Below is a look at some of the key matchups featuring top NFL prospects.
No. 10 Florida at Miami
Saturday, September 7th at 12:00pm on ESPN
Prospects: No. 17 Stephen Morris QB and No. 4 Phillip Dorsett, WR (Mia) vs. No. 15 Loucheiz Purifoy, No. 5 Marcus Roberson, and No. 14 Jaylen Watkins CBs (Fla)
This weekend’s matchup against Florida is an opportunity for the Miami football program to show they’re back on the uptick. In order for them to deliver the upset victory, Miami needs quarterback Stephen Morris and wide receiver Phillip Dorsett to have monster games.
This won’t be an easy task because Florida features three defensive backs who have a future in the NFL. It’ll be interesting to see if the Morris-Dorsett combo can produce with Loucheiz Purifoy, Marcus Roberson and Jaylen Watkins roaming the Florida secondary.
Western Kentucky at Tennessee
Saturday, September 7th at 12:21pm on ESPN3
Prospects: No. 5 Antonio Andrews, RB and No. Andrew Jackson, LB (Western Kent) vs. No. 45 AJ Johnson, LB (Tenn) and No. 98 Daniel McCullers
Western Kentucky is looking to win back-to-back games against SEC opponents this weekend when they take on Tennessee. In order to accomplish this task, they need running back Antonio Andrews to have a big game.
This won’t be easy because Tennessee has both A.J. Johnson and Daniel McCullers manning the middle of the defense. Andrews will need to trust his blocks and show some escape ability if he hopes to be effective.
Johnson and Western Kentucky’s Andrew Jackson are two of the higher rated inside linebacker prospects in this draft class. I’m of the belief that Johnson is over-rated and lacks the explosiveness to be overly effective at the next level.
While watching the game keep an eye on both linebacker prospects and see who’s around the football more often.
No. 6 South Carolina at No. 5 Georgia
Saturday, September 7th at 4:30pm on ESPN
Prospects: No. 7 Jadeveon Clowney, DE (SC) vs. No. 11 Aaron Murray, QB and No. 3 Todd Gurley, RB (GA)
Last week, Jadeveon Clowney was said to be suffering from flu-like symptoms which resulted in some fatigue. That report will be put to the test this week against Georgia. Clowney needs to come out and show that he’s not out of shape.
He’ll be tested early and often by the Georgia running game and a savvy quarterback in Aaron Murray. Clowney must show that he’s an all-around player who can support the run.
Georgia running back Todd Gurley isn’t eligible for this year’s draft, but is already establishing himself as a force. There just aren’t many running backs that possess his size and speed combo.
No. 15 Texas at BYU
Saturday, September 7th at 7:00pm on ESPN2
Prospects: No. 2 Cody Hoffman, WR (BYU) vs. No. 23 Carrington Byndom and No. 6 Quandre Diggs, CBs (Tex)
I have both of Texas’ top cornerbacks, Carrington Byndom and Quandre Diggs, in the lower part of my rankings because of their limited size. This weekend they’ll have a chance to show they can defend the type of bigger targets they’ll see in the NFL.
BYU’s Cody Hoffman not only has good size, but also loves to play a physical brand of football. Byndom and Diggs will both have their hands full trying to keep the ball out of the Hoffman’s hands.
No. 14 Notre Dame at No. 17 Michigan
Saturday, September 7th at 8:00pm on ESPN
Prospects: No. 77 Taylor Lewan, OT and No. 12 Devin Gardner, QB (Mich) vs. No. 9 Louis Nix, No. 7 Stephon Tuitt DL and No. 55 Prince Shembo, LB (ND)
Michigan’s Taylor Lewan is fighting several other prospects for the right to be the first offensive tackle selected in next year’s draft. His first major test of the season will come against Notre Dame’s highly talented defensive line.
Notre Dame has an excellent combo of quickness and power all across the defensive line. Lewan will mainly have to face off against Stephon Tuitt and Prince Shembo. This matchup gives Lewan an early shot at a signature win.
San Jose State at No. 4 Stanford
Saturday, September 7th at 11:00pm on Pac-12 Network
Prospects: No. 10 David Fales, QB and No. 23 Noel Grigsby, WR (SJS) vs. No. 8 Jordan Richards and No. 29 Ed Reynolds, S (Stan)
San Jose State will be overmatched this weekend when they take on Stanford. However, if they have a chance of keeping things close it’ll be because of quarterback David Fales and wide receiver Noel Grigsby.
Look for the San Jose State passing attack to target Stanford safeties Jordan Richards and Ed Reynolds. Both safeties have plenty of experience, but don’t possess the elite athleticism needed to excel at the next level.