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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 Caleb Brantley
Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Brantley (57) against the Missouri Tigers during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

SEC: Caleb Brantley (DT – Florida)

The Gators clinched a berth in the SEC Championship Game by shutting down LSU twice at the one-yard line. If Florida has any hope of beating the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, the interior of the Florida defensive line will have to prevent Alabama from running the ball between the tackles.

With Alex Anzalone out and Jarrad Davis doubtful, the Florida linebacking corps is going to struggle. As a result, the defensive line will have to pick up the slack.

That didn’t happen in last year’s contest when Derrick Henry ran for 189 yards. Alabama’s offensive line dominated the game, pushing around Florida with ease. Even Caleb Brantley, who is the 2017 NFL Draft prospect to watch in this game, was thrown around like a rag doll. In the plays below, Brantley is pushed five yards off the line of scrimmage and then turned away from the running lane to open up the hole.

It’s going to be a long day for Florida fans if this happens again on Saturday. The Gators simply don’t have the firepower on offense to contend in a high-scoring game, so it’s up to the defensive line to move the line of scrimmage into the Alabama backfield.

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