2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch: Conference Championship Week

Watch NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director of college scouting Dane Vandernat discusses some of the marquee matchups for college football in conference championship week, along with some prospects that the NFLPA Bowl will be keeping tabs on, as he joined Ric Serritella and Lorenz Leinweber during ‘The State of Football’ show on Sports Illustrated.


Below are some of the highly contested games that NFL scouts will be sure to pay close attention to this weekend:


Featured Game: Western Kentucky at UTSA, Friday, December 3rd, 7:00 pm

Two very successful programs will face off in the Alamodome on Friday night, in order to determine the Conference USA championship. UTSA had their miraculous season interrupted last week, as they lost against North Texas for their first loss of the season. To bounce back, the Roadrunners will look to rally around athletically gifted cornerback Tariq Woolen, as they look to slow down Western Kentucky’s explosive offense. Quarterback Bailey Zappe leads the country in passing yards and passing touchdowns.


Featured Game: #9 Baylor vs #5 Oklahoma State, Saturday, December 4th, 12:00 pm

Both teams competing in the Big12 championship game have exceeded expectations being ranked in the top ten this late in the season. In his second year at the helm, head coach Dave Aranda has built a squad that wins by running the ball and playing tough defense. Oklahoma State will have to stop the two-headed Baylor rushing attack in the form of Abram Smith and Trestan Ebner. When the Cowboys are on offense at AT&T Stadium, they are going to see plenty of Jalen Pitre, who is an instinctive defensive back who is always around the football.


 Featured Game: #21 Houston at #4 Cincinnati, Saturday, December 4th, 4:00 pm

Playoff hopes are on the line for this one, as the Cincinnati Bearcats look to make history and claim a spot as the first non power five team in the eight-year history of the playoff format. They will be led by quarterback Desmond Ridder, who is a strong-armed passer with outstanding leadership. His favorite target Alec Pierce has finally been healthy and able to show how dominant he can be all season. To slow them down, the Houston Cougars have to rely on their playmakers at cornerback. Damarion Williams and Marcus Jones need to prevail or Houston will have a problem.

 

*For more insight on the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl process, including players who have caught our attention, be sure to tune in to ‘The State of Football’ every Thursday at 9:00 am eastern time, as executive director Dane Vandernat joins Ric Serritella and Lorenz Leinweber on Sports Illustrated!

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week Thirteen Watch List Report  

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will provide insight into some of the top prospect performances from around the nation! Be sure to keep up with our latest game announcements on Twitter @NFLPABowl.

 

Michigan has finally done it! For the first time since 2011, they beat Ohio State 42-27 in what was a memorable game in snowy Ann Arbor. The game that many hope will be a turning point in the Jim Harbaugh era was headlined by the Wolverines’ dominance in the trenches. Not only were they able to run the ball at will against the Buckeyes defense but also consistently got pressure on star quarterback CJ Stroud.

At the forefront of the defensive line’s effort was senior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson who came back to Michigan in order to win the big game. He had three quarterback sacks and was in the backfield consistently, as Ohio State had no answers to his pass rush. After the game, Jim Harbaugh stated, “Aidan, his performance was also dominant, single-season sack record already, definitely should be a strong consideration for the Heisman trophy.” Few embody the culture that Harbaugh is building like Hutchinson who will lead the Wolverines into their Big10 title game showdown against Iowa on Saturday.

Closing out their season with five consecutive victories, including the one over Oregon a week ago, the Utes have once again earned a Pac12 championship berth. In a home victory over Colorado, Utah’s run game was what led them to victory. Behind a big, physical offensive line, their lead rushers Tavion Thomas and TJ Pledger racked up 245 yards. Senior left tackle Bamidele Olaseni has come into his own and played a big part in Utah’s successful ground attack to end the season. At 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds, the former JUCO player possesses rare size, combined with excellent athleticism and he is just scratching the surface of what his potential might be.

