Week 10 of the college football season has some exciting matchups. Ashton Jeanty and Boise State are in action on Friday, and the must-watch showdown of the weekend sees Ohio State visit Penn State. With the NFL pre-draft process already kicking into high gear, the Senior Bowl will have scouts in attendance at multiple games.
The Senior Bowl released its watchlist earlier this year and several talents could increase their chances of receiving an invite to Mobile by boosting their pre-draft stock this weekend.
We've identified five must-watch talents for Week 10.
Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Arkansas EDGE Landon Jackson has consistently received some first-round buzz throughout the process. The senior defender has been red-hot lately, recording all 3.5 of his sacks in the previous four contests. Jackson possesses a pro-ready frame as a versatile defensive end that both rushes the passer and stuffs the run.
The Razorbacks are slight underdogs on Saturday as they prepare to host Ole Miss. Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart has been among college football’s most productive and electric quarterbacks this season. Good or bad, Jackson’s pre-draft resume will discuss how he fared versus Dart.
Jake Briningstool, TE, Clemson
Clemson senior tight end Jake Briningstool has enjoyed some big-time performances throughout the season. The Brentwood, Tennessee native recorded seven receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown against Wake Forest in mid-October. It was his second seven-catch, 100-yard showing of the campaign.
Briningstool is an extremely athletic tight end prospect who has been a legitimate threat up the seam for quarterback Cade Klubnik this season. Clemson is favored over Louisville this weekend. Briningstool will encounter quality defenders like Ashton Gillotte and Quincy Riley in what could be another eye-opening showcase for an underrated prospect.
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar suffered a knee injury in last week's victory over Wisconsin, but he returned to practice on Wednesday. Head coach James Franklin called him a game-time decision, but Wednesday's practice session puts him on track to play. It's difficult to envision Allar missing the biggest game of the season against No. 4 Ohio State.
Allar has flashed terrific improvement this year, completing 71.3% of his passes. He's thrown 12 touchdowns versus just four interceptions and has added three additional scores to his offensive totals as a dual-threat scrambler. Allar is capable of throwing a wrench into this undefined QB class. The Senior Bowl would be a great pre-draft showcase as he attempts to establish himself in the top 64 conversation.
T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
The No. 52 overall prospect in our latest Draft Network 100 rankings update, South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders is an intriguing talent who possesses prototypical size and athleticism. Sanders plays with a red-hot motor, totaling 29 tackles in seven appearances this season.
A detailed pass-rush plan is one of Sanders' areas for improvement. After going sack-less in five consecutive games, Sanders finally ended that drought with a sack against Oklahoma in South Carolina's last outing. The opponent this weekend is Texas A&M, and there's some uncertainty surrounding their quarterback if Conner Weigman was benched in favor of Marcel Reed against LSU.
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers are multi-score favorites over Kentucky, but their offense has struggled in recent weeks. Josh Heupel's typically high-octane offense is averaging just 20.3 points per contest in the last three games. Nico Iamaleava has thrown just one touchdown versus two interceptions throughout that stretch.
They could encounter similar difficulties versus a typically hard-nosed Kentucky defense that is nursing injuries, including one to cornerback Maxwell Hairston.
Hairston will be missed in the secondary, so defensive lineman Deone Walker needs to be the Wildcats' most disruptive player. Expectations were higher for Walker entering the season, but he’s accumulated just 1.5 sacks. For Kentucky to have a chance, he'll have to get Iamaleava off his preferred platforms.
