#7 TEXAS (11-1) vs #18 OKLAHOMA STATE (9-3); Noon ET; ABC … Championship Saturday kicks off with Texas facing Oklahoma State in the Big XII title game. Its a particularly big game for the Longhorns who still have an outside chance of making it to the CFP playoffs, although they’ll also need a lot of other stuff to go their way. Of course, its also another chance for pro scouts to check out Texas QB Quinn Ewers (#3, 6-2, 195), one of the most polarizing prospects in this year’s draft class. The former #1 recruit in the country, who originally signed with Ohio State before transferring home to Texas prior to the 2022 season, has elite tools including a big arm and enough athleticism to at least keep opposing defences honest, but he’s been somewhat inconsistent in his UT career, plus he’s also had some injury issues. But the talent is clearly there. It certainly helps that he has a bunch of outstanding receivers to target in WRs Xavier Worthy (#1, 6-1, 175), AD Mitchell (#5, 6-3, 200), and Jordan Whittington (#13, 6-1, 205), along with TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (#0, 6-4, 245). Worthy and Sanders, in particular, are considered to be among the top prospects at their respective positions with at least some late first-round potential, while Mitchell, who has both size and speed, could ultimately be the best prospect of the group. The Longhorns also have something of a rising prospect on the OL in RT Christian Jones (#75, 6-5, 325), while sophomore G/T Kelvin Banks (#78, 6-4, 325) has all the look of a potential top 5 prospect for 2025. The Longhorns don’t have quite the same talent level on defence, but do have several prospects solid second-day candidates on that side of the ball including massive DT T’Vondre Sweat (#93, 6-365), LB Jaylon Ford (#41, 6-3, 245), CBs Jahdae Barron (#23, 5-11, 195) and Jerrin Thompson (#28, 6-0, 195) and S Ryan Watts (#6, 6-2, 210).
That Texas D will be tested by Oklahoma State sophomore RB Ollie Gordon (#0, 6-0, 215) who lead the country in is leading the country in rushing with almost 1,600 yards and 20 TDs; along the way he averaged 6.5 yards a pop despite the fact that everybody knew pretty much what was coming. However, he won’t be draft eligible until 2025. Meanwhile, OSU players that are available for this year’s draft include DE/OLB Collin Oliver (#30, 6-2, 235) who has 22.5 career sacks, and C Joe Michalski (#66, 6-3, 305).
