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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Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma; Saturday, Sept. 28, 12:00 PM ET FOX
There are two good linebacker prospects to watch in this game with Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray and Texas Tech’s Jordyn Brooks. Brooks will see a running/throwing threat in the middle of the field with the Sooners’ point-machine offense. Murray has been a tackling machine for the Sooners, and he will be challenged by the Red Raiders; offense, so both of these linebackers should produce some good tackle totals from this game.
The top prospect in this game for the 2020 NFL Draft is Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. He has No. 1 receiver potential for the NFL, and he should have his way with the Texas Tech defense if Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurd can get him the ball.
Ole Miss vs. Alabama; Saturday, Sep. 21, 3:30 PM CBS
Alabama has played a very easy schedule to open the 2019 season, and the blowouts should continue versus Ole Miss. Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a favorite to go first-overall next April, and he should produce another huge stat line taking on Ole Miss. Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is also a future top-20 pick who should abuse the Rebels’ secondary.
The Rebels have an early-round talent in running back Scottie Phillips, and it will be interesting to see how Phillips plays against one of the top defensive lines he will see all season. Crimson Tide nose tackle Raekwon Davis is a future first-rounder who is a beast against the run.
Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs and Alabama safety Xavier McKinney are in the running to be the top prospects at their positions. Other good prospects to watch from the Crimson Tide include edge defender Terrell Lewis, wide receiver Henry Ruggs and running back Najee Harris. Some team sources like Ole Miss defensive tackle Benito Jones, and he could continue to rise with a good tape against Alabama.
Virginia vs. Notre Dame; Saturday, Sept. 28, 3:30 PM ET NBC
There should be some NFL talent going head-to-head with Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall being challenged by Notre Dame wide receivers Chase Claypool and Chris Finke. Both were on NFL teams’ preseason watch list, and Hall needs a good game after he was torched by Florida State in Week 3.
The Fighting Irish have a trio of future pro edge rushers in Khalid Kareem, Julian Okwara and Darlin Hayes. In the Notre Dame secondary, safety Alohi Gilman, cornerback Troy Pride and safety Jalen Elliott are NFL prospects.
Mississippi State vs. Auburn; Saturday, Sept. 28, 7:00 PM ESPN
The top prospect in this game for the 2020 NFL Draft in defensive tackle Derrick Brown. Brown could have been a top-10 pick last April, but he decided to return to school. He was banged up and missed some time, but returned to the field against Texas A&M last week. Auburn defensive end Nick Coe has a great skill set and sometimes lines up inside. On the other side, Tigers end Marlon Davidson is a good technician and tough player. Coe could be an early-rounder, while Davidson has mid-round potential. Mississippi State center Daryl Williams could be a mid-round pick, so he will see a great test with Brown and Coe.
Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill is an early-round talent that will be a challenge for the Tigers’ defensive front.
Auburn has some future NFL offensive linemen in left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho and right tackle Jack Driscoll. Team sources have said that Wanogho could be this draft’s Greg Little as a player with a high first-round skill set whose lack of consistency could cause him to slide in his draft grade.
Mississippi State wide receiver Stephen Guidry has ability, but he has disappointed in game action this season. He can rebound with a big game against Auburn cornerback Javaris Davis. Davis is a future early-round pick. Hopefully, those future pro competitors line up against each other.
Auburn linebacker Big Kat Bryant and Auburn safety Jeremiah Dinson were also placed on NFL teams’ preseason watch list. Mississippi State has other good prospects to watch including linebacker Erroll Thompson, defensive end Chauncey Rivers, linebacker Willie Gay, safety JaQuarius Landrews, wide receiver Stephen Guidry, safety Brian Cole, guard/center Darryl Williams, wide receiver Deddrick Thomas and inside linebacker Leo Lewis.
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