#2 Penn State (7-0) at #6 Ohio State (6-1); 3:30 PM ET; ABC … With apologies to the SEC West, the most competitive division in college football this year may just be the Big Ten East which currently has 4 teams in the top 20 including #2 Penn State and #6 Ohio State who meet Saturday afternoon in what is shaping up as one of the best games of the year. And no doubt NFL pro scouts will be out in force in Columbus as there will be a bevy of intriguing prospects for the 2017 draft in action. Needless to say NFL pro personnel people, especially from teams expecting to have early picks next April will be focusing in on PSU junior RB Saquon Barkley (#26, 5-11, 230), arguably THE best player in college football this season. Barkley, who is built like a power back, but with the speed, quickness and agility of a scatback, is on pace to run for almost 1,400 yards, while he leads the Lions in receiving and also averages over 30 yards per on KO returns. Penn State also has a top 100 safety in veteran FS Marcus Allen (#2, 6-1, 210), while TE Mike Gesicki (#88, 6-5, 250) has mid-round potential. Meanwhile, other Nittany Lions who could figure in the later rounds or as premium free agents include WR DaeSean Hamilton (#5,6-0, 210), OG Brendan Mahon (#70, 6-3, 320), MLB Jason Cabinda (#40, 6-1, 235), SS Troy Apke (#28, 6-0, 200) and CBs Christian Campbell (#1, 6-0, 195) and Grant Haley (#15, 5-9, 190).
Ohio State also has a legit Heisman candidate in QB J.T. Barrett (#16, 6-2, 220) who has completed 67% of his pass attempts this fall, including 21 for scores against just one pick; for good measure the athletic Barrett has also rushed for over 350 yards and 5 more TDs. However, is still considered to be more a fringe QB candidate for the upcoming draft as he lacks prototype arm strength. Indeed, the Buckeyes’ best pro prospect for 2018 may be junior CB Denzel Ward (#12, 5-11, 190) a very physical cover corner with good speed who figures to be one of the first 2-3 CBs off the board this coming April. Meanwhile, veteran C/B Billy Price (#54, 6-4, 312) and junior OLB Jerome Baker (#17, 6-1, 225) have early second-day potential. Baker combines with fellow LBs Dante Booker (#33, 6-2, 240), another junior OLB who can run, and senior MLB Chris Worley (#35, 6-2, 235) to form one of the top LB groups in the country. Needless to say they will battle to contain Barkely. Ohio State also has one of the deepest DE rotations in college football including Sam Hubbard (#6, 6-5, 265), Tyquan Lewis (#59, 6-4, 265), and Jayln Holmes (#11, 6-5, 270), although none has put big numbers to date this fall. Indeed, the OSU edge rusher NFL teams really want is sophomore DE Nick Bosa (#97, 6-4, 270), the younger brother of Joey Bosa, the 3rd player selected at the 2016 draft. Other veteran Buckeyes to watch include LT Jamarco Jones (#74, 6-5, 310), TE Marcus Baugh (#85,6-5, 255), and SS Damon Webb (#7, 5-11, 195) the team’s leading tackler.
