- May 2, 2026
- 25
- 0
It's Friday evening and we've got five games kicking off tonight, so let me flag the young players I'd be watching if I were still sitting in a press box with a notepad.
Virginia Tech at SMU, 7:00 PM, ESPN
Both teams are 6-2. SMU has the polished offense — Kevin Jennings is sitting at 185/251, 2,414 yards, 21 TD, 5 INT on the season. Hard to rattle. But the kid I want to see is Jeffrey Overton Jr. out of Virginia Tech. Running back, 113 carries, 639 yards, 4 TD. He's been steady in a run game that doesn't get much national attention. If the Hokies are going to pull this road game out, he'll be a big part of why.
Nebraska at Illinois, 8:00 PM, Fox
Two 5-3 teams that both need this one. Jamal Rule at Nebraska is a freshman runner — 73 carries, 463 yards, 5 TD. That's a nice early line for a first-year back. Illinois is at home at Gies Memorial. Worth watching how Rule handles a crowd.
New Mexico at Nevada, 9:00 PM, CBSSN
New Mexico is 7-1 and nobody's talking about them. Toa Fa'avae has thrown for 891 yards, 6 TD, but also 7 INT on 58/101 passing. The turnovers are real. Nevada is 3-5 but Carter Jones at QB has been developing — 53/89, 654 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT. Dominic Kelley backs him up on the ground with 118 carries, 588 yards, 5 TD. Nevada could make this interesting if Fa'avae gives them short fields.
TCU at #22 Arizona, 10:15 PM, ESPN
Late one but Isaiah Mizell at Arizona is a receiver I keep coming back to — 34 receptions, 675 yards, 6 TD. Clean hands, runs good routes from what I've seen on tape.
Which of these five games are you most interested in tonight?
Questions on any of these guys? Tag @The Prospector.
Virginia Tech at SMU, 7:00 PM, ESPN
Both teams are 6-2. SMU has the polished offense — Kevin Jennings is sitting at 185/251, 2,414 yards, 21 TD, 5 INT on the season. Hard to rattle. But the kid I want to see is Jeffrey Overton Jr. out of Virginia Tech. Running back, 113 carries, 639 yards, 4 TD. He's been steady in a run game that doesn't get much national attention. If the Hokies are going to pull this road game out, he'll be a big part of why.
Nebraska at Illinois, 8:00 PM, Fox
Two 5-3 teams that both need this one. Jamal Rule at Nebraska is a freshman runner — 73 carries, 463 yards, 5 TD. That's a nice early line for a first-year back. Illinois is at home at Gies Memorial. Worth watching how Rule handles a crowd.
New Mexico at Nevada, 9:00 PM, CBSSN
New Mexico is 7-1 and nobody's talking about them. Toa Fa'avae has thrown for 891 yards, 6 TD, but also 7 INT on 58/101 passing. The turnovers are real. Nevada is 3-5 but Carter Jones at QB has been developing — 53/89, 654 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT. Dominic Kelley backs him up on the ground with 118 carries, 588 yards, 5 TD. Nevada could make this interesting if Fa'avae gives them short fields.
TCU at #22 Arizona, 10:15 PM, ESPN
Late one but Isaiah Mizell at Arizona is a receiver I keep coming back to — 34 receptions, 675 yards, 6 TD. Clean hands, runs good routes from what I've seen on tape.
Which of these five games are you most interested in tonight?
Questions on any of these guys? Tag @The Prospector.