College Football Playoff 2015: Top NFL Prospects to Watch in Semifinal Games
College football fans will be watching the national semifinal games with a keen interest on the teams that advance to play for the national championship. NFL scouts will be paying close attention to the pro prospects who might just be putting the finishing touches on their college careers.
Here's a quick look at the top prospects to watch from all four teams.
Oregon Ducks
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Marcus Mariota
Naturally, all eyes will be on the Heisman Trophy winner in what will likely be his final college game. Yes, that means I'm picking the Florida State Seminoles to win. This is a huge game for Mariota's stock. The Seminoles defense features a wealth of future NFL talent.
Seeing how Mariota performs against such a talented defense will give some clue as to what to expect from him in the NFL.
He's known for his leadership and great intangibles. He'll need both qualities if he hopes to keep the Ducks competitive against the defending national champions.
Florida State Seminoles
Jameis Winston
Think Winston wants to have a big Rose Bowl? Let's examine the various motivations for the polarizing Seminoles quarterback. First, he's the 2013 Heisman winner going head-to-head with the man who won the award this season.
That makes for a naturally competitive situation. Winston is also likely winding down his tumultuous and wildly successful college career. At the most, he probably has two more chances to impress pro scouts in game action.
Last but certainly not least, there's a little thing called the national championship that Florida State won last year. Winston would probably like to defend that title as well.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Landon Collins
There doesn't figure to be a deep or talented crop of safeties in this year's draft, but Collins is by most accounts the best of the bunch. He's a crunching hitter who some believe could play free or strong safety.
Teammate Amari Cooper talks about being happy he doesn't get to see Collins' vicious hitting in practice, per The Game WDGM in Tuscaloosa.
While you'll read a good number of positive reviews on Collins, you'll also see scouts dish the negative his way.
Dane Brugler of CBS Sports thinks Collins is overhyped.
Collins does seem to struggle in pass coverage on deep routes. He could help to prove that criticism is untrue against the Ohio State Buckeyes. If the Bucks are to have any chance of beating Bama, they will have to make some plays downfield. Collins will be partially tasked with preventing that.
Amari Cooper
In my opinion, the most can't-miss offensive prospect potentially in the 2015 NFL draft is Cooper. His speed, hands, route-running and toughness make him the best receiver prospect by a long shot.
Bama's offense presents Ohio State with several problems, but how to match up with Cooper is probably the biggest. Without safety help, Cooper is ticketed for the end zone on deep throws, and that impacts the defense in a major way.
Enjoy watching him while you can, because it's only a matter of time before he's making plays on Sunday.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Devin Smith
As receivers go in college football, there's Cooper and then there's everybody else. Smith could vault himself into the national spotlight if he has a big game against Cooper's defensive teammates.
Cardale Jones will be looking to find Smith for the occasional big play to loosen up Bama's defense to make room for the run game. If Smith plays well, not only will he give the Bucks a chance to win, he'll also drastically improve his draft stock.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
