2022 NFL Draft Sleepers to Watch During CFB Championship Weekend
Five NFL Draft prospects flying under the radar that are in action this weekend!
The most fun part of College Football is just now getting on it’s way, the Championship Game weekend leading into Bowl Season. As someone who is evaluating college prospects, there is often a split around Bowl games and how useful they can be. Some players will skip them, others will just dress to show up for their team one last time, and then others will give it their absolute all.
It’s hard to come to a consensus on these games because for some they are considered “meaningless”. Personally, these games are important to my process because it’s the best competition some of these guys will play all year. It’s the highest pressure situation some of these young men will ever be placed in and that matters to an evaluation. Now, before we get to the Bowl Season we do get Championship Weekend and this is another massive game for nearly everyone involved and can really set people up to fly up draft boards.
That’s going to be the topic of today’s CFB Watch List, guys flying under the radar who could shoot up draft boards. This weekend kicks off the final push of the on-field portion of the process and every year there are prospects who finish the season strong and carry that momentum over into the workout process. Let’s take a look at some “lesser known” names that could put themselves in that position starting this weekend!
Five Under The Radar Prospects
1) Alec Pierce | WR
6’3”, 213lbs | Cincinnati
Alec Pierce is one of the best kept secrets in all of College Football from an athletic profile standpoint. Even breaking onto Bruce Feldman’s The Freaks List - running in the mid-4.4s, vertical jumping over 40”, broad jumping over 11’, and setting the skill position record with a 675lb deadlift - hasn’t really set the draft world a buzz over Pierce.
He was a late comer to the wide receiver position as he originally enrolled in Cincinnati as a linebacker before finding a home at wide receiver. Pierce found his home as Cincinnati’s vertical threat over the past three seasons averaging over 17 yards per catch during his career. Combine that with being an excellent red zone target utilizing his size and aerial ball skills, Pierce has proven to be a weapon from all over the field. His blend of size and athleticism set him up to be a coveted prospect for the NFL based on upside alone.
The Cincinnati Bearcats are set to take on the Houston Cougars for the American Conference title today and could be the final launching point for Pierce. Stacking together big performances vs the uptick in competition would set Pierce up to skyrocket up draft boards once he blows up the combine.
2) Damarri Mathis | DB
5’11”, 205lbs | Pittsburgh
Damarri Mathis has been part of a surprisingly good Pittsburgh Panthers team in 2021. After missing all of the 2020 season with a non-contact boxing injury, he came back in 2021 and is picking up where he left off in 2019. With a dense, powerful frame Mathis is going to be very enticing to certain NFL teams that have a particular type at the defensive back position.
Mathis has primarily played corner for Pittsburgh which means the vast majority of his experience has been playing Quarters coverage. While not an overly complex role, the ability to play vertically and be physical at the line of scrimmage translates to the next level very well. There will be other teams that would prefer to move him to safety to fully embrace his strength, frame, and playstyle.
With a big game against the electric Wake Forest offense in the ACC Championship Game followed by a quality performance in the impending Bowl game, Mathis could push his name up draft boards. It will be interesting to see how he tests come the NFL Combine but should be the type of prospect that NFL teams love in the meeting room. A strong finish to the year paired with the likability as a prospect could see Mathis as a late riser in the process.
3) Cameron Thomas | EDGE
6’5”, 270lbs | San Diego State
Cameron Thomas has been occasionally referred to as “The West Coast Aidan Hutchinson” and it’s easy to see why. Thomas is a massive defensive end for the Aztecs that utilizes his size, length, and lateral agility to dominate on the football field. His athletic testing may not be eye-popping but even average testing numbers at his size is going to be impressive.
Thomas’ shines much more on the field than when working out. Playing inside and outside for the San Diego State defense, he has amassed over 70 pressures and been one of the single most dominant players in all of CFB. He’s a linear player but his ability to soften a corner, physically overwhelm blockers, and work around soft edges make him a dangerous rusher. The NFL typically falls for these types of players that can provide linear athleticism in a large package and Thomas checks all of those boxes in spades.
This Championship game is exceptionally important for Thomas because he may not be able to cause significant movement in his draft stock when it comes to the NFL Combine. Playing against Utah State isn’t going to be the biggest statement game for Thomas but a big performance and a win should set SDST with a good Bowl Game. Finishing the year with strong performances in those two games on top of leading CFB in pressures should do wonders for his draft outlook.
4) Darrian Beavers | LB
6’4”, 255lbs | Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is just hoarding athletic freaks that should likely be playing at Power 5 schools. Joining Alec Pierce on this list is ex-Connecticut Husky, Darrian Beavers, a hybrid linebacker-edge player for the Bearcats. Beavers’ checking in at 6’4” and near 260lbs but sporting a 4.7 forty yard dash time and a near 40” vertical jump is eye opening but the way his athleticism shows up on the field may be even more impressive.
On early downs, Beavers plays as an off-ball linebacker commanding the Bearcats’ defense. He’s a physical presence in the middle of the field with the size and length to absorb and deconstruct blocks with regularity. He’s so good in that regard that on passing downs, Beavers often kicks down to be a sub-package rusher off the edge. A draftnik favorite during last year's draft cycle was Purdue linebacker Derrick Barnes and Beavers fits a very similar mold, only in a larger package.
He’s going to do exceptionally well when he reaches the athletic testing portion of the draft process but a strong finish to the year can only help. Cincinnati’s defense has been very good at dominating subpar competition in 2021 but a strong finish to the year showcasing his versatile gameplay can get Beavers’ name moving in the right direction before exploding at the NFL Combine.
5) Daxton Hill | S
6’, 192lbs | Michigan
Rounding out this list with maybe the most athletic person on here, Daxton Hill had the highest composite SPARQ score in the entire 2019 highschool recruiting class. He ran in the 4.3s, jumped 43.5”, and had a 4.13 short shuttle during the testing. Hill is a certified athletic phenom that has played both safety and slot corner for the Michigan Wolverines. This athleticism also translates to the field where he showcases high end range, explosive downhill closing ability, and the change of direction ability to play cornerback.
Over his three seasons at Michigan, Hill has played in the slot, in the box, and as a deep safety. His athleticism flashes all over the field as he’s able to make dynamic plays on all three levels of the field. The question coming into 2021 was how instinctual was Hill on the football field versus how much was just being an unbelievable athlete. He’s answered that question as well as one could with playing in multiple roles and having his best season of his career for the Wolverines.
Coming off the Wolverines big win over Ohio State - one in which Hill drew the toughest assignment but played a good game - Hill is looking to round the season out with multiple big games. His coverage ability won’t be challenged a ton vs Iowa but his ability as a run defender will be tested before hopefully heading into the college football playoff.