There were many defensive prospects who had standout performances and became big NFL Draft risers in Week 8. Here are five NFL Draft risers who boosted their draft stock in Week 8 of college football.
Top Defensive NFL Draft Risers From Week 8
Edge Derrick Moore, Michigan
Derrick Moore had a terrific game in Michigan’s great defensive performance against Washington, where they held the Huskies to just seven points. Moore recorded two sacks and a forced fumble, along with four pressures and a 92.8 overall PFF defense grade to earn PFF Defensive Player of the Week honors. Moore is an explosive pass rusher with a quick first step and high motor who has recorded 4.5 sacks so far this season putting himself in a strong position to potentially be taken by the end of Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Edge Zion Young, Missouri
In a tightly contested SEC matchup against Auburn, Zion Young was one of the top playmakers on the field. He had two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and five tackles in the game. He also played a big role in helping close the game out with big plays in overtime. In overtime, Young got his second sack of the game to make it a third-and-long. He then ended the drive on the next play with a quick pressure on third down. Young is a strong pass rusher with a non-stop motor. He has five sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles so far this season.
DL Anthony Smith, Minnesota
Anthony Smith had 2.5 sacks and five total tackles in Minnesota’s shutdown defensive performance against No. 25 Nebraska. Smith is a strong player with great size at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, along with good athleticism. He currently leads the Big Ten in sacks along with Ohio State’s Caden Curry and ranks seventh in the nation in sacks with seven. With his size, athleticism, and production this season Smith is an intriguing prospect who is greatly improving his draft stock.
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Anthony Hill Jr. shined in a defensive battle against Kentucky on the road. Hill had eight solo tackles and 12 total tackles, with a pass deflection and an impressive interception. He once again showed high-level run defense abilities, instincts, and tackling skills, but he also had one of his strongest games in pass coverage this season. Hill is a great playmaker on defense who is establishing himself as one of the top linebackers in the draft, and setting himself up well to potentially go in one of the first two rounds of the draft.
CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State
Arizona State handed No. 7 Texas Tech its first loss of the season in Week 8, and Keith Abney II was one of the standouts in the Sun Devils’ great defensive performance. He had two pass deflections and six total tackles in the game. Abney played lockdown coverage throughout the entire game, allowed no big plays down the field, and made multiple impressive open-field tackles to prevent first downs. Abney ranks in the top 10 with seven pass deflections this season. He also has an excellent 81.3 overall PFF defense grade through eight weeks.
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