Draft Quack: Championship Saturday Edition

It’s Championship Saturday!! Which prospects will step up during this very crucial weekend?

#14 Texas vs #5 Oklahoma NOON ABC

Big 12 Championship

Location: Jerry World

- A rematch that can go a long way in determining the playoff ranking. Texas won the first game in October on a game winning field goal near the end. OU’s defense is not good. Texas can ruin their eternal rival’s hopes and dreams with a win while Oklahoma needs a win and pray Georgia falters (likely). The Golden Hat is not up for grabs in this one as it is reserved for the match in Octobers. Oklahoma desperately needs some congratulating from ATQ in 2019 because they have a linebacker issue so inherent that the inconsistently consistent Troy Dye would be their best one.

Prediction: Oklahoma 45 Texas 42

Texas prospects to watch

1. Kris Boyd 6’0 195 CB Senior

- The leader of a resurgent Horns secondary. A dominant playmaker. Size and speed are a plus. Has been excellent thus far into the 2018 season. One of the best corners in the nation. Boyd has a case for being a top five corner prospect.

2. Collin Johnson 6’6 215 WR Junior

- The Horns’ jump ball specialist. Route running is just average but he uses his size well to box out defenders to make a tough catch. The main target for the QB but QB issues have prevented him from being the true dominant threat he could become. A willing blocker most of the time. He has made the spectacular catch routine.

3. Brandon Jones 6’0 205 S Junior

- Jones is a safety prospect that no one talks about nationally. He’s an intriguing talent that had to grow up in a hurry due to various reasons. Had some growing pains due to being on the field so early into his career but has matured. A ball hawk.

4. Gary Johnson 6’0 225 LB Senior

- A player that is always around the ball it seems. He’s risen up the boards rapidly during his senior season. A bit undersized for the linebacker position. Football IQ is a plus and is very fundamentally sound. Outstanding as a junior but has elevated his play as a senior.

5. Lil’Jordan Humphrey 6’4 220 WR Junior

- The Horns’ space specialist. he’s been primarily used as a big body screen type of guy but can play outside receiver. He’s a solid athlete that can go vertical or short with ease. There are rumors that he will stay for a senior season.

6. Charles Omenihu 6’6 275 DL Senior

- CO is an impact defender on the interior. He has improved a lot since his freshman season fundamentally. Lateral agility is a plus when rushing the passer. Projects as a 4-3 defensive tackle at the next level. Has accepted his Senior Bowl invite.

Oklahoma prospects to watch

1. Bobby Evans 6’5 299 OT RS Junior

- One of the better tackles in the country. Athleticism is a plus. Footwork is solid. Could project as a guard at the next level. If the 299 is accurate, he may have to add on some weight to play tackle.

2. Marquise Brown 5’10 168 WR Junior

- “Hollywood” is having a breakout junior campaign that has a lot of people turning heads. He’s a speed demon. Used all over the place in the offense. Lateral agility and quickness is elite. Frame is questionable however. He needs to put on some weight. Cousin of Steelers receiver Antonio Brown.

#1 Alabama at #4 Georgia 4 PM CBS

SEC Championship

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (home of the Atlanta Falcons and MLS Eastern Conference champion Atlanta United FC).

- The biggest championship games in terms of determining the playoff. An Alabama win cements their top spot. A Georgia win, however, muddies the water a bit. Alabama should win this one due to the slight talent edge they have. It likely won’t be a blowout either way. Tua (may Mark Helfrich eternally rue the day he let him go but nice guy) can lock the Heisman down with another standout performance. He just may have to play into the fourth quarter in this one. The stadium crews will get a workout tonight as they have to prepare for the Falcons game tomorrow early afternoon.

Prediction: Bama 35 Georgia 21

Alabama prospects to watch

1. Quinnen Williams 6’3 285 DL RS Sophomore

- Another week, another dominant performance. Q is that dude this year. He’s been making a run at being the best defensive tackle in the country. Has a bevy of pass rush moves in his arsenal. Holds up well in the point of attack. He has replaced Ed Oliver as the best defensive tackle prospect in the country.

