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Draft Quack: Super Showdown Saturday Edition

The best Saturday of the year!

NCAA Football: Utah at Southern California Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

#6 Oklahoma vs. #11 Texas 9 AM PT / NOON ET FOX

“The Red River Showdown”

Location: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX

  • The Red River Shootout is going to be a good one with the annual State Fair just outside the stadium. BIG NUDE SATURDAY! These two high powered offenses do battle for what could be seeding in the Big 12 Championship for a possible rematch like last year. Can the worst rated Horns DBs stop the prolific Sooners O?

Oklahoma prospects to watch

1. Jalen Hurts 6’2 219 QB RS Senior

  • Another year, another Heisman contender for Lincoln Riley. Hurts has improved immensely as a passer over the past couple of years. He has enough arm talent to make all the throws in the NFL. Athlete in every sense of the word. Built for the power run game like Cam Newton. Footwork and pocket awareness are pluses. Workout warrior.

2. CeeDee Lamb 6’3 190 WR Junior

  • The main man now that Hollywood Brown has gone to the NFL and doing quite nicely. Speed is something to behold. Route running has improved a ton this year. He’s one of the fastest players in the nation. Should test well at the Combine. Really blew up last season. A stronger Stefon Diggs but faster if you will.

3. Grant Calcaterra 6’3 220 TE Junior

  • The best tight end in the country two years running. Excellent hands and route running ability. He just finds the hole in the defense nearly every time. Should win the Mackey Award this season.

4. Creed Humphrey 6’4 312 C/G RS Sophomore

  • He’s a legitimate contender for both the Outland and Rimington Trophy. The unquestioned leader of the Sooners’ line. Can play guard but starts at center. Footwork is a plus. Hand usage is another.

5. Neville Gallimore 6’3 321 DL RS Senior

  • He’s been a monster this season as a defensive tackle. A native of Canada. One of the best interior linemen in the entire class. He should be a high first round pick in April 2020. Hand usage is some of the best I’ve seen. Footwork and lateral agility are pluses as well. High motor.

6. Kenneth Murray 6’2 232 LB Junior

  • Has been revitalized under DC Alex Grinch. He’s a playmaker all over the field. Has been a bit banged up this season with various injuries. Lateral speed and agility is a plus. Sound fundamentals.

Texas prospects to watch

1. Sam Ehlinger 6’3 230 QB Junior

  • One of the better QB prospects in the class. He’s a bull as a runner. Arm talent is very evident. Has improved a ton since starting as a freshman.

2. Collin Johnson 6’6 215 WR Senior

- 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 Senior

  • 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. Devin Duvernay 6’1 205 WR Senior

  • It seems like he’s finally turned a corner during his senior season. Solid with the ball in his hands like a running back. One of the faster players in the nation. Percy Harvin without the off field issues.

5. Zach Shackleford 6’4 305 C Senior

  • One of the best centers in the class right behind Creed Humphrey. He isn’t the best athlete but gets away with it by technique on all kinds of blocks. Doesn’t get beat that often. Very experienced but has a bit of a medical history.

#1 Alabama at #24 Texas A&M 12:30 PM PT / 3:30 PM ET CBS

  • The top ranked Tide pay a visit to always noisy College Station to take on a reeling Aggies squad in search of an upset to right the ship after a dreadful win over Arkansas. The Aggies need to do what hasn’t been done so far: Stop Tua and his receivers from running wild.

Alabama prospects to watch

1. Jerry Jeudy 6’1 192 WR Junior

  • The odds on favorite for the Biletnikoff Trophy. The best receiver in the country. Has it all, the elite speed, lateral agility, and route running. He’s a master route runner that can make things happen against press coverage. The most complete receiver I’ve seen in a long, long, long time.

2. Henry Ruggs III 6’0 190 WR Junior

  • The “burner” of the group. Reportedly ran a sub 4.3 40 during spring testing this past spring camp. He’s electrifying. Think DeSean Jackson and you get Ruggs. Elite ball skills and lateral agility.

3. DeVonta Smith 6’1 175 WR Junior

  • The last of the trio of Crimson Tide receivers is certainly less talked about but talented nonetheless. He’s a great route runner. Strength and frame will be an issue at the next level. Current record holder for single game yards and touchdowns in program history.

