2017 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in Conference Championship Games
Nov 5, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) celebrates with wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) after a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Week 14 of the college football season is here which means conference titles are on the line. Eight conferences will be holding conference championship games while the Big 12’s showdown between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State is essentially a ninth title game.
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What happens in conference championship games not only will determine which schools go to which bowls, but will also heavily influence the 2017 NFL Draft. How each prospect performs will carry a little extra weight as a result of what’s on the line. For that reason, there are going to be a few prospects in each game to keep an eye on.
Some of those players are included in this list. These prospects will not only be expected to perform well and help their 2017 NFL Draft stock, but also lead their team to victory. So who will the scouts put under the microscope this week? Here’s a look at those prospects who need to step up in week 14.
Dec 20, 2014; Boise, ID, USA; Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Zach Terrell (11) throws a pass down field during the second half of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl verses the Air Force Falcons at Albertsons Stadium. Air Force defeated Western Michigan 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Mid-American Conference: Taylor Moton vs. Tarell Basham
In the first conference championship game to kick off, Western Michigan looks to remain undefeated as the Broncos take on Ohio. Both teams will contend for the MAC Championship, but Western Michigan has more at stake. A win likely locks up the highest ranking among the Group of Five schools and will land Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl.
Quarterback Zach Terrell and wide receiver Corey Davis receive all of the praise, but it’s right tackle Taylor Moton who will need to step up for Western Michigan. The 6-foot-5, 328-pound lineman has dominated MAC competition this season and has been rewarded with an invitation to the Senior Bowl. This game won’t be a cakewalk for him however as Moton will see plenty of Ohio’s top 2017 NFL Draft prospect, Tarell Basham.
Basham, who will also be heading to the Senior Bowl, is the single-season (10) and career (28) sack leader in Ohio history. The star of the Bobcats defense has helped pave the way for Ohio to not only excel at getting to the quarterback, but excel against the run as well. Ohio currently has the best run defense in the MAC.
With the Senior Bowl featuring the North versus the South, Moton and Basham will likely be teammates in Mobile. That means a lot of one-on-one in practices in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams. For a preview of what to expect then, focus on these two linemen when Western Michigan has the ball.
October 22, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Isaiah Oliver (26, center) is congratulated by defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4, left) and defensive back Tedric Thompson (9, right) for intercepting the football intended for Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Michael Rector (3, bottom) during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Pac-12: Washington WR’s vs. Colorado CB’s
While the MAC title game features a terrific matchup in the trenches, the focus in Friday’s other championship game will be outside the hashes. Washington’s explosive wide receivers will look to light up the scoreboard against a very good Colorado secondary.
The Huskies enter this game ranked second in the nation in passer rating, while the Buffaloes hold opponents to the fourth worst rating in the FBS. Washington’s John Ross, who leads the team in receptions (72), yards (1,071) and touchdowns (16), is the most dangerous weapon in quarterback Jake Browning’s arsenal. He’s not alone however as Dante Pettis and Chico McClatcher have been reliable targets as well.
Those three will go head-to-head to with defensive backs Chidobe Awuzie, Isaiah Oliver and Ahkello Witherspoon. Despite excellent seasons, not a single member of the Colorado secondary was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team. Awuzie, Witherspoon and strong safety Tedric Thompson did make the second team.
The goal in this game for Colorado, will not only be to force incompletions, but to limit yards after the catch. Washington has been very good in that area this season and will once again look to create open space in the secondary. If Colorado can close on the ball quickly and prevent the Washington receivers from turning upfield, Colorado has a solid chance to win. If not, the Huskies could run away with this one.
Oct 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Temple Owls running back Jahad Thomas (5) scores a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. the Temple Owls won 46-30. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
American: Jahad Thomas (RB – Temple)
After a rocky start to the season, the Temple Owls have finished the year strong, winning six in-a-row to close out the regular season. Matt Rhule’s club lost to Houston in the American Athletic Conference title game last season, and are looking for revenge against the Naval Academy.
Navy enters this game on a similar hot streak, winning their last four games. Navy features a rushing attack that has scored more touchdowns than any other team in the nation, but it will be the Temple run game that will determine the outcome of this game.
Much like his team, running back Jahad Thomas started the season slow. A left hand injury sidelined him for the first two games this year and it took some time for him to return to 2015 form. Thomas won’t be the biggest back the Midshipmen will face this season, but his agility and elusiveness are enough to keep the chains moving.
That will be key for Temple as the Owls offense will need to extend drives in order to keep their defense rested. There’s no better way to prevent Navy’s triple option from wearing down the Temple defense than to put the ball in the hands of Thomas; both on the ground and through the air.
Sep 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Leon Allen (33) is brought down by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs safety Xavier Woods (7) down the field during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Conference USA: Xavier Woods (SS – Louisiana Tech)
In one of only two rematches from the regular season, Louisiana Tech will travel to Western Kentucky to take on the Hilltoppers. Eight weeks ago, the Bulldogs were the home team and held off a late charge to win 55-52. It was another typical Conference USA shootout with both quarterbacks throwing for five touchdowns.
The reason why Louisiana Tech won the first time around was because the Bulldogs forced two turnovers. With strong safety Xavier Woods lining up all over the field, he’s likely to be in the middle of any forced turnovers. Whether it’s attacking the backfield (he’s second on the team in tackles, tackles for a loss and third in sacks) or playing in coverage (leads team with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups), Woods has been the school’s most reliable defender.
