Analysis
11/26/21
6 min read
3 Matchups NFL Scouts Will Be Watching In Week 13
Every weekend college football showcases intriguing matchups between future professional players battling in one-on-one situations. The result of these matchups will have implications in the 2022 NFL Draft order. Although the draft is still months away, NFL teams have their sights on players to preemptively stack their boards and assign grades to players. All of these prospects are eligible for the draft and some even have the opportunity to be drafted early. These matchups will allow NFL front offices to see how they produce against the best competition. NFL scouts will have their eyes on these upcoming matchups in Week 13 to help answer questions throughout the draft process.
Michigan OT Andrew Stueber vs. Ohio State DL Zach Harrison
Saturday 12:00 PM
This rivalry weekend will feature two of the best teams in the nation squaring off in a game that has College Football Playoffs implications. Michigan will be counting on Andrew Stueber to anchor down his side of the line at right tackle. Stueber is a 6-foot-6, 338-pound graduate student who has started 20 games for the Wolverines in his career.
Stueber does a good job at using his length when pass blocking. He has the ability to time up hand strikes to then bubble edge rushers and push them past quarterback depth. His above average athleticism allows him to mirror edge defenders to then engage long enough for the pass to get off. Stueber shows average explosiveness when run blocking, but initiates with good pad level. His low pad level tends to wane throughout the block, causing him to get taller the longer he is engaged.
This weekend will have a big impact on how teams view Stueber’s position versatility at the next level. His body type and athleticism allude to him playing guard. NFL scouts will be looking to see if he can handle NFL caliber edge defenders at tackle.Â
On the defensive side, Ohio State will be counting on Zach Harrison to be disruptive on the edge in this Big Ten matchup. Harrison is a 6-foot-6, 272-pound junior who was named 2nd team All Big-Ten in 2020.
Harrison is an extremely long edge player who is very good at turning the corner on his pass rushes. His best trait is his hand fighting technique when attacking the outside shade. He understands how to change up his approach against different sets and uses his length to gain leverage on blocks. Harrison is an above average run defender as well. He is missing some raw strength and pad level to squeeze tackles back into interior gaps but makes up for it with his length to separate and shed blocks.
Harrison is missing a little bit of twitch to be a top tier talent in this year's draft, but nonetheless NFL scouts will be keeping an eye on him during this weekend.Â
Florida State DE Jermaine Johnson II s vs. Florida OL Jean Delance
Saturday 12:00 PMÂ
Florida State landed an impactful player when Jermaine Johnson II left Georgia this off season. Johnson is a 6-foot-5, 262-pound redshirt senior who has stepped into a starting role for the Seminoles.
Johnson has major career highs this year with 17 TFLs and 11 sacks. His best traits are his twitch and speed off the edge. Johnson has a long and lean build that allows him to get off the ball quickly and bend around edges. His hand fighting is very active and resets on blocks consistently. He can sometimes end up too heavy on blocks and struggles to disengage fast enough.
Johnson has great physical tools for an edge player but will need to develop his technique and gain mass to be stout in the run game at the next level. NFL scouts will be eyeing this matchup to see how Johnson handles SEC caliber competition when facing Florida.Â
Jean Delance will be battling with Johnson in this weekend’s rivalry showdown when Florida takes on Florida State. Delance is a 6-foot-4, 307-pound redshirt senior who has started 35 games at right tackle for the Gators.
Delance is a high effort offensive linemen who has adequate athleticism for the tackle position. He is at his best when quick setting on edge rushers so he can use his good hand placement to control blocks. In the run game, he has solid hand strikes that target the chest of defenders consistently. His power and burst off the line of scrimmage is adequate. Delance will most likely see a position change when advancing to the next level of his career.
He is best suited to play guard in the NFL but this week will be a good test for him to show he can handle NFL talent on the outside.Â
South Carolina S Jaylan Foster vs. Clemson TE Davis Allen
Saturday 7:30 PMÂ
South Carolina and their in-state rival Clemson will be battling this weekend during rivalry week. The Gamecocks will be counting on Jaylan Foster to continue his leadership role and good play in the secondary. Foster is a 5-foot-10, 195-pound redshirt senior who was placed on scholarship his junior year and developed into a leader of their defense. Foster’s best traits are his football IQ and ball skills down field.
In every game you can see him communicating and making sure teammates know their coverage assignments. He has the range and instincts to pass off receivers across the field and make up ground to attack the catch point. Foster shows solid man coverage ability against tight ends in the slot and attached on the line. He is physical at the top of routes and can match breaks with his hips transitions. NFL scouts will be looking to see how he matches up against Clemson’s large and physical receiving core.Â
Clemson will be counting on their safety blanket Davis Allen to have a big game when facing South Carolina. Allen is a 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior who is used all across the offense and special teams. Clemson uses him as a fullback, inline tight end, in the slot and out wide in multiple personnel grouping.
Allen is a savvy and athletic tight end who excels in the receiving game and shows flashes of good ability when blocking. He shows the route running ability to separate in the quick passing game. He has the body control and hands to make contested catches down field. Allen understands how to reposition his body to the ball and use his length to get up over man coverage.
As a blocker, Allen displays good sustain and positioning with his hips and hands. He is quick enough to hook defensive ends and set the edge on outside runs. This game will be critical for both players' draft stock due to the level of intensity and savviness each player displays. NFL scouts will be watching how each player reacts to competing with next level talent.
