NFL Draft Watch takes a weekly look at the world of college football, focusing on some of the top draft-eligible players that could transition to the professional game in 2016.
Corey Coleman entered the 2015 season a step behind some of the other top receivers eligible for next year's draft, but it's safe to say the Baylor standout has managed to close that gap in the few weeks since.
With another 108 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's blowout win over Kansas, despite spending the second half on the sidelines, Coleman now has 678 yards and an incredible 13 touchdowns through the first five games of the year.
That total includes five consecutive 100-plus-yard performances, as well as four games in which he managed to find the end zone at least twice.
While Coleman's 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame may not make him the type of physically imposing talent pro teams have come to prefer when seeking a No. 1 target, his off-the-charts athleticism makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses nonetheless.
According to Baylor's official website, his 40-yard dash time (4.38 sec.), vertical jump (45.1 inches), broad jump (11-foot-3), and three-cone time (6.62 sec.) are all team bests.
Possibly even more so than the other jaw-dropping stats, his 21.9 yards per reception this season demonstrate the difficulty defensive backs have in matching his explosiveness at all levels of the field.
Staying on this path for the remainder of his junior year will only continue to ease concerns NFL teams may have about his lack of ideal height, giving him a legitimate chance to be one of the the first receivers selected next spring.
With pass-oriented offenses becoming the norm across the league, a player with such rare ability to dominate in the vertical game is invaluable.
Notable Performances
Jared Goff, QB, Cal
25-of-47, 340 passing yards, 2 TDs, 5 INTs
Just when it appeared as though Goff was establishing himself as the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the 2016 class, a concerning performance against top opponent Utah raises a number of questions about his upcoming transition to the NFL. Goff's five interceptions in a losing effort were more than he'd had in the first five games of the season combined.
Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
34 carries, 222 yards, 2 TDs
Booker took full advantage of the additional possessions the Utah defense earned and came away with his most productive game yet. The senior running back, who now has 665 yards and six touchdowns on the year, is continuing to prove himself as a potential Day 2 pick this spring.
Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
4 tackles, 2 sacks
Leading the nation in sacks is one way to boost your draft stock as a senior. Another two quarterback takedowns gives Nassib an impressive 10 for the season, including at least one in each of Penn State's first six games. Production is only one part of the equation, but Nassib also has the necessary size and explosiveness to get the attention of pro scouts.
Injury Updates
Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Knee injury, out for season
Chubb won't be draft-eligible until 2017, but he's long been considered a top running back prospect for when that time comes. The sophomore will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a gruesome injury Saturday that damaged multiple ligaments and cartilage in his left knee.
