old Dominion counted as a tune-up game for Virginia Tech simply because of Powell-Ryland’s absurd stat line. He amassed five pressures, including four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in the 37-17 victory. Powell-Ryland applied pressure on 29.41% of his pass rush attempts.
Powell-Ryland is stiffer than you’d prefer for an edge rusher, but that didn’t stop him from winning around the corner against Old Dominion. When the outside isn’t an option, Powell-Ryland uses his heavy hands to pry open the B-gap and counter inside to puncture the pocket.
Stock Up Week 3 Honorable Mentions
Joshua Farmer, IDL Florida State
Florida State’s talented defensive line slept walked through their first two games but showed signs of life against Memphis. Farmer made five tackles, including a sack and an additional 1.5 tackles for loss. Patrick Payton also had a sack, and Sione Lolohea made a few good pressures. Darrell Jackson Jr. clogged the middle well on several plays.
On his sack, Farmer knocked back and stunned the guard with his power before redirecting to take down Seth Henigan before the quarterback could break the line of scrimmage on a scramble.
Zion Childress, DB Kentucky
Following up a strong game against South Carolina, Childress was one of the best players on the field against Georgia. His box score doesn’t pop, but he made an impressive tackle as a backside run defender, chased down Carson Beck after applying pressure as a blitzer, set the edge and tackled Trevor Etienne for a loss deep in Georgia territory, ducked under a Benjamin Yurosek block to tackle Dominic Lovett at the line of scrimmage on a wide receiver screen, and poked a pass out of Arian Smith’s hands after scooting around an Oscar Delp block on another wide receiver screen.
All of those Bulldogs I mentioned in the last paragraph have NFL talent or skills, and Childress stood on equal footing with them.
Lebbeus “LT” Overton, Edge Alabama
Overton is on track for a career year in his first season with the Crimson Tide. He recorded four pressures, including a bone-crushing strip-sack, and a pass defensed against Wisconsin. He worked a long-arm into a swipe on the sack and maintained a nice pad level throughout the play. At 6-5, 283 lbs., Overton has the size to play 5-tech, 4-tech, and 4i.
Overton is a high motor defender when rushing the passer. He uses a swim move to split blockers in the run game and can really clog things up at the point of attack. Overton also uses clubs and swipes as part of his game. He’s a surprisingly explosive straight line athlete who works down the line quickly and thrives on stunts.
Fellow Alabama defenders Tim Keenan III and Keon Sabb also had nice games against Wisconsin. Sabb nearly came down with an interception early on and made a tackle for loss in the red zone. Keenan made several run stops. Linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson made a few stops but had inconsistent run fits.
Kyle Kennard, Edge South Carolina
Kennard had a great start to the game against LSU. He finished the contest with three pressures, including 1.5 sacks, and an additional tackle for loss. However, foolish penalties clouded his performance. Kennard drew four flags, including an unnecessary roughness that nullified a pick-six by star safety Nick Emmanwori.
Kennard was a bolt of energy off the edge, leading to a tackle for loss as a backside run defender. His pressure on Garrett Nussmeier almost led to a pick-six, but a horse collar tackle called on Kennard negated the play. Kennard even found some success getting around Will Campbell.
Carter Runyon, TE Towson
Runyon is one of the most productive small school tight ends in the country. He caught 43 passes for 549 yards last year and just had his most productive game of the season. Runyon caught six passes for 88 yards and a touchdown against Villanova.
At 6-6, 235 lbs., Runyon has room to fill out his frame and play closer to 250 lbs. in the NFL. He’s a little high-cut and needs to focus on developing his lower half. Runyon adjusts well to off-target throws and is clearly a cut above the competition he’s facing at Towson. Hopefully he gets invited to a pre-draft showcase so we can see him face tougher competition before the draft. Runyon projects as a late Day 3 flier.
Jared Ivey, Edge Ole Miss
Ivey picked up five pressures, including two sacks, in Ole Miss’ first game against a Power Four program this season. He’s been a productive pass rusher across his whole career but hasn’t applied pressure on 10% or more of his pass rush attempts since become a regular starter at Georgia Tech in 2021. That could change this year.
Ivey’s first sack this week came on a bull rush that softened the tackle’s outside shoulder and created an alley to the quarterback. Later in the half, he ran through Wake Forest right tackle Erik Russell on his way to meeting teammate Chris Paul Jr. at the quarterback. Russell didn’t have the power or balance to stick with Ivey. Less than three minutes later on the game clock, Ivey looped around the line to split a sack with Louis Moore.