Originally hailing from London, England, Olaseni was the ninth-rated JUCO offensive tackle in the nation, coming out of Garden City in 2019. After redshirting and then having an up and down 2020 campaign, he earned the starting left tackle early in 2021. “To be honest, the concept of college football’s offensive line is still crazy to me,” he said, “but it is what it is and I’m the type of person that doesn’t really actually like the spotlight.”


What could have been for the Auburn Tigers on Saturday night, as the team rallied around first-year head coach Bryan Harsin and almost pulled off the Iron Bowl upset over Alabama, losing in overtime. Despite the tough defeat, it was a strong defensive performance that put them in position to be within a chance of winning. Spearheaded by Roger McCreary, the Tigers only surrendered ten points in regulation, shutting out the Crimson Tide through three quarters.

The senior cornerback from Mobile, Alabama, deflected four passes and was all over Alabama’s star receivers right until the last play, where it was him who allowed the game-winning two-point conversion. Despite this, McCreary has been excellent all season and is expected to have his name called early in the NFL Draft. Auburn coaches describe him as a tough player, which is not something that is often said about cornerbacks.


 

*For more insight on the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl process, including players who have caught our attention, be sure to tune in to ‘The State of Football’ every Thursday at 9:00 am eastern time, as executive director Dane Vandernat joins Lorenz Leinweber on Sports Illustrated!

 

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week Twelve Watch List Report  

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will provide insight into some of the top prospect performances from around the nation! Be sure to keep up with our latest game announcements on Twitter @NFLPABowl.

 

Heading into the season, there was not a game in the Big 12 more anticipated than the week 12 matchup between Iowa State and Oklahoma. While the season did not turn out as expected for the Cyclones, the Sooners still have an opportunity for the College Football Playoffs. Their win on Saturday put them one step closer to reaching that goal.

In a strong defensive performance that limited star running back Breece Hall to 58 rushing yards, it was safety Delarrin Turner-Yell who stood out as a playmaker with 11 tackles, including some big third-down stops. The senior also added a timely third-quarter interception of Hunter Dekkers, almost putting the game out of reach for the Cyclones. After the game, Turner-Yell said: “You can call it being in the right place at the right time but at the end of the day I made a play and I’m very happy.”


 

Despite losing to Alabama this past weekend, Arkansas should be proud of their performance, as they kept the game close with a gutsy performance that included a successful fake field goal. The Razorbacks have taken a massive step forward in head coach Sam Pittman’s second season. A big reason for their success is fifth-year senior linebacker and special teams dynamo Grant Morgan, who demonstrated why he is so valuable to the program. He racked up eleven tackles, as well as two quarterback hurries in Tuscaloosa.

The former walk-on also surpassed the 300 career tackles milestone with his performance. Despite their admirable performance, Morgan clarified: “We are not into moral victories, everybody on that field believed that we could win the game. Just know, we are still on the rise and that game is another example of it.”


 

In his final game at the Horseshoe, Ohio State wideout Chris Olave proved why he is one of the best receivers in the country. Contributing seven receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns during the Buckeyes 56-7 rout of Michigan State, Olave made sure to put NFL scouts on notice. His second score was the 35th touchdown of his career, breaking the Buckeyes all-time school record, previously held by David Boston. It is safe to say that the one-time three-star recruit has exceeded expectations during his time in Columbus.

The San Diego native has now surpassed 700 receiving yards for three consecutive seasons while sharing the field with multiple future NFL wideouts. An excellent ball tracker, he will look to continue his downfield success at the next level in 2022. But first, Olave has plans to bring home ‘The Natty!’

*For more insight on the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl process, including players who have caught our attention, be sure to tune in to ‘The State of Football’ every Thursday at 9:00 am eastern time, as executive director Dane Vandernat joins Lorenz Leinweber on Sports Illustrated!

 

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch: Week 12 Preview

Watch NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director of college scouting Dane Vandernat discusses some of the marquee matchups for college football in week twelve, along with some prospects that the NFLPA Bowl will be keeping tabs on, as he joined Lorenz Leinweber during ‘The State of Football’ show on Sports Illustrated.

