The matchup we all expected since before the season began
After months of anticipation, the College Football National Championship Game is finally here with the matchup we all expected since before the season began. In a game with a national title on the line, fans will also get a chance to watch future NFL stars.
This is going to be a clash between two powerhouses. Dabo Swinney and Nick Saban are two of the best coaches in football and their teams showed they were the two superior teams in college this season.
When the Tigers and Crimson Tide battle it out on Monday, some of the most gifted athletes in football will take the field with a chance to win a title and improve their draft stock.
Here are eight of the top 2019 NFL Draft prospects who will be on display in the CFB Playoff Final.
Quinnen Williams, defensive tackle, Alabama Crimson Tide
This year’s championship game is loaded with starting-caliber NFL talent and Williams is one of the players with the potential to be a star. While that is rare for a defensive tackle, this is a special kind of player with immense talent and an equally great sense of humor.
The 21-year-old displayed his greatness on a weekly basis during his breakout season and comes into the title clash with eight sacks, 18 tackles for loss and the John Outland Trophy.
Williams is a force on the interior defensive line capable of getting under offensive linemen, knocking them out of the way and taking out the quarterback. He is quick off the line with great technique and it makes him nearly unstoppable for anyone facing him. He will likely be a top-five pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and is someone the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers could target.
Jonah Williams, offensive tackle, Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama will head into the championship with two potential linemen being potential top-10 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft and they happen to share a last name.
Protecting the quarterback is just as important for a team as putting pressure on the opposing quarterback. A technician with the strength to overpower defensive linemen, Williams is ready to step in at left tackle for an NFL team already.
Monday’s clash will be the cherry on top to cement his status as a top-10 pick and a dominant showing against Clemson’s pass rush could even push him into the top five.
Clelin Ferrell, defensive end, Clemson Tigers
If Clemson knocks off the Crimson Tide and limits Tua Tagovailoa, it will be because Ferrell caused havoc for Alabama’s offense and got a few hits on Tua.
It’s something Ferrell is plenty comfortable with and he showed it over the past two seasons with 36.5 tackles for loss over that span. He recorded a career-best 11.5 sacks in 2018 as his explosiveness off the snap and quick hands helped him wreck offensive tackles all year.
Ferrell is an extremely gifted player and he’ll get his chance to prove himself against the best competition college football has to offer. A strong showing in primetime will only help solidify his stock as a potential top-10 pick with bold expectations for his own NFL future.
Deionte Thompson, free safety, Alabama Crimson Tide
At a time when the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams are ripping defenses apart, NFL teams desperately covet a free safety who can help combat explosive passing plays with great range.
A matchup against Clemson’s explosive passing game is the perfect opportunity for Thompson to show off his skills as a center fielder. He is a playmaker deep down the field and exactly the type of player defensive coordinators covet at the next level. Thompson is already likely to be a top-15 pick and a big game on Monday could make him a top-10 selection.
Christian Wilkins, defensive tackle, Clemson Tigers
Wilkins won’t get the chance to play with his teammate Dexter Lawrence due to a suspension. However, it could allow him to prove himself on his own.
Unlike the players above him, Wilkins will be fighting to be a first-round pick. The 300-pound defensive tackle is a clog on the interior who can eat up blocks or create interior penetration.
While he isn’t a dominant player, he has shown the ability to be a disruptor versus the run and pass. Keep an eye on the battle in the trenches as a future NFL starter puts his talent on display. And don’t be surprised if he ends up scoring a touchdown on the offensive side of the ball.
Irv Smith Jr., tight end, Alabama Crimson Tide
There is an emerging trend in the NFL of targeting pass-catching tight ends who can make big plays after the catch. For teams seeking a big weapon with athleticism, Smith Jr. has shown he is that guy in 2018.
The junior tight end played an important role in Alabama’s offense and Tagovailoa showed plenty of trust in him. Smith Jr. averaged 16.7 yards per catch this season and hauled in seven touchdowns in an offense that often slammed on the breaks late in games.
He isn’t a finished product with some raw elements to his game and he is far from reliable as a blocker. The raw athletic ability, size and upside for big plays in the passing game could make him a top-40 pick and NFL fans will have a great chance to scout him against Clemson.
Raekwon Davis, defensive lineman, Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama’s front seven is simply ridiculous. Davis would be the star defensive player for many programs across the country, yet he became overshadowed with the Crimson Tide.
He is not someone Clemson or NFL scouts can forget about on Monday night. Davis has tremendous size and length with impressive athleticism given his size. While he wasn’t nearly as productive this year, Davis has shown plenty of talent throughout his collegiate career.
He enters with an outside shot at being a first-round pick, especially if a team falls in love with the measurable and believes it can coach him into a becoming an NFL stud. One thing is for certain, one team will be lucky to land Davis and he can show why in the championship.
Joshua Jacobs, running back, Alabama Crimson Tide
We’ve been treated to some phenomenal running back classes in recent drafts, however, that streak is coming to an end in 2019. As of late, though, an unexpected player has emerged as an RB1 candidate.
Jacobs emerged in the second half of the season, especially in his past two games when everything was on the line. The junior racked up 241 total yards against the Georgia Bulldogs and Oklahoma Sooners with an average of 8.92 yards per touch.
This is a running back capable of contributing in every facet of the game. The explosiveness, size, toughness, strength, hands and work ethic are all there and it makes the complete package teams look for in a franchise running back. Keep an eye on Jacobs now because he might be one of the biggest steals in the 2019 NFL Draft.
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