As we roll along this college football season, we are knee-deep into conference play across the landscape. Those conference battles tend to bring out the best in each team, regardless of the record. It's a major reason why we see some upsets each season within conference play. Teams have a much better scouting handle on the programs they see most often, which ends up making these games a lot tighter and tightly contested.
With regards to scouting, I always love to focus on the matchups. And obviously when scouting the nation in small college football, you want to focus on the games in which the prospect either plays up a level in terms of competition or in a game of significance. A lot of those games of significance can happen within conference play. This week's edition of the Hunt Report focuses on prospects within the same games on opposite teams that are playing in games of importance to varying degrees.
The first game is between Towson/Richmond, and there are two receiving prospects you'll want to keep an eye on, as they will play prominent roles in their team's respective game plans this upcoming weekend.
TE Carter Runyon
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 245 pounds
- College: Towson
- Next game: Richmond (Nov. 2)
I was on the call last week for the Tigers game vs. Monmouth, and speaking to people around the program, there is a lot of love for Runyon and his workmanlike effort. Getting a chance to see him play live was great, because I saw how well he worked without the ball. In the first half, he did a lot of things really well as a blocker, showing proficiency in executing blocks necessary to spring the backs. In the second half, his impact in the passing game became the story. Runyon shows the ability to get vertical down the field and the catch radius to make himself a QB-friendly target. He finished the game with six catches for 39 yards and two touchdowns.
WR Nick DeGennaro
- Height: 6-foot
- Weight: 195 pounds
- College: Richmond
- Next game: Towson (Nov. 2)
One of the more polished receivers in the FCS, DeGennaro excels out there on the field consistently for the Spiders. He's been someone who has been on the radar for quite some time. With the way he runs his routes, you can tell he was well-coached during his time at Richmond. What really stands out is how when he has the ball in his hands, he's looking to score. DeGennaro has the ability to win short, intermediate and deep downfield. As a catch-and-run threat, he potentially turns every reception into a scoring opportunity.
WR David Pantelis
- Height: 5-foot-10
- Weight: 195 pounds
- College: Yale
- Next game: Columbia (Nov. 1)
While watching the Yale/Penn game last Friday, I noticed and subsequently tweeted that Pantelis made the catch of the season.
This WR from Yale just made the catch of the year!! Wow
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) October 25, 2024
The play happened so fast that I couldn't get his name! And watching the rest of the game he continued to ball out, finishing with eight receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. Then I went back and watched his game versus Holy Cross and Dartmouth and came away with confirmation that he's been this good and consistent all season. Pantelis plays a lot bigger than his listed size, showing the comfort and confidence to travel over the middle of the field and is unafraid of contact. I like how he has the ability to play above the rim and match physicality with defenders.
WR Bryson Canty
- Height: 6-foot-1
- Weight: 200 pounds
- College: Columbia
- Next game: Yale (Nov. 1)
Canty is a silky smooth route-runner who is able to get in and out of his breaks rather seamlessly. It's very impressive to see how much body control he has with regards to sinking his hips when he has to do so. Canty has good speed control as well, which I believe he utilizes perfectly to lull defenders to sleep before accelerating and blowing past coverage. He's a Shrine Bowl watch list guy as well.
DB CJ Brown
- Height: 5-foot-10
- Weight: 183 pounds
- College: Kutztown
- Next game: Millersville (Nov. 2)
Brown is very solid in the alley because of his acceleration. I really like the way he is able to shrink and close space from depth versus the run game. In a split safety look, he gives the defense good speed from the hash to the sidelines. It'll be interesting how he tests during the postseason draft process, as that could determine if he stays at safety or perhaps get transitioned into a slot corner/nickel defender.
RB Jaiden Abrams
- Height: 5-foot-10
- Weight: 220 pounds
- College: Millersville
- Next game: Kutztown (Nov. 2)
Abrams has been a good find for me this season, as he's the leading rusher for the Marauders this year. Despite their record, I like how competitive they play, and Abrams exemplifies that mantra. He's got the good body lean that you look for in a runner, which helps him generate good power upon contact. His acceleration through contact is what stands out the most. I think he's someone who can really make a name for himself during the small all-star game circuit, like the FCS Bowl and College Gridiron Showcase. He's got some traits that translate in my estimation.
