Titans Fan Guide: Rivalry Week! Edition

Who are the top prospects and where are they playing this week?

#10 Ohio State at #18 Michigan State NOON FOX

- The Buckeyes need a win to keep hope alive in the Big Ten East division. Michigan State just needs a win period to feel good about themselves. Sparty needs to win out and hope for Michigan to falter to get the division. Can the Buckeyes right the ship in time for a critical showdown against Michigan?

Ohio State prospects to watch

1. Dre’Mont Jones 6’2 295 DL RS Junior

- A disruptive force in the interior of the defensive line. Pass rush ability is a plus. Holds up well at the point of attack. Lateral agility is among the best in the country. Fundamentally sound as most Buckeye DL are under the tutelage of Larry Johnson, Sr.

2. Dwayne Haskins 6’2 214 QB RS Sophomore

- A legit Heisman contender that waited for his turn until this year. He’s blown up immensely with multiple touchdown games both running and passing. A plus arm. Inexperience will show at times with some silly throws. A much better passer than JT Barrett.

3. Isaiah Prince 6’6 310 OT Senior

- The man in charge of blocking the blind side for Mr. Haskins. Is one of the better tackle prospects in the country that no one talks about. Shows a remarkable ability in the short areas. Footwork is not a plus nor a negative either. Middle round type that could develop into a starter at the next level.

4. Parris Campbell 6’0 208 WR Senior

- Solid athlete that should test well at the Combine. The Buckeyes’ leader in the relatively untested receiver room. A deep threat that can run some routes pretty well. Developed into a star as a senior thus far.

Michigan State prospect to watch

1. Brian Lewerke 6’2 212 QB RS Junior

- Coming into the season, he was hyped to be one of the better quarterback prospects in the country but the season hasn’t played out that way. Has struggled some in all facets. He has enough arm talent to make all the throws. Athletic enough in the pocket to manipulate the defender into a lull to open up his receivers and/or run for it. Has struggled some in 2018 so far.

#16 Mississippi State at #1 Alabama 3:30 PM CBS

- If you love defensive line play, this game is for you. Multiple early round talents are on the field today for both sides. Alabama has already clinched the SEC West but needs to get Tua right before the big games coming up. The Tide dominated LSU to the tune of a 29-0 shutout last week. State handled Louisiana Tech pretty well last week and is bowl eligible. Can the Bulldogs keep it competitive for more than 2 quarters with basically a triple option offense?

Mississippi State prospects to watch

1. Montez Sweat 6’5 241 EDGE Senior

- A fundamentally sound pass and run defender. Athleticism is a plus. Character and work ethic are a plus as well. He has a case of being the best edge rusher in the class. Has posted a monstrous 9.5 sacks to go with 36 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss.

2. Jeffery Simmons 6’3 301 DT Junior

- He’s one of the best defensive tackles in the country and should declare as a junior. A beast in the middle that can impact games. A power game. Capable pass rusher with an arsenal of moves. He has 42 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss.

Alabama prospects to watch

1. Quinnen Williams 6’3 285 DL RS Sophomore

- Another week, another dominant performance. Q is that dude this year. He’s been making a run at being the best defensive tackle in the country. Has a bevy of pass rush moves in his arsenal. Holds up well in the point of attack. He dominated LSU’s OL. The third leading tackler on the team with 43 to go along with 4 sacks.

2. Jonah Williams 6’5 301 OT Junior

- The best tackle prospect in the nation. The franchise 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. 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. Buggs is the team team leader in sacks with 9.

4. Mack Wilson 6’0 231 LB Junior

- Rashaan Evans who? Wilson is that good. Can play both outside and inside but I see him sticking outside at the next level. Had a nifty leaping interception in the end zone to snuff out an LSU scoring attempt at the end. Fifth on the team in tackles.

Oklahoma State at #6 Oklahoma 3:30 PM ABC

• Bedlam! It doesn’t have the spice from previous years but it can play a role in the playoff race. Oklahoma State is coming off a heartbreaking last second loss to Baylor. Oklahoma is coming off a late win against Texas Tech. Expect 0 defense as usual.