Below are some of the highly contested games that NFL scouts will be sure to pay close attention to this weekend:

Featured Game: Iowa State at #13 Oklahoma, Saturday, November 20th, 12:00 pm

Both teams coming off a disappointing loss makes this matchup, which many saw as the preview to the Big12 title game before the season, all the more intriguing. Defensive linemen Isaiah Thomas and Perrion Winfrey are trying to bounce back after Baylor ran all over Oklahoma last week. On the Cyclones side of the ball, they will have size advantages with their tight ends Charlie Kolar and Chase Allen who can catch the ball and open up rushing lanes as blockers.

Featured Game: #11 Baylor at Kansas State, Saturday, November 20th, 5:30 pm

Head coach Dave Aranda has done a great job in his second season at Baylor. After their huge win over Oklahoma, he has to keep his team focussed on their matchup with a potent Kansas State offense. Safety Jalen Pitre will assist in that task as he is one of the most instinctive players in all of college football, lining up and making plays all over for Baylor. On offense, they have to get the high-powered attack around backs Abram Smith and Trestan Ebner going again.


 

Featured Game: #3 Oregon vs #23 Utah, Saturday, November 20th, 9:00 pm

One of the biggest games of the week is going down out west at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday night. The 7-3 Utes currently sit on top of the Pac12 South and can almost secure a rematch with Oregon in the championship game if they can pull off the win. Huge offensive tackle Bamidele Olaseni who possesses outstanding size and athleticism has a big test against projected top pick Kayvon Thibodeaux.

*For more insight on the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl process, including players who have caught our attention, be sure to tune in to ‘The State of Football’ every Thursday at 9:00 am eastern time, as executive director Dane Vandernat joins Lorenz Leinweber on Sports Illustrated!

 

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week Eleven Watch List Report 

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will provide insight into some of the top prospect performances from around the nation! Be sure to keep up with our latest game announcements on Twitter @NFLPABowl.

 

On Friday night the fifth-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats handled business on the road, beating a struggling South Florida team 45-28. A big reason for Cincinnati’s strong performances on the defensive side of the ball has been senior defensive end, Myjai Sanders. Against the Bulls, he racked up only his second sack of the year, as well as a pass deflection but his impact is much more significant than the box score would indicate. Possessing great length, impressive speed, and power, he shows all the traits required to become a quality NFL pass-rusher.

His presence oftentimes makes his opponents frequently shift attention towards Sanders, leaving other defenders with easier matchups. The senior could have declared for the draft after an impressive 2020 season that saw him touted as a potential first-round pick but decided to return to Cincinnati, in order to take care of unfinished business. Sitting at 10-0, the Bearcats are well on their way to doing just that.


 

Coming down the backstretch of the college football season, one player who has had an impressive year is UCLA nickel defender and safety Qwuantrezz Knight, who leads the Bruins in tackles. In their first victory at the Rose Bowl since the week two upset over LSU, UCLA beat Colorado 44-20. Knight was once again all over the field, totaling six tackles with a sack and two tackles for loss. Few nickel defenders in the country show the ability for timing blitzes and attacking the backfield at the right times as Knight does.

His improved tackling has allowed him to finish plays week in and week out. Having spent his first three seasons with the Maryland Terrapins, Knight joined Kent State for 2019 before being a graduate transfer to UCLA ahead of the 2020 campaign. The extra eligibility granted due to COVID-19 allowed him to return and help the Bruins reach bowl eligibility once more in 2021.

 

One of the best running backs in the country is Arizona State’s Rachaad White, who has put up great numbers week in and week out without much recognition. In the Sun Devils win over Washington, he was a true workhorse once again running the ball 32 times for 184 yards while also leading his team in receiving with five receptions for 53 yards. A rainy game demanded White to carry the offense which he was more than capable of. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he can handle this kind of volume consistently, having surpassed 30 touches in the last two weeks.

