Week One: Six Pack

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:

Boise State- RB, Ashton Jeanty

If you don’t know who running back Ashton Jeanty is, you need to start paying attention. The 5-foot-9 215 lb back lit up Georgia State in week one, and is on the short list of running backs who could go in round one in next year’s draft. Jeanty finished this weekend with 267 yards and six touchdowns, on just 20 attempts in Boise State’s 56-45 victory. What is even more impressive is the fact that he averaged eight yards after contact and forced 10+ missed tackles.

Last season, Jeanty ran for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns, while adding 43 receptions for another 569 yards. He possesses a great blend of balance, vision, and cutting ability to be a dominant force in the NFL.

Arizona- WR, Tetairoa McMillan

Tetairoa McMillan came into 2024 as a possible WR1 heading towards the 2025 NFL draft. His week one performance has only strengthened his case. He caught 10 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns in a 61-39 victory over New Mexico. The 6-foot-5 receiver dominated the Lobos secondary and showed the many ways he can beat coverage. 

McMillan does not have the elite speed of some prospects, but more than makes up for it with his incredible catch radius and being able to constantly high point passes. McMillan dominates on 50/50 balls and runs good tight routes, leaving open windows for his quarterback. McMillan is worth the price of admission, and is a name to follow as we get closer to draft day.

Miami Fla- QB, Cameron Ward

Cameron Ward transferred to Miami after two seasons at Washington State. Last season Ward threw for 3,736 yards and 25 touchdowns. A lot of eyes were on Ward as he started his Hurricanes career going up against their long-time rival–Florida Gators. Ward helped lead his team to an impressive 41-17 victory in the Swamp, finishing the day 26/35 for 385 yards passing and three touchdown passes. Overall on the day he accumulated 418 total yards, and although he did throw one interception, his accuracy was pinpoint.

Coming into the 2024 season, Ward is considered a mid-round draft pick. Draft Nation believes Ward has the potential to improve his draft stock in 2024 and also has some options, including coming back for his senior season in 2025. He has a strong arm and a good pocket presence that allows him to hang in until the last second to make a play. 

Colorado- CB/WR, Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter is doing something right now that isn't done in this day and age. Hunter plays the full game at cornerback and the full game at wide receiver—and plays both positions at an elite level. Last season at Colorado, in nine games, Hunter hauled in 57 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, he collected 30 tackles and had three interceptions.

In week one against a tough North Dakota State squad, Hunter caught seven passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns. He collected three tackles on defense but was never really tested in the passing game on defense. Many experts are split on what Hunter will play in the NFL, although wide receiver is starting to look more like the better bet. Hunter has explosive speed and the ability to contour his body in any way to make a play. He has strong hands and runs excellent change of direction routes, making him impossible to cover man to man. On defense he has strong ball skills and is better suited as a zone cornerback than man coverage. Hunter has first round talent and should be off the board early.

Georgia- Safety, Malaki Starks

Georgia’s Malaki Starks was lined up as a deep safety, in the box, and spent a lot of time in the slot against the Clemson Tigers this past weekend. Starks showed his athleticism in the Bulldogs 34-3 thrashing of the Tigers. 

Clemson stayed away from Starks for the most part, but in the second half he made one of the most acrobatic interceptions of the season while defending Clemson wide receiver Tyler Brown. Starks is going to be a first round pick in 2025 if he can stay healthy and will be a playmaker for many years to come. He has strong ball skills and a high football IQ that he uses to step into routes before they even break. He is a three-level defensive back who makes plays all over the field. 

Notre Dame- Safety, Xavier Watts

Watts was a unanimous All-American in 2023 after leading the country with seven interceptions. Watts started all 13 games and also collected 52 tackles and 0.5 sacks. 

Watts did not waste any time in his first game of 2024. Matched up against Conner Weigman and the Texas A&M Aggies, Watts helped the Fighting Irish secondary hold Weigman to a 12/30 for 100 yards and two interceptions. Weigman is considered by most to be a potential first round quarterback, but the Notre Dame defense made him look uncomfortable from the opening snap. Watts had five tackles and came up with a huge interception in Notre Dame’s 23-13 victory over Texas A&M. The 2025 safety class is strong, and Watts has the potential to jump into an early day two pick. He is a physical tackler who has the ability to go after passes and come down with them.