NFL
NFL Prospect Preview: CFP Semifinal — Fiesta Bowl
Here are the top prospects to watch as #2 Ohio St. takes on the reigning National Champions #3 Clemson in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
Sports Illustrated
The four best teams in College Football have been selected by the Committee, and today they decide who moves on to fight for a National Championship in New Orleans. #1 LSU will face off against #4 Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl (4 P.M. ET) while #2 Ohio State will see the reigning National Champion, #3 Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl (8 P.M. ET).
Before the games kick off, here’s a look at the top-three 2020 NFL draft-eligible prospects from each team in order of pro potential. While several of them could potentially stay in school for an extra season, these players specifically will be targeted in the first two rounds and might not even benefit from returning to school. That does mean, however, that underclassmen like Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence will not be included, because they will not be draft-eligible until next season.
While eventual No.2 pick EDGE Nick Bosa missed most of last season, Chase Young stepped up huge in his absence. With 10.5 sacks as a sophomore, Young came into the season as the consensus top player in the country, and he continued making his case even stronger during a Heisman-caliber season: 16.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss in just 11 games. If it weren’t for the historic season that LSU QB Joe Burrow has put together, Young would be a slam dunk number-one pick. However, the fact of the matter is that quarterback is the most important position in football, and the Bengals (picking 1st overall) do not have a long-term answer for the position.
Chase Young is the definition of a game-wrecker. Not only does he possess elite athleticism, but he has an incredible frame (6’5″, 265 pounds) to pair with a wide ranging skillset. An incredibly polished rusher, Young plays with a great balance of power and speed, consistently attacking with a plan. He sets the edge with authority, creating constant chaos in the backfield and ruining any play that comes to his side.
Regardless of whether Young is selected first or second, even third, there is no doubt that he will be an instant-impact rookie. While he is clearly a perfect fit as a 4-3 defensive end, the Buckeyes have dropped him into coverage on occasion and he didn’t look uncomfortable. His top-tier athleticism and well-rounded skillset would still translate seamlessly to 3-4 OLB, even if it would be a slight transition at first.
Projection: Top-2 Pick
A converted safety that has now spent two seasons at linebacker due to his prototypical size (6’3″, 230 pounds), Isaiah Simmons possesses unreal coverage ability that is rarely seen at the linebacker position. A legitimate freak of an athlete that will set the combine on fire, he will have no problem blanketing tight ends and running backs as he currently has no problem covering receivers in the slot at Clemson. Put simply, Simmons is one of the most exciting talents in this entire class.
The issue with projecting Simmons is the question of which position he will play: safety or linebacker. Ultimately, it will depend on the scheme he is drafted into and the vision his defensive coordinator has. If he is seen as true, every-down linebacker, he will likely have to add some weight to play close to the line of scrimmage. His skillset is so unique and various, however, that he might be best utilized in multiple positions based on the circumstances of a given game to erase deficiencies all across the defense. Regardless of his position, Isaiah Simmons is without question a top-ten caliber talent.
Projection: Top-15 Pick
While LSU has several first-round talents in their secondary, along with a rich history of defensive backs in the NFL, Ohio State has made a strong case for the country’s best secondary. Led by CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State has allowed the second-least passing yards (148 per game) and third-lowest completion percentage (50.6) in FBS.
The most promising aspect of Okudah’s game is his ability to play man coverage, a scarce commodity in today’s NFL. A long corner who loves to play physical, the Junior is not afraid to mix it up in the run game either. He possesses the athleticism to compete with larger receivers and has the speed to stay overtop, even in press coverage. Okudah is a premier talent at a premium position, one that over half of the NFL would consider a need. Assuming he tests well at the combine, Jeff Okudah should be the first CB taken in April.
Projection: Top-10 Pick
This game will feature two of the nation’s best running backs, JK Dobbins and Travis Etienne, both of whom should be early-round picks if they declare for the draft despite the strength of this year’s running back class. In his first season as Ohio State’s featured back, Dobbins ranks third in rushing yards (1,829) and sixth in rushing touchdowns (20) in all of FBS. Dobbins played an important role in several of Ohio State’s signature wins this season and he is almost as important to the Buckeyes’ success as top 2021 prospect QB Justin Fields is.
At 5’10”, 215 pounds, JK Dobbins is a thickly-built, dynamic runner that has a great blend of power and quickness. He doesn’t necessarily possess the breakaway speed like Etienne, but Dobbins has shown the ability to be a workhorse, every-down back that can wear defenses down over the course of a game.
Projection: Late-1st/2nd Round
In contrast to Dobbins, Clemson RB Travis Etienne is a threat to take it the distance on any given play, no matter the circumstance. Earlier this season when QB Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson passing attack struggled at times, Dabo Swinney leaned on Etienne to get the offense going and he delivered each and every time.
Etienne is extremely fast and has quick, sharp cuts that create a lot of extra yards in space. He currently ranks seventh in FBS in rushing yards (1,500) and tenth in rushing touchdowns, but is tied for first in yards per attempt (8.2). While Etienne is a bit on the small side (5’10”, 200 pounds), his game-breaking speed and shiftiness make him a dangerous weapon that can be utilized in any offensive scheme.
Projection: Late-1st/2nd Round
Much like the rest of the Clemson offense, WR Tee Higgins has had his fair share of ups and downs this season. While he has lacked consistency, the talent is evident, as he averages over 20 yards per reception and is tied for sixth in FBS with 13 touchdown receptions.
Higgins is an extremely large, athletic receiver who will catch anything thrown his way. He’s capable of taking the top off a defense with his straight-line speed but can also create separation by using his size and strength to overmatch smaller defensive backs. While his hand technique and route running do have room for improvement, Higgins possesses all of the physical traits needed from a big-bodied receiver. He and fellow WR Justyn Ross face a tall task in Ohio State CBs Jeff Okudah, Shaun Wade, and Damon Arnette, but this is exactly the type of matchup that could vault him into the first-round conversation if he can put some good tape on film against those elite defenders.
Projection: 2nd Round
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