Post by Uncle on Dec 30, 2021 16:30:15 GMT -6
The College Semifinals are nearly upon us, and for anyone watching the games purely for reviewing 2022 Draft prospects, both games are littered with them. Even if the game are complete blowouts in favor of the SEC teams, you can at least watch certain prospects and get a feel for how they do in a bigtime game environment vs other NFL-level talent.
Prospects to watch - College Semifinal #1: Cincinnati vs Alabama - 3:30PM ET
Cincinnati:
- QB Desmond Ridder: #56 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; out of the Top 6 QB's in the 2022 Draft (Corral, Willis, Howell, Strong, Pickett, Ridder), I believe Ridder is currently viewed near the bottom of that list, in the Day 2 range similar to Mond/Trask/Mills from the 2021 Draft. That narrative can change throughout the pre-Draft process, and if Ridder shows-out in the CFP. Alabama's defense isn't what it once was, but they still have talent on that side and Ridder will be under fire. I thought he played decent on a big stage last bowl season vs Georgia in the Peach Bowl and I'd like to see him respond again here. What he needs to improve on is his decision-making - both pre-snap and post-snap; he's not going to be afforded the luxury of time in the pocket as 'Bama DL will move Cincy's OL right back into his lap, so his decisions will be crucial.
- RB Jerome Ford: actually began career at Alabama and transferred to Cincinnati before 2020 season. Broke a big TD run in the Peach Bowl game vs Georgia last year and had several big runs late in the season in critical matchups down the stretch. Not too much of a receiver, but despite being somewhat of a "bigger" RB at 220lbs, he does have breakaway speed to take it to the house. He's going to be a solid addition to any RB room in the NFL, IMO, and would look good in purple, too. Solid mid-Rd option.
- WR Alec Pierce: #46 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; I've been calling him Adam Thielen 2.0 for a while now. Great size, great hands, good route-runner, good at contested catches, good speed/athleticism, blocks and plays ST, etc. Pierce is a WR prospect that doesn't have much national attention now but he probably will throughout the Draft process. I was thinking he's be an excellent pickup for the Vikes in Round 3 or 4, but I expect him to probably jump up to Round 2, even in another deep WR group.
- TE Josh Whyle: very athletic TE prospect that perhaps is a little "lean" for NFL standards - he's 6'6" and 235-ish, but he has room to add muscle-mass. He had a poor start to his career, but broke out in 2020 (along with every one else for the Bearcats). Due to the leaner frame, he's not the best blocker - it'll be interesting to see how he does blocking SEC DE's/LB's like Will Anderson & Christian Harris who are stronger. While the Vikes do need a blocking TE, Whyle could be a developmental in-line TE behind Irv Smith Jr in 2022.
- DE Myjai Sanders: #20 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; has the prototypical 4-3 DE size at 6'5" and 250+ lbs, but I think he plays "leaner" than that. He does have a great 1st step off the edge and does have some bend, but after a breakout 2020 season, I think he had a down year in 2021. He doesn't play all 3 downs from what I saw this year, isn't the best in run support (something we need because our depth DE's aren't good there either) and takes plays off. He didn't have much of a presence in the Peach Bowl vs Georgia last year when going against SEC lineman so let's see if he can rebound this year. He'll inevitably be going up against Top 5 OT prospect Evan Neal at some point so there's no better time to get some great reps on tape for the scouts.
- LB Darrian Beavers: did you like Zaven Collins (Tulsa) during the last Draft cycle? Beavers is basically 2.0. A big, physical LB with a great feel for the game. I thought he had a really good Peach Bowl vs Georgia last year (7 solo tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack). I'm not sure about his pass coverage abilities but because Cincinnati runs a 3-3-5, he's had experience at multiple positions (MIKE, SAM, WILL) and different looks (zone, pass-rush, etc). He's a bigtime swiss-army knife at the LB position and I'd love to have him in purple as he has instant starter written all over him. There are 3 LB that I love heading into the 2022 Draft and I'd love to add 1 of them: Devin Lloyd (Utah), Chad Muma (Wyoming) and Beavers.
