You saw my debut 2022 NFL mock draft earlier this week, so let's take another draft-centric look at this weekend's college football games.
With only two regular-season games left for most FBS teams, the first batch of postseason all-star invitations have begun to surface. The build-up surrounding the Reese's Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl and other all-star contests always sparks the interest of the fan bases that are already out of playoff contention and looking toward April's draft.
Week 12 of the college football season is assured to bring about several interesting team and positional battles. There's an intriguing top-10 matchup in Columbus, Ohio, with a surging running back who could win the Heisman. There are two potential first-round defenders involved in intriguing conference matchups. And there's a head-to-head battle in UCLA-USC that NFL scouts will be watching closely.
Let's get into a few prospects I will have my eye on this weekend. I'm also going to include an under-the-radar defender who could become a household name while playing against potential first-round offensive tackles:
Five prospects to watch
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
Week 12 opponent: at Ohio State (12 p.m. ET, ABC)
2021 stats: 1,473 rushing yards, 17 touchdowns
Walker's surprise ascension has been one of the best stories of the 2021 season. After splitting carries a year ago at Wake Forest, he has become a transfer-portal success story who is firmly in the Heisman Trophy race. His 1,473 rushing yards are tops in the country and more than double his previous two seasons combined. Saving his best for ranked opponents, he had a career day against rival Michigan in October, scoring five rushing touchdowns.
Walker has a stout frame, with his firm lower half and extra body armor showing up frequently. He has the ability to take on and fend off would-be tacklers with ease. While he isn't an overly explosive vertical runner who will outrun pursuit angles, he can reel off explosive plays in bunches because of his contact balance. He isn't shy with initiating contact, and he forces defenders to tackle him down to the ground.
Currently in the Day 2 discussion for April's draft, Walker is still a work in progress as a pass-catching and pass-protecting threat. Through 10 games, he has 12 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. Matched up against the Buckeyes on Saturday, he has another opportunity to improve upon what has been a magical season. After a slow start, the Ohio State defense has played better, making this his stiffest test of the season. Scouts are eager to see how fast he looks against a defense with plenty of future NFL players.
Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Week 12 opponent: vs. SMU (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
2021 stats: 25 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 pass breakups
A lone underclassmen among a senior-laden defense, Gardner has been the staple of one of the best secondaries in the country. In my latest mock draft, I projected the junior corner to the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 16 overall pick. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Gardner is a slender-built corner with great length and speed. In talking to scouts about him this week, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Trae Waynes were two names that came up to describe Gardner's skill set.
Gardner has yet to give up a receiving touchdown as the primary defender, but that will be put to the test against SMU this weekend. The Mustangs' explosive offensive unit averages 329 passing yards per game, the eighth-best mark in the country.
Gardner has been stingy and tough to complete passes against this season. Through 10 games, he has been targeted 22 times as the primary defender and has allowed only seven completions. He has the seventh-best completion percentage allowed (31.8%). Thriving off of press-man coverage, his arm length and vertical speed could make him a top-20 pick in April.
Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah
Week 12 opponent: vs. Oregon (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
2021 stats: 84 tackles, 20.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, 6 pass breakups
Lloyd (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) is a hyperactive prospect who makes plays both against the run and in coverage. He checks every box of a first-round player, and I projected him to the Patriots with the No. 24 overall pick in my latest mock draft. The Utes' star second-level defender has continued to stack good games, but his Week 10 performance against Stanford was one of the best outings of any prospect this season, regardless of position. With nine tackles, a sack and an interception, there wasn't a moment No. 0 wasn't popping off the screen.
His six sacks are a testament to Lloyd's impact on games. An effective blitz option, he has the closing speed and finishing ability to generate negative plays. He has multiple ways to make his presence felt. Even though Oregon doesn't have any headliner offensive prospects, scouts will hurry to see Lloyd showcased against the No. 3 team in the country.
Lloyd recently accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl, and with a strong performance against the Ducks, he could stamp his status atop the linebacker positional rankings.