After the game White said: “I like playing in the rain. That’s probably the best win in my entire life, in all honesty.” Offensive coordinator Zak Hill added, “That’s what makes him great, he wants to be out there, he doesn’t want to come out, he wants the ball and to give it to him more.”

 

*For more insight on the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl process, including players who have caught our attention, be sure to tune in to ‘The State of Football’ every Thursday at 9:00 am eastern time, as executive director Dane Vandernat joins Lorenz Leinweber on Sports Illustrated!

 

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch: Week 11 Preview 

 

Watch NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director of college scouting Dane Vandernat discuss some of the marquee matchups for college football in Week eleven, along with some prospects that the NFLPA Bowl will be keeping tabs on, as he joined Lorenz Leinweber during ‘The State of Football’ show on Sports Illustrated.

Below are some of the highly contested games that NFL scouts will be sure to pay close attention to this weekend: 

 

Featured Game: #8 Oklahoma at #13 Baylor, Saturday, November 13th, 12:00 pm 

The matchup with the biggest playoff consequences will be played in the Big 12, as Oklahoma travels to Baylor, looking to stay undefeated. While their offense has been getting the most attention during the Lincoln Riley era, the Sooners have a star-studded defense this season. Defensive linemen Isaiah Thomas and Perrion Winfrey can play the run and rush the passer. They can expect a heavy dose of the Bear’s ground game, led by backs Abram Smith and Trestan Ebner.

 

Featured Game: #1 Georgia at Tennessee, Saturday, Saturday, November 13th, 3:30 pm 

A matchup with a lot of senior talent on both sides will be played in Knoxville, as the unbeaten Bulldogs take on the 5-4 Volunteers. For Tennessee, this game will be especially important on the offensive side of the ball with quarterback Hendon Hooker leading his unit against the best defense in the country. Tight end Princeton Fant will see plenty of athletic linebacker Quay Walker, while offensive guard Cade Mays is looking to impress against his former team.

 

Featured Game: Minnesota at #20 Iowa, Saturday, November 13th, 3:30 pm 

After their disappointing loss to Illinois, the Gophers are facing another tough opponent that has recently struggled. After being ranked second in the country, the Hawkeyes lost two in a row but are still in for a shot at the Big 10 championship game. Minnesota wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell will get a heavy dose of star cornerbacks Riley Moss and Matt Hankins who have combined for seven interceptions on the season for the Hawkeyes.

 

Featured Game: Colorado at UCLA, Saturday, November 13th, 9:00 pm 

After a bye week, the 5-4 Bruins are back at the Rose Bowl (home of the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl) for the backstretch of their season. They are led by veteran quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who possesses a strong arm and dynamic rushing ability to challenge Colorado linebacker, Carson Wells. On the defensive side of the ball, nickel Qwuantrezz Knight is one of the best in the biz with the blitz attack and he leads UCLA in tackles.

*For more insight on the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl process, including players who have caught our attention, be sure to tune in to ‘The State of Football’ every Thursday at 9:00 am eastern time, as executive director Dane Vandernat joins Lorenz Leinweber on Sports Illustrated!    

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week Ten Watch List Report  

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will provide insight into some of the top prospect performances from around the nation. Be sure to keep up with our latest game announcements on Twitter @NFLPABowl.

 

Utah handed Stanford a massive 52-7 beatdown on Friday night with a number of seniors standing out. After a 441 rushing yard output for the Utes offense, it would be wrong to highlight any other position group than the offensive line, led by left guard Nick Ford. Moving bodies and opening rushing lanes for his teammates, Stanford never had an answer for the Utah ground game.

In fact, the 9.6 yards averaged per attempt against the Cardinal is a new school record. Ford is a versatile lineman who has started every game that he has been healthy for since 2018. During that time span, he has started at all five offensive line positions, demonstrating that he can adapt and learn quickly. “We play off each other,” Ford stated. “We trust each other and that’s all we have to keep doing,” in regards to the record-setting performance.


