Georgia Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide NFL Draft Prospect Watch
Nov 3, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones (29) warms up before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE
Anytime Georgia and Alabama get together on a Saturday, you should be watching if you’re an NFL Draft fan. This year, that’s even more obvious with the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs ranking second and third in the BCS standings respectively. This game is for more than SEC recognition, it’s for a spot in the BCS National Championship game.
Georgia is seeking an upset over the reigning national champs, who are trying to recover from their loss earlier this season to Texas A&M. Luckily, Alabama lost at just the right time that they are in a position where they can control their own destiny. Same for the Bulldogs.
This week is especially interesting to me because I think Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray is out with something to prove. In the Bulldogs’ only loss this season, Murray was not great. In the two games Georgia played against good teams (Florida, South Carolina), Murray was below average at best. The rest of the games they played this season, he was very good but who did they really play? This game against the Tide is a chance for Murray to prove to NFL scouts that it’s not just because of the stellar Bulldogs defense that Georgia is winning, but because of the right arm of their stud quarterback.
Certainly fans will be paying attention to this game for more than just Aaron Murray, though. Linebacker Jarvis Jones has garnered a ton of national attention, and has even got some people thinking he should be considered for the Heisman Trophy and number one overall pick in the draft. The former USC transfer has been a superstar pass rusher the last two seasons, and looks like an NFL player out there already. He’s out to accomplish today the very thing he returned to Georgia for–a shot at a national title.
Earlier this season, I did some in-depth looks at these two teams’ top prospects for this year. You can check them out here:
Here is a preview for a prospect from each team:
6 John Jenkins, Defensive Tackle, Senior 6’3″ 351 pounds
Big, strong defensive tackle prospect who appears to be an ideal nose tackle for the NFL level. Already has experience playing in a 3-4 and already has just as good if not better production than Kansas City Chiefs 2012 first round pick Dontari Poe. Jenkins nearly declared for the 2012 NFL draft but now anchors a Georgia defensive line for the 2012 season, a line that will be among the best in all of college football. He is a massive space eater who has a good bull rush, and can anchor well against the run. Capable of taking on and beating double teams, and gets good pressure on the QB (10 QB hurries in ’11). Had an interception in the Outback Bowl against Michigan State, but came up injured on the play so that is something to monitor going forward. He started his collegiate career at Gulf Coast Community College, and only has one year of SEC football under his belt. He has first round talent if he can put it all together. Players with his size and production don’t often last long on draft day, unless they have serious character flaws.
65 Chance Warmack, Offensive Guard, Senior 6’3″ 320 pounds
One of the best offensive guard prospects in the country. Honorable mention All-American as a junior in 2011, and a durable starter over the last two years for Alabama at left guard. Athletic player with fantastic size and strength, and a huge (literally) reason why Alabama’s running game has been so successful the last two seasons. Warmack plays with excellent technique and is rarely penalized, and is consistently one of the top graded offensive linemen on a team full of top NFL prospects. Offensive guards are not valued highly on draft night (see David DeCastro) so expect Warmack to go in the second or third round unless he simply cannot be passed on. This is the kind of guy who will undoubtedly start in the NFL for a long time provided he can stay healthy.