Tuesday night was the start of the final stretch of the 2021 college football season, as the initial rankings for the College Football Playoff were released. There were mixed reactions to the unveiling of the top four spots, which went to Georgia, Alabama, Michigan State and Oregon, and there's still much to play for entering Week 10 as teams try to move into the top four and lock in bowl game bids.
With only a few regular-season weeks to come, there remain plenty of questions about 2022 NFL draft prospects across the country. That starts at quarterback, where the No. 1 spot is still up for grabs. Mel Kiper Jr. has tabbed Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett as the top-ranked player at the position, while Todd McShay has Liberty's Malik Willis at the top of his position rankings.
On Saturday, all eyes will be on Willis as he and the Flames travel to Ole Miss for a critical matchup against a high-quality opponent. Facing off against an SEC defense could give NFL evaluators a glimpse of what Willis looks like against the type of talent he'll face at the next level.
Willis isn't the only prospect scouts will have their eyes on this weekend. Let's run through the five prospects I'm watching closest on Saturday, and I'll also tell you about which prospects could improve their stock over the final few weeks of the season.
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Prospects who could rise
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Week 10 opponent: at Ole Miss (Noon ET, SEC Network)
2021 stats: 21 TD passes, 9 TD runs, 6 INTs, 82.5 Total QBR (7th in FBS)
What I'm watching: After a rough two-week stretch against Middle Tennessee State and Louisiana-Monroe in which he had his two worst performances of the season (three touchdown passes, six interceptions), Willis has regained his form as one of the best signal-callers in the country. Over the past two weeks against North Texans and UMass, he has 524 passing yards, seven touchdown passes and zero interceptions while completing 68.9% of his passes. Facing the biggest test of his collegiate career to date, Willis will need to show poise, command and accuracy against the Rebels defense.
Willis is my top-ranked quarterback in the 2022 class because of his high-level traits that line up with the throwers who have made a successful transition to the NFL. The Auburn transfer's natural arm strength and mobility -- combined with the ability to layer the ball to all three levels of the field -- give scouts plenty of excitement about his future. Willis' creative running ability (1,628 rushing yards over the past two seasons) adds to his skill set. It's his inconsistent decision-making and misunderstanding of ball speeds, however, that need the most improvement. As a thrower, Willis is like a baseball power hitter in that he will be on target with one pass, and then the next one will be completely be off the mark.
Saturday is a pivotal audition for Willis' pre-draft résumé, as he'll face his toughest test of his college career.
Malik Willis connects for 49-yard TD pass
Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri
Week 10 opponent: at Georgia (Noon ET, ESPN)
2021 stats: 989 rushing yards, 305 receiving yards, 15 total TDs (11 rushing, 4 receiving)
What I'm watching: After a hot start, it has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for the 5-foot-8, 194-pound rusher. Fresh off his best performance of the season against Vanderbilt (39 touches, 294 yards, two TDs), Badie faces off against ferocious Georgia defense, which is allowing 74.6 rushing yards per game and just 2.4 yards per carry, both of which rank second in the country. A dual threat who can have an impact as both a passing and receiving threat, Badie's versatility will be put to the test against a defense that has only allowed five total touchdowns this season. He is an elusive and explosive prospect who can create highlight plays in an instant, but those types of plays have been few and far between the Bulldogs defense.
Because of his frame, the biggest question facing Badie from an NFL perspective is whether or not he can be the top option in the backfield. In a league transitioning to more of a committee approach, he could be seen more as more of a complementary piece who provides value in multiple areas. He does bring value as a receiver, however, as he has 40 catches for 305 yards this season.
Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Week 10 opponent: at Texas A&M (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
2021 stats: 26 tackles, 8 pass deflections (T-11th FBS), 2 interceptions
What I'm watching: There's a strong argument to be made that the best draft-eligible cornerback in the SEC has been McCreary, who has outplayed LSU's Derek Stingley Jr. and Florida's Kaiir Elam. McCreary has been one of the most consistent defenders in the country this season. The 6-foot, 190-pound McCreary is a maturely built prospect who has a well-rounded game; he's fluid in coverage, with five pass deflections over his past two games (at Arkansas, vs. Ole Miss) and recorded five tackles in each contest.
Though he doesn't have an interception since snagging one in back-to-back weeks in the second (Alabama State) and third (Penn State) games of the season, McCreary has allowed just 247 yards on 20 catches (43 targets) as the closest defender in coverage this season. That's a stellar 5.7 yards per pass attempt when throwing his way. Facing an Aggies offense with several weapons on the perimeter, McCreary could see more targets than normal.
One of his biggest question marks looking ahead to April's draft is his consistency as a tackler, though he is physical. As a run defender, his wrap up and finishing ability remains inconsistent.
Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Week 10 opponent: vs. NC State (4 p.m. ET, ACC Network)
2021 stats so far: 49 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks (T-7th FBS)
What I'm watching: Johnson has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2021 season. The Georgia transfer who landed in Tallahassee hoping to get more snaps has relished the opportunity and exceeded expectations. He leads the ACC in both tackles for loss (11.0) and sacks (7.5). Even after a 30-20 defeat to Clemson, his performance in Death Valley is one that surely caught the eyes of NFL scouts, as he had four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble that resulted in a touchdown. He's on the early-round radar for NFL evaluators.