4. Raekwon Davis 6’7 308 DL Senior

  • Davis has been one of the better defensive linemen the past three years but the medical history has held him back some. Came back for a senior season when he was getting first round talk as a junior.

5. Alex Leatherwood 6’6 310 OT Junior

  • Leatherwood is a former five star recruit that Mario Cristobal recruited. He hasn’t lived up to the hype just yet but is one of the best tackles in the class.

6. Trevon Diggs 6’2 200 CB Senior

  • Diggs is finally the leader of the secondary after waiting his turn for a couple of years. He’s arguably one of the best cornerbacks in the class. Has the right amount of H/W/L that NFL teams covet.

A&M prospects to watch

1. Kellen Mond 6’3 217 QB Junior

  • Think Colin Kaepernick coming out of college and you get Mond but a much better passer due to the tutelage of Jimbo Fisher and his pro style system.

2. Justin Madubuike 6’3 304 DL RS Junior

  • He’s a solid pass rusher from the interior. Good run stopper as well. Leverage is an asset. A force in the middle that frees up the defensive ends to play looser. He terrorized Clemson last season.

3. Kendrick Rogers 6’3 210 WR Junior

  • A big receiver that can get after it on the 9 route. He needs further development on the route tree to have any success at the next level. Great ball skills. Huge frame is an asset in the red zone.

Florida State at #2 Clemson 12:30 PM PT / 3:30 PM ET ESPN

  • The annual rivalry game between bitter ACC Atlantic rivals that has decided the ACC championship over the past 9 years. Clemson whipped the Noles last year and they are looking to repeat that form this season. Clemson has looked shaky at times this year as the reigning national title winner. Can the Seminoles keep it within 20?

Florida State prospects to watch

1. Marvin Wilson 6’5 323 DL Junior

  • “Big Marv” is the latest in a long line of standout defensive tackles for the Seminoles. A former five star signee. He has a lot of power and athleticism even if it’s unrefined at times. Medical issues have knocked him out of practices. A big powerful athlete that can collapse the pocket in a hurry. Best suited as a 4’3 tackle but can play 3-4 tackle in a pinch. Has pretty good measureables for the next level.

2. Levonta Taylor 5’10 181 CB Senior

  • A former five star and top ranked cornerback recruit. He hasn’t lived up to that level of hype due to injury but can turn it around for his senior season. He’s an athlete and very well schooled in the fundamentals. Quick burst and ball skills. Can turn and run on a dime. He’s the senior leader after playing next to some of the brightest secondary stars that college had to offer like Derwin James.

3. Hamsah Nasirildeen 6’4 211 S Junior

  • More of an athlete than football player as he’s bounced around from safety to linebacker in certain plays. He’s an outstanding athlete for his position and has good ball skills. Very good moving downhill to attack the run game.

4. Cam Akers 5’11 212 RB Junior

  • The heir to Dalvin Cook’s throne is plenty good himself. An elite athlete that can make any defender miss at any given time. Very good burst off the snap. He’s one of the best running backs in the country. Former five star recruit from the state of Mississippi.

1. Travis Etienne 5’10 200 RB Junior

  • Arguably one of the best backs in the country.

2. Tee Higgins 6’4 200 WR Junior

  • NFL teams should be drooling over his H/W/L right now. Every bit of 6’4. Long arms and an impressive catch radius. Ball skills are very good. Blew up during the national title game.

3. Isaiah Simmons 6’3 225 LB RS Junior

  • Simmons is an athlete in every sense of the word. Can fly sideline to sideline all over the place. Needs further refinement as a linebacker but the tools are there. He should be drafted high based off his measureables alone.

USC at #9 Notre Dame 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET NBC

“Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh”

  • Clay Helton needs this win to save his job after several lackluster performances. Can Notre Dame hold onto their undefeated season against a hated rival?

USC prospects to watch

1. Michael Pittman, Jr 6’4 215 WR Senior

  • A particular red zone threat given his size and great ball skills. Plus route runner. Excellent catch radius and hands. Athletically, not the most inspiring but inside the 20, it’s hardly needed. The older brother of Oregon receiver Mycah and son of longtime NFL RB Michael Pittman, Sr.

