Seven Up: Players stepping up in Week 12 with time running out to make a statement
College Football Week 12 is done and the tape has been consumed. Which 2026 NFL Draft prospects made the cut in this week's edition of Seven Up?
The College Football season is winding down. It felt like just yesterday that I was in a beach house in St. Joseph, Michigan, soaking in the Week 1 action while on vacation. And now the weather is cold, and the 2026 NFL Draft cycle is gearing toward all-star circuit invites.
That means the number of opportunities for players to make a statement on their draft stock is also dwindling fast. One of those players taking advantage of a coaching change, a change at quarterback, and more opportunities has been LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas.
He’s just one of seven players highlighted in this week’s Seven Up.
So, this week (along with Thomas) I feature a big-bodied wide receiver who was dominant at the catchpoint, an undersized but talented cornerback, a fifth-year safety with a stunning showing in Week 12, a pass rusher who has needed this late-season surge, an unheralded tight end behind a future top-30 pick, and a redshirt senior running back who needs more touches.
Tap in!
I have had LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas on my radar for quite some time (see: here and here, and here). He is a Mississippi State transfer who has been a gadget-type player for most of his career.
This season, he has been used sparingly at LSU, mostly as a return man and depth piece in the wide receiver room. However, he is lightning in a bottle every time he touches he football.
In this game, however, LSU finally featured Thomas. He caught six passes for 80 yards. Thomas fought back against the gadget pigeonhole as well, winning on a contested catch deep down the sideline, over the middle on a backside over in traffic, and cutting up a defensive back on a comeback as well.
He’s still going to have to fight back against the niche role he’s played his whole college career. However, the skill set he flashed against Arkansas was a great start. I’d take him to round out the backend of my wide receiver room any day.