Faced with another important test Saturday, he's set to face off against NC State left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who is considered one of the best offensive tackles in the country. This is Johnson's opportunity to continue to improve on what has already been an impressive first season with the program. Projecting best as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, Johnson has the explosiveness, bend and versatility to become an early starter at the next level.
George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Week 10 opponent: vs. Michigan State (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
2021 stats: 22 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
What I'm watching: Karlaftis and the Boilermakers face one of the hottest teams in the country, and the 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive lineman has a chance to build on his impressive season. After being limited to just three games in 2020 due to a positive COVID-19 test and an undisclosed injury, he has returned with a vengeance, particularly in standout performances against Notre Dame and Iowa. Don't let Karlaftis only having 2.5 sacks fool you; his 16% pressure rate ranks ninth in the country. He also can play all four positions along the defensive front, putting himself in advantageous situations to get after quarterbacks and bring down ball-carriers.
With Kenneth Walker III -- the nation's second leading rusher -- on the other side on Saturday, Karlaftis' dependability as a run defender will be put to the test. Though his overall game doesn't have many holes, he has to be more consistent against the run if he wants to be a first-round pick. Fresh off a five-touchdown performance against Michigan, Walker and the Spartans' rushing attack will force him to make plays.
Jamari Brown forces a fumble, which is picked up by George Karlaftis and taken for a Purdue touchdown.
Three prospects who could rise over the final month
The stretch run is the last chance for prospects to add good tape to their pre-draft evaluations and build momentum ahead of bowl season. Here are three candidates beginning to emerge in draft circles who have prime opportunities to continue to vault up draft boards:
David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Next three opponents: vs. Indiana, at Penn State, at Maryland
2021 stats: 21 tackles, 7 sacks (T-10th FBS), 3 forced fumbles (T-3rd FBS)
What you need to know: You might already know about Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who's ranked in the top 10 for the 2022 class by both Kiper and McShay. But it was Ojabo who stood out in a 37-33 defeat to Michigan State last week, as the third-year sophomore had two sacks and a forced fumble.
At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Ojabo is extremely raw, beating offensive tackles with his physical traits and determination. A Nigeria native who moved to Aberdeen, Scotland, where he spent his early teenage years, his football journey didn't start until 2017 while at Blair Academy (NJ), where he moved when he was 15 years old. Then-teammate and now-2021 Ravens first-round pick Odafe Oweh convinced him to try out for the football team. With six sacks over his past four games, Ojabo is a prospect to keep an eye on. While Hutchinson ranks first in the country in pressure rate (19.9%), Ojabo isn't that far behind at 22nd (13.5%).
Aidan Hutchinson receives a lot of the notoriety (rightfully so), but #Michigan EDGE/OLB hybrid David Ojabo (6050, 250, rSO) has really hit his stride over the past four games (6.0 sacks, 2 FFs) for the Wolverines defense. pic.twitter.com/FNSxLKXEBI
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 3, 2021
Since this is only his fifth year of playing football and he has two seasons of eligibility remaining, it wouldn't be surprising if Ojabo opted to return to school in 2022. If he remains at Michigan, he'll have a chance to prove how good he is as the team's unquestioned best defensive end. If he elects to enter the draft, he'd projected as a Day 2 pick. With stellar play down the stretch, however, it shouldn't be surprising to see him projected inside of the top 40 and even enter the first-round discussion.
Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
Next three opponents: vs. Missouri, at Tennessee, vs. Charleston Southern
2021 stats: 40 tackles, 1 sack
What you need to know: Georgia's dominant defense has turned heads this season, with the stingy group allowing 53 points, an FBS-best 6.6 per game. While middle linebacker Nakobe Dean is experiencing a breakout season and could be a first-round pick, another second-level defender who has been a part-time player has had a similar output. Tindall leads the Bulldogs in tackles and has thrived this season.
At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, the senior linebacker displays plenty of range. He has a career-high seven tackles in three contests (UAB, South Carolina and Florida), and consistency reading his keys, stepping downhill and attacking the first level has been impressive. He has those 40 total tackles in just 163 defensive snaps. Because of his role as a backup, Tindall could be the type of prospect who has a better NFL career than what he put up in college.
With his physical tools, consistency against the run and range in coverage, Tindall is likely to be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick in next April's draft.
Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State
Next three opponents: vs. Boise State, vs. New Mexico, at San Jose State
2021 stats: 2,888 passing yards (4th in FBS), 23 TD passes (T-7th in FBS), 6 INTs
What you need to know: With Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Joe Burrow as recent examples, there seems to be a transfer quarterback who resurfaces and goes on to have a stellar career at his next stop. While this example isn't as extreme as his predecessors, Haener quickly became the engineer of the Bulldogs attack, carving out a role for himself and showing off traits during his first big game against Oregon. The former Washington transfer finished the contest 30-of-43 passing for 298 passing yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing).
Jake Haener airs it out for 35-yard TD vs. Hawai'i
The past four games have been a microcosm of the highs and lows of Haener, however. Even though he posted a season-high 388 passing yards against Hawaii, he had four interceptions in the 27-24 defeat. Since the lowly performance against Hawaii, he has totaled 658 passing yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions to go along with a 60.5% completion percentage over his past three games.
At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, the senior signal-caller might test a lot of size thresholds, but he has a stronger arm than his frame indicates. Likely straddling the line of being an early-to-mid Day 3 selection, Haener still has a chance to rise through the end of the season.