Jermaine Johnson II, DL, Florida State
Week 12 opponent: at Boston College (12 p.m. ET, ACC Network)
2021 stats: 61 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks (T-4th FBS), 2 forced fumbles
Once a depth player at Georgia -- he started in four of his 21 games with the Bulldogs -- Johnson searched for an expanded role in the transfer portal before settling on the Seminoles. The decision proved to be vital for him, as he became Florida State's best defender.
His best performance came against Miami last week: seven tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. Johnson showed off a plethora of pass-rush moves and finishing ability, and it's clear that his added reps as a starter have helped advance his game. He has been responsible for creating the first pressure 32 times this season, which is 16th best in the nation.
The Eagles have one of the best offensive fronts in the country, and the guard duo of Zion Johnson and Christian Mahogany has yet to allow a single pressure this season. But it's the edges that have been vulnerable for Boston College. If reduced down inside on third down or in obvious passing situations, Johnson's win rate is an area to monitor. His 26 defensive pressures ranks 36th best in the country, and he is continuing to get better each game. He could rise on draft boards in the coming months.
Jacub Panasiuk, DE, Michigan State
Week 12 opponent: at Ohio State (12 p.m. ET, ABC)
2021 stats: 28 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
The Spartans' top-10 battle with the Buckeyes will feature lots of players receiving national attention, but Panasiuk is still under the radar as an NFL prospect, so I wanted to highlight him here. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end is slimly built, but he makes offensive tackles work on every play. He isn't a highly explosive athlete, but his length, arsenal of moves and constant effort have resulted in 5.5 sacks this season. He has been credited with the first pressure 43 times, which is third best in the country.
Facing a pair of future early-round offensive tackles in Nicholas Petit-Frere and Dawand Jones, Panasiuk has a prime opportunity to bring his name to the forefront.
Best prospect matchups of the weekend
Arkansas DE Tre Williams vs. Alabama OT Evan Neal
Matchup: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Williams vs. Neal is an in-conference battle that will have the attention of many NFL evaluators. After playing guard and right tackle during his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa, Neal has settled into his new spot at left tackle. A dominant run-blocker, his aggressive temperament and movement generation have remained consistent. Even though he switched positions, his technique has improved as a pass protector. After allowing four sacks a season ago, he has yet to surrender one in 2021. And on 349 pass-blocking snaps this season, the 6-foot-7, 360-pound tackle has allowed only three pressures (0.9% pressure rate).
On the other side, Williams has been a welcome addition to the Razorbacks' defense since transferring from Missouri. At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, he has been at his best when facing ranked opponents. Against Texas A&M (Sept. 25) and Mississippi State (Nov. 6), he had identical stat lines: four tackles and two sacks. Williams ranks eighth in the country with a 15.9% defensive pressure percentage on 176 pass-rushing reps. But Neal is his toughest test yet.
USC OLB Drake Jackson vs. UCLA OT Sean Rhyan
Matchup: 4 p.m. ET, Fox
Coming into the season, Jackson was labeled a potential first-round pick, and he has flashed that ceiling at times. His natural speed out of the starting blocks and ability to bend to turn the corner will excite lots of evaluators, but he needs to play better against bigger competition. Jackson has four sacks in the past five games, but two of his five total sacks this season came against Colorado. He had six tackles and a sack against Notre Dame in October, and scouts are hopeful that the strong performance provided a glimpse of his future. Jackson is still a work in progress as a run defender, and he will need to continue to gain weight in his lower half to develop his consistency at the point of attack.
At 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, Rhyan is an interesting battle for Jackson. Rhyan's strengths align with Jackson's weaknesses -- Rhyan drives defenders off of the ball as a run-blocker. When mentioning his name to a West Coast scout earlier this week, "watch out" was the simple text that was sent back. But is Rhyan -- who has surrendered just one sack all season -- a guard or tackle? That's the question in his evaluation. The scout also mentioned that he would move him inside to guard, where he thinks Rhyan has the potential to be a 10-year NFL starter once it all comes together. The quick first step of Jackson will put Rhyan's mobility and technique to the test.