 

After suffering an exodus of talent prior to the season, few expected the Tennessee Volunteers to enjoy such a competitive season. Sitting at 5-4 after a 45-42 road upset against a ranked Kentucky team, they are likely to compete in a bowl game after the regular season. A pick-six by senior cornerback Alontae Taylor nearly put the game out of reach.

“I just baited him (quarterback Will Levis) into that, as soon as I saw his shoulders turn, I just drove on it. I knew that was my responsibility and I had help over the top.” Taylor said post-game when asked about the play. This was not the first time that the Tennessee native showed his football intelligence, as he plays with outstanding mental alertness and anticipation. Taylor sits on the SEC Football Leadership Council, where he was voted on by his peers. An instrumental part to the SEC coming back to play last season, he is a great leader on and off the field.


 

The LSU Tigers gave Alabama a run for their money on Saturday night, with the Tide narrowly holding on to a 20-14 victory at home. One of the most impressive players on the field in Tuscaloosa was senior defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr., who was disruptive from the interior all night long. The senior from Mobile, Alabama finished his day with seven tackles and one sack but his impact on the game was much bigger than the box score would indicate.

Farrell played a significant part in Alabama’s lackluster rushing output of just six yards on 26 attempts. Like many others across the country, his life changed when the pandemic struck in 2020. He left the team after learning that his beloved grandmother had been hospitalized with Covid-19 in August 2020. After making her recovery, she urged her grandson to return to LSU, which he did. Longtime friend and teammate Glen Logan proclaimed, “Him (Farrell) opting out and coming back made him a better player.” Farrell’s desire to play in adversarial circumstances showcases the impressive leadership and focus that he possesses.


 

*For more insight on the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl process, including players who have caught our attention, be sure to tune in to ‘The State of Football’ every Thursday at 9:00 am eastern time, as executive director Dane Vandernat joins Lorenz Leinweber on Sports Illustrated!

 

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 10th Anniversary Team

The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl has a rich history of talent. In the ten years since the Collegiate Bowl was first played, the game has had numerous, highly-skilled athletes take the field and go on to have solid NFL careers. The list below highlights some of those stellar alums:

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch: Week 10 Preview

Watch NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director of college scouting Dane Vandernat discuss some of the marquee matchups for college football in Week ten, along with some prospects that the NFLPA Bowl will be keeping tabs on, as he joined Lorenz Leinweber during ‘The State of Football’ show on Sports Illustrated.

 

Below are some of the highly contested games that NFL scouts will be sure to pay close attention to this weekend:

 

Featured Game: #17 Mississippi State at Arkansas, Saturday, November 6thth, 4:00 pm

The Mike Leach led Bulldogs have had a quality season to this point with two wins over ranked teams including a 14 point victory over Kentucky last week. A big reason for their success has been wideout Austin Williams, who has very strong hands, which enables him to haul in contested catches consistently. He’ll match up against lengthy Arkansas cornerback Montaric Brown. The local product has been locking down one side of the field with his prowess at the catch point.

 

Featured Game: Liberty at #16 Ole Miss, Saturday, Saturday, November 6th, 12:00 pm

Plenty of quarterback intrigue in this matchup as projected first-round signal-caller Malik Willis of Liberty attempts to state his case as the top quarterback prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. Willis possesses physical traits that are appealing to NFL teams, including mobility and arm talent. Ole Miss owns the strongest defensive front that Willis will face all season with prolific pass-rushers Sam Williams and Tariqious Tisdale. Both are hoping to not end up on one Willis’ highlight reel.

 

Featured Game: Illinois at #20 Minnesota, Saturday, November 6th, 12:00 pm

Minnesota is currently sitting on top of the Big 10 West standings, providing them a path to the conference championship. This week’s potential roadblock is the Fighting Illini who have just recently upset Penn State. Illinois left tackle Vederian Lowe has a tough assignment with this Gophers’ defensive front led by Boye Mafe and Esezi Otomewo. Both defensive ends have long arms to get after the quarterback.

