2018 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Conference Title Games

Jarrett Stidham (QB – Auburn) vs. Georgia

Star running back Kerryon Johnson is listed as day-to-day, but won’t be 100 percent even if he does play in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia on Saturday. The workhorse carried the ball 32 times for 167 yards when the Tigers upset the Bulldogs three weeks ago, which is a lot of production to make up for. With injuries to the second and third-string backs as well, Auburn’s playoff hopes rest on the arm of quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

He hasn’t had to be the focal point of the offense often, but Stidham is certainly capable of leading Auburn to a win. He’s extremely accurate with the football and doesn’t turn it over, limiting the Georgia defense’s ability to make a big impact. The redshirt sophomore has completed at least 66 percent of his passes in nine of the Tigers last 10 games and has yet to throw more than one interception in a game this year.

Stidham is a future starting quarterback at the next level and possesses the tools to be an early selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s slightly undersized (measured just under 6-foot-2) but displays arm talent and decision-making skills that SEC defenses aren’t accustomed to. Even with all the injuries at running back, Stidham likely won’t air it out like he did at Baylor in 2015, but he may take a few more chances downfield. If he’s able to connect, Auburn will be on their way to being the first two-loss team to make the College Football Playoff.