Ivey exited the game in the third quarter on a cart, but initial speculation points toward the injury not being long-term.
Jermari Harris, CB Iowa
The Hawkeyes major in producing tight ends and defensive backs. Most eyes in the summer focused on Harris’ teammates, Sebastian Castro and Xavier Nwankpa, but Harris is making a statement. He has allowed 43 yards on 15 targets through Iowa’s first three games and totaled two passes defensed and a pick-six against Troy this past weekend.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge Boston College
Ezeiruaku recorded three of Boston College’s seven pressures against Missouri, including the only sack on Brady Cook. Ezeiruaku is off to the best start of his career, applying pressure on 11.9% of his pass rush attempts. He’s an explosive edge rusher with long arms to work power or finesse moves and enough bend to flatten his rush angle at the top of the arc.
Nick Nash, WR San Jose State
Nash was a former quarterback who transitioned to wide receiver. He just caught 17 of 19 targets for three touchdowns and a school-record 225 yards against Kennesaw State. Nash might be new to playing wide receiver, but he isn’t new to big performances. The 6-3, 195 lb. prospect produced 89 receiving yards and three touchdowns against USC in 2023.
Bryce Boettcher, LB Oregon
Boettcher was all over the place in his final game against Oregon State. He amassed 11 tackles and two passes defensed in the 49-14 win. Boettcher almost opened the game with an interception. He read the quarterback’s eyes well, dropped under the slot post, and just missed out on generating a turnover.
Boettcher also showed off his range on a zone drop. He started mugged up before dropping out and racing the running back to the flat. The pass was ultimately completed, but Boettcher came close to ripping the ball out.
Big Time Players Making Big Time Plays
Luther Burden III, WR Missouri (Scouting Report)
Burden was quiet in Missouri’s first two games, but he showed up in their first game against a Power Four opponent. He made six receptions on eight targets for 117 yards and a touchdown. Two big plays stood out, including the touchdown catch and run. Burden is so natural with the ball in his hands.
Travis Hunter, CB/WR Colorado
Hunter reached 100 receiving yards for the third consecutive game and scored two touchdowns, but his best play of the week was a leaping interception. Hunter is on the short list for being the most athletic prospect in the 2025 class. I have him graded higher as a receiver than as a corner.
Shavon Revel Jr., CB East Carolina
If not for Michigan’s Will Johnson, Revel would be the ultimate high/weight/speed cornerback prospect in this class. Check out his closing burst to undercut this intermediate cross, pick the ball off, and house it 51 yards for a touchdown. Revel is a top four corner on my board.
Jalen Catalon, S UNLV
Remember this guy? Catalon had top 100 potential at Arkansas, but injuries and a lost season with the Texas Longhorns sent the sixth-year veteran’s stock through the floor. He’s rebounding well with three interceptions in three games at UNLV, including this one against Jalon Daniels and Kansas.
Jack Henderson, NB Minnesota
I really want to talk more about Henderson. I’ve been a fan of his since his time with Southeastern Louisiana. He’s a versatile playmaking defensive back. Henderson had 1.5 sacks on Saturday against Nevada after recovering a fumble and pulling down a pick-six in Week 2. He offers excellent size at 6-2, 215 lbs.
Additional Names to Know
Xavier Carlton, Edge Cal (2023 Scouting Report)
Carlton is a long-limbed rusher who has gradually improved each season over the past few years. He totaled seven pressures, including 2.5 sacks, as Cal defeated San Diego State.
Tyler Grubbs, LB Tulane
The Green Wave gave ranked teams scares in back-to-back weeks. Grubbs, who had some buzz as a prospect during his Louisiana Tech days from 2020-22, contributed a sack and a timely pick-six.
Ted Hurst, WR Georgia State
Hurst scored a go-ahead touchdown against Vanderbilt with less than 20 seconds left in the game.
Eli Stowers, TE Vanderbilt
The Commodores targeted Stowers 14 times on Saturday. He made nine receptions for 110 yards and a twirling touchdown catch and run.
Anthony Landphere, TE Memphis
Memphis has done a good job finding tight ends in recent years. Landphere made five receptions on six targets for 66 yards and a touchdown as the Tigers upset the Seminoles.