Woods is expected to be a day three selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, but can really help his stock with a solid outing against Western Kentucky. With the NFL continuing to rely on strong passing attacks, there’s a spot at the next level for a player of his caliber.
Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Brantley (57) against the Missouri Tigers during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
SEC: Caleb Brantley (DT – Florida)
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The Gators clinched a berth in the SEC Championship Game by shutting down LSU twice at the one-yard line. If Florida has any hope of beating the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, the interior of the Florida defensive line will have to prevent Alabama from running the ball between the tackles.
With Alex Anzalone out and Jarrad Davis doubtful, the Florida linebacking corps is going to struggle. As a result, the defensive line will have to pick up the slack.
That didn’t happen in last year’s contest when Derrick Henry ran for 189 yards. Alabama’s offensive line dominated the game, pushing around Florida with ease. Even Caleb Brantley, who is the 2017 NFL Draft prospect to watch in this game, was thrown around like a rag doll. In the plays below, Brantley is pushed five yards off the line of scrimmage and then turned away from the running lane to open up the hole.
It’s going to be a long day for Florida fans if this happens again on Saturday. The Gators simply don’t have the firepower on offense to contend in a high-scoring game, so it’s up to the defensive line to move the line of scrimmage into the Alabama backfield.
Sep 3, 2016; Laramie, WY, USA; Wyoming Cowboys quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up before a game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Mountain West: Josh Allen vs. Damontae Kazee
San Diego State has one of the top offenses in the Mountain West thanks to running back Donnel Pumphrey, but the battle to watch will be when the Aztecs are on defense.
Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen is eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft, however after missing most of last season with an injury, he’ll likely return to school next season. If he does, Allen will be one to watch prior to the 2018 draft. The 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore will be tested in this game against an opponent he saw just two weeks ago.
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The Cowboys won that game 34-33 after the Aztecs failed to convert a two-point conversion with no time left on the clock. Allen didn’t play his best game of the season, but he stepped up late in the game to lead Wyoming to a touchdown on their final two drives. The big question leading up to this game is will Allen challenge San Diego State’s star cornerback Damontae Kazee.
Allen primarily focused his throws away from Kazee in the first game, and it’s a safe bet the same is going to happen this time around. Kazee is the back-to-back Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and someone who should rise in the draft process due to his athletic ability. His size, 5-foot-10, will prevent him from rising into the first couple of rounds, but he’ll be an option for teams starting in round three.
If Allen does decide to test Kazee, no matter how many times throughout the game, he better be sure to put the ball where only his receiver can get to it. If not, Kazee will make him pay.
Apr 11, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the Clemson spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
ACC: Mike Williams vs. Brandon Facyson
After suffering a scary neck injury in last year’s opener which caused him to miss the season, Clemson wideout Mike Williams has been tormenting cornerbacks ever since he returned. He’ll look to continue to do so against an underrated prospect from Virginia Tech.
Brandon Facyson burst onto the scene as a freshman back in 2013, but has taken a step back over the past few seasons. After picking off five passes as a freshman, Facyson has yet to intercept a pass since. The statistic itself won’t hurt his 2017 NFL Draft stock, but the film will. He possessed a very good plant and drive towards the football as a freshman, but has lost a step. A serious shin injury and a broken leg may have something to do with that, and will cause evaluators to drop his coverage grade.
Williams should run a high 4.4 or low 4.5 at the Combine, but his route-running ability is what allows him to create separation. Facyson is going to have to combat that by pressing him at the line and throwing off the timing between Williams and quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Clemson has plenty of other targets in the passing game, but the scouts will zero in on this matchup between two prospects who will be off the board by the end of day two of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Apr 23, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers Linebackers Vince Biegel (47) and T.J. Edwards (53) and Chris Orr (50) and Jack Cichy (48) and T.J. Watt (42) pose during the Wisconsin spring football game at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Network
Big Ten: Outside Linebackers
This game won’t receive nearly the hype that the Michigan–Ohio State game received, but the conference championship will be on the line. In a game featuring “Linebacker U” it’s only fitting that the prospects to watch are in fact the linebackers.
Penn State and Wisconsin weren’t supposed to be in this game. The Nittany Lions were picked to finish fourth in the East prior to the season, while the Badgers were projected to finish third in the West. Both teams defied the odds and are now on a collision course for the Big Ten title. With Wisconsin currently ranked sixth and Penn State seventh in the penultimate College Football Playoff poll, both teams are on the outside looking in.
If either team is going to jump into the top four, it’s going to take an Ohio State type of performance. The Buckeyes were outside of the top four two years ago, but moved up to number four by beating Wisconsin 59-0. Ohio State would go on to win the national title that season. In order for either team to pitch a shutout, the linebackers are going to have to play lights out.
Both schools lost a key contributor at LB this season with Jack Cichy of Wisconsin and Penn State’s Nyeem Wartman-White out for the season. Fortunately for both schools, they have the depth to overcome an injury to the second level of the defense.
One of these linebackers are going to make a play to win the game. It could be Vince Biegel or T.J. Watt of Wisconsin, or Brandon Bell of Penn State. The NFL will be watching to see who steps up when the spotlight is on.