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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Ohio State vs. Indiana; Saturday, Sep. 14, 12:00 PM ET FOX
Indiana safety Marcelino Ball is a pro prospect, and he will see perhaps his toughest test of the season with the Buckeyes. Ohio State junior running back J.K. Dobbins could be an early-round pick, and teammate wide receiver K.J. Hill could also go in the top half of the NFL draft. It will be interesting to see how Ball defends those two play-makers.
Ohio State defensive end Chase Young and Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah look like future Thursday night picks with high first-round potential. They have dominated to open the 2020 season, and each should have his way with the Hoosiers.
Other Buckeyes prospects to watch include cornerback Shaun Wade, tight end Rashod Berry, wide receiver Austin Mack, guard Jonah Jackson, offensive tackle Thayer Munford, safety Jordan Fuller and inside linebacker Malik Harrison.
Kansas State vs. Mississippi State; Saturday, Sep. 14, 12:00 PM ESPN
Kansas State wide receiver Isaiah Zuber could be a prospect for the back half of the draft, and he will see a challenge with Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler. Dantzler could be an early-round prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft and is a physically imposing defender.
Similarly, Mississippi State running Kylin Hill is an early-round talent who will be a challenge for Kansas State linebacker Reggie Walker. Hill could be the best running back who Walker will see all season.
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.
Alabama vs. South Carolina; Saturday, Sep. 14, 3:30 PM CBS
Alabama has played a very easy schedule to open the 2019 season, but the blowouts should continue at South Carolina. The Gamecocks have an early-round talent in Javon Kinlaw, and it will be interesting to see how Kinlaw plays against one of the top offensive lines he will see all season.
Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a favorite to go first-overall next April in the 2020 NFL Draft. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is also a future top-10 pick. Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs and safety Xavier McKinney are in the running to be the top prospects at their positions.
Other good prospects to watch from Alabama include edge defender Terrell Lewis, wide receiver Henry Ruggs, running back Najee Harris and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis.
Florida State vs. Virginia; Saturday, Sep. 14, 7:30 PM ET ACCN
There is a good draft matchup in this game with Florida State wide receiver Tamorrion Terry taking on Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall. Both of them could be starters in the NFL early in their pro careers. Hall has some buzz in the media, while scouts are buzzing about Terry’s great skill set and upside. Terry could be the best wide receiver who Hall sees this season, so this will be an important tape for Hall’s draft grade.
Other good prospects to watch from Florida State include defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and running back Cam Akers. Both of them should go in the first three rounds of their draft classes.
Oklahoma vs. UCLA; Saturday, Sep. 14, 8:00 PM ET FOX
There are a few good linebacker prospects to watch in this game, including Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray and UCLA’s Krys Barnes. Barnes impressed NFL team sources in the season opener, and he has pro size at 6-foot-1, 235 pounds. Barnes 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 Chip Kelly 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 UCLA defense. Other prospects to watch from the Bruins include running back Joshua Kelley and linebacker Keisean Lucier-South.
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