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2022 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Cincinnati vs. Alabama

By Andrew Fischer

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 11: Ahmad Gardner #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrates after making an interception in the second quarter against the Murray State Racers at Nippert Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 11: Ahmad Gardner #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrates after making an interception in the second quarter against the Murray State Racers at Nippert Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 06: Will Anderson Jr. #31 of the Alabama Crimson Tide sacks Max Johnson #14 of the LSU Tigers during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 06, 2021 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 06: Will Anderson Jr. #31 of the Alabama Crimson Tide sacks Max Johnson #14 of the LSU Tigers during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 06, 2021 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati RB Jerome Ford and their O-line vs. Alabama’s front seven

Jerome Ford is the best collegiate running back that you probably haven’t heard of. He’s a 5’11” 220-pound Tampa product that played two years at Alabama before transferring to Cincinnati. This game is likely personal for him. It could also go a long way toward improving his 2022 NFL Draft stock. In two years for the Crimson Tide, Ford only carried the ball 31 times. This year alone he had 200 carries. He led the American Athletic Conference in rushing yards (1,242) and rushing touchdowns (19) while being efficient with his runs (6.2 yards per carry).

Ford has shown elite vision, good patience, and has been tough to bring down at a compact 220 pounds. There were shades of Le’veon Bell as Ford would sometimes stutter step, skip, and pick his way through the hole instead of simply bursting through it. Many of his explosive plays have come between the tackles on shotgun runs as the defense is usually spread out and has to worry about Desmond Ridder keeping the ball.

Ford has been helped enormously this year by his offensive line. There were three Bearcat offensive linemen named to the all-conference first team for the American: tackle Dylan O’Quinn, guard Lorenz Metz, and center Jake Renfro. This will be their greatest test of the season by far as they try to block Alabama’s front seven.

Alabama sophomore linebacker Will Anderson Jr. took home the Bronco Nagurski award this season for defensive player of the year and he should have been invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Anderson tied for the most sacks in the country with 15.5 and had the most tackles for loss in the FBS with 30, which was 10 more than anyone else. Only a sophomore, Will Anderson Jr. isn’t eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft, but when he does come out he’ll likely be a first round pick.

Also, worth noting on the Alabama defense is senior defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis. He’s 6’4” 312 pounds and has a knack for stuffing the run. He routinely controls two gaps along the offensive line, making it extremely tough for opponents to run the ball to his side of the field. Before the season many wondered about Mathis’ pass rushing chops, but those concerns were largely laid to rest as he recorded eight sacks while mainly playing on the inside. If Alabama shuts down Cincinnati’s running game on Friday, it will likely be because Mathis is wreaking havoc on the interior.

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