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2015 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects Who Raised Their Stock In College Football’s Week 9

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2015 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects Who Raised Their Stock in Week 9

Amari Cooper Alabama
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In the final week before the Selection Committee unveils their first rankings, there was a lack of marquee matchups. Sure LSU beat Ole Miss, but ranked teams in the Associated Press poll were 16-0 against unranked teams. In a week when the expected occurred, who stood out and exceeded individual expectations? Here are the five prospects who improved their draft stock in Week 9.

5. Duke Johnson (RB-Miami, FL)

Duke Johnson Miami
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5. Duke Johnson (RB-Miami, FL)

Duke Johnson Miami
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Night games in Blacksburg, Va. used to mean a loss for whichever team was playing Virginia Tech. Duke Johnson and the Miami Hurricanes proved that's no longer the case. Johnson ran for a career-high 249 yards (which gives him over 1,000 for the season) in a 30-6 victory over the Hokies. He was also the team's leading receiver. Johnson is my No. 5 RB prospect and will face his toughest test of the season Nov. 15 against Florida State.

4. Ameer Abdullah (RB-Nebraska)

Ameer Abdullah Nebraska
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Ameer Abdullah (RB-Nebraska)

Ameer Abdullah Nebraska
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Another running back setting personal bests was Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah. He accumulated a school record 341 all-purpose yards in a win over Rutgers, and 225 of those yards came on the ground as Abdullah punished Rutgers defenders with his physical style of running. One thing about this performance NFL teams will like was Abdullah being given the opportunity to run outside the tackles and show off his speed and ability to make defenders miss.

3. Marcus Peters (CB-Washington)

Marcus Peters Washington
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3. Marcus Peters (CB-Washington)

Marcus Peters Washington
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For the second year in a row, Marcus Peters played extremely well against one of the best WR prospects in the nation, Jaelen Strong of Arizona State. After holding him to three catches for seven yards a year ago, Strong finished this year's matchup with three catches for 55 yards. With Peters in coverage, Strong caught just two passes on nine targets for 39 yards. Peters remains the No. 1 CB on my board, and No. 11 overall.

2. Amari Cooper (WR-Alabama)

Amari Cooper Alabama
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2. Amari Cooper (WR-Alabama)

Amari Cooper Alabama
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

In Lane Kiffin's return to Neyland Stadium, Tennessee had no answer for the Alabama offensive coordinator's No. 1 weapon, WR Amari Cooper. Including his 80-yard touchdown catch on the Crimson Tide's opening play, Cooper finished the game with nine receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper is my second-highest rated WR prospect behind Dorial Green-Beckham, who is ineligible this season.

1. Sean Hickey (OT-Syracuse)

Sean Hickey Syracuse
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

1. Sean Hickey (OT-Syracuse)

Sean Hickey Syracuse
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Syracuse OT Sean Hickey is a very underrated prospect. He's currently a late Round 3 prospect on my board, but I could see him being picked in Round 2 once teams begin dissecting the tape. In his two toughest matchups this season, Hickey held power rusher Mario Edwards, Jr. of Florida State and speed rusher Vic Beasley of Clemson to identical stat lines (three tackles, one for loss and no sacks). Hickey continues to show improvement every season.

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 Midseason Rankings: Offense

2015 NFL Draft Midseason Rankings: Defense

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