2. Tyler Vaughns 6’2 185 WR Junior

  • The “other” upperclassman receiver is pretty good in his own right. Lateral agility is a major plus along with his awareness. Ball skills are on point as well. Has some issues with press coverage. Frame could be an issue down the road.

3. Christian Rector 6’4 270 EDGE RS Senior

  • Very good in the run game, holding up at the point of attack using his long arms. Not the most quick twitch athlete off the snap so he uses the long arms to keep the tackle at bay before going upfield. Not the most bendy athlete going around the corner. A run stopper at best.

Notre Dame prospects to watch

1. Julian Okwara 6’4 235 EDGE Senior

  • Okwara is one of the best EDGE prospects in this class. He’s been dominant this season as Virginia can attest to. I see a lot of Tennessee Titans EDGE Harold Landry in him.

2. Chase Claypool 6’4 224 WR Senior

  • He’s listed as a receiver but can also play tight end. TE may be his ticket to the NFL as he’s limited athletically.

3. Khalid Kareem 6’4 267 EDGE Senior

  • H/W/L guy who causes a lot of havoc both on the outside and interior. Underrated athlete that has a lot of power to his game. Has been great this season.

#10 Penn State at #17 Iowa 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET ABC

  • A classic Big Ten match here. It might be a struggle scoring points as both defenses are capable of the task.

Penn State prospects to watch

1. Yetur Gross-Matos 6’5 242 EDGE Junior

  • Athleticism is a major plus for him. He’s one of the best EDGE prospects in the nation. Explodes off the ball. NFL teams will covet his H/W/L. Long arms keep the blockers a bay and he’s solid in run defense. Potential first round pick.

2. K.J. Hamler 5’9 165 WR RS Sophomore

  • He’s one of the more explosive receivers in the college game right now. Size will be a question at the next level but he fits as a slot receiver. Lateral agility is a major plus.

Iowa prospects to watch

1. Tristan Wirfs 6’5 315 OT Junior

  • Wirfs is one of the best tackles in the nation. Unreal athleticism for a tackle. Strength is a plus as well. Footwork is a major plus as he knows how to anchor in base and move quickly very adeptly. He should dominate the Combine drills should he go pro.

2. A.J. Epenesa 6’6 280 EDGE Junior

  • It can be argued that he is the best EDGE prospect in the nation. Some have erroneously compared him to J.J. Watt. While not on Watt’s level, he’s a very strong edge prospect. Power is the name of his game, not athleticism. Position and scheme versatile.

3. Alaric Jackson 6’7 320 OT RS Junior

  • The Hawkeyes’ other bookend tackle is a good prospect in his own right. OL IQ is above average. He’s an underrated athlete that can move to the second level with pace. A mountain at 6’7. Could play inside at guard or move to right tackle at the next level after being the left tackle in college.

#7 Florida at #5 LSU 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET ESPN

  • Death Valley at night. That’s all there’s to it.

Florida prospects to watch

1. Jabari Zuniga 6’3 257 EDGE RS Senior

  • Has a lot of athleticism in a herky jerky way. A pass rush talent that go up the field in a hurry. Lateral agility isn’t the greatest but he hasn’t been asked to do that much. One of the best EDGE rushers in the country.

2. C.J. Henderson 6’1 182 CB Junior

  • He’s one of the best corners in the country when engaged. The problem is that either he doesn’t have a strong frame or an unwillingness to tackle.

3. Johnathan Greenard 6’3 260 RS Senior

  • A transfer from Louisville that has been blowing up this season. Very good athlete that can move around in the phone booth. Can play both EDGE and defensive tackle.

LSU prospects to watch

1. Grant Delpit 6’3 201 S Junior

  • The best safety in college football, no questions asked.

2. K’Lavon Chaisson 6’5 240 EDGE RS Sophomore

  • He had a monster opening game last season against Miami before tearing his ACL late. He’s an athletic freak. One of the best EDGE prospects in the nation.

3. Rashard Lawrence 6’3 317 DL Senior

  • Quick burst off the line. Gets by with good athleticism. Will need further development of pass rush arsenal. The man in the middle for the stingy Tigers defense.

4. Kristian Fulton 6’1 192 CB Senior

  • He’s one of the best cornerbacks in the nation. A true cover corner but tackling is an issue. Missed some of his early career due to a failed drug test (used someone else’s urine).