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2015 NFL Draft: 10 Prospects Who Raised Their Stock in College Football’s Week 6

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By @Spencer_NFL

2015 NFL Draft: 10 Prospects Who Raised Their Stock in Week 6

Dak Prescott Mississippi State
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Separation Saturday in college football turned into just the opposite. Rather than top teams creating separation with the rest of the field, 11 of the 24 ranked teams to play lost. Despite the parity in college football, several players saw their draft stock rise this week. Here are 10 of those players who helped themselves the most in Week 6.

10. Connor Halliday (QB-Washington State)

Connor Halliday Washington State
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

10. Connor Halliday (QB-Washington State)

Connor Halliday Washington State
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

When a single-game record is broken, the record breaker is going to receive attention. Connor Halliday broke David Klingler's record by passing for 734 yards against California. While Klingler was drafted No. 6 overall in 1992, there's a very good chance Halliday won't be drafted at all. Halliday too often goes for the home run and throws too many interceptions. He has cut down on the picks this year and could be a solid developmental project.

9. Alvin Dupree (DE/OLB-Kentucky)

Alvin Dupree Kentucky
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

9. Alvin Dupree (DE/OLB-Kentucky)

Alvin Dupree Kentucky
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Rather than project how Dupree will fare as a 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE, NFL teams can simply watch the tape. Kentucky has used both fronts during his time with the program. While he has performed better as a DE, his size makes him a better OLB prospect. In an upset win over South Carolina, Dupree finished with six tackles and scored the game-winning touchdown on a late interception. He grades out as a second rounder but could sneak into Round 1.

8. Sammie Coates (WR-Auburn)

Sammie Coates Auburn
John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

8. Sammie Coates (WR-Auburn)

Sammie Coates Auburn
John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time all season, Sammie Coates looked healthy. After compiling just five catches and 56 yards through the team's first four games, Coates had a breakout performance against LSU. He caught four passes for 144 yards and his first touchdown of the season. This was also the first game in which Coates caught more passes than teammate D'haquille Williams, who had been Nick Marshall's top target. Coates is my No. 2 WR behind Amari Cooper.

7. Melvin Gordon (RB-Wisconsin)

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

7. Melvin Gordon (RB-Wisconsin)

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

For the second time in three weeks, Melvin Gordon rushed for over 250 yards. This time, however, Wisconsin lost the game. Gordon finished with 259 yards and averaged over eight yards per carry for the third time this season. He's currently seven yards behind Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah for the most rushing yards this season. Gordon is almost a lock to be the second RB drafted, but his lack of receiving skills limit his potential.

6. Randy Gregory (DE-Nebraska)

Randy Gregory Nebraska
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6. Randy Gregory (DE-Nebraska)

Randy Gregory Nebraska
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Despite the loss to Michigan State, DE Randy Gregory stood out for the Cornhuskers. He finished the game with seven tackles and intercepted a deflected Connor Cook pass. Where Gregory really shined was his ability to outrun RB Jeremy Langford to the edge. The Spartans ran for 188 yards in the win, a number that would have been much higher if not for Gregory's hustle. He's the best 4-3 DE and No. 2 DE overall behind Leonard Williams of USC.

5. Nate Orchard (DE-Utah)

Nate Orchard Utah
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

5. Nate Orchard (DE-Utah)

Nate Orchard Utah
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Utah's defense sacked UCLA QB Brett Hundley 10 times in an upset win over the Bruins. The entire defense came up big for the Utes, especially DE Nate Orchard. He finished the game with 9.5 tackles and four sacks. At the next level, Orchard is good enough in coverage to be a 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. Orchard's stock is on the rise and he's currently a third to fourth-round prospect. He would be ideal in a role similar to New England's Rob Ninkovich.

4. Cody Riggs (CB-Notre Dame)

Cody Riggs Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

4. Cody Riggs (CB-Notre Dame)

Cody Riggs Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

After struggling in coverage against Michigan's TE/WR Devin Funchess, Cody Riggs played extremely well against Ty Montgomery of Stanford. Montgomery was targeted 12 times in the game, but only managed four catches for 12 yards. Riggs did not give Montgomery any breathing room and was able to cut off many routes. At 5-foot-9, Riggs is undersized, but he's shown an ability to cover taller receivers. He's currently projected as a fourth-round pick.

3. Trae Waynes (CB-Michigan State)

Trae Waynes Michigan State
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3. Trae Waynes (CB-Michigan State)

Trae Waynes Michigan State
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Like Riggs, Trae Waynes is another CB who performed well in the national spotlight. The Michigan State CB finished with a season-high seven tackles and intercepted his first two passes of the season. The second interception sealed the win for the Spartans. Waynes may be overshadowed by defensive teammates Shilique Calhoun and Kurtis Drummond, but he's also a potential first-round pick. I have Waynes ranked as the No. 4 CB prospect.

2. Dak Prescott (QB-Mississippi State)

Dak Prescott Mississippi State
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

2. Dak Prescott (QB-Mississippi State)

Dak Prescott Mississippi State
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Dak Prescott has another year of eligibility left, but it will be very tempting to enter the 2015 draft if his stock continues to rise. Prescott defeated a top 10 team for the second week in a row with a five touchdown performance against Texas A&M. He finished with 259 yards passing and 77 rushing. He's often compared to Tim Tebow, but unlike the former Florida QB, Prescott is asked to make a wide variety of NFL throws.

1. Jaelen Strong (WR-Arizona State)

Jaelen Strong Arizona State
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jaelen Strong (WR-Arizona State)

Jaelen Strong Arizona State
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong caught a 46-yard Hail Mary as time expired to beat USC. For the game, Strong finished with 10 catches for 212 yards and three touchdowns. This was the third time in five games that Strong has finished with double-digit receptions. He may be the best jump ball receiver in college and has great size (6-foot-4) to go along with his leaping ability. Strong is a late first to early second-round prospect.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related: 2015 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects Who Raised Their Stock in College Football’s Week 5

2015 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects Who Raised Their Stock in College Football’s Week 4

2015 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects Who Raised Their Stock in College Football’s Week 3

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