2022 NFL Draft prospects to watch: QBs Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder aim to improve stock in marquee matchups

College football fans will be treated to matchups between top 25 teams throughout the day. These games will obviously go a long way in dictating which teams will make the College Football Playoff, but they’ll also allow exposure to the NFL stars of tomorrow. Here’s a look at most of the top prospects who will be playing a role in the outcomes of this weekend’s games: 

Bulldogs’ stacked defense faces toughest test yet

No. 8 Arkansas at No. 2 Georgia

Saturday at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN

Arkansas’ Ricky Stromberg is one of the better center prospects in the nation. He will have his hands full against the Georgia law firm of Wyatt, Davis and Walker (Devonte, Jordan and Travon, respectively). Wide receiver Treylon Burks is a big-framed pass catcher with big play ability. 

Head coach Sam Pittman has squeezed all of the juice out of his defense. Missouri edge rush transfer Tre Williams and defensive tackle John Ridgeway have been playing well, with the former being responsible for four of the team’s 10 sacks. Safety Jalen Catalon is an undersized playmaker equipped with nitrous oxide. 

Georgia safety Tykee Smith has returned from injury but could be on a pitch count this weekend. Wide receiver George Pickens is still unavailable after suffering a torn ACL in the spring. Fortunately for Georgia, it will have five- and four-star talent backed up at every position. The defense still has difference makers like Clemson cornerback transfer Derion Kendrick, as well as linebacker Nakobe Dean, edge rusher Adam Anderson, safety Lewis Cine and the aforementioned interior defensive linemen. 

Polarizing Ridder takes on Hamilton-led Irish

No. 7 Cincinnati at No. 9 Notre Dame

Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder is a bit of a polarizing prospect. Some view him as a first-round talent and others project him on Day 3. Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton has done a great job of reading quarterbacks’ eyes and showing range.

The Bearcats are able to apply pressure off the edge with Myjai Sanders, and they capitalize on that pressure with cornerback Ahmad Gardner. Gardner is one of the more polished cornerback prospects in college football. 

Notre Dame center Jarrett Patterson is another in a long line of successful offensive linemen. He leads the way for running back Kyren Williams, who is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country. On the defensive side of the ball, the Fighting Irish boast linemen Isaiah Foskey and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa. 

Heisman favorite Corral goes up against loaded Crimson Tide defense

No. 12 Ole Miss at No. 1 Alabama

Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS

Last season, Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral was the conductor on the Lane Kiffin express. The offense utilized a lot of motion and allowed Corral to show his mobility and creative talents. As a junior, the California native has shown improved decision-making and ball control. Through three games, he has thrown nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. His streak of pass attempts without an interception is on the line. 

To this point in the season, Ole Miss has hardly been challenged, winning three games by a combined output of 158-62. The Rebels are coming off a bye week in preparation for Alabama. Running back Jerrion Ealy only has 31 carries so far this season but could play a sizable role as the Rebels looks to pull off an upset win over the Crimson Tide. Offensive tackle Nick Broeker is also a top prospect at his position.

Defensively, Ole Miss has the dynamic Sam Williams rushing the passer. Williams already has four sacks on the year. 

It is difficult to create a concise list of Alabama’s pro prospects because they are everywhere you look. From the protection of offensive linemen Emil Ekiyor Jr. and Evan Neal to the pass-catching abilities of Jameson Williams, John Metchie III and Jahleel Billingsley, the Crimson Tide are loaded on offense. 

It is even more difficult to comprehend that the team may be deeper on defense. DJ Dale, Christian Harris, Henry To’o To’o, Justin Eboigbe, Phidarian Mathis and Byron Young comprise the front seven with underclassman edge rusher Will Anderson likely being the most talented. Cornerback Josh Jobe, safety Jordan Battle and safety Daniel Wright are a big part of that talented secondary.

With a team like Alabama, which has such a sizable advantage in talent, the players feed off each other. The argument was made that Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa faced little adversity in Tuscaloosa because they were surrounded by so much talent. The receivers were able to win their individual matchups regularly, which eliminated the need for the quarterback to go to his second read. Similarly, the cornerbacks do not have to cover as long because Nick Saban’s team is able to apply such relentless pressure.

Elam’s quest to be No. 1 CB prospect continues 

No. 10 Florida at Kentucky

Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis faced uber talented Missouri cornerback Akayleb Evans earlier this season and largely avoided him. It will be interesting to learn whether or not Levis takes the same approach with Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam. Elam is big and physical, and he will finish opportunities created by edge rushers Brenton Cox Jr. and Jeremiah Moon.

Kentucky’s Darian Kinnard has continued to assert himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the nation. He could be a first-round pick come next April. Wide receiver WanDale Robinson has been a big play threat for the Wildcats this season. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Liam Coen should try to feed him early and often.

The Gators will look to establish the ground game with the quarterbacks, as well as the trio of Malik Davis, Dameon Pierce and Nay’Quan Wright. Kentucky defensive tackle Marquan McCall and edge rusher Joshua Paschal will play big roles in the outcome of this game. 

Bears’ defenders making names for themselves

No. 21 Baylor at No. 19 Oklahoma State

Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2

Baylor’s defense flies around with linebacker Terrel Bernard and safety Jalen Pitre. PItre is one of those intriguing prospects with a diverse skill set capable of wearing many hats. Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders is an accomplished player. On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys have edge rusher Trace Ford and safety Kolby Harvell-Peel.  

The game does not feature the same quantity of high level talent as some others, but the outcome should have a big impact on the final conference standings.