This coming Monday all eyes will be on the National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana. While both teams are playing for college football immortality, for select players it goes beyond their final game in a college uniform.
There will be plenty NFL scouts in attendance as they get one final opportunity to put their notes together in a game before the offseason bowl games, combines and pro day workouts.
LSU TIGERS
QB Joe Burrow
At this point it seems like a foregone conclusion that Burrow will be the number one overall selection at this point. His Heisman season put him on the map and with the Cincinnati Bengals likely done with the Andy Dalton era all but over, look for Burrow to take off one tigers jersey and trade it for one in orange and black.
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Even though Edwards-Helaire is just a junior, he is one of the top backs that could make the jump to the NFL next season. He is limited as a pass protector but comes in as one of the best runners and receivers out of the backfield. He has been hampered by injuries as of late but Edwards-Helaire is talented will definitely make an impact at the NFL level. He has the potential to be a three down back at the next level.
WR Justin Jefferson
As much fun as Joe Burrow has been this season for the Tigers, Justin Jefferson has been a big beneficiary of that stellar play. Not that Burrow is the only reason for the success, Jefferson has given opposing corners fits all season long. His double-moves down the field have created so many big plays for the Tigers. His size and explosiveness translates well to the next level, he has the potential to be a playmaker in the NFL.
EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
Chaisson is an absolute freak coming off the weakside of the offensive line. He has the bend that scouts will salivate over and the explosiveness to make him a handful at the next level. He has all the intangibles to be similar to another former Tiger, Danielle Hunter. He can play in both a 4-3 and 3-4 alignment without suffering any coverage ability if needed. His relentless motor and athleticism sets him apart from most edge rushers. Once he learns to use his hands with better technique, watch out.
S Grant Delpit
The 2019 Jim Thorpe Award winner is viewed as one of the top two safeties coming out of the 2020 NFL Draft class. Injuries really slowed Delpit down in 2019 but finally fully healthy, he is starting to look like the player he was in 2018. Delpit is a tall and long defender who can punish receivers with hits or fly across the field to make an interception with great range. He should be the first safety off the board come April.
CB Kristian Fulton
The LSU Tigers are producing another top cornerback for the upcoming class and he is probably not even the best one on the current team with true freshman corner Derek Stingley Jr on the other side. Fulton can more than hold his own however. He is an athlete who closes quickly and change of direction don’t deter him one bit. Needs to work on tackling technique at the next level. Even with the question marks surrounding him off-field, Fulton is a first round prospect.
DL Rashard Lawrence
If your favorite NFL team is looking for a massive mauler for the interior of their defensive line, Lawrence should be high on their watch list for this game. An impressive athlete for his size, Lawrence uses his big frame to take on double-teams and plug gaps against the run, as well as using his explosive first step and power to collapse the pocket as a pass rusher.
LB Michael Divinity, Jr.
Divinity is a player who projects to play off the edge at the next level. He could develop into a player who will make splash plays at the next level. He needs to do a better job with technique at the next level as he allows linemen to get inside on him a little too easily.
LB Jacob Phillips
If your team is looking for a linebacker who can play in space, look no further than Jacob Phillips. He recorded over 100 tackles this season with seven for loss and a sack. He has shown the ability to break up passes last season but those numbers were less so in 2019. Shows good mental processing and then reacts quickly.
OL Lloyd Cushenberry III
One of the unsung guys on offense is Cushenberry. He is an athlete that can get to the second and third levels without much effort. One of his best traits is that Cushenberry looks for work, meaning that he constantly is putting his hat on a defender in both the run game and passing game.
CLEMSON TIGERS
WR Tee Higgins
Higgins is a big target at the wide receiver position. At 6’4″ he can be a weapon in the red zone where things can get tight. Using his height, Higgins attacks the ball in the air at its highest point. He is a problem in space and can make defenders look foolish, double moves are deadly. Higgins also shows great concentration on some plays that leaving you scratching your head wondering how he came down with the ball.
LB Isaiah Simmons
Simmons is a player that is a bit of a hybrid. He can play linebacker or a big safety at the next level. He projects best as a WILL linebacker or coming down in the box at safety, the two spots that he excelled most for Clemson. He needs to put a better effort in his tackling technique and getting off blocks for someone his size. Simmons and Kenneth Murray are likely the top linebackers in the upcoming draft.
CB A.J. Terrell
Terrell will be battle tested after this game lining up across from Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. He plays with good athleticism but can be lacking in the physical aspect with a thinner frame, will need to bulk up a bit at the NFL level. Terrell uses the sideline to his advantage when playing inside of receivers near the boundary. He picked off six passes over his time at Clemson, once the ball is in his hands, Terrell looks for big returns.
RB Travis Etienne
Etienne is a big-play threat in both the run game and as a receiver out of the backfield. Took a big step as a receiver more than doubling his career receptions in 2019. Runs with good balance which makes it difficult to take him down with arm tackles, shows good vision as he sets up blocks down the field. Gets downhill quickly and will outrun angles with ease.
OL John Simpson
Simpson should be one of the top interior offensive lineman in the upcoming NFL Draft. The All-American isn’t the most athletic lineman but he can match power with the best of them. At the next level he will need to bring that same power to battle the power of defensive tackles such as Vita Vea, Aaron Donald and Danny Shelton.
