The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL - Prospects to Pros: Players to watch in the College Football Playoff

Episode Date: December 28, 2022

Andy Staples and Dane Brugler get you ready for the College Football Playoff by discussing all of the top prospects to watch from Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and TCU. They talk about the quarterbacks, the key matchups in each game, the potential first rounders and much more. Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_StaplesFollow Dane on Twitter: @dpbruglerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTube3:10 C.J. Stroud5:32 Ohio State offensive line vs. Georgia defense12:50 Kelee Ringo14:35 Georgia offense vs. Ohio State defense18:52 Stetson Bennett23:35 Top players in Michigan vs. TCU26:36 Max Duggan29:54 Quentin Johnston vs. DJ Turner34:32 Olu Oluwatimi39:35 J.J. McCarthy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the Athletic Football Show. Welcome to Prospects to Pros, the show that talks about the guys heading to the NFL, the guys who got drafted into the NFL, everything in between. I'm Andy Staples. I'm here with the athletics draft guru, Dane Brueger, and we have to talk college football playoff because it's coming. New Year's Eve, the Peach Bowl, and the Fiesta Bowl are the semifinals. The winners will head to the national championship game, and we have a lot of draft eligible. prospects to watch on Saturday. So, Dane, I think we should just get into it.

And I kind of want to start in Atlanta because it's going through your mock draft. There's something like eight potential first round picks in this game. I might be shooting low. Two of the guys, one from each team that you think NFL teams may draft in the first round aren't even playing because they're hurt. You got Nolan Smith out for Georgia and you got Jackson, Nathan Jigba out for Ohio State. but it is a bounty, and there are some matchups that are going to be fantastic to watch. Where would you like to start?

We talked about this on the last show where I said I thought Keely Ringo versus Marvin Harrison, Jr. would be my favorite matchup to watch. You said C.J. Stroud against the dirty pocket that Georgia will create. But who else are you really looking at in this game that you're thinking they can make some money? They could lose some money here. Well, I mean, let's just, let's touch on those again because I think they are so important for evaluation purposes. And again, I think we have to say that one game doesn't make or break a prospect, good or bad. But we're all human, you know, subconsciously or consciously, on a stage like this with everything at stake, if you're able to play at a very high level, that's going to mean something.

Or in the inverse, if you fall flat on your face, that also might mean something. And so these games. NFL owners are human. Oh, sure. And very, sometimes, some of them are very measured, but some of them are very impulsive. And they may see a guy in one game and be like, you have to take that guy to the general manager or you're never putting this person on my team to the general manager. Sure.

I mean, that absolutely happens. And that's why I always, you know, we talk about. I draft this time of year. But then I also kind of mention how things can change very quickly once coaches get involved, once owners get involved. And that's about to happen here in a few months. But yeah, you think telling me Jim Ursay, you know, if he doesn't catch one of these games, it's not going to, you know, assuming Chris Baller is still the GM, you know,

maybe have a few things to add to the evaluation. Yeah, suggestions, very good. So, I mean, I mean, with CJ Stroud here, let's start with. with him. Like, this is a quarterback who is, we've talked about him a lot, the last few months, last week, very structurally sound. It'll be really interesting to see how they prepare for this Georgia defense if they do a little bit more to get him on the move. Designed or not, that's been the big knock on C.J. Stroud. He's just not a very creative quarterback. And, you know, if you give him all the time in the world, he will pick you apart. But when things fall apart, which they

often do against the Georgia defense. This Georgia defense, they had eight draft picks last year, five in the first round, and they're still number two in the nation and scoring defense. Like, they're just ridiculous. It's just reload with a lot of, you know, four and five stars that are playing at a high level. So this is a big thing for C.J. Strave to see how he can match up against this, this really tough defense. You know, can he put the offense on his back?

Can he make, can he find the answers? That's really what it is. Can you find the answers to the test? And so there's a lot with C.J. Stroud that's writing on this game and to see what he can do. I give you a trivia question, Dane. This blew my mind this morning as I was going through this. How many Georgia defenders have registered a tackle for loss this season? Oh, wow.

I'm assuming it's a lot, so let's go with 15. 26. Oh, gosh. That's ridiculous. Now, they blow out teams. So there's some younger guys who've gotten into games and gotten to compile a couple things. But I'm looking at the list. And the first 18 or so are guys that play very regularly.

