Ohio State vs. Notre Dame: This year’s Fiesta Bowl will feature some of the nation’s best NFL Draft prospects, including a possible whopping five first round picks in 2016…
The Fiesta Bowl doesn’t have any National Championship implications but it’s essentially an NFL Draft all-star game with something at stake for the players other than just a paycheck.
Some of the best prospects in the entire country are going to be playing in this game, a game that both college football fans and NFL Draft fans are going to be gushing over.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the top prospects in this game…
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Bosa is widely considered the top prospect in the draft this year despite some low numbers statistically. He has the potential at the next level to be a dominant defensive end and pass rusher. He’s one of the most disruptive defensive players in the country and a hard worker who can play in a number of different defensive looks. NFL teams are going to be fighting over the chance to draft this kid.
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
One of the most physically gifted defensive players in the country, you could make a legitimate argument that Smith is the better defensive prospect than is Joey Bosa. He’s got 113 tackles, 9 for a loss, this season and is one of the most explosive defenders available to NFL teams. Recruited as both a running back and linebacker, Smith is a special athlete who is going to be a machine when he reaches the NFL.
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Laremy Tunsil is widely considered the best offensive tackle in this class of players, but Ronnie Stanley is right on his heels and a likely top 10 or 15 selection. This is an athletic tackle with a chance to prove to NFL scouts his prowess in both pass protection and in the running game against one of the nation’s best defensive players, the aforementioned Joey Bosa. Stanley could make or break his final draft stock with this performance.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
One of my favorite players in this entire class of players, I think Elliott is probably the unquestioned best running back in this year’s crop and an incredible all-around player. Elliott runs with vision, speed, power, and he is a finisher. I can’t really find a weakness in his game, similar to the way I couldn’t find a weakness in Todd Gurley’s game. The biggest difference? Elliott doesn’t have a major knee injury to overcome. He could wind up being a top 10 pick easily.
Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Huge, athletic offensive tackle that has the power and skill set to play either the right or left side when he gets to the next level. Scouts consider him a safe prospect in this group of players and while he’s not considered on the level of Tunsil or Stanley athletically, Decker is the kind of player that can come in and start for your team right away and provide a nice upgrade. He’ll almost unquestionably be a top draft pick and he’ll have his hands full against Notre Dame in this game.
Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
As Keyshawn Johnson’s nephew, being a wide receiver runs in Michael Thomas’ genes. Ohio State’s offense isn’t overly favorable to give wide receivers jaw-dropping numbers, but Thomas has posted 49 catches for 709 yards and 8 touchdowns to this point and is a big dude at 6-3 210 pounds. He has enough upside to be a first round pick in this draft.
Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
***Washington was suspended for this game and will not be playing against Notre Dame
We had to mention Washington despite the fact that he won’t play in this game. He was suspended for the Fiesta Bowl after he was cited by police for solicitation. NFL teams are going to have to weigh the risk vs. the reward with this player, but he’s certainly been productive this season with 49 tackles and four sacks from an interior lineman’s position. He’s one of the most improved players in the country with a chance to sneak into the first round.
Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State
6-4 254 pound linebacker Joshua Perry is one of Ohio State’s leading tacklers (again) and has 7.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks this year. He’s an incredibly aggressive player with a great motor that never stops and I think he gets overlooked a little bit on the talented Ohio State roster. He is a really good player and might not receive the first round hype, but he’ll certainly be a productive NFL starter for a long, long time.
Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
One of the top safeties in the country has 63 tackles, nine pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble this year. Bell isn’t considered a sure-fire first round lock at this point but a big game against Notre Dame and a good offseason for the junior could prompt a safety-needy team to at least give it some serious consideration at the end of the first round. He has good ball skills and should be a starting safety immediately.
***
There are plenty of prospects that you should also be watching in this game, such as Cardale Jones (if he plays at all) and a number of players on Notre Dame’s roster that were injured throughout the season. One player that I really like is Will Fuller of Notre Dame, the playmaking wide receiver who has 13 touchdowns this season.
Enjoy this game, because the next time you see a lot of these players, they will be on NFL rosters.
Add us as a preferred source on Google