College football preview: Top draft prospects to watch in Week 4

In what is the first week of play for quite a few major programs, Week 4 of the college football season is filled to the brim with interesting games. Unsurprisingly this means big challenges for top prospects. Here’s who I’m watching this weekend.

• A.J. Parker, Cornerback, Kansas State (#12): AJ Parker was one of the best defensive backs in the nation last year before injury cut his season short. He’ll be looking for a huge comeback campaign and has his first big test against Oklahoma (12 PM ET,Fox) and their explosive passing offense.
• Paris Ford, Safety, Pitt (#12): Paris Ford is a playmaking safety with range, size and ball hawking ability. Ford will lead Pitt’s defense against a Louisville offense with serious firepower (12 PM ET, ACCN).
• Landon Young, Offensive Tackle, Kentucky (#67): One of the nations most talented blockers will be crucial in Kentucky’s conference showdown against Auburn (12 PM ET, SECN). Young will be depended on to grind down the talented Tiger defense in the run game while keeping his quarterback upright.
• Sam Williams, Edge Defender, Ole Miss (#13): Sam Williams is an incredibly gifted pass rusher and could ascend as a prospect this year I’d he puts all his tools together. Williams has no small test against Florida this weekend (12 PM ET, ESPN). A lot of eyes will be on this contest, so expect Williams to respond to the bright lights with flashy plays.
• Tarik Black, Wide Receiver, Texas (#0): Tarik Black transferred to Texas after he never was able to get going at Michigan. The Texas passing offense gives Black a ton of opportunity and their match up with a vulnerable Texas Tech defense (3:30 PM ET, Fox) should create even more chances for him this Saturday.

Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

• Tylan Wallace, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State (#2): Wallace returned for one more season, pursuing high ranking status among the country’s pass catchers. Wallace has an important conference match up with WVU (3:30 PM ET, ABC) and I expect some big catches out of him.
• Erroll Thompson, Linebacker, Mississippi State (#40): Thompson is the leader of the Bulldogs defense. While we don’t know what to expect with a new look LSU offense (3:30 PM ET, CBS), Thompson will need to be ready for whatever talented players tak the field.
• Jarell White, Linebacker, Cincinnati (#8): The undersized Bearcat linebacker has his hands full against Army this week (3:30 ET, ESPN). Army’s high powered running attack will put stress on any defense. White’s speed and playmaking ability will be crucial to limiting the Golden Knights on the ground.
• Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Georgia (#99): Georgia has a few intriguing prospects on their defense, but massive nose tackle Jordan Davis draws a lot of attention in more ways than one. Davis will be integral to hampering the Arkansas run game tomorrow (4 PM ET, SECN).
• Marvin Wilson, Defensive Tackle, FSU (#21): FSU has fallen far and the team looks far from competitive. Even so, that doesn’t mean Marvin Wilson isn’t giving offensive lineman he’ll for four quarters. Wilson is arguably the best interior defender in the country and while Miami’s offense is imposing in tomorrow’s game (7:30 PM ET, ABC), Wilson has a chance to keep the game close with a dominant performance.