2017 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 6

Chidobe Awuzie (CB – Colorado) vs. USC

Adoree’ Jackson of USC and Sidney Jones of Washington are often regarded as the top two Pac-12 cornerback prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft, but Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie isn’t that far behind. He’ll have a chance to close the gap even more when he takes on JuJu Smith-Schuster and the USC Trojans this weekend.

A four-year starter for the Buffaloes, Awuzie has been under-the-radar for quite some time. A lacerated kidney during his sophomore campaign is somewhat to blame as it sidelined him midway through a very good season. Another number that has affected his lack of publicity is three; as in the total number of interceptions Awuzie has recorded in his career.

Interceptions are weighed too heavily when scouting a defensive back. This was a big topic of discussion last year when Mackensie Alexander of Clemson entered the draft despite not having a single interception in his college career. The fact is, Alexander (and Awuzie) are often avoided by opposing quarterbacks.

Don’t expect USC to avoid Awuzie when he’s matched up against JuJu Smith-Schuster, a potential first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. This matchup will be critical to both players when they line up across from each other, but especially for the Colorado CB. There’s a chance he could elevate his stock into the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft with a solid outing against Smith-Schuster and the Trojans.