Yeah. I mean, you think about it, that's why Trouin Walker last year, and we, you know, we had so much, there's so much discourse about his evaluation and what he was asked to do. And Jordan Davis only playing, you know, 23 snaps a game. And this is a defense that that's part of the secret sauce is it's not just the talent. It's the way that they sub in guys, keep guys fresh. You know, they go really deep at every single position. And that speaks to that, that stat really speaks to that with the way that they, what they ask of their players and the way that they get them involved.

So that's a tall task for this Ohio State offense. Yeah. And now here's the part that I'm interested in because you've got Paris Johnson. their offensive tackle as a potential first-round draft pick. You talked about how much you like DeWan Jones and how much he's impressed you at his size, the other tackle. Their center is a prospect this year.

Obviously, everybody that plays for Ohio State was a blue chip recruit, that almost always. Every once in a while they'll have a walk-on. But for the most part, we're talking blue-chip of the blue chip. And the question is, will they be capable of blocking this Georgia defensive front? Because there have been moments when they've had to run the ball, had to gain yards on the ground, and couldn't.

Like the Northwestern game, when the wind was blowing so badly, you could have had Dan Marino or Joe Montana on your roster, and you weren't throwing a ball. They couldn't guarantee yards on the ground against Northwestern. And I realize Northwestern has a couple prospects. But Georgia's got guys that are going to play in the NFL three deep. They do.

And that Georgia defensive line, there's not a lot of notable names aside from Jalen Carter. And, you know, with Nolan Smith out, I mean, how many other

just, you know, the regular college football fan can name another Georgia front seven defender. Right? I mean, if you take out Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter, there's a lot of younger guys,

guys that aren't well known, but they're still really talented. And so this Ohio State offensive line, that interior, with Jalen Carter going up against the interior of the Ohio State offensive line is going to be obviously one of the most important matchups in this game. All three of Ohio State's interior offensive linemen are going to be drafted. Or they're going to play in the NFL.

They have that talent. It's just they don't always play consistent. So yeah, Luke Whippler at center. He'll have an NFL decision to make after this game. I think Donovan Jackson, the left guard, has the highest ceiling, but he's only a sophomore, not eligible. and then Matthew Jones at right guard, he also has a chance that he has some draftable grades this year. So they've got guys, it's just a matter of can they do enough to execute the game plan? Jalen Carter, you know, we've talked about them at length many times.

His block destruction is special. And that ability to break down the rhythm of blockers will destroy an offensive game plan. And so that is going to be a major factor in this game, what they do. And then on the edges, Paris Johnson, Duane Jones. I mean, in my mock draft, I had three offensive tackles going in that first round. Two are playing in this game with Paris Johnson on one side for Ohio State and Broderick Jones, the left tackle for Georgia on the other side. And the other offensive tackle in my mock draft was Peter Skronski,

who might not even play offensive tackle at the next level. So if you want an offensive tackle, if your NFL team does, this is the game to watch to see how these guys hold up. it'll be a really, and, you know, let's just talk about Broder Jones too, while we're talking about the offensive linemen. Broger Jones, when he struggled this year, you throw on the Missouri tape, you throw on the LSU tape, he struggled against power and guys that could really get into his chest. He's a really good athlete. You love the movement skills.

But when he struggled, it was against some of those guys that could get inside of his body. And Zach Harrison is one of the longest players in college football. I mean, he's got almost 36-inch arms, and that speed, that build-up power, could give Broderick Jones to some little bit of trouble. So that'll be definitely a match-up to watch. Yeah, and getting back to the interior of Ohio State's offensive line, you saw in the second half of the Michigan game,

they struggled with Mike Morris and Mazzie Smith. Jalen Carter is notches above those guys. And those guys are good. Like, those guys are getting drafted and potentially pretty. high. Jalen Carter is levels above. And that's the part. And then Georgia's got some young guys that they'll throw in there that can do the same

thing. And maybe not as well as Jalen Carter, but do it very well. So yeah, that's the part up the middle because that's where you really, if you're C.J. Stroud, you got trouble. And to your point, do they move him around? Because if you are moving the pocket, then that becomes less of an issue because when you got to make that guy who's breaking through the A-gap run and sprint to where the quarterback is sprinting to, you're going to wear him out. So it is possible to negate that a bit.

