The College Football Playoff National Championship will be played Monday night between Washington and Michigan. Every team is loaded with future NFL talent.
Here are the ten NFL Draft prospects to know about in tonight’s game:
1. WR Rome Odunze, Washington
At 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, Odunze is a very fluid athlete, which allows Washington to line him up in the lineup and execute a variety of roles. He does a good job avoiding press coverage and does as well as anyone tracking the ball on the field. He is expected to run faster during the pre-draft process than he appeared to this season. One of the most admired qualities of his game is his willingness to serve as a blocker when he’s not being targeted.
2. EDGE Bralen Trice, Washington
Trice is a big player who can turn speed into power, but he also has the flexibility to drop his shoulders and flatten on the high side of his run. Fans saw the impact he is able to have on a College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas when he recorded two sacks. The Arizona native also does a good job sealing the edge and helping with run support.
3. QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
The senior has shown arm strength capable of pushing the ball downfield all season. He consistently throws with as much touch and accuracy down the field as any 2024 NFL Draft eligible quarterback. While not known for his mobility, Penix has shown good presence pocket and enough athleticism to extend plays when the situation calls for it. His 2.1% dismissal rate is comparable to that of Oregon’s Bo Nix, but significantly better than each of the other prospects commonly mentioned when discussing the first round. Penix does a good job directing his targets and giving them the opportunity to play one-on-one against a man.
The concerns stem from his injury history and the fact that he will turn 24 shortly after draft night. His 32 carries this season are a mechanism to protect him from being unnecessarily exposed to further injury. The southpaw is a complete thrower like Baker Mayfield, meaning his entire body works to make throws downfield and away from pressure; it’s not effortless power like that of North Carolina’s Drake Maye, for example.
4. QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan
The quarterback has been a constant voice for a program mired in controversy this season. When head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended following the in-person scouting investigation, McCarthy took ownership of the offense. He has a natural release and good arm strength to push the ball downfield. His 73.2% completion percentage during the regular season ranked third in the nation behind Nix and UAB’s Jacob Zeno.
McCarthy throws with good touch but is inconsistent with his handling. There were times in the semi-final when he should have thrown it earlier.
5. OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
Fautanu played left tackle for the Huskies, but is expected to transition inside at the next level. He’s under 6-foot-4, so arm length will be important. In 1,108 pass blocks over the last two years, Fautanu has only given up two sacks. He gets out of his stance quickly and shows good athleticism in tasks at hand and in space. Physical by nature, the lineman looks for work when disengaged and mirrors defenders well laterally.
6. WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Polk was a fringe Top 100 prospect entering the season and has only elevated his game. Like Odunze, Polk does a great job tracking the ball down the court. Washington’s wide receiver room is reminiscent of the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver room a few years ago with Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp that featured very talented pass catchers ready to block.
Polk has caught 65 passes this season for 1,122 yards and nine touchdowns.
7. DT Kris Jenkins Jr., Michigan
Jenkins is the son of the three-time All-Pro defensive tackle selection who played with the Panthers and Jets for 10 seasons. The younger Jenkins does a good job stacking blockers and impacting the running game, but can continue to develop his pass rush scheme. He has 4.5 sacks over the past two seasons. The Wolverines have a 65.9 percent success rate on run defense when Jenkins is on the field, according to TruMedia.
8. LB Junior Colson, Michigan
Colson has been a high-volume tackler the past two seasons, cleaning up the chaos created by this aggressive defensive front. The Tennessee native is comfortable playing in coverage and is competitive when the ball arrives. He only had a 3.9% missed tackle rate, according to TruMedia, which validates his ability to play in space. Colson hasn’t shown much in the way of contributing to the pass rush.
9. S Rod Moore, Michigan
Moore has excellent instincts and awareness, as evidenced by his six interceptions over the past two seasons. His playing strength can improve, but he trusts his eyes and gets going quickly. Michigan’s secondary is very talented and intelligent. They could be the difference in a game featuring a potent Washington passing attack.
10. CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Sainristil will be criticized for his size, 5-foot-10, 182 pounds, but nothing overshadows his production. His notoriety on the football field is elite. The Massachusetts native has five interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2023. TruMedia credits him with missing 16.7% of his tackles; the average is 13.9% among players who played at least 250 defensive snaps.
Several other prospects are expected to be drafted in the spring, including Washington receiver Jalen McMillan, Michigan receiver Roman Wilson, Michigan running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, Michigan tight end AJ Barner and Washington edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui. . Michigan offensive guard Zak Zinter was injured in November or he would have been on the list.
