Sparty LT dinged; other college notes … The most significant development in college football yesterday, at least in terms of the 2016 draft, is the fact that star Michigan State junior LT jack Conklin, a potential top 20-25 prospect, was forced to leave the Spartans win over Central Michigan with an apparent knee injury. MSU officials have yet to say anything definitive, but they are apparently preparing for the worst after Conklin spent the second half of the game on the sidelines with the knee in a brace. Stay tuned … Still waiting for a definitive update on the status of Cincinnati junior QB Gunner Kiel, who was carted off the field Thursday night after being knocked out cold in the Bearcats’ loss at Memphis; Kiel, though, was able to travel home with his teammates after being evaluated in a Memphis hospital, while X-rays on his neck on Friday were negative. However, still hard to imagine that Kiel plays anytime soon after taking hits to the head in games just 4 days apart. It’s also the kind of thing that can really scare off NFL teams when it comes to the draft … And in case anyone missed it late last week, Rutgers’ DT Darius Hamilton will miss the rest of the year with an undisclosed knee injury. Hamilton indicated that he is keeping all his football options open including entering the 2016 draft, although his preference would appear to returning to Rutgers if, as expected, he gets an extra year of eligibility next fall. Hamilton, though, appears to be willing to wait to see how the Rutgers’ coaching situation plays out as current head coach Kyle Flood is in the midst of a three-game suspension. It’s also possible that Hamilton’s situation could be impacted if he ultimately needs surgery on the knee, although noting along those lines is currently planned. Hamilton’s other option if he opts to stay in college next fall would be to take advantage of the NCAA’s grad transfer rules and move to another program … Player of the week in college football this past weekend – or at least the prospect of the week – is likely TCU WR John Doctson who had 18 receptions for 267 yards and 3 TDs in the Frogs’ dramatic last-minute win over Texas Tech. Ironically, though, Doctson’s most impactful contribution game on a play he didn’t make the catch. Down 4 and facing a 4th and goal inside the Tech 5-yard line with 23 seconds on the clock, Doctson got a finger on a high pass from Trevone Boykin that deflected into the arms of TCU RB Aaron Green for the game-winning score. The actual player of the week, though, was LSU sophomore RB Len Fournette who ran for 244 yards and 2 scores to lead the Tigers to a surprisingly tough 34-24 win over Syracuse. In fact, there is a growing consensus that Fournette, who is averaging 8.6 yards per carry and over 200 yards per game through the Tigers first three games of the year, is THE best player in college football. However, he won’t be eligible for the draft until 2017 which just may re-open the debate on the rule which mandates that players must be three years removed from their high school graduation year before they can turn pro.