It will be interesting to see what kind of game plan Ohio State has in terms of the protection. Do they keep a back home to block? Do they do a lot of movement? Do they, a lot of quick game? It really will be interesting. I mentioned on the last. last pod how I don't think that, you know, like Keeley Ringo, he, every single, watch him on tape, every single snap, he's immediately retreating. You know, he's immediately going backwards and he gives up a lot of stuff in front of him. But it will be tougher for them to win over the top against Marvin Harrison, not only because of that coverage, but also the pass rush getting home.

So does Ohio State pivot a little bit and use a lot more movement than they have than they've shown? C.J. Strauss is not a bad athlete. He can do it. at least physically, but can he, is he comfortable doing it? That's, that's really the unknown of this. And so that will definitely be really interesting to watch. I mean, we know Ohio State's got the talent to match up with Georgia. They do. Ohio State could have the most draft picks in April of any college football team.

It is very, very possible. It's just a matter of, can they, do they have the right game plan in place to match up with Georgia's going to throw out of them? That's what's interesting to me. And you mentioned keeping it in front of it. But that was exactly Georgia's plan against Tennessee, which was the most explosive offense they played, where they never let anybody get behind him. They were happy to let Hennon Hooker throw the ball eight yards and just clobber the guy as soon as he caught it. And that doesn't work.

Like Jalen Hyatt doesn't break loose that way. Cedric Tillman doesn't break loose that way. And I would imagine that is the plan. Hinden Hooker's a better runner than C.J. Stroud. Yeah. And their plan was light up Hinden Hooker, too. And that's the problem with Georgia. And you've seen this throughout the time Kirby Smart's been there.

He has more at his disposal now. Like I go back to that Rose Bowl against the Baker-Mayfield, Oklahoma team. And they initially tried to keep everything in front of it. And Baker just picked him apart. And Kirby's like, screw it. Putting an extra guy in the box. You guys play man and we'll deal with it. And they ended up winning the game because of that.

Now I'm not even sure they got to put the extra guy in the box. I think they can get pressure and you saw it because they bring the fourth guy from different places and occasionally they bring the fifth guy. But they've got an adequate coverage it feels like every time. Yeah. And I mean, Christopher Smith had a big game in the SEC championship game against LSU. Not to talk too much about Keely Ringo, but this is a big game for him to show that he is a natural. cover man like we've said before Frivan Diggs, baby.

Gamel, gamble, gamble. Right. And with Ringo, he's going to size speed off the charts. But, you know, if he needs to have a good game, he's not a lock top 20 pick. Put it that way. Because the awareness, the technique,

it doesn't all just look natural for him. And so in the NFL, it'll be a little bit easier to complete passes on him. So this will be a big game for Ringo. I mean, you're looking at the that front seven for Georgia and are we going to see maybe an underrated player shine through

like a name to keep an eye on Robert Beal for Georgia number 33 who you know with Nolan Smith out you want to see him maybe step up a little bit he's a 50 year senior he's been in the program for a long time good size players 6 4, 255 pounds

has 34 and a half inch arms Georgia kid I mean he's already 23 years old he's an older player, and so this is his time to shine. If we're going to see maybe a lesser-known player shine for Georgia, I think it could be Robert Beale. That is an excellent choice because that's a guy who was generating buzz before the season, just because of his traits.

But, you know, it's Georgia, and you're not going to put up big – it's the same reason Jermaine Johnson left Georgia and went to Florida State, like wanted to be an every-down player and showed he was a first-round draft pick. So sometimes with Georgia, the stats don't necessarily. tell the story. Let's flip the ball around, talk about when George is on offense, when Ohio State's on defense. Steel Chambers, the converted running back linebacker, he said he's coming back. Tommy Eichenberg, the linebacker, has said he's not sure what he wants to do. This is a person who I want to see what he does because he's going to have to deal with Darnell Washington. He's going to have to

deal with Brock Bowers. He's going to have to tackle Kenny McIntosh. You better have a great game. Yeah, in Georgia, we know they use more of a committee-based run game. That's kind of the foundation of their game plan. But, yeah, no doubt. McIntosh is the lead dog there, leads the team in rushing. I think he's got 10 touchdowns now. He was my top-ranked running back prospect among the seniors in the summer. And I think he's done a nice job this year as being the guy.

You know, he's probably going to be somewhere in that third, fourth-round range. He's got really good hands out of the summer. backfield. But Tommy Eichenberg, man, there are some scouts that are super high on Tommy Eichenberg. They believe he could be a top 50, top 60 pick, which surprised me a little bit just because I think his coverage is a little hit or miss. But as a run defender, he is lights out. I mean, extremely disciplined with his eyes, with his fits, strong rap tackler. His downhill angles and burst are just outstanding. And so Tommy Eichenberg is, is, He'll have an NFL decision to make after this one.

