We are finally here: The College Football Playoff is upon us. The Alabama Crimson Tide square off against the Cincinnati Bearcats (3:30 p.m. ET Friday, ESPN), while the Georgia Bulldogs will try to rekindle their regular-season dominance against the Michigan Wolverines (7:30 p.m. ET Friday, ESPN).
There are many storylines to follow in both matchups, but let's look at five to watch from a 2022 NFL draft perspective. For many notable prospects, these games are the final opportunity to showcase their ability and potentially improve their draft stock. Alabama, of course, might have the top quarterback in the 2023 draft, but Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder has a chance to rise in April's draft. And there are several other potential first-round picks who could boost their stock, too.
The CFP games are weighted heavily by NFL evaluators because they provide a glimpse of prospects against future NFL talent and high-quality opponents. This is the last chance to catch the eye of scouts and front-office execs. Let's start with Ridder:
Desmond Ridder's draft stock
Of all the draft-eligible prospects in the College Football Playoff, Ridder is the one who could most improve his draft stock. Ridder, who has led Cincinnati to a program-best 13-0 record, has 30 touchdown passes for 3,190 yards and just eight interceptions this season. He has added six rushing scores. He needs to have a stellar performance to topple Alabama, but he has shown he can win big games before. Just look at the Bearcats' win at Notre Dame earlier this season, when he finished 19-of-32 passing and with three touchdowns (two in the air, one on the ground) in a 24-13 victory.
"The first quarter of the Notre Dame game was pretty rough for him," an area scout for an AFC team told me. "[He was] sailing passes over guys' heads, left a deep shot hanging too high, and some miscommunication on others, but after that, he started to use his legs to settle in. ... This is the type of environment that everyone wants to see him in, though."
Playing against Georgia in the Peach Bowl a season ago provided an early glimpse of Ridder vs. a quality opponent. He averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt in that narrow 24-21 loss, but he had two touchdown passes and didn't throw an interception. Once again matched up against an SEC team, his performance against the Alabama defense will be placed under a microscope by NFL teams. Since that defeat nearly one year ago, Ridder has shown strides in his development.
With smooth mechanics, an over-the-top release and maturity in going step by step in progressions, Ridder faces a great test against the Crimson Tide defense. If he's able to play well, his stock could be catapulted into the first-round discussion. Scouts and executives remain mixed on their opinions because of his scattershot ball placement, but from a tools perspective, he has evaluators who are intrigued. This is a game that could shake up the quarterback class.
Jameson Williams vs. Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner
This is a matchup between two of college football's best players, coming off top-tier seasons. After transferring from Ohio State, Williams went from being sandwiched in the middle of the Buckeyes' depth chart to being Bryce Young's go-to target. As the primary receiving option, he ranks second in the FBS in receiving touchdowns (15), fourth in yards per catch (21.3) and fifth in receiving yards (1,145) to go along with 68 catches.
An explosive player at all three levels of the field, Williams has 21 catches of 50 yards or more. As evident in an epic performance against Georgia in the SEC championship game, he's hoping to continue his hot streak against one of the best cornerbacks in the country.
Gardner was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year and became the first player in program history to win the award. How good was his season? The most yards in a game that he allowed as the closest defender in coverage was 13. It has been one of the best seasons that we've seen from a corner prospect. The lanky press-man corner -- he's a legitimate 6-foot-3 -- isn't shy with coming down to the line and testing matchups, forcing opponents to fight through his length. Williams is a matchup that scouts are eager to watch him face off against.
#Cincinnati CB Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (6-3, 200, Jr.) is a long press-man corner that's received comparisons to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from NFL scouts.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 26, 2021
He's yet to give up a TD in his career and QBs have a 30.4% comp. pct on throws into his zone (3rd-best rate in the FBS). pic.twitter.com/LV3ZhJs6cR
Williams' fast-pace route running will test the vertical speed and agility of Gardner. Because of the inconsistency of the offenses in the conference, evaluators still question if the Bearcats corner is truly battle tested. Gardner will have a chance to silence his critics Friday.
Which draft-eligible running back will star?
All four teams competing for a national title have an experienced lead running back. Georgia's duo of Zamir White and James Cook, Alabama's Brian Robinson Jr, Cincinnati's Jerome Ford and Michigan's Hassan Haskins have each played major parts in springboarding their teams to have a chance at winning it all.
After battling through two ACL tears, White has conquered a mountain of adversity. Serving as the Bulldogs' lead back this season, he is only 61 yards and a touchdown away from matching his output of 779 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns from a season ago. A chiseled and determined runner, he's the muscle of the Bulldogs' rushing attack.
