2022 NFL Draft: Elite Matchup On Tap In UCLA-Oregon Game
Two very high-caliber prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft face off when Oregon takes on UCLA.
The 2022 NFL Draft will feature a few blue chip prospects that will go early come next April. It’s not often those players get really good tests during the season, as they are often well ahead of their competition. Things will be different this Saturday for Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who currently sits at the top of the class among the pass rushers and is the top prospect for many draft analysts.
He will draw a tackle that’s rising up draft boards across the blogosphere, UCLA tackle Sean Rhyan. Rhyan had a good year last year with the Bruins and is playing well in 2021. It’s not a stretch at all to say Rhyan has been the best Pac 12 tackle. Rhyan has strong hands that are usually well-placed, and has the requisite quickness to operate against good athletes on the edge and recover when necessary. His anchor is solid and he’s rarely off-balance or lunging.
That will come in handy against Thibodeaux, who’s been a menace to everyone he’s faced this year. After some time off due to injury, Thibodeaux has been excellent. He missed the first half against Cal but came in and consistently created pressure and got hits on the quarterback. His get off is fantastic and his hand usage and leverage is excellent. He can quickly disengage and is a great athlete who can close quickly when he has a lane.
This matchup will be one that fans and draftniks must tune in for, as Rhyan will have his hands full with Thibodeaux. It’s hard to expect Rhyan to win every rep he has, but there’s reason to believe that he can keep the pocket clean and his quarterback upright. His quickness matches well with Thibodeaux’s and his footwork should keep Thibodeaux from winning quickly around the arc or with inside moves. It will take Thibodeaux’s best repertoire of counters to beat Rhyan consistently when they’re lined up. Length favors Thibodeaux as well, so it’ll be key for Rhyan to maintain balance throughout the afternoon.
It’s going to be a fun game of chess between top competitors, one that 2022 NFL Draft evaluators will look to when talking about these two to their general managers and coaches. Winning against top competition is huge when looking for those prospects who can succeed at the next level. It’s going to be an afternoon where Kayvon Thibodeaux proves his dominance or that Sean Rhyan can hang with top rushers.