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2019 NFL Draft: 5 Players with something to prove in college football Week 3

By Michael Johnson

AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 11: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes for yards as linebacker Calvin Bundage #1 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys blocks in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 11: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes for yards as linebacker Calvin Bundage #1 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys blocks in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – OCTOBER 21: David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones makes the catch for a touchdown during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on October 21, 2017 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – OCTOBER 21: David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones makes the catch for a touchdown during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on October 21, 2017 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

2. David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State

The No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners come into Ames to take on the Iowa State Cyclones this week, looking make easy work of their Big 12 foes. But that’s easier said than done because of Cyclones running back David Montgomery. 

Their main objective will call for them to stop the versatile back, something they failed to do last season. Montgomery played a major role in the 38-31 upset. Sure, he rushed the ball only 15 times and averaged just 3.2 yards per carry. However, he scored a touchdown and caught the call seven targets in the passing game for 89 yards. Montgomery finished the game with 144 yards from scrimmage and proved just how versatile he is.

In the only game of his junior season so far, Montgomery has struggled. In the game against Iowa, he averaged just 2.6 yards on 17 carries with only three catches for 15 yards. Oklahoma isn’t the same defense as Iowa, so he’s expected to do great things. If Montgomery struggles, it wouldn’t look good for the player I dubbed the best running back prospect no one is talking about. 

1. Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State 

So far, Boise State Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien is off to a fantastic start in 2018. Over the course of two games, he’s completed over 70 percent of his passes and thrown for 667 yards and seven touchdowns with zero interceptions. The problem is, the competition wasn’t at a high level.

This week, Rypien will face a tougher opponent with better athletes. The last time we saw Rypien face decent opposition was last season. In his final two games, Rypien was disappointing in that type of matchup. Against Fresno State, he completed just 53 percent of his passes without a touchdown. In the bowl game against Oregon, Rypien’s completion percentage disappointingly stayed the same. He threw two touchdowns, but also two redzone interceptions. 

Next. 2018 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 2. dark

Where Rypien thrives is on intermediate and short passes. He has a quick release and goes through progressions well. On third downs, he was great last season, completing 62 percent of his passes. He’ll have to prove he can connect on the deep ball. Additionally, he has improve his play in the fourth quarter by holding on to the ball. If he wants to see his stock rise, he’ll have to do all those things against Oklahoma State. 

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