Cook is the multidimensional threat of the group -- and also the younger brother of Minnesota Vikings star Dalvin Cook. He has put up single-season career highs in rushing yards (619), rushing touchdowns (7), receptions (21) and receiving scores (3). With plenty of tread left on the tires, the versatile rusher will enter the NFL as one of the most electric options in this draft.
As the definition of patience, Robinson waited his turn in the revolving door of Alabama's backfield. He played in 52 games prior to getting his first opportunity as a full-time starter, and his willingness to wait has paid off. His 14 touchdowns rank first in the SEC, and his 1,071 rushing yards rank fourth in the conference. He is a well-rounded runner with just marginal traits across the board, but he understands how to get the job done.
Robinson is a downhill runner who attacks defenses with a full head of steam whenever he touches the ball. He is nursing an ankle injury that he suffered in the Iron Bowl, but all signs point to him remaining as the lead back for the Tide's rushing attack.
Haskins has been an unsung hero for the Wolverines' run to the CFP. At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, he is a linear and upright runner who runs well behind his pads. His stature and running style are reminiscent of Baltimore Ravens back Latavius Murray. Haskins' physicality -- he began his Michigan career at linebacker -- shows in how he runs the ball. He makes it difficult for defenses to bring him down on first contact. Also comfortable with catching passes out of the backfield, he's an ideal three-down back at the next level.
Rounding out the backfield, Ford's Cincinnati career has seen him travel from the team he'll be competing against to a new opportunity with the Bearcats. After spending two seasons (2018 and 2019) in Tuscaloosa, he has made the most of his opportunity after transferring north. At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, Ford is a rocked-up and hard-nosed runner with nimble feet. Making small movements behind the line to help avoid and explode through holes has helped him put up 1,242 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns this season. A key cog of the steady Cincinnati offense, Ford will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his abilities against many of his former teammates.
All five of these running backs have a chance to be Day 2 picks in April's draft, and star performances in the CFP could catapult them up the rankings.
Can Michigan's EDGE dominance continue?
The best defensive end duo in the country is Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. After being sidelined for all of three games last season, Hutchinson just finished second on the Heisman Trophy ballot. A lanky edge rusher at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, he had a program-record 14 sacks, including an epic three-sack performance against arch rival Ohio State. Facing the ground-and-pound attack of Georgia, his ability to hold up against the run will be tested. But against a Georgia offensive front that has been solid prior to the battle against Alabama, he could receive lots of opportunities.
On the opposite side of Hutchinson, Ojabo has thrived this season. He's a loose mover, and it doesn't take long to notice No. 55. In his lone season as a full-time starter, he has 11 sacks and a program-record five forced fumbles, showing that he knows how to create turnovers when he gets home to the quarterback. Only a redshirt sophomore, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound pass-rusher is raw in many areas, but the upside and room for growth are apparent. Likely to be matched up frequently against Georgia left tackle Jamaree Salyer, Ojabo faces a massive test.
Can Georgia's defense rebound?
After looking unbeatable during the first 12 games of the season, the Georgia defense showed a few issues during a 41-24 defeat to Alabama in the SEC title game. Uncharacteristically surrendering explosive plays, the Bulldogs' scheme was exploited at the hands of the Crimson Tide attack. Led by Butkus Award winner Nakobe Dean, the middle of the defense will be tested repeatedly against Michigan.
The nucleus of coach Kirby Smart's defense, Dean has enjoyed a breakout season. Surrounded by several future NFL players, it has been Dean who has been most consistent this season. Playing with infectious energy, his quicks and range are his best attributes. His ability to shed blocks will be put to the test against the smashmouth Wolverine offense, as he'll be matched up against one of the best rushing attacks in the country.
Ranked ninth in rush yards per game, the Michigan offense will test its limits against nose tackle Jordan Davis and the interior of Kirby Smart's defense. At 6-foot-6, 340 pounds, Davis is the anchor in the middle. He's a two-down threat who has shown more life on third down this season. Still, his most frequent contributions come on early downs as an immovable force that allows Georgia's second- and third-level defenders to roam freely. The senior interior defender returned for his final season in Athens, and it has proven to be the right decision. Looking for an NFL comp? Davis has a skill set similar to Los Angeles Chargers tackle Linval Joseph, and he can instantly improve a run defense because of his presence in A gaps.
The Michigan offensive line just won the Joe Moore Award for best O-line in the country, and this is going to a huge matchup. The ferocious Georgia front has multiple future early-round draft picks.