Want to get to know the draft prospects for the 2019 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. Boston College; Friday, Oct. 26, 7:00 PM ET ESPN
This is a good game to watch future NFL defensive linemen. The top rated among them is Boston College defensive end Zach Allen. He is a strong run defender who gets after the quarterback consistently. Allen could be a top-20 pick next April. On the other side, Miami defensive tackle Gerald Willis III is enjoying a breakout year and has been impressive, according to multiple team sources. Willis will see a potential second-day pick in Boston College right guard Chris Lindstrom. If they go head-to-head, the winner could really help their respective draft grade. Hurricanes defensive end Joe Jackson had a slow start to the year, but he has heated up lately and been a lot more productive.
There are some other prospects to watch in Boston College safety Lukas Denis, Miami safety Jaquan Johnson, Miami linebacker Shaq Quarterman and Miami cornerback Michael Jackson.
Clemson vs. Florida State; Saturday, Oct. 27, 12:00 PM ET ABC
Clemson’s elite defensive line talents should have a field day going against a terrible Seminoles offensive line. The Tigers have three potential first-round picks with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, edge pass-rusher Clelin Ferrell, and versatile tackle Christian Wilkins. The fourth member of the starting unit, Austin Bryant, could be a second-day pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Clemson linebacker Tre Lamar is another defender with first-round talent who should look good against the anemic Florida State blockers, although Lamar will be challenged by talented sophomore running back Cam Akers.
Florida State defensive end Brian Burns is speed-rushing demon, but he needs to get bigger and stronger for the NFL. Still, he will go against a potential mid-round pick in Clemson left tackle Mitch Hyatt. Hyatt needs a good game versus Burns to help his draft grade.
Other prospects to watch include Clemson cornerback Trayvon Mullen and cornerback Mark Fields. Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois is better than many given him credit for, and he is going to see a tough test versus one of the best defenses in the nation.
Wisconsin vs. Northwestern; Saturday, Oct. 27, 12:00 PM ET FOX
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson had impressive performances against Michigan and Nebraska, and was dominant versus Michigan State, before an underwhelming game last week taking on Rutgers. Thorson put together a superb performance versus the Badgers last year, almost leading a fourth-quarterback comeback in Madison. Wisconsin has a tough defense that will test Thorson. Badgers linebackers T.J. Edwards, Ryan Connelly and Andrew Van Ginkel are all NFL prospects who will apply a lot of pressure.
Wisconsin right tackle David Edwards has received some media hype as a high first-rounder, but his play has not warranted that hype this season. He will see a nice edge rusher with Northwestern’s Joe Gaziano. Other prospects to watch include Northwestern cornerback Montre Hartage and linebacker Nate Hall.
Florida vs. Georgia; Saturday, Oct. 27, 3:30 PM ET CBS
The Largest Cocktail Party in the World will be renewed in Jacksonville, and once agains, there are some impressive NFL prospects in this rivalry game. The top players for the 2019 NFL Draft are Georgia cornerback DeAndre Baker and Florida edge rusher Jachai Polite. Baker is one of the best cover corners in the nation and is in the running to be the first cornerback drafted. Polite has been phenomenal this season, racking up sacks and causing a lot of disruption in the backfield. Both of them look like Thursday night talents for next April.
Other talents to watch include Florida edge rusher Jabari Zuniga, Gators edge defender CeCe Jefferson, safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Georgia linebacker D’Andre Walker and Bulldogs wide receiver Riley Ridley.
Kentucky vs. Missouri; Saturday, Oct. 27, 4:00 PM ET SECN
After struggling against Alabama, Missouri quarterback Drew Lock could use a strong performance taking on Kentucky. The Wildcats have some good defensive talent led by linebacker Josh Allen. He is a fast edge rusher and quarterback hunter who dominated versus Florida, Mississippi State and South Carolina. Allen also has been impressive in pass coverage, and the Wildcats will need him to perform well in both phases to limit the strong-armed Lock. Missouri tight end Albert Okwuegbunam is one of the top tight end prospects in the nation, and it will be interesting to see if Allen is capable of handling him in man coverage. If Allen were to look good in one-on-one coverage against Okwuegbunam, that would be huge for Allen’s draft stock.
Kentucky running back Bennie Snell and Missouri wide receiver Emmanuel Hall could be second-day picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. Snell has been excellent this season, while Hall has been held back with injury and a death in the family after a hot start. Other prospects to watch include Missouri defensive tackle Terry Beckner, Kentucky cornerback Derrick Baity, Kentucky linebacker Jordan Jones and Kentucky safety Mike Edwards.
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