- CB Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner: has had starting experience since FR season and hasn't allowed a single TD in his college career, I believe - something that will definitely be put to the test going against Jameson Williams. Has the prototypical size and speed to be a shutdown outside CB in the NFL, but he's not much of a tackler, IMO. From the games I saw, the ball doesn't get thrown his way so it's hard to determine how good he is...but that'll change vs 'Bama and we'll get to see if "Sauce" is 1st Rd material.
- CB Coby Bryant: the "other" CB opposite Gardner is actually a solid CB in his own right. He's 6'2" and 185 lbs so a bit "lean", but like Gardner, he's started all 4 years at Cincy and has had a real good 2021. Had an INT vs Georgia in last year's Peach Bowl. Probably a middle round option if the Vikings don't look at CB in the early rounds.
- S Bryan Cook: I thought the Peach Bowl game vs Georgia last year was his coming out party: James Wiggins couldn't play (Wiggins was a 2021 prospect) so Cook stepped in and I thought he had a great game. He was all over the place in coverage and making some key tackles. I think he may need a bit more development but he should be a Rd 4/Rd 5 option that should contribute in ST right away and be a key S depth piece.
Alabama
- OT Evan Neal: #1 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; a consensus Top 5 pick in the 2022 Draft and probably on his way to protect Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville if Houston/Detroit get the first 2 picks. Not much to say here that hasn't already been said and the Vikes will have no shot at him.
- OG Emil Ekiyor Jr: typical 'Bama OG; he's a mid-Rd prospect due to limited athleticism and is probably backup/depth for a team running power/gap schemes.
- TE Jahleel Billingsley: similar to Whyle from Cincinnati, Billingsley is an in-line TE prospect moreso than a blocking TE. I think Billingsley probably has more blocking prowess coming from the 'Bama offense where their TE's are definitely tasked with blocking (if they don't, they grab pine). From watching early 'Bama games this year, I thought Billingsley was one of Young's safety nets, but I think he got caught in Saban's doghouse somehow because there's been stretches where he hasn't seen the field. I think he might be in-line for a big game without Metchie III in there and will be a big test for Cincy LB Beavers.
- WR Jameson Williams: Ohio St transfer and WR1 in 'Bama and projected 1st Rd pick in the 2022 Draft. He can take a bubble or tunnel screen and turn it into a big play, but he also has Z-WR deep passing ability, too. It says something when you walk into Alabama's WR room and become WR1. It will be fun watching him vs "Sauce" Gardner and/or Coby Bryant.
- DT Phidarian Mathis: typical 4-star 'Bama DT; never really stood out too much; more run-stuffer than pass-rusher, although 'Bama did give up rushing yards this season. Long gone are the days of great 'Bama DT's. He's probably a mid-Rd DT depth piece for someone needing a NT or 1T. The problem for Cincy is that he's probably one of the best DT's their OL has seen all year so he might get some production from this game.
- LB Christian Harris: #27 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; I was real high on him coming out of 2020 but he's had a real clunker of a 2021 season and I think his stock has dropped. He doesn't look quick like he used too and I don't see nearly enough pressure on the QB like he had in previous seasons. I'm also not sure how good he can cover, either and I'd rather take Lloyd, Muma or Beavers over Harris at this point. If he's there in the 4th or 5th perhaps, but someone will scoop him up in the late 2nd or in the 3rd I'm sure.
- LB Henry To’o To’o: I'd rather have To'o To'o over Harris if I had a choice between the two. To'o To'o is smaller at 6'2" and 225 lbs, but he's more athletic and that sideline-to-sideline LB type that NFL teams love to have these days. He's more of a playmaker than run-thumper, although I think he's a good tackler, too. Former blue-chip Top 50 prospect that started at Tennessee, he's probably a much better Surratt type pick in the late 2nd to early/mid 3rd.
- CB Josh Jobe: really nothing special about Jobe; "Ok" CB prospect and hasn't stood out too much. There are much better mid-Rd (early Day 3) CB prospects than Jobe, IMO. *UPDATE*: Jobe will not be playing in this game.
- S Jordan Battle: I'm not as high on Battle as some draft experts are; I do love his size at 6'1" and a nicely built 210 lbs and I do think he's good in run support, but I've seen him get burned more often than I'd prefer coming from the 'Bama system. Like Jobe, I think there are other DB prospects I would look to starting in Rd 2/3 than Battle - the CB and S classes are both pretty deep in 2022, IMO.