Oklahoma State prospect to watch

1. Justice Hill 5’10 190 RB Junior

- Hill is the main guy on the Cowboys offense as a junior after waiting his turn behind Mason Rudolph and the receivers. He’s one of the best backs in the nation. Lateral agility is a plus. Vision is up there with the best.

2. Tylan Wallace 6’0 185 WR Sophomore

- A contender for WR1 in 2019 has emerged in Stillwater. Wallace is the heir apparent to James Washington. Though not as technically gifted as a route runner as Washington is, Wallace is a burner. He blew up against Texas a few weeks ago.

Oklahoma prospects to watch

1. Bobby Evans 6’5 299 OT RS Junior

- He has stepped in seamlessly for current Baltimore Raven Orlando Brown and the Sooners offense hasn’t skipped a beat. One of the better tackles in the country. Athleticism is a plus. Footwork is solid.

2. Marquise Brown 5’10 168 WR Junior

- “Hollywood” is having a breakout junior campaign that has a lot of people turning heads. He’s a speed demon. Used all over the place in the offense. Lateral agility and quickness is elite. Frame is questionable however. He needs to put on some weight.

#24 Auburn at #5 Georgia 7 PM ESPN

- The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry renews once more. Auburn makes its way to Athens for a date with the fifth ranked Bulldogs. Can the Dogs hold steady until the SEC title game? Will the Tigers beat Georgia again?

Auburn prospects to watch

1. Jarrett Stidham 6’2 214 QB RS Junior

- Stidham is one of the top ranked quarterbacks in a class in which the perception is generally down. He has a lot of arm talent and can make virtually any throw asked of him. Physically looks the part. The biggest flaw is the program that he chose. Auburn’s offensive system is very poor in terms of development for the next level. He has regressed in 2018 and has reverted to being Blaine Gabbert 2.0 in terms of pocket awareness. He has struggled mightily.

2. Derrick Brown 6’5 325 DL Junior

- He lives in the opponents’ backfield every game. One of the best interior linemen in the SEC. Academics are on point as he’s been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll every year. Could be one of the more underrated DL prospects due to the talent in the class.

3. Marlon Davidson 6’2 282 EDGE Junior

- Auburn’s best edge rusher. Fundamentally sound and uses every ounce of his athletic ability on every snap. Frequently holds up in the wash so he can make the play. Frame is a plus. Work ethic is a plus as well.

Georgia prospects to watch

1. Deandre Baker 5’11 180 CB Senior

- It can be argued that Baker is the best cornerback prospect in the class. He’s always around the ball it seems. Plays hard every play. Has great athleticism and generally keeps up with opposing receivers. Ball skills are improving. Fundamentally sound.

2. D’Andre Walker 6’2 240 EDGE Senior

- Walker has been a dominant force 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. Georgia’s leader in sacks. He’s very good.

3. Riley Ridley 6’2 200 WR Junior

- The younger brother of current Falcons rookie stud and former Bama standout receiver Calvin Ridley. He’s no slouch himself as a prospect. Tends to get lost in the hype of the other UGA receivers but I think he’s the best of the trio. Like Calvin, he’s an efficient route runner and the most “toolsy” of the group.

4. Isaac Nauta 6’4 246 TE Junior

- Is one of the best tight end prospects in the nation. Came into form in a big way as of late after being overshadowed by the talented receiver room to start the year. A key safety valve for Jake Fromm. A talent at “move” tight end. Blocking is there to improve.

Florida State at #3 Notre Dame 7:30 PM NBC

- Florida State needs a win desperately to keep its bowl streak alive while Notre Dame has everything left to play for. ND QB Ian Book was declared out earlier in the week but it shouldn’t matter as ND should handle business against the reeling Noles. Expect an Irish romp.

Florida State prospects to watch

1. Brian Burns 6’5 231 EDGE Junior

- Josh Sweat who? Burns has been one of the premier EDGE defenders in the country for the past two years. A long and lanky defender that could add some weight. A pass rush terror when he’s on. He has nine sacks on the season thus far.

