Six Pack- Week 8

Each week during the 2024 college football season Draft Nation will take a look at six players who helped their draft stock with solid performances. As the season progresses, Draft Nation will start to zoom in on first round talent. 

Here is the six pack from this past week:

Miami- Quarterback, Cameron Ward

Although Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is the early Heisman favorite, Miami quarterback Cameron Ward is in the conversation to be a finalist with his performance through his first seven games.

Ward has completed 68.7% of his passes, while throwing for 2,538 yards and 24 touchdowns to help lead Miami to a 7-0 start. This past weekend he demonstrated his poise and leadership ability in a 52-45 victory over Louisville by leading the Hurricanes on four second half touchdown drives, throwing from both inside and outside the pocket effectively. He finished the game 21 of 32 for 319 yards and four touchdown passes.

Ward started the season as a mid-round draft prospect and has shown he can play under pressure. His arm strength is at or near the top of the class and his decision making has gotten better with more experience. 

Georgia- Running Back, Trevor Etienne

Georgia took down Texas, the No. 1 team in the nation, 30-15 on Saturday. Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne had some timely runs against the Longhorns and scored three rushing touchdowns, gaining 87 yards on 19 carries. 

The junior transfer from Florida, has rushed for 422 yards and scored seven touchdowns this season and while Etienne is not considered more than a late round draft pick, many draftniks expect him to build his resume by coming back to Athens in 2025.

Etienne (5-foot-9/205 lbs) is a downhill runner that attacks with a low pad level, making him effective on runs in between the tackles. He lacks the elite breakaway speed and needs to polish up his route running to become a better pass catcher out of the backfield. 

With a strong second half of the season and extended playoff run, Etienne could start to climb on the draft board, but in a draft class with a lot of top end running backs, Etienne will be best served coming back to Georgia in 2025.

Army- Quarterback, Bryson Daily

The Army Black Knights are 7-0, and one of the biggest stories in the 2024 college football season. They are led by senior quarterback Bryson Daily, who is slowly becoming an outside favorite for the Heisman trophy. Daily has already run for a career high in yards (909) and touchdowns (19). This past weekend against East Carolina, Daily ran for 171 yards and five touchdowns, along with 147 yards and a passing touchdown in Army’s 45-28 victory. 

Daily is a tough runner who has a non-stop motor and is difficult to tackle if defenders fail to wrap him up. He is effective in the Army offense, throwing the football quickly and giving his receivers the best shot at making a play.

On the downside, Daily is only 6-foot-0 and will not be a quarterback prospect in the NFL. However, the 220 lbs runner could be a late round pick or a quality UDFA signing after the draft as a running back. He is definitely worth keeping an eye on during the combine and post season games. 

Navy- Quarterback, Blake Horvath

Army and Navy both enter the top 25 together for the first time since 1960, and are both still undefeated for the first time since 1945. Navy went 6-0 this past weekend after beating Charlotte 51-17. 

The Midshipmen are led by junior quarterback Blake Horvath who ran for 56 yards and threw for 117 yards and three touchdowns in dismantling the 49ers. On the season Horvath has run for 621 yards and 10 touchdowns, while throwing for 888 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Horvath is a dual-threat quarterback who has the athleticism to find a crease and make a big play with his legs. He has a strong arm and does a good job of leading receivers while remaining poised in the pocket, not letting pressure get to him. He is only 185 lbs and will need to add muscle and mass to his frame if he is entertaining the thought of professional football. 

Georgia- Linebacker, Jalon Walker

Georgia went into Austin, Texas and for much of the game manhandled the Longhorns on both sides of the ball. On defense, the Bulldogs were led by junior linebacker Jalon Walker. Walker spent much of Saturday in the Texas backfield, finishing with three sacks and eight total tackles. On the season, Walker has already collected a career high in tackles with 30 and has 4.5 sacks in just seven games. 

Walker’s speed is undeniable and he was unstoppable against a Texas offensive line that has a couple of future NFL starters. He can make plays all over the field, from sideline-to-sideline and with his non-stop motor, he bursts through gaps with game changing capability. 

Walker’s biggest downside is his overall play strength, as he needs to add muscle to battle at the NFL and not just depend on his explosiveness. Currently Walker has a second round grade, but Draft Nation wouldn’t be shocked to see Walker sneak into the first round if his play continues to evolve.

Illinois- Linebacker, Gabe Jacas

Illinois shut down the Michigan Wolverines offense this past weekend in their 21-7 victory at home. Junior linebacker Gabe Jacas was a force from the opening snap of the game, collecting 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks with a forced fumble, and was a big reason Michigan never could get anything started.

Jacas projects as an edge rusher at the next level. He is 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, with a ton of athleticism and gets off the snap with an explosive burst. He has the upper body strength to disengage blockers and can line up all over the defensive front, even demonstrating the ability to drop back in coverage.

On the downside, Jacas is still raw with his pass rushing moves and can play too high at times. 

After starting the year as an afterthought for the 2025 draft, Jacas has risen up the draft board. He still has areas he needs to work on and is a perfect candidate to come back to school for his senior season in 2025.