Prospects to watch - College Semifinal #1: Cincinnati vs Alabama - 3:30PM ET
Cincinnati:
- QB Desmond Ridder: #56 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; out of the Top 6 QB's in the 2022 Draft (Corral, Willis, Howell, Strong, Pickett, Ridder), I believe Ridder is currently viewed near the bottom of that list, in the Day 2 range similar to Mond/Trask/Mills from the 2021 Draft. That narrative can change throughout the pre-Draft process, and if Ridder shows-out in the CFP. Alabama's defense isn't what it once was, but they still have talent on that side and Ridder will be under fire. I thought he played decent on a big stage last bowl season vs Georgia in the Peach Bowl and I'd like to see him respond again here. What he needs to improve on is his decision-making - both pre-snap and post-snap; he's not going to be afforded the luxury of time in the pocket as 'Bama DL will move Cincy's OL right back into his lap, so his decisions will be crucial.
- RB Jerome Ford: actually began career at Alabama and transferred to Cincinnati before 2020 season. Broke a big TD run in the Peach Bowl game vs Georgia last year and had several big runs late in the season in critical matchups down the stretch. Not too much of a receiver, but despite being somewhat of a "bigger" RB at 220lbs, he does have breakaway speed to take it to the house. He's going to be a solid addition to any RB room in the NFL, IMO, and would look good in purple, too. Solid mid-Rd option.
- WR Alec Pierce: #46 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; I've been calling him Adam Thielen 2.0 for a while now. Great size, great hands, good route-runner, good at contested catches, good speed/athleticism, blocks and plays ST, etc. Pierce is a WR prospect that doesn't have much national attention now but he probably will throughout the Draft process. I was thinking he's be an excellent pickup for the Vikes in Round 3 or 4, but I expect him to probably jump up to Round 2, even in another deep WR group.
- TE Josh Whyle: very athletic TE prospect that perhaps is a little "lean" for NFL standards - he's 6'6" and 235-ish, but he has room to add muscle-mass. He had a poor start to his career, but broke out in 2020 (along with every one else for the Bearcats). Due to the leaner frame, he's not the best blocker - it'll be interesting to see how he does blocking SEC DE's/LB's like Will Anderson & Christian Harris who are stronger. While the Vikes do need a blocking TE, Whyle could be a developmental in-line TE behind Irv Smith Jr in 2022.
- DE Myjai Sanders: #20 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; has the prototypical 4-3 DE size at 6'5" and 250+ lbs, but I think he plays "leaner" than that. He does have a great 1st step off the edge and does have some bend, but after a breakout 2020 season, I think he had a down year in 2021. He doesn't play all 3 downs from what I saw this year, isn't the best in run support (something we need because our depth DE's aren't good there either) and takes plays off. He didn't have much of a presence in the Peach Bowl vs Georgia last year when going against SEC lineman so let's see if he can rebound this year. He'll inevitably be going up against Top 5 OT prospect Evan Neal at some point so there's no better time to get some great reps on tape for the scouts.
- LB Darrian Beavers: did you like Zaven Collins (Tulsa) during the last Draft cycle? Beavers is basically 2.0. A big, physical LB with a great feel for the game. I thought he had a really good Peach Bowl vs Georgia last year (7 solo tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack). I'm not sure about his pass coverage abilities but because Cincinnati runs a 3-3-5, he's had experience at multiple positions (MIKE, SAM, WILL) and different looks (zone, pass-rush, etc). He's a bigtime swiss-army knife at the LB position and I'd love to have him in purple as he has instant starter written all over him. There are 3 LB that I love heading into the 2022 Draft and I'd love to add 1 of them: Devin Lloyd (Utah), Chad Muma (Wyoming) and Beavers.
- CB Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner: has had starting experience since FR season and hasn't allowed a single TD in his college career, I believe - something that will definitely be put to the test going against Jameson Williams. Has the prototypical size and speed to be a shutdown outside CB in the NFL, but he's not much of a tackler, IMO. From the games I saw, the ball doesn't get thrown his way so it's hard to determine how good he is...but that'll change vs 'Bama and we'll get to see if "Sauce" is 1st Rd material.