He said he's undecided or he said he hasn't really thought about it yet. You know, it'll be interesting to see what he does after this one. But I think, you know, to your point with these tight ends, because there's no doubt. Brock Bowers, Darno, Washington. That's how Georgia wants to play with those two guys in terms of moving the football. How they match up against the Ohio State safeties, whoever wins that matchup, that might determine the outcome of this game.

You know, Brock Bowers, he leads the team in receiving. Darno Washington's top four on the team in receiving. And then what they give you in the block. Yeah. Brock Bowers would be their best running back too. Oh, sure. If they just handed him the ball. Sure.

Yeah. I mean, yeah, exactly. But even as a blocker, Brock Bowers, I don't think gets enough credit with what he does. Now, Darno, Washington, that's, you know, there aren't many lean athletic 280 pounders like him out there. But, you know, that's what he offers is what he, as a blocker. So how Brock Bowers Darnell Washington match up with Ronnie Hickman and Lathen Ransom, the Ohio State Safeties, and they go deeper that, Tanner McAllister and a couple other guys.

But those two guys, especially, Ransom and Hickman, that really could tell the story of this game. I mean, Hickman, he's already declared for the draft. He'll be in this class. I think he's some way. He's got a chance to go top 100 because he's big, long, speedy guy. Um, he's been Ohio State's best cover, uh, cover man in, in the secondary. But I think a part of that is he doesn't take a lot of chances. I want to see him take a little more chances than this one. Um, he's given up only one catch of 15 yards or more this year. Uh, so Ronnie Hickman's in very good in coverage. And then Lath and Ransom, his, he's, he's a little more hit or miss. His highs are higher than Hickman, but his lows are lower, uh, when you just break down his film. And so can Ransom play, because you, you watch the Maryland game. and ransoms all over the place. Oh, he was all over the deal.

Yeah. But against Michigan, it was the opposite. Yeah, he did not have a good game against Michigan. So what can he, can he have a strong game, both those safeties, that will go a long way to limiting those two tight ends for Georgia. I am going to be very intrigued by this. And Darnaut Washington as a receiver, because I still think they were messing around with LSU in the SEC championship game.

That that two-point conversion to darnow Washington just get this, on tape for whoever has to play in the playoffs to scare the hell out of you because that that's exactly what that is is you know he has not been used as much as a receiver as I think he will be in the NFL strictly because Brock Bowers is on the team with him and but but if the matchup is there they're going to take it and there's a guy we have not talked about yet and it's a very polarizing topic when it came to the Heism trophy I don't think he will be when it comes to the draft but Stets and Benner. I believe Stetson Bennett will make an NFL roster and will draw an NFL paycheck for a number of years.

Do I think he'll ever be a starting quarterback in the NFL? Probably not. But this is a very good college quarterback who, you mentioned Zach Harrison. Well, if Zach Harrison breaks through and puts pressure on Stets and Bennett, Sets and Bennett's proven he can move around enough to negate a little bit of pressure. pressure. He has. He can move. Setson Bennett, you know, when he first came in a couple years ago, you know, we were thinking J.T. Daniels was going to be the future for Georgia. And Stetson Bennett comes in. And it was just like, you know, who's this guy? Like what, this is, this is the best Georgia

can do. And just over time, he's gotten better and better and better and quieted a lot of doubters now. I mean, I didn't think that Stetson Bennett belonged in, you know, in New York for the Heisman Cemetery. I thought Hennon Hooker got robbed. But Setsa Bennis had a very good year. And I think that he has a chance to get drafted, which I did not think over the summer. The way he's played, the way he's been a distributor of the football, you know, the size is average. The arm is average. But the ball comes out clean. It comes out on time. He has a good feel for where pressure's coming from and to your point, he's a better athlete than, than you expect. He could move around a little bit. Yeah, audicism is above average. That's, and that's the part I think people, people don't get. They think,

oh, there's this try hard guy. No, no, no, no, he's pretty fast and his instincts are very good in terms of pocket presence and all that. So I am very excited to see that. I think this is, it has a potential to be a very good game if Ohio State plays its best game. If Ohio State does not play its best game, you will see some just existential dread coming from Buckeyes fans afterward, because it'll be, that's the team that we're supposed to be able to match up with, and we can't. And we've lost to Michigan two years in a row.

