Titans Fan Guide: A Slowdown Saturday Edition

There are several big games across the country. Which prospects will show up and stand out for the teams? Which prospects won’t?

#2 Georgia at #13 LSU 3:30 PM CBS

- The second ranked Bulldogs travel to hostile Baton Rouge to play the CBS game. LSU is smarting off a heartbreaking loss to the hated Gators last week while UGA comfortably handled Vanderbilt at home. Can the Bayou Bengals muster enough offense to keep up with the Dogs speedsters on offense? Can the home crowd play a factor in holding the Dawgs at bay? Expect Georgia to win in a close one. Which top cornerback prospect will show up?

Georgia prospects to watch

1. Deandre Baker 5’11 180 CB Senior

- Baker is one of the best cornerback prospects in this year’s class. He’s always around the ball it seems. Plays hard every play. Has a tendency to get beat badly on 9 routes due to some athleticism issues. Opposing QBs can bait him into being too aggressive at times.

2. Mecole Hardman 5’10 183 WR Junior

- He’s arguably one of the fastest receivers in the country. A big play specialist for the Dogs offense. Could be something special as a slot receiver at the next level.

3. Terry Godwin 5’11 185 WR Senior

- The go to weapon for QB Jake Fromm. Has a habit of making incredible catches out of nowhere. Excellent blocker when asked to do it. Technically sound as a route runner. Not the best athlete at receiver but has just enough speed.

4. J.R. Reed 6’0 195 S RS Junior

- The fearless leader of the secondary. Fundamentally sound as most defenders are under HC Kirby Smart and DC Mel Tucker. Knows how to wrap up and make the right reads in pass coverage. Ideally suited for a box safety role at the next level.

5. D’Andre Walker 6’2 240 EDGE Senior

- Walker has been a revelation this season as he’s the leading force off the edge for the Dogs. Work ethic is a plus. Frame is another. He’s very well coached. Finally showing out as a senior after sitting behind major NFL talent.

LSU prospects to watch

1. Greedy Williams 6’1 182 CB RS Sophomore

- Williams has the speed and athleticism thing down pat along with the height. Lateral agility is a major plus. Can keep up with any receiver in the nation. Consistency is a major issue at times.

2. Devin White 6’0 240 LB Junior

- Next man up to take the star linebacker turn in Baton Rouge before going pro. White has had a solid junior season thus far. He’s now the leader of the defense. White has flashed a ton this season, racking up the stats.

3. Grant Delpit 6’3 203 S Sophomore

- Delpit has been a surprise this season for the Tigers. He’s one of the best safeties in the nation, regardless of class and will be firmly on the radar as a junior next year. A ball hawk with sound fundamentals. Size isn’t a question. Keep an eye out for him in 2019. He’s #good.

#22 Texas A&M at South Carolina 3:30 PM SEC Network

- The Aggies travel to Columbia after winning a close battle with SEC Cinderella Kentucky last week. The Gamecocks are coming off a close win against Missouri that featured multiple lightning delays and a monsoon or three. Both teams need a win to keep pace in the ever frenetic SEC. Which offense will show up? Can the Gamecocks hold on with a middling offense against Jimbo and company?

Texas A&M prospect to watch

1. Daylon Mack 6’0 320 DL Senior

- Mack is finally a senior this year. Hasn’t really lived up to his five star billing but that could be placed at the feet of an incompetent coaching staff. Has been a breath of fresh air as a senior thus far under the tutelage of DC Mike Elko. A physical force in the middle of the line. Underrated athlete. Power is the name of his game.

2. Trayveon Williams 5’9 200 RB Junior

- Williams is an experienced SEC back that can catch out of the backfield with the best of them. He has the athleticism and an improved vision to see the angles and holes opening up. Has picked up injuries here and there on a consistent basis.

South Carolina prospects to watch

1. Deebo Samuel 5’11 215 WR RS Senior

- Deebo is one of the most dynamic athletes at receiver in the nation. He’s South Carolina’s version of Percy Harvin. A do it all weapon for the Gamecocks that also returns kicks. Above average route runner. Quicker than fast. A guy who is willing to out tough the defender for a contested ball despite being 5’11. Profiles similarly to Kendall Wright.

2. Bryan Edwards 6’2 205 WR Junior

- One of the best receivers in the SEC that hardly anyone talks about due to his teammate Samuel. He’s a physical force of nature that can go up and get it. A solid athlete that can stretch defenses vertically if needed.

Missouri at #1 Alabama 7 PM ESPN

- The Tigers are the latest speed bump err opponent in the Tua Tour. Just maybe this is the week he gets to experience what the fourth quarter feels like. Mizzou has lost two games in a row and will likely make it three in a row after this weekend. Bama is coming off a usual Bama like performance against hapless Arkansas. I’m sure Nick Saban will find something negative to drill his guys with after the game. So Bama students, please show up. Please?

Missouri prospect to watch

1. Drew Lock 6’3 225 QB Senior

- Lock does have the strongest arm in the class. The deep ball is a major plus. Pocket awareness is somewhat decent. Arm is NFL ready. Can make every throw in the book. Nice quick and compact delivery. No wasted motion. Above average athlete that can make things happen on the move. What is his biggest negative? In a word, consistency. When it goes bad, it’s all over the place. He doesn’t have any touch at times and solely relies on his fastball to get through. Many of his throws were of the where the in the world are you throwing variety. He profiles as a Jake Locker or a Blaine Gabbert.

