• USC senior S Taylor Mays' downfield deficiencies in pass coverage were on display in a 55-21 blowout loss to Stanford, as the highly touted physical marvel was late once again — while in a single-high look— getting over the top and unable to break up a fourth-quarter TD grab by sophomore TE Coby Fleener. Mays' lack of instincts were evident on the play, as Stanford redshirt freshman QB Andrew Luck made no attempt to use his eyes to hold Mays in the middle of the field and instead stared down the route. While Mays certainly brings the thunder as a run defender, and will wow scouts with his chiseled frame and eye-popping measurables, still likely fitting into the top 10, his vulnerability defending the deep ball has shown up too much this season, as he has appeared to play overly cautiously — as if he does not want to get hurt.

• Despite not seeing more than 10 carries in any game this season when playing in a heavy rotation, LSU senior RB Keiland Williams took over the starting job against Louisiana Tech last week after Charles Scott went down with a season-ending collarbone injury and the Tigers' offense did not skip a beat as Williams gained 116 yards on 15 carries and scored two TDs. Questions have swirled in the scouting community about his competitiveness after appearing too complacent seeing limited action, but he is very well built with a strong frame and hits the line very hard, getting to and through the hole quickly. He has several games to show he can be more than a backup in the pros, where he still projects, but he now has a chance to flourish in more of a featured role.

• North Carolina junior CB Kendric Burney picked off three passes to key a 33-24 victory over Miami, returning one for a touchdown and appearing to lateral, although it was ruled a fumble, another to Melvin Williams for a TD. Burney, who has lobbied offensive coordinator John Shoop to line up as a receiver this season but has yet to crack the offensive lineup, accounted for a school-record 170 return yards and played the ball like a receiver, elevating to pluck it out of a crowd. His lack of size, at an estimated 5-9, 190 pounds, will lessen his draft value, but he has shown desirable instincts and ball skills and could be drafted in the first three rounds if he declares.

• North Carolina DT Aleric Mullins only needs three academic credits to graduate next semester and is in a similar situation as TE Richard Quinn a year ago in terms of eligibility, with a chance to return for another season after partially qualifying upon his arrival. However, he plans to skip his final year and enter the draft with the rest of a very talented defensive line that is expected to include Marvin Austin. Mullins is a quick, talented, one-gap penetrator who has the physical tools to be a very good pro if he can escape his underachieving ways in a more demanding coaching environment. He outquicked and overpowered Miami (Fla.) senior Jason Fox when he was moved to right tackle on an unbalanced line, and Fox's lack of anchor strength is concerning.

• Former Hurricanes hoops standout and senior TE Jimmy Graham continues to make strides in his attempt at a pro career on the gridiron, catching a fourth-quarter TD pass against North Carolina on a post route in which he split two defenders. Although Graham struggled with drops earlier in the season (see two vs. Virginia Tech), he seems to be playing with more confidence and awareness, and has the measurables (6-8, 260 pounds) to create matchup problems in the pros.

• Penn State junior SLB Navorro Bowman picked off a tipped pass against Indiana and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. Ohio State junior DE Thaddeus Gibson, who projects as a rush linebacker in the pros, also stepped in front of a screen and returned it for a would-be touchdown in the final six minutes against Iowa, although the play was wiped out by a penalty.

• Missouri senior WR Danario Alexander might have the longest legs in college football and eats up a lot of ground with his long strides. Still wearing a brace on his left knee, he is not quick in and out of breaks and gears down to change direction, but he did show enough competitive speed to pull away from Kansas State junior CB Stephen Harrison, who should stay in school for another season but is expected to explore his draft status.

• Florida senior WR Riley Cooper caught a skinny post in stride against South Carolina after blowing past coverage and ran it in for a 68-yard score in the first quarter and has emerged as a big-play threat for the Gators, but he did drop several passes in the contest, including one coming across the middle in the third quarter on an overthrown Tim Tebow pass.

• Clemson senior TE Michael Palmer could wind up getting drafted if he continues to show the sticky hands and deceptive athleticism he flashed vs. North Carolina State. In just his third game back from a devastating concussion suffered vs. Miami (Fla.), Palmer skied for a high throw in the back of the endzone and showed good awareness and agility tapping his toe inbounds for the score. While Palmer will be docked for his 4.9-plus 40-yard dash speed, he has emerged this season as a very reliable short-to-intermediate range target who can adjust to poor throws and make tough grabs in traffic. 

• Ole Miss junior QB Jevan Snead continues to struggle with footwork and accuracy. Barely completing 53 percent of his passes, his inconsistencies as a passer really showed against Tennessee, as he one-hopped an easy screen pass in the flat, hit a linebacker in the back on a throw to the endzone and lofted a throw into the waiting hands of Volunteers senior DT Dan Williams that should have been picked off. Snead has regressed from a solid sophomore season and could benefit from returning to school for another season. 

• Utah senior WR David Reed put on a show against a staunch TCU defense, finishing with six receptions for 111 yards (18.5-yard average) and one touchdown, not to mention an array of acrobatic highlights. At 6-0, 186 pounds with long arms, the junior-college transfer flashed fine agility, body control and showed outstanding concentration while contorting his body to make a diving, back-handed 38-yard stab in the second quarter. He followed it up on the very next play with an equally impressive 50-yard catch and run for a score, this time adjusting to an underthrown ball. With 4.54 speed and kickoff-return ability, Reed has a chance to make a roster as a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver and should be drafted late. 

PFW has launched its brand-new NFL Draft Newsletter series, with the second issue being released later this month. Produced by PFW's player personnel department under the direction of Nolan Nawrocki, the series consists of four information-packed issues. For more info or to subscribe - click here for PDF e-pub or here for print format.