Yeah, yeah. There's no doubt. And, you know, when you think about Ohio State over the years and when they've had success, I mean, let's go all the way back to, you know, like 2014, the first year of the college football playoff when they, Ohio State won at all. You know, against Alabama, I mean, that Sugar Bowl is one of the best games. There's just a fun matchup back and forth. So many NFL players, like, it's amazing going back and look at the NFL players on that

field from Ezekiel Elliott to Joey Bosa to Michael Thomas, and then on Alabama, with Jonathan Allen and Derek Henry. I mean, it was amazing. But a big reason Ohio State won that game is they got consistent pressure on Blake Sims. And so that is going to be a big part of this. Also, a big reason Ohio State won that game is Blake Sims was Alabama's quarterback. Yes, that did play a part. I mean, Cardell Jones, you know, on the other side, you know, he did enough not to hurt Ohio State.

But, yeah, there's no doubt. Blake Sims had a couple interceptions in that game that just, you're really held them back, but they were able to, with Michael Bennett at defensive tackle, Joey Bosa at defensive end. I mean, they got consistent pressure on the pocket. And can Ohio state do that this year against a pretty good

Georgia offensive line? I mean, Georgia, if Michigan won the Joe Moore Award this year, we talk about Michigan here in a second, if Georgia won the Joe Moore Award, I don't think anybody would have batted a night. I mean, I think, oh, yeah, that makes sense. I mean, they're a very...

Cedric Van Pangeer, the center is a prospect. that you're going to be talking about, I would imagine, quite a bit this spring. Well, and maybe even, yeah, if he declares, he's a young player, only a redshirt sophomore, so he has an NFL decision to make. This is not a great center class. And so, you know, Van Pran can certainly help that. But, yeah, Vincent, Tehran Vincent, Michael Hall, Ohio State defensive tackles. Can they get a little bit of that interior pressure?

and then, you know, JTT and Zach Harrison and the defensive ends, Ohio State has, can they have any success? Warren McClendon is the Georgia right tackle. I think he's probably an NFL guard, but he could come out and be a guy you look at the top four rounds. So this Georgia offensive line is very, very talented, and it's going to be a big part of the game plan for Ohio State. If they're going to win, if they're going to keep it close, it's getting pressure on the quarterback. Yeah. Well, let's move out to the Fiesta Bowl.

Let's talk Michigan and TCU. It's a different vibe here. It's very interesting because the two teams with the most prospects are playing one another in the one four game and the two teams with the least prospects are playing each other in the two three game. If there's a first rounder on the field, is there Quinn Johnson from TCU, the receiver?

Anybody else on this field that could sneak into that? Um, you know, I think Mazzie Smith has a chance. Obviously, he's been in the news for the wrong reasons, uh, this month. And so that's got to work itself out. I mean, Jim Harbaugh has been very adamant about his decision, not to suspend him at all or, well, and the information about that, I think when you read everything that happened, I, I understand where Harbaugh and the administration are coming from. And, you know, Mazzie Smith was maybe not as clear. on the laws as he should have been. But, right. He's facing felony weapons charges. So, you know, for people that don't know, he, he, he was pulled over with a loaded gun in his car. And I mean, it's just, that's got to work.

He was coming back from the gun range. He had not locked it. Which, if, you know, if you've ever taken a concealed carry class, like, that's the first thing I tell you, lock that sucker up, make sure it's not readily available to you. And he had loaded magazines in his pockets. You're going to get in big trouble every time if, if that happens. And so, you know, well, depending on your state. But that's that, but if you look at how it's been handled since then, I, that's one of those, I think in the interviews, he's going to be able to say, I'm sorry, I was trying to learn the right things to do.

And I didn't know them. Yeah. And that may or may not work, but I think you got a shot at that point. But, you know, it is, it is interesting because, because Mazzie Smith, you look at that game against Ohio State. And he was very disruptive against the Buckeyes. I think he can be very disruptive against TCU, which, by the way, has a center, Steve Avila, who is a draft prospect.

Yeah, playing left guard. Yeah, he was their center. That's right. That's right. He started out of their center. And they moved out of the left guard because they brought in Alan Ali from SMU. And so they, but I mean, both these guys are like five-year starters. I mean, they've been playing, they've seen a lot of football.