2. Jonah Williams 6’5 301 OT Junior

- The best tackle prospect in the nation. The franchise at left tackle. Footwork and anchor are elite. Technician. Has the prerequisite size and strength to make it to the next level. Should come out as a junior. Nothing more to see here, folks.

3. Isaiah Buggs 6’4 292 DL Senior

- The next guy up in the defensive trenches. He had an outstanding junior campaign in 2017 and has been impressive this year thus far. Raekwon Davis rightly gets all the attention but Buggs deserves some press as well. He’s seriously talented and should be a first round pick.

4. Mack Wilson 6’0 231 LB Junior

- There has been 0 drop off in talent replacing current Titan Rashaan Evans. In fact, Wilson could be better. Can play both outside and inside but I see him sticking outside at the next level.

5. Deionte Thompson 6’2 194 S RS Junior

- The “veteran” leader for the inexperienced Tide secondary. The next man up to take his star turn in the vaunted Crimson Tide secondary lore. He’s an athletic marvel at the position despite some growing pains learning on the fly. Instincts are developing but are nearly there. Has had some injury issues, missing a couple of games as a result

6. Joshua Jacobs 5’9 209 RB Junior

- The unsung hero of the Bama offense as he’s been deployed seemingly everywhere from running, catching out of the backfield, and as a blocker in a fullback type role. He’s taken the primary second string duties and has gotten a ton of starters reps as well.

Georgia prospects to watch

1. Deandre Baker 5’11 180 CB Senior

- It can be argued that Baker is the best cornerback prospect in the class. He’s always around the ball it seems. Plays hard every play. Has great athleticism and generally keeps up with opposing receivers. Ball skills are improving. Fundamentally sound. It will be interesting if his listed size is accurate or not. CB3.

2. D’Andre Walker 6’2 240 EDGE Senior

- Walker has been a revelation this season as he’s the leading force off the edge for the Dogs. Work ethic is a plus. Frame is another. He’s very well coached. Finally showing out as a senior after sitting behind major NFL talent. Georgia’s leader in sacks.

3. Terry Godwin 5’11 185 WR Senior

- The go to weapon for QB Jake Fromm. Has a habit of making incredible catches out of nowhere. Excellent blocker when asked to do it. Technically sound as a route runner. Not the best athlete at receiver but has just enough speed.

4. Mecole Hardman 5’10 183 WR Junior

- He’s arguably one of the fastest receivers in the country. A big play specialist for the Dogs offense. Could be something special as a slot receiver at the next level. Elite speed.

5. Riley Ridley 6’2 200 WR Junior

- The younger brother of current Falcons rookie stud and former Bama standout receiver Calvin Ridley. He’s no slouch himself as a prospect. Tends to get lost in the hype of the other UGA receivers but I think he’s the best of the trio. Like Calvin, he’s an efficient route runner and the most “toolsy” of the group.

#2 Clemson vs Pittsburgh 8 PM ABC

ACC Championship

Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC (home of the Carolina Panthers)

- Clemson enters this contest a heavy favorite against a five loss Pitt team that beat them last year. Freshman QB Trevor Lawrence is the real deal even with his much hyped entrance. The Tigers defense is menacing as usual. Pittsburgh has a chance at the upset if recent reports of Kansas State looking for a new coach distracts KSU alum DC Brent Venables. Not much to see here but the final score.

Prediction: Clemson 40 Pitt 14

Clemson prospects to watch

1. Dexter Lawrence 6’4 340 DT Junior

- Lawrence is a notch below Ed Oliver but is a talented prospect that has supreme athleticism and has been tutored by one of the best defensive coordinators in college football. He has disappeared to the point that it would be wise to return for a senior season to showcase that he can be the man.

2. Christian Wilkins 6’4 300 DT Senior

- The anchor of the vaunted Tigers defensive line. A former five star recruit that developed nicely. An athletic force at the defensive tackle position. Has experience playing edge rusher at times.

