Who to Watch During College Kickoff (thursday/friday edition)

College football kicks off tonight and that means we will get our first real look at the 2013 draft class. Here is what you need to know about the draftees in each matchup.

Thursday

9 South Carolina vs. Vanderbuilt

Player to watch- Marcus Lattimore, RB, S Car.- Lattimore looked like he might run away with the heisman award early last season and was poised to launch himself into the top 15 of the 2012 draft, but a devastating ACL tear destroyed his season and he is back to prove he is still the same player. If Lattimore looks strong and can still make ankle breaking cuts, he is likely a first round player.

Pick: South Carolina by double digits

Friday

24 Boise St @ 13 Michigan St. 

Player to watch: William Gholston, DE, Mich. St- Gholston is a physical monster at 6’7″ 270 lbs and could be a prospect as both a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB, he could also bulk up a bit more and be a legitimate 3-4 DE. He had 5 sacks and 70 tackles last year, if he is more consistant and improves on those numbers, his draft stock will improve. Gholston is kind of a knucklehead though, but his draft stock will rise as high as he can carry it, he could be top ten, or third round.

Pick: Boise St by 7. I never pick against Chris peterson when he has 3 months to gameplan.

San Jose St @ 21 Stanford

Player to watch- Shayne Skov/Chase Thomas, LBs, Stanford- Thomas would have been a likely second round pick last year and Skov looked to be about the same before he tore his ACL. both come back with quite a bit to prove as they try and carry Stanford to high heights without All American super stud Andrew Luck at QB. The success of the Stanford D rests largely on their shoulders and their draft stock rests largely on the strength of the Stanford D…No pressure guys.

Pick: Stanford by a bunch.