And so that matchup would be a lot of fun. Because, yeah, Mazzie Smith, and you leave him one-on-one, he can win that match-up and find his way into the backfield pretty quickly. If you double-team him, he can handle double teams as well. So, you know, he's just a really impressive player. But Steve Avila, yeah, I like him quite a bit. I mean, he's more of a phone booth guy than a guy you want on the move. But big-bodied, heavy hands, knockback power.

So that'll be a good matchup. And then let's talk about Max Duggan. He is, he's already said that he's going to declare for the draft. He's a fourth year senior, so, you know, could have gone back. But, you know, I don't blame him for going now. This is a guy that was, you know, highly recruited out of Iowa. Ohio State offered him. Nebraska thought they had him.

And he decides to, you know, Iowa and Kirk Forens was the first team to offer him back when he's a sophomore. and he decides that, you know, I want to change a scenery. I want to go to a bigger area in terms of, you know, not a college town. I want to go to a metropolitan area and he chooses TCU. And, you know, his last three years or his first three years were very up and down. And he wasn't really considered a draft prospect coming into the year. He wasn't even a starter.

He didn't even win the starting job this year. Yeah, exactly. I guess Colorado, right? The opener, the Chandler. Chandler Morris started. Chandler Morris, yeah, the, who's father, Chad Morris, long time high school and college football coach. But yeah, and Dougan, though, this decision, I think, is very interesting because you look at Michael Pinnock's, Bo Nix, some of these quarterbacks who could have come out who decided to stay.

I think Dougan's looking at that and going, you know what, this pushes me up. Sure. Well, and that's, he already got a senior bowl invite. I mean, it's, you look at, because if Pennix comes out, Bo Nix comes out, I mean, who knows if Doug gets that invite, if Hendon Hooker's still healthy. So, yeah, you look at this senior class of quarterbacks. I mean, it's Will Levis, then, you know, there's a little bit of a gap, and then it's okay, what's, what's the order after that?

I mean, I think a lot of people would say Hendon Hookers next, but that's not going to be a universal thought. I'm a big J.K.A. Baby. Big J.K. Inter fan. Aiden O'Connell. A lot of teams like Aiden O'Connell. There are some third-round grades on Aiden O'Connell out there. Clayton Tunes in the mix. And then Max Dugans right there with those guys. I mean, after that, you know, my guy from Shepard Tyson-Bagent, then you were talking about Stetson Bennett, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Sam Hartman hasn't decided what he's doing yet. So, yeah, and Max Duggan's got a chance to really capitalize on this season being the Heisman front run, or not the runner-up. And who knows what he could do in this game. And he's going up against a Michigan defense that's pretty good. I mean, they rig top five in the country and yards allowed, points allowed. And so Max Duggan is a guy that when that first option is taken away and there's no clear run lanes,

can he find second, third, fourth options in the passing game? That's what I want to see from him in this one. Because that's what TCU is going to need to do to win. it's not going to be just simply ground and pound with Kendrae Miller and Duggan. They're going to have to put the ball in the air. And when Quentin Johnson's taken away or Darius Davis or whoever, it'll be a really interesting matchup. I do get back to Quentin Johnston. We talked about Marvin Harrison Jr. versus Keely Ringo.

Quentin Johnson versus Michigan's DJ Turner, that to me is one of the more fun one-on-one matchups. DJ Turner, you know, he's a freaks list guy. for our buddy Bruce Feldman. You know, he runs into four-two's, 23 miles per hour on the GPS. These guy's got speed, and he's a really physical player. How he matches up with Quentin Johnston,

who, you know, once you give Quentin Johnson a runway, he just takes off. And his size, the way he tracks the football, he could be a weapon down the field. So that's going to be a lot of fun. For TCU to win, they're going to have to hit a few of those big shots. And that's going to be a fun matchup

between that receiver and corner. Will Johnson, the five-star freshman, the corner on the other side, who may find himself matched up against Quentin Johnson. Quentin Johnson is an interesting one because he's the one who scares you. And everyone in the Big 12 knew that's who they're going at most of the time. That's who they're looking for. And they still couldn't stop him. And that would scare me.

Another guy I'm excited to watch, and he's already said he's coming back because I think he probably feels like he needs more seasoning on this side of the ball, is Mikey Sanmer still at Michigan the nickel. He's a converted receiver made, I think, the biggest play in the Ohio State game when he knocked that ball away from Cade Stover in the end zone. In the end zone. I'm excited to see him develop more as a DB because it hasn't been that long since he got moved over from receiver.

