#3 MIAMI (4-0) at 318 FLORIDA STATE (3-1); 7:30 PM ET; ABC … This game did lose a little of its luster when the then top-10 ranked Seminoles were upset last weekend at Virginia, but it is still going to be a major road test for the 3rd ranked Hurricanes. Miami, of course, is coming off something of a draft high after QB Cam Ward was the first player selected overall this past April. And there is something of a buzz around the NFL that the Canes could actually make it two years in a row as DE Rueben Bain (#4, 6-3, 270) appears to more than one out there currently has him at the top of their board. He’s a powerfully guy with outstanding lower-body strength who can get to the QB on the bull-rush, but also has plenty of dip and bend in his outside rush arsenal. Plus, he’s got a non-stop motor. In fact, Bain isn’t the Canes only potential top 5 candidate as RT Francis Mauigoa (#61, 6-5, 315) is the consensus top offensive lineman in the 2026 draft class, although there are concerns about his lack of overall length that might force him to kick inside at the next level. Bain also isn’t the only Miami DE to have a shot at being a #1 pick as fellow DE Akeem Mesidor (#3, 6-3, 265), is the top-rated prospect for the CFL draft. In fact, Mesidor, who has been almost as disruptive as Bain so far this fall, is also starting to get some increased notice from NFL scouts. Meanwhile, Miami has replaced Ward at QB with former Georgia star Carson Beck (#11, 6-3, 225) who, somewhat ironically, was actually the guy being considered as the likely #1 pick in 2025 at this time last year. But the angular Beck struggled thru an inconsistent season last fall with UGA that included too many turnovers and prompted a return to school and transfer. And while he has played well this year completing 73% of his pass attempts, turnovers remain a problem as he’s had three picked off already this season. The Canes should also feature a couple of decent mid-to-late round candidates in LB Mo Toure (#1, 6-2, 235), a Rutgers transfer who has been an outstanding player, but has had his career path interrupted by a couple of torn ACLs included one that kept him off the field the entire 2024 campaign, ad steady DT David Blay (#11, 6-3, 305).
Even with their loss to Virginia last week, Florida State is still ahead of the curve after they won just twice in a disastrous 2024 campaign. However, the ‘Noles are still a relatively young team ad have just one primary prospect for this upcoming April. He’s a good one though in DT Darrell Jackson (#6, 6-4, 335) who should get at least second-day consideration. Meanwhile, the ‘Noles have an interesting transfer at QB of their own in former Boston College starter Tommy Castellanos (#1, 5-11, 205), an exciting dual-threat, although he’s probably more a CFL prospect than an NFL candidate.
There are three other games we’ll be particularly focused on Saturday, all at 3:30 PM ET. In one #16 Vanderbilt will play at #10 Alabama on ABC in the only other game this weekend between ranked teams. And for those looking for a QB that’s fun to watch, this game may, in fact, be your spot as the Commodores are led by dual-threat QB Diego Pavia (#2, 6-0, 215) who is on pace to throw for over 3,000 yards 30+ TDs this fall, while runing for another 700 yards. Again, however, he’s probably more of a CFL candidate; indeed, Vanderbilt’s lone top prospect is All-America TE Eli Stowers (#9, 6-4, 235), one of the top receiving threats in the country at the position.
Of course Alabama is still Alabama and appears to be in decent shape to extend their current record streak of 16 years in a row with at least one first-round pick at the upcoming draft. LT Kadyn Proctor (#74, 6-6, 365), for example, is currently considered to be a top-10-15 prospect, while DE LT Overton (#22, 6-5, 280), a prototype 3-4 DE, LB Deontae Lawson (#0, 6-1, 230) and NT Tim Keenan (#96, 6-2, 320) are each among the top 2-3 candidates and have at least some later first-round potential. Same for veteran WR Germi Bernard (#5, 6-1, 205), while the Tide also feature a number of veterans with second-day potential including C Parker Brailsford (#72, 6-2, 295), OG Jaeden Roberts (#77, 6-4, 330), and S Keon Sabb (#3, 6-1, 205).
There is a second key SEC game in the late afternoon time slot as #9 Texas travels to Florida to face Gators on ESPN. Needless to say, if its Texas, its another chance to check out QB Arch Manning (#16, 6-3, 220) but given his struggles to date, the Longhorns to watch in this one include MLB Anthony Hill (#0, 6-2, 240), the consensus top LB in this year’s draft who has some top 10-20 potential and OG DJ Campbell (#52, 6-2, 325), one of the top interior OL prospects in the country, while CB Malik Muhammad (#5, 6-0, 190), OLB Trey Moore (#8, 6-3, 250) and S Michael Taafe (#16, 6-0, 190) are second-day candidates.
I don’t think would hold it against Florida if they wanted a word with the guy who put together their schedule as the Gators are in the midst of a streak in which they play 4 straight Top 10 teams and then finish the season with 4 more games against ranked opponents. Bottom line, the Gators aren’t likely going anywhere in the 2025 post-season, but they actually have the guys we’re most interested in watching in this game including C Jake Slaughter (#66, 6-4, 305), the consensus top IOL prospect this year, alog with LT Austin Barber (#58, 6-6, 315) and DE Tyreak Sapp (#94, 6-2, 275). Unfortunately, the Gator we really wanted to see – DT Caleb Banks – is out for the long-term after undergoing foot surgery for an issue that’s been affecting him since late last season.
Lastly, we do want to find time to tune in on the Boise State-Notre Dame game on NBC to check out Broncos All-American OT Kage Casey (#77, 6-5, 315) and DE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (#5, 6-3, 270).