3. Clelin Ferrell 6’5 260 EDGE Junior

- Ferrell could be the best of the bunch. He’s one of the best edge rushers in the entire class, let alone the ACC. Fundamentally sound. Knows what he’s doing with an impressive array of moves. Frame is a major plus. He has 10.5 sacks, which lead the team.

4. Kendall Joseph 6’0 225 LB RS Senior

- Joseph is a talent that had to wait a while before his career got going due to the talent in front of him. He’s an excellent athlete that cover in space. While he gets to benefit from having a monster line to work with, he’s very sharp. Fits what modern defenses look for physically. The team leader in tackles with 65. He has accepted his invite to the East-West Shrine Game.

5. Trayvon Mullen 6’2 190 CB Junior

- A corner that hardly anyone talks about due to the guys ahead of him. He’s an intriguing talent that likely has a a tough draft decision ahead of him. Has the size and athleticism to thrive as a pro.

Pittsburgh prospect to watch

1. Qadree Ollison 6’2 230 RB RS Senior

- A big physical back that has had a breakout senior season. He’s a workhorse type that can log heavy duty carries if needed to. Underrated RB prospect that could go late in the draft.

#21 Northwestern at #6 Ohio State 8 PM FOX

Big Ten Championship

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

- Ohio State definitely got a bump up in the rankings after dominating Michigan last week, jumping from 10 to 6. They need a win and chaos to happen i.e. OU and UGA losing. Northwestern has been a solid program under Pat Fitzgerald. They won the West division after a down year by Wisconsin standards. Ohio State’s defense has been an awful mess this season. Especially the secondary. The defense has been so inconsistent that Ducks friends Brady Hoke and Don Pellum would make them elite. Northwestern has a chance, a small one but a chance nonetheless.

Prediction: Ohio State 28 Northwestern 10

Northwestern prospects to watch

1. Clayton Thorson 6’3 225 QB RS Senior

- Thorson is a solid prospect with just enough arm talent to make it in the league. He has led the Wildcats to unprecedented heights not seen since “glory” days of the early 2000s. Arm talent may be an issue for some teams at the next level. He has the size to make it there. Has accepted his Senior Bowl invite.

Ohio State prospects to watch

1. Dre’Mont Jones 6’2 295 DL RS Junior

- A disruptive force in the interior of the defensive line. Pass rush ability is a plus. Holds up well at the point of attack. Lateral agility is among the best in the country. Fundamentally sound as most Buckeye DL are under the tutelage of Larry Johnson, Sr.

2. Dwayne Haskins 6’2 214 QB RS Sophomore

- A legit Heisman contender that has faded some this year due to injury and inconsistency. A plus arm. Inexperience will show at times with some silly throws. A much better passer than JT Barrett. A pocket passer that has posted a 69% completion rate and 3,685 yards with 36 touchdowns. A smaller version of Cam Newton in the rushing game as he’s only rushed when needed to.

3. Isaiah Prince 6’6 310 OT Senior

- The man in charge of blocking the blind side for Mr. Haskins. Is one of the better tackle prospects in the country that no one talks about. Shows a remarkable ability in the short areas. Footwork is not a plus nor a negative either. Middle round type that could develop into a starter at the next level.

4. Parris Campbell 6’0 208 WR Senior

- Solid athlete that should test well at the Combine. The Buckeyes’ leader in the relatively untested receiver room. A deep threat that can run some routes pretty well. Developed into a star as a senior thus far. The Buckeyes leading receiver in terms of receptions with 72 for 903 yards and 11 touchdowns.

5. K.J. Hill 6’0 198 WR RS Junior

- The Buckeyes’ second leading receiver in terms of yardage with 823 on 66 receptions. Possibly the best athlete in the receiver room in Columbus. Lateral agility is a major plus as he can cut on a dime. Growing route runner but still not there yet.

6. Terry McLaurin 6’0 205 WR Senior

- He’s a big play specialist that Haskins uses to get the chunk plays. Averaging a whopping 19 per catch on just 31 receptions and nine touchdowns. A plus athlete that can go up and get when necessary.