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2017 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in Conference Championship Games

By Shawn Spencer

Nov 5, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) celebrates with wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) after a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) celebrates with wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) after a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft Jahad Thomas
Oct 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Temple Owls running back Jahad Thomas (5) scores a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. the Temple Owls won 46-30. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

American: Jahad Thomas (RB – Temple)

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How will Navy Football fare with new head coach Brian Newberry?
How will Navy Football fare with new head coach Brian Newberry? /

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    • After a rocky start to the season, the Temple Owls have finished the year strong, winning six in-a-row to close out the regular season. Matt Rhule’s club lost to Houston in the American Athletic Conference title game last season, and are looking for revenge against the Naval Academy.

    Navy enters this game on a similar hot streak, winning their last four games. Navy features a rushing attack that has scored more touchdowns than any other team in the nation, but it will be the Temple run game that will determine the outcome of this game.

    Much like his team, running back Jahad Thomas started the season slow. A left hand injury sidelined him for the first two games this year and it took some time for him to return to 2015 form. Thomas won’t be the biggest back the Midshipmen will face this season, but his agility and elusiveness are enough to keep the chains moving.

    That will be key for Temple as the Owls offense will need to extend drives in order to keep their defense rested. There’s no better way to prevent Navy’s triple option from wearing down the Temple defense than to put the ball in the hands of Thomas; both on the ground and through the air.

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