- CB Coby Bryant: the "other" CB opposite Gardner is actually a solid CB in his own right. He's 6'2" and 185 lbs so a bit "lean", but like Gardner, he's started all 4 years at Cincy and has had a real good 2021. Had an INT vs Georgia in last year's Peach Bowl. Probably a middle round option if the Vikings don't look at CB in the early rounds.
- S Bryan Cook: I thought the Peach Bowl game vs Georgia last year was his coming out party: James Wiggins couldn't play (Wiggins was a 2021 prospect) so Cook stepped in and I thought he had a great game. He was all over the place in coverage and making some key tackles. I think he may need a bit more development but he should be a Rd 4/Rd 5 option that should contribute in ST right away and be a key S depth piece.
Alabama
- OT Evan Neal: #1 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; a consensus Top 5 pick in the 2022 Draft and probably on his way to protect Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville if Houston/Detroit get the first 2 picks. Not much to say here that hasn't already been said and the Vikes will have no shot at him.
- OG Emil Ekiyor Jr: typical 'Bama OG; he's a mid-Rd prospect due to limited athleticism and is probably backup/depth for a team running power/gap schemes.
- TE Jahleel Billingsley: similar to Whyle from Cincinnati, Billingsley is an in-line TE prospect moreso than a blocking TE. I think Billingsley probably has more blocking prowess coming from the 'Bama offense where their TE's are definitely tasked with blocking (if they don't, they grab pine). From watching early 'Bama games this year, I thought Billingsley was one of Young's safety nets, but I think he got caught in Saban's doghouse somehow because there's been stretches where he hasn't seen the field. I think he might be in-line for a big game without Metchie III in there and will be a big test for Cincy LB Beavers.
- WR Jameson Williams: Ohio St transfer and WR1 in 'Bama and projected 1st Rd pick in the 2022 Draft. He can take a bubble or tunnel screen and turn it into a big play, but he also has Z-WR deep passing ability, too. It says something when you walk into Alabama's WR room and become WR1. It will be fun watching him vs "Sauce" Gardner and/or Coby Bryant.
- DT Phidarian Mathis: typical 4-star 'Bama DT; never really stood out too much; more run-stuffer than pass-rusher, although 'Bama did give up rushing yards this season. Long gone are the days of great 'Bama DT's. He's probably a mid-Rd DT depth piece for someone needing a NT or 1T. The problem for Cincy is that he's probably one of the best DT's their OL has seen all year so he might get some production from this game.
- LB Christian Harris: #27 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; I was real high on him coming out of 2020 but he's had a real clunker of a 2021 season and I think his stock has dropped. He doesn't look quick like he used too and I don't see nearly enough pressure on the QB like he had in previous seasons. I'm also not sure how good he can cover, either and I'd rather take Lloyd, Muma or Beavers over Harris at this point. If he's there in the 4th or 5th perhaps, but someone will scoop him up in the late 2nd or in the 3rd I'm sure.
- LB Henry To’o To’o: I'd rather have To'o To'o over Harris if I had a choice between the two. To'o To'o is smaller at 6'2" and 225 lbs, but he's more athletic and that sideline-to-sideline LB type that NFL teams love to have these days. He's more of a playmaker than run-thumper, although I think he's a good tackler, too. Former blue-chip Top 50 prospect that started at Tennessee, he's probably a much better Surratt type pick in the late 2nd to early/mid 3rd.
- CB Josh Jobe: really nothing special about Jobe; "Ok" CB prospect and hasn't stood out too much. There are much better mid-Rd (early Day 3) CB prospects than Jobe, IMO. *UPDATE*: Jobe will not be playing in this game.
- S Jordan Battle: I'm not as high on Battle as some draft experts are; I do love his size at 6'1" and a nicely built 210 lbs and I do think he's good in run support, but I've seen him get burned more often than I'd prefer coming from the 'Bama system. Like Jobe, I think there are other DB prospects I would look to starting in Rd 2/3 than Battle - the CB and S classes are both pretty deep in 2022, IMO.
... and neither is this Chris guy.