But DJ Turner and Will Johnson, the two corners at Michigan, those two guys may be the most important players on the field for the Wolverines this week. Yeah, no doubt. And in Sandor still, he's, I mean, 5-9, 185 pounds. Like, he's just not a big guy. And that's obviously going to complicate his NFL evaluation. But yeah, the more he just shows up and makes plays, that's definitely going to be, you know, something that helps him. Now, on the flip side, you know, talking about Michigan receivers, we saw a few of those guys really shine against Ohio State. are can we see that against TCU who has a pretty you know they've got some guys on that defense they're going to play in the NFL leading with I mean Trevius Hodges Tomlinson exactly

Ladanian's nephew who and like he's a it's a tough conversation a little bit because he is small I mean there's no hiding it he is under 5 8 he's under 180 pounds he's under 30 inch arms I mean he's small hands everything about you know his game just on paper is small, but he plays so much bigger than that. And so can he have another big game going up against Ronnie Bell, or Cornelius Johnson? And Ronnie Bell is an interesting one because he's a, as a zone route runner, he will pick you apart all day.

He finds the holes in the defense, sits down, he catches the ball really well, but he's not very good in contested situations. And that's something, that's music to the ears of Hodges Tomlinson, because he will crowd the catch point. He will get up on you and make it really difficult to finish catches. And so that's going to be a big matchup for Michigan, those receivers, to win the one-on-on matchups.

And it's going to be fun to see if TCU can stop that. Well, and Cornelius Johnson was the breakout star of the Ohio State game catching all those long passes. You look at his game-by-game throughout his career. He just never had that. But they've never had a quarterback who could get it to him until J.J. McCarthy or who could get it down the field that way. And then they didn't ask JJ McCarthy to really do that until the Ohio State game.

I'm kind of curious with these Michigan receivers. Do we really know what they are? Because we haven't gotten a chance to see what they can do because they haven't either haven't had the quarterback to get it to them or they haven't asked the quarterback to them. It'll be really interesting to see what Cornelis Johnson does after this because he's a fourth year senior. Technically could go back.

you know if he if he goes to the draft he'll be uh i don't i don't his senior bowl's already taking a lot of receivers uh but i mean he's a guy that i know scouts like and they think he's draftable uh you know he's six three two and a half right side yeah right he's got 32 inch arms he's he's a guy that uh you know it's probably in the you know four four eight range in terms of speed like there's a lot there to like with cornelis johnson it's just a matter of it's not that he can't do it just wasn't asked to be to do it uh consistently downfield so um but you know, if I'm Jim Harbaugh, I'm going to say, hey, you know, next year is probably our last year with J.G. McCarthy. We need a veteran receiver and we're going to unleash it more. We're going to throw the ball down field more.

I mean, maybe they can convince him to go back to school next year. We'll soon. And one more Michigan player I wanted to ask you about before we get out of here, Dane, is the guy, I think he was the second most important transfer this year behind the Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. That's Olu Olu Oluo Timi, the center who came from Virginia. He won the Outland Trophy and the Remington Trophy from a, from a, an intangible standpoint, the most important player on Michigan's offensive line. I'm curious, as far as your evaluation, is he the best player on Michigan's offensive line? Or, you know, how does he fall in terms of evaluation? So, look, I'm going to get killed by Michigan fans for this, but go for it. Be nice.

Be honest. I'll be honest. I'm not going to be nice. But I just, I do not like Olu and Timmy that much as a prospect. I gave him a six-run grade. I think there's a lot of issues that are going to really pop up once he gets to the next level. I don't see a guy, if he's going to be my starter at the next level, that's really going to worry me. Too often you see him knocked off balance by power.

Just that inconsistent balance through contact really bothers me. The inconsistent pad level, he doesn't displace guys. So I think he's really good with that initial positioning, but the sustain is very inconsistent. And he's a center-only prospect. And that's something that I know a lot of teams, you know, that'll bother them as well, being a center-only.

So, you know, I think he is draftable, but we're talking about a late-round guy more so than a guy that should go in the top four rounds. You know, I think because he won all these awards and all that, you know, people are getting a little worked sense of type of prospect he is. But now with that said, he's still a lot. very, very important to your point, very important to what Michigan does up front. This is a little like Barrett Jones when he was at Alabama.

