Saturday will be bittersweet for college football fans because, for many, while it brings the biggest game of the year — Georgia vs. Alabama — it also brings the 2021 season to a close outside of bowl games. Soak it all in before it is too late.
With the 2022 NFL Draft in mind, here is the future NFL talent to watch in five of the weekend’s premier games:
No. 9 Baylor at No.5 Oklahoma State
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 12 p.m. ET on ABC
This will not be the most flashy game from an NFL Draft perspective, but it is a great opportunity to get eyes on some new players.
Baylor flies to the football. Linebacker Terrel Bernard is a bit undersized by traditional standards but is perfect for the modern game. He is a rover sideline to sideline. Safety Jalen Pitre looks bigger than his listed size and is a bit of a linebacker-safety tweener; again, perfect for the modern game. NFL teams are looking for players that rally to the football and these two players fit.
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Running back Abram Smith has taken on a larger role and, no pun intended, ran with it this season. He is a plant and go runner that is going to fight through contact.
The play of Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders is a bit of a rollercoaster. He is throwing two touchdowns for every one interception, but averaging 4.4 yards per carry, which makes him the team’s second leading rusher. Safety Kolby Harvell-Peel has been highly productive, accumulating 10 interceptions over the last three seasons.
No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 3 Alabama
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. ET on CBS
A book could be written on the talent in this game. These two teams are loaded
Georgia wide receiver George Pickens has been running routes on air and working his way back to the field from a torn ACL that he suffered in the spring. When healthy, he has proven to be one of the best in college football.
The Bulldogs are loaded in the front seven. It would easy to talk about consistently hyped — and rightfully so — linebacker Nakobe Dean and nose tackle Jordan Davis. Both are likely first-round picks. Instead, let’s talk about defensive linemen Travon Walker and Devonte Wyatt. Wyatt is a large human being that happens to be operating in the shadows of an absolute hulk of a figure in Davis. Wyatt would warrant double teams on a lot of teams. Walker is a prospect who can play on the edge or condense inside. He plays the game with maximum effort and can quickly alter its trajectory.
There is some recent love for linebacker Channing Tindall, but linebacker Quay Walker is more my cup of tea. His eyes are always in the backfield and he does an excellent job getting off blocks. His change of direction is so quick and smooth but coverage is one area where he can improve to become a well-rounded player.
Other Georgia players of note include running back Zamir White, running back James Cook, offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer, safety Lewis Cine and cornerback Derion Kendrick. Kendrick, a Clemson transfer, is among the best cornerbacks in the nation but the stigma of being dismissed from Clemson follows him.
Alabama boasts arguably the top offensive line prospect: left tackle Evan Neal. If nothing else happens Saturday, I just hope for a picture of Davis and Neal standing next to each other. Both are in the neighborhood of 6-foot-6, 350 pounds. Neal is a projected top five pick.
Wide receiver Jameson Williams has the capability to challenge Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson as the first off the board at that position. He is a fluid player that can make plays at all three levels. Tight end Jahleel Billingsley was the subject of heavy preseason praise but that has tapered off a bit. He is no less dynamic, however.
The Crimson Tide may not have one draft eligible player like Davis along the defensive line but Phidarian Mathis, D.J. Dale and Justin Eboigbe are all good players. Several in the draft community are high on linebacker Christian Harris but I favor his teammate Henry To’oTo’o. Safety Jordan Battle and wide receiver John Metchie III are a few others to know on this team.
No. 21 Houston at No. 4 Cincinnati
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. ET on ABC
Houston’s Marcus Jones is a shorter cornerback who plays bigger than his size. He offers significant value on special teams coverage and return. His teammate, defensive lineman Logan Hall, has garnered a lot of attention as well. Hall has similar size to Payton Turner, who ended up being a surprise first-round pick out of Houston last year. His film shows a player capable of stacking and shedding in the run game or using his speed to shoot the gap and pressure the quarterback. Hall looks like a Day 2 pick with enough ability to entice a team as a potential first-round pick.
Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder is a really athletic player that has shown great leadership in big moments this season, specifically against Notre Dame. His accuracy needs to be more consistent. At this moment, I am not in the camp that would take him in the first-round but it is easy to see why he has talent evaluators excited.
One player that does excite is cornerback Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner. Gardner is lockdown in man coverage and rarely tested. As a freshman, he was making plays and that has consistency has carried throughout his career. His play has led to more opportunities for cornerback Coby Bryant and safety Bryan Cook; both of whom will attend the Reese’s Senior Bowl in January. Edge rusher Myjai Sanders was labeled as a potential first-round pick early this year but the film does not bear that out right now. Wide receiver Alec Pierce is another talented player that could receive Day 2 consideration.
No. 2 Michigan at No. 13 Iowa
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX
Michigan’s edge rushers need no introduction. David Ojabo and Aidan Hutchinson were on the tip of the tongue for commentators at every turn last weekend when the Wolverines knocked off rival Ohio State. Each is sensational but the presence of both prevents opponents from scheming against and double teaming either. Ojabo has as much speed and bend around the corner as any other prospect in this class. Hutchinson operates with power to his game.
The talent on defense extends well beyond those edge rushers. Linebacker Josh Ross, safety Brad Hawkins and defensive back Daxton Hill are all future NFL players.
Iowa is a hard-nosed football team that operates not through the quarterback, but through center Tyler Linderbaum. Linderbaum is an athletic player that can make plays in space. He has some horsepower to his game and will put opponents in the dirt though. The former wrestler is a top 10 prospect overall all day. Tight end Sam LaPorta is a balanced tight end deserving of more buzz in this draft class.
No. 15 Pittsburgh at No. 16 Wake Forest
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett has played near flawless football this season but do not let anyone tell you that he was not playing good football in the past. Pickett is not a dual-threat quarterback but he has enough awareness and speed to get some yardage when the play breaks down. He is a savvy quarterback that understands what is happening in front of him and that has understandably given him a stranglehold on the claim as one of the best quarterback prospects available.
Wake Forest’s offense is worth the price of admission. Quarterback Sam Hartman leads a drawn out mesh offense with wide receiver Jaquarii Roberson. Roberson is slight of frame but explosive, averaging 16.5 yards on 62 receptions. Offensive tackle Zach Tom is a potential starter in the NFL that looks a little too relaxed at times.
The full slate of championship weekend games can be found at CBSSports.com!