Alabama prospects to watch

1. Ross Pierschbacher 6’3 304 OL RS Senior

- One of the best guard prospects in the country moved to center as a senior. He has been pretty solid as the center of the Tide OL. Character and work ethic are major pluses. A mauler type with some high level technique in his arsenal. He would fit in nicely in Nashville given the Titans’ interior OL issues.

2. Jonah Williams 6’5 301 OT Junior

- One of the best tackles in the nation. The starter at left tackle. Footwork and anchor are elite. Technician. Has the prerequisite size and strength to make it to the next level. Should come out as a junior. Nothing more to see here, folks.

3. Deionte Thompson 6’2 194 S RS Junior

- The next man up for a woefully inexperienced Tide secondary. He’s the leader with only six starts to his name. Could he be the next Ronnie Harrison aka the guy no one knows about but will get drafted anyway?

4. Isaiah Buggs 6’4 292 DL Senior

- The next guy up in the defensive trenches. He had an outstanding junior campaign in 2017 and has been impressive this year thus far. Raekwon Davis rightly gets all the attention but Buggs deserves some press as well. He’s seriously talented and should be a first round pick.

#15 Wisconsin at #12 Michigan 7:30 PM ABC

- The Badgers go into Ann Arbor to take on a suddenly resurgent Wolverines offensive unit. The Badgers OL is chock full of NFL ready prospects ready to do battle against NFL talent on the defensive line for Michigan. It will be an interesting chess match to watch between these two teams. Also interesting: which defensive mastermind will show up? The Master (Don Brown) or the Young Prodigy (Jim Leonhard)?

Wisconsin prospect to watch

1. Jonathan Taylor 6’0 205 RB Sophomore

- He is in the conversation for being the best back in the 2020 class. Burst onto the scene in a freshman campaign that saw him rush for 2000 yards and threaten Barry Sanders’ all time single season record. It can be argued that he’s the best back in this year’s class as well.

Michigan prospects to watch

1. Rashan Gary 6’4 281 DL Junior

- Gary was the number one ranked recruit in his class. He’s a beast inside and should have a nice year in 2018 before he likely declares early. One of the best defensive tackles in the country in a really loaded draft eligible class.

2. Devin Bush, Jr 5’11 222 LB Junior

- Bush is a force to be reckoned with in both the middle and outside. He’s undersized for the position but is very fundamentally sound. A bowling ball of energy.

3. Karan Higdon 5’9 190 RB Senior

- One of the more underrated running back prospects in the nation. Has had a decent senior year thus far. He’s a solid threat to score from anywhere on the field but prefers to grind away on tough carries. Not the most experienced as a senior. Size questions will abound at the next level.

#19 Colorado at USC 10:30 PM FS1

- The Buffs are back in Los Angeles to cement themselves as a legit contender in the Pac-12 South division. The Trojans are very inconsistent much like their true freshman QB JT Daniels. USC is probably a year or two away from competing thanks to their youth. Colorado can take firm control of the South with a win. Pac-12 After Dark.

Colorado prospect to watch

1. Laviska Shenault, Jr. 6’2 220 WR Sophomore

- Shenault is staking a claim to be WR1 for next year’s draft class this season. He’s the Buffs do everything weapon on offense. He’s played receiver, running back, and a little quarterback. An electric athlete. Has taken the country by storm this year. Odds on favorite to win the Biletnikoff Trophy.

USC prospects to watch

1. Cameron Smith 6’1 250 LB Senior

- Smith is finally a senior after what seems like a lengthy career in LA. One of the best inside linebackers in the class. Football IQ is a plus. Athleticism is a plus as well. The medical history isn’t a good one to say the least. He missed a ton of time with a knee injury during his career. The heartbeat of the Trojans defense.

2. Iman Marshall 6’0 205 CB Senior

- It’s somewhat surprising that Biggie is still at USC as he could’ve been drafted pretty early as a junior. Athleticism is a huge plus. Work ethic and character are pluses as well. Has the speed and agility to keep up with the fastest receivers. Should be in for a big year.

3. Porter Gustin 6’4 255 EDGE RS Junior

- Underrated athlete as an edge rusher. He’s a veteran edge rusher that has seen a lot of offensive schemes to go against. Technically inefficient. Should be a mid round pick next year but wouldn’t be surprised if he came back either.

4. Marvell Tell 6’2 195 S Senior

- Tell is one of the best safety prospects in the conference that has some pretty solid talent. His game is better suited at box safety than as a pass defender. Physical presence at the point of attack. Fundamentals are somewhat there but very inconsistent.

Bonus games to watch

#7 Washington at #17 Oregon 3:30 PM ABC/ESPN2

- QB1 Justin Herbert against the Huskies’ talented defense.

#10 UCF at Memphis 3:30 PM ABC/ESPN2

- The reigning national champions take on a Memphis squad led by standout RB Darrell Henderson.

#6 West Virginia at Iowa State 7 PM FS1

- Heisman candidate QB Will Grier meets RB3 David Montgomery in Ames.

Wyoming at Fresno State 10:30 PM ESPNU

- Wyoming DE Carl Granderson is getting some early round buzz out west.

Where are the Titans scouts this weekend?