Critically important to Alabama's team, not necessarily the best NFL prospect. Right, exactly, 100%. And, you know, I think that's, we've seen that this year. I think Ryan Hayes at left tackle, probably going to move inside the guard. I think he's a better prospect. Zach Zinter, who I'm told is 50-50 on whether he's coming out or going back to school. at guard. He's a really good player. If he comes out, I think he could, he would be the first Michigan offensive line been drafted. So, you know, that, that offensive line is just, it's such an

impressive unit overall in the way they're coached and the way they execute. And, you know, it starts with each one of those guys. And so that, that'll, and look, let's, we have to mention, because obviously we know Michigan, they want to run the football. And without, right, Blake Corum. Right, but you know, with Donovan Edwards. Donovan Edwards. He stepped in an average 200 yards rushing the last two games against Ohio State and Purdue. So we know they can get it done on the ground with Donovan Edwards. What does TCU, TCU's run defense.

It's two guys, I'm keeping an eye on here. Linebacker, D. Winters, who is smaller player. And that's going to hurt him in the evaluation process. But he's still draftable because he has outstanding range. The chase speed is very good. The stopping power at contact is very good. He needs to have a big game. And then on the edge, because they run kind of a three-man front,

on the edge, plays mostly left end. Dylan Horton, the defensive end, 6-4-275. We talked about him a little bit with Jim Nagy when we had him on a few weeks ago or last month. This is a really underrated player. I think he's a day-two player all day. he had a great game against Kansas State in the Big 12 championship game. If the TCU defense is going to limit that Michigan offense, those two players,

De Winters, Dylan Horton, both will be draft picks. I think both need a big game in this one. So the running game, I find this very interesting because, you know, TCU not as successful stopping the run against Kansas State, which is the different kind of offense. against Texas, though, with Bejohn Robinson, 21 carries 28 yards. Now, in college, they take out sacks for Russia, but they only had two sacks. TCU only had two sacks in that game. They shut down Bejohn Robinson in a game that Texas decided to turn into a rock fight,

and TCU was perfectly capable of playing that way. And that is the only thing, that game is what gives me a glimmer of hope for TCU in this game. is that they did play a team that said, you know what, we're going to try to beat you on the ground. They shut them down, made them one-dimensional, made their quarterback beat them, and Quinn Ewers was not up to the task. J.J. McCarthy, though, different story.

We're not talking about him as a draft prospect of. He's only a sophomore. But we talked earlier about the receivers not being asked to do a ton. J.J. McCarthy wasn't asked to do much until the Ohio. Ohio State game when he basically put the team on his back for three quarters. And I am very excited to see what he does as the competition level rises here in the playoff. I'd love to see him against Georgia because J.J. McCarthy versus Georgia, very different

than Cade McNamara last year versus Georgia, but they got to get past TCU first. So can he have that kind of game against TCU? If TCU sells out and we are stopping the run. You better beat us through the air. Can he do it? Yeah, no doubt. That'll be a big part of this one. And, I mean, the only thing I'd say about Texas TCU is Texas,

I feel like they went away from the running game pretty quick in that one. I think Bijan only finished with 12 carries. That's one thing we know Michigan won't do. They will stay with the run game and keep it going. But to your point, J.J. McCarthy, if they need him to make a big play through the air, can he do it? His talent is off the charts. I mean, he's not just size movement guy.

He's got the arm. He's got a lot of ability there. So, yeah, that'll be a big part of this game. And it's something that we look, you know, as we get into the summer and look at the 2024 quarterback class, we know about Drake May. We've talked about Caleb Williams. J.J. McCarthy could be on a trajectory to at least join them in that top tier. He has that type of ability.

It's just, you know, and Quinn Ewers could be there as well. So this will be a fun one to watch for McCarthy, who seems like a really confident, coachable kid. That's going to help him. Yeah. If you want to see the teammate play, go back to the 2021 Big Ten championship game. There's a Donovan Edwards run against Iowa,

where J.J. McCarthy is lead blocking for him 35 yards down the field. It's more, I'm not sure what's more impressive that J.J. McCarthy runs with Donovan Edwards and actually beats him because he gets ahead of him to block for him, but then lays a tremendous block on the guy when he gets there. So, yeah, it's going to be fun. I can't wait. I am so excited about the college football playoff. I like these two matchups.

I think they're going to be fun games. I hope we don't get two blowouts. I'm tired of the blowouts. I realize the 12 teams coming in a couple of years. But before it, before the 14 dies, give us one roll. the games are fun. This might be one of those. Dane, thank you so much. Cannot wait to talk to you after. This was the Athletic Football Show.