Week six of the 2020 NFL Draft spotlight series features a big game for a top quarterback and an SEC bout full of match-ups.
When it comes to quarterback prospects, scouts often point to a signature game. Last year, before Justin Herbert decided to return to school, many believed his signature game was his performance against Stanford.
This week, a potential 2020 draft pick has a chance to really raise his stock and make a signature game out of it. Utah State quarterback Jordan Love has had an up-and-down season so far, with some bad interceptions and some ‘wow’ throws out of structure. All that could change this week.
Elsewhere this week, and flurry of SEC and Pac 12 prospects to keep an eye on.
Utah State quarterback Jordan Love vs. LSU
This one is the big one, mostly because of the position under the spotlight. As stated above, this could be Jordan Love’s chance to really win over scouts and draft analysts alike in a game against a top college team.
If you’ve followed the FanSided NFL Draft page, you know about Love’s strengths and weaknesses. He has that quick release and strong arm, and also possesses great touch and accuracy to all levels of the field. Love also knows when he needs touch and when he needs the laser. His one fatal flaw right now is processing before and right after the snap. He locks on too quick and this nature turns into interceptions. Can Love be patient and work through progressions and not make mistakes? Time will tell.
LSU has an excellent playmaker to make things difficult for Love in Grant Delpit. It will be fun to watch where LSU’s coaching staff puts Delpit and how they might use him to confuse Love. His ball-hawking nature provides plenty of challenge for Love.
The other name to watch in LSU’s secondary, Kristian Fulton, is a great cover corner, and if Love tests him, he will need to put throws on the money. It will also be interesting to see Fulton go up against sophomore speedster Devin Thompkins.
Let’s not forget about Joe Burrow in this one. Burrow is the fastest riser in the class so far this season, and another strong performance out-dueling Love will speak volumes for him. Let’s see how he does in a chess match with Utah State linebacker David Woodward, another riser so far this year.
Auburn vs. Florida
This is the game of the week for college football’s sake. Two top 10 teams going to battle in The Swamp. This game has no shortage of NFL talent in it, plus it has a great match-up in the trenches.
Florida features a couple of edge rushers who have risen up boards this year. Jabari Zuniga gets back to the field this week, and he is in some top 50s around the league. Johnathan Greenard has also shown some pass-rushing prowess. The best thing about Zuniga is his quick first step and versatility to play in multiple spots on the defensive line. He also has good strength and hands. The same goes for Greenard. Greenard has shown he has multiple moves in his arsenal and get around the arc with some urgency.
They go up against Prince Tega Wanogho and Jack Driscoll, two tackles who are valued in the top first few rounds right now. Wanogho is a good athlete who is excellent at handling power rushers who have a strong first strike. He stays balanced and can handle rushers for an extended time. Driscoll, on the other hand, lacks some technique to his game but finds a way to make it work, especially by getting speed rushers up the field too far.
Can Wanogho handle the speed of Zuniga? Can Driscoll handle Greenard’s moves? We will get to see plenty of these four.
Don’t forget C.J. Henderson is returning this week and Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown should have a very good game once again.
#Pac12AfterDark
A couple big Pac 12 games have some big 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch.
Jacob Eason and the Washington Huskies take on Stanford this weekend, who still has a solid defense in the conference. Can Eason continue his hot streak? Finding both Aaron Fuller and Hunter Bryant should be in the gameplan. Speaking of Fuller, it will be great to see his quickness and ability at the catch point (especially for a smaller receiver) against the likes of Paulson Adebo and his physicality. Can Adebo rebound throughout Pac 12 play?
The other big game is Oregon vs. California. Justin Herbert gets a strong test in this California defense, which gave Eason some headaches. Cal has strong secondary prospects, from Camryn Bynum to Ashtyn Davis. Can Bynum hang with transfer Juwan Johnson? It should be an extremely physical match-up. Herbert has succeeded in finding his tight end, Jacob Breeland, these past couple weeks. It’s possible that the Bears shade Davis on Breeland for a significant portion of the game. Can Herbert go win this one?
Around the nation
I think it’s important to note the group of prospects going head-to-head in Columbus. Kenny Willekes has been very productive so far this season on the edge. Can he get to Justin Fields and affect the Ohio State offense? Also, can Joe Bachie get through blocks and take smart angles against Buckeyes running back J.K. Dobbins? On the outside, Josiah Scott will likely line up against K.J. Hill and Binjimen Victor at some points.
Also, that Chase Young guy is pretty good. You may want to watch him. How much can he affect Brian Lewerke, and will his pressure make Lewerke hear footsteps all evening?
Going back to the SEC, Andrew Thomas gets a little more of a test this week, seeing Tennessee edge rusher Darrell Taylor. Will Taylor’s speed be an issue for the draft’s top tackle?
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