 

Featured Game: #13 Auburn at #14 Texas A&M, Saturday, November 6th, 3:30 pm

This SEC matchup between two ranked teams will feature a number of future NFL players on both sides of the football. Special attention has to be paid to Auburn linebacker Zakoby McClain, who is coming off of an excellent performance in last week’s win over Ole Miss in which he racked up 14 tackles and two sacks. Auburn totes a star-studded secondary around cornerback Roger McCreary and safety Smoke Monday, who should give the Aggies everything they can handle. 

*For more insight on the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl process, including players who have caught our attention, be sure to tune in to ‘The State of Football’ every Thursday at 9:00 am eastern time, as executive director Dane Vandernat joins Lorenz Leinweber on Sports Illustrated!

 

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week Nine Watch List Report 

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will provide insight into some of the top prospect performances from around the nation! Be sure to keep up with our latest game announcements on Twitter @NFLPABowl.  

 

Under legendary defensive line coach Larry Johnson, the Ohio State Buckeyes have produced many defensive ends in the NFL. Next in that long lineage appears to be senior Tyreke Smith, who lived in the backfield on Sunday night against Penn State. The local star from Cleveland, Ohio racked up five tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. However, the stat line does not do justice to the impact that Smith had on the game, repeatedly forcing Sean Clifford to throw the ball earlier than planned.

While injuries have hurt Smith’s production this season, he has shown growth when on the field. Despite being a senior, he is far from reaching his ceiling as a football player. Smith only started as a sophomore in high school. On his attitude for the final stretch of the season, he remarked, “Just enjoy your brothers and play as hard as you can. Play without regrets.” His attitude, production, and skill-set have made him a well-known commodity within the scouting community.

There was little defense played in Provo, Utah this weekend as former BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall and the Virginia Cavaliers faced the Cougars. BYU won the game 49-66 and a combined 1322 yards were racked up by both teams. The standout player in the matchup was Cougars running back Tyler Allgeier who amassed 266 rushing yards and five touchdowns, doing his part to win what has been dubbed the ‘Bronco Bowl’.

Standing in at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, Allgeier possesses impressive size, which may have been why his coaches moved him to linebacker early on in his career. After back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, he has since proven that his most natural position is at running back. An unranked recruit out of high school who received zero scholarship offers, Allgeier has defeated all odds to become one of the better backs in college football.

“Tyler and I were talking and I just told him ‘you have to beat your goal from last year,’” Ester Allgeier told the Salt Lake Tribune. “So, if you rushed 1,000 yards, you have to beat that record this year. We just put up little goals and hopefully, he continues to hit those goals every game. That’s one thing I wanted to see, I want him to be kind of what Jamaal Williams [was]. Jamaal Williams came from Fontana. He made his name.”

Another player who has found great success in his position change is Baylor running back Abram Smith. The senior was originally moved to linebacker for the 2020 season and started the final four games, all of which he led the Bears in tackles. In fact, he finished the season with 48 tackles, five for a loss, and a sack before making the move back to his former position before his 2021 campaign.

Instead of being a role player, Smith has won the starting job and is a workhorse for one of the top-ranked teams in the nation. During their come-from-behind win against Texas, Smith racked up 113 rushing yards, including a touchdown run where he broke free with a bodacious spin move, pushing his total to 898 rushing yards on the season. His teammate Jalen Pitre had high praise for Smith following the game, informing the assembled media, “He’s [Smith] the truth. He’s the standard. He’s always developing and finding new ways to get better.”


 

*For more insight on the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl process, including players who have caught our attention, be sure to tune in to ‘The State of Football’ every Thursday at 9:00 am eastern time, as executive director Dane Vandernat joins Lorenz Leinweber on Sports Illustrated!

 

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