2. Demarcus Christmas 6’4 308 DT RS Senior

- The long line of standout FSU defensive tackles continues. Christmas is the latest. He could have gone pro as a RS Junior and could’ve gotten drafted in the middle rounds. He’s a bit underrated due to the strength of the defensive line class. A strong run defender who can also rush the passer in bursts.

Notre Dame prospect to watch

1. Jerry Tillery 6’5 306 DL Senior

- Tillery has been an impact defender for the resurgent Irish defense. The man in the middle that dominates in the interior offensive linemen. Standout senior. Athleticism is underrated. Won’t be the first guy off the board but will likely have a long career in the league.

#2 Clemson at #17 Boston College 8 PM ABC

- Clemson has one purported final test left in Boston proper tonight against the high flying Golden Eagles. Can the Tigers keep on marching to Charlotte to face whoever wants to lose less in the ACC Coastal? Boston College can effectively seal the division with the upset.

Clemson prospects to watch

1. Mitch Hyatt 6’5 305 OT Senior

- Hyatt is finally a senior this year after starting as a true freshman. He has dropped off very little in that span of time. Considered to be one of the better tackle prospects in the class. Has experienced nearly everything college football has to offer. Big game player.

2. Dexter Lawrence 6’4 340 DT Junior

- The “other” five star guy in Ed Oliver’s class is no slouch himself. Lawrence is a notch below Oliver but is a talented prospect that has supreme athleticism and has been tutored by one of the best defensive coordinators in college football. He should be a near lock to declare for the draft. Has fallen off a bit through no fault of his own.

3. Christian Wilkins 6’4 300 DT Senior

- The leader of the vaunted Tigers defensive line that could see the entire unit drafted in the first three rounds. A former five star recruit that developed nicely. An athletic force at the defensive tackle position. Has experience playing edge rusher at times.

4. Clelin Ferrell 6’5 260 EDGE Junior

- Ferrell could be the best of the bunch. He’s one of the best edge rushers in the entire class, let alone the ACC. Fundamentally sound. Knows what he’s doing with an impressive array of moves. Frame is a major plus. Could have outright challenged Bradley Chubb as the premier pass rusher in the country last year.

5. Trayvon Mullen 6’2 190 CB Junior

- A corner that hardly anyone talks about due to the guys ahead of him. He’s an intriguing talent that likely has a a tough draft decision ahead of him. Has the size and athleticism to thrive as a pro.

Boston College prospects to watch

1. Zach Allen 6’5 285 EDGE Senior

- The focal point of the Golden Eagles pass rush after a very good junior season being Honor Landry’s running mate. Had a monstrous junior season with 100 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks. Production has dropped off a bit in 2018 but still a talented prospect nonetheless. Football IQ and work ethic are major pluses. Run defense is a plus as well.

2. A.J. Dillon 6’0 245 RB Sophomore

- Dillon is one of the more intriguing running backs in a loaded 2020/21 class. He had a monster freshman season last year rushing for 1,589 yards on 300 carries and 14 touchdowns.

Bonus games to watch

South Carolina at #15 Florida NOON ESPN

- Deebo Samuels vs. a talented Florida defense. A revenge game for Will Muschamp. A key game in the race for second in the SEC East. Also watch for Florida’s Jachai Polite. He’s good.

Wisconsin at #20 Penn State NOON ABC

- Badgers OL and RB Johnathan Taylor are good. Penn State is in a freefall in 2018. Trace McSorely will have to show up.

Ole Miss at Texas A&M NOON CBS

- Ole Miss WR corps is full of talented playmakers. The Aggies are playing for bowl positioning while Ole Miss is playing out the stretch due to NCAA sanctions.

Northwestern at #21 Iowa 3:30 PM Fox

• QB Clayton Thorson is a highly rated prospect. So is Iowa’s pair of tight ends. Good ol’ Big Ten slobberknocker on deck.

#11 Kentucky at Tennessee 3:30 PM SEC Network

- The Bluegrass vs. The Volunteer State. Josh Allen is pretty #good.

#19 Texas at Texas Tech 7:30 PM Fox

- Can the Horns right the ship after two straight losses? Will there be an ounce of defense in this game?

Where are the Titans’ scouts today?