Want to get to know the draft prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft? This weekly column breaks down the best matchups to watch each week in college football.
By Charlie Campbell.
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Miami vs. Florida State; Saturday, Nov. 2, 3:30 PM ET ABC
This used to be one of the best games of the year for NFL talent going head-to-head, but unfortunately both of these programs have declined significantly. The best prospects in this game are on Florida State with wide receiver Tamorrion Terry, running back Cam Akers, and defensive tackle Marvin Wilson. Miami wide receiver Jeff Thomas and defensive end Jonathan Garvin are prospects to watch for the Hurricanes.
Georgia vs. Florida; Saturday, Nov. 2, 3:30 PM CBS
The world’s biggest outdoor cocktail party rivalry game has ton of good NFL talent going head-to-head. The matchups come with the Bulldogs offensive line taking on the Gators defensive front. Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas is one of the best prospects in the nation and he will see two dangerous edge rushers in Jon Greenard and Jabari Zuniga, assuming those two defenders are back from injury. The rest of the Georgia line will be playing in the NFL as well so they will be a real challenge for Greenard, Zuniga, and defensive tackle Tedarrell Slaton.
Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is the favorite to be the top running back prospect for the 2020 draft and the Bulldogs will need to lean on him going as their wide receivers have been disappointing this season. Gators cornerback C.J. Henderson has a first-round skill set but has had a disappointing season thus far, so he could use a redemption tape.
This is an important game for Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm as he will see one of the top defenses in the nation. Fromm has bee a good game manager in his collegiate career, but he had a terrible performance in the Bulldogs upset loss to South Carolina. Fromm needs a bounce back game against a good opponent and Florida has been very tough on quarterbacks this season.
Other matchups to watch when the Gators have the ball are wide receivers Van Jefferson, Tyrie Cleveland, and Kadarius Toney taking on Georgia safety J.R. Reed. Florida running back Lamical Perine could be a second-day pick and he has played well this year despite the Gators offensive line being young and inconsistent.
Utah vs. Washington; Saturday, Nov. 2, 4:00 PM ET FOX
Utah’s defense is loaded with mid and late-round picks for the NFL Draft so they are going to be a good test for Washington quarterback Jacob Eason. It sounds like Eason plans to enter the 2020 NFL Draft and skip his senior year, so this is an important tape for him. He will see a cornerback with day two potential in Utah’s Jaylon Johnson. The Utes secondary will challenge Eason.
There will be some really interesting battles in the trenches as the Utah defensive line and Washington offensive line each possess multiple NFL talents. Washington has some good prospects on their offensive line led by left tackle Trey Adams. Adams has a first-round skill set but he has had a lot of injuries in his collegiate career. Utah defensive end Bradley Anae will be a challenge for Adams and right tackle Jared Hilbers as Anae could be a mid-round pick next April. Huskies center Nick Harris could become a pro starter and he will see a tough nose tackle in the Ute’s Leki Fotu.
When Utah has the ball, Utes running back Zack Moss is worth watching as he could be a second-day pick next April.
Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina; Saturday, Nov. 2, 7:30 PM ET SECN
Team sources like some of the skill-position talent at Vanderbilt this season. Some evaluators really like running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and he will see a tough Gamecocks front seven led by defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, a potential first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Vanderbilt wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb has mid-round potential, while Vanderbilt tight end Jared Pinkney could be an early-rounder.
Oregon vs. USC; Saturday, Nov. 2, 8:00 PM ET FOX
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert continues his march to the top 10 of the 2020 NFL Draft, and Herbert has no margin for error to get Oregon into the college football playoff. Herbert will see a USC team that can still be dangerous, but he should have his way with the Trojans.
Another potential first-rounder in this game is USC left tackle Austin Jackson. Jackson has been superb in 2019, and team sources are very impressed with his skill set.
Oregon has an offensive line with a lot of NFL talent, led by guard Shane Lemeiux, a potential first- or second-round pick. Center Jake Hansen and guard Calvin Throckmorton are also future pro competitors.
Other prospects to watch include USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and Oregon linebacker Troy Dye. Dye has mid-round potential, while Pittman could end up getting selected on Day 2.
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