Many might not know this, but there is an important Friday night college football game. It not only has draft implications, but this Big 12 matchup could impact the 12-team playoff. Both Arizona and Kansas State are undefeated and ranked in the top 20. Arizona is currently ranked 20th, while Kansas State is ranked 14th.
Arizona Prospects
TUCSON, AZ – SEPTEMBER 30: Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 during a football game between the Washington Huskies and the University of Arizona Wildcats on September 30, 2023 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
I wrote about Tetairoa McMillan a few weeks back. He is one of the best draft prospects in the country. The 6-foot-5, 212-pound wide receiver is a matchup nightmare for defenses. His combination of size and speed forces opponents to scheme around his playmaking ability. You can view the article here.
Arizona has two other prospects worth noting. Jonah Savaiinaea is a 6-foot-5, 336-pound right tackle. The junior from Hawaii has good footwork and is already an outstanding pass protector. He is versatile and has experience playing guard as well.
The Arizona defensive prospect to keep an eye on for the draft is 6-foot-4 196-pound cornerback Tacario Davis. Rarely do you find a cornerback with his size. Most players with his frame will play safety or wide receiver. But Davis has hip flexibility and can move in and out of breaks which is essential to be a successful corner in the NFL.
Because of his size, he does a great job in press-man coverage. But he also reads the play and has the instincts to excel in zone coverage. A lot of corners come into the NFL and struggle with tackling. Davis is a terrific tackler and has no issue lowering his shoulder to help in the run game.
Underrated Corner
Despite being a top 15 team, Kansas St has no draft prospects near the consensus big board top 100. Their highest player is Jacob Parrish at #327 although in my opinion, he should be somewhere in the top 200. For context, around 250 players are drafted every year. But the 5-foot-10 198-pound junior has a golden opportunity to move up the rankings. If Parrish can show draft scouts he can handle or even contain McMillan, he will rise significantly.
Parrish plays bigger than his size. Kansas St trusts Parrish to handle the opposing team’s best WR, and he is often left on an island. He has the instinct to play zone as well, and despite being undersized, he is a willing tackler in the run game. He projects as a late-round pick with the upside of a starter in the slot.
Final Thoughts
I will be watching Kansas St’s gameplan closely against Tetairoa McMillan. If McMillan goes off like he did against New Mexico, it will be a long day for the Kansas St defense. My prediction: the Wildcats will win this one (Both teams are the Wildcats). Arizona visits Kansas St this Friday night at 8 Eastern on FOX.
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