CFP Championship Game – Georgia-Texas Christian
Clubs Look to Repeat Thrilling Semi-Final Victories

Frank Coyle/ Head scout

College Football Playoff National Championship is tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN between defending champion, Georgia (14-0) and Big 12 upstart, Texas Christian (13-1) at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca.

Georgia is a powerhouse and brings an undefeated record to the title game after beating Ohio St in a thrilling semi-final matchup. Texas Christian is this year’s Cinderella story going undefeated into their season finale only to lose the Big 12 Championship game to Kansas State. They had previously beaten KSU at midseason. They stayed in the top four playoff qualifiers and beat heavily favorite Michigan in an exciting semi-final games setting up the title matchup with Georgia.

Both teams rely on potent offenses behind seasoned QBs, Georgia’s Stetson Bennett and TCU Max Duggan along with balanced ground games to rank among the nation’s best attacks. Bennett and Duggan were both finalists in the Heisman race in 2022. Both clubs spend the majority of their time lined up in a 3-3-5 defense and variations of that scheme. They are a combined 27-1 this season.

Georgia looks to duplicate last years’ championship when they beat Alabama for the national title. Head coach Kirby Smart hopes to join elite company aiming for a 2nd straight national title where they are heavy favorites tonight. This was the sixth straight season the Bulldogs finished in the national top 10.

Georgia excelled behind the hot hand of QB Stetson Bennett who has come up huge in key situations directing this club in the tough SEC. He met all challenges and uses a host of receivers, especially his talented duo of tight ends, Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington. Bowers is a difference maker and will fully test the TCU fast defense. TCU has been very effective in coverage especially as the season progressed and very opportunistic. The Bulldogs will test the TCU defensive front with a strong ground game to soften their front and control the line of scrimmage to draw the safeties up. This is where Bennett excels finding his receivers through the middle routes with the TE duo of Bowers and Washington creating a huge problem for the Horned Frogs defense.

TCU is a huge surprise participant behind first-year head coach Sonny Dykes. The Horned Frogs have had a weak 23-24 record over the four seasons before Dykes’ arrival. QB Duggan has been both a leader and playmaker this club has rallied around. He spreads the ball around to a talented group of receivers headed by Quentin Johnston who had an impact in their semi-final upset over Michigan. He faces a dominant Bulldog defense with several impact performers. Duggan has been very accurate over the past season and will have to be highly efficient to press the Georgia first class unit. TCU guard Steve Avila heads a tough talented front line who could decide the ultimate outcome in this critical matchup.

TCU starting running back Kendre Miller is still recovering from a sprained right knee MCL injury in the Fiesta Bowl victory and is questionable for tonight’s game. He had 57 yards on eight carries in that Semi-finalist matchup against the Wolverines before he was injured. The Frogs turned to backup Emari Demercado and he responded with a career-high 150 rushing yards against Michigan.

Miller is the only player in Big 12 history to record a rushing touchdown in 13 games in a season and has totaled 17 rushing TDs, fourth-most in TCU history and the most since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2000.

Prediction: Georgia 38 Texas Christian 27
Georgia Wins a 2^nd National Title in a Row

Frank Coyle is a longtime national scout of both College and NFL players. He is also a long-time member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 30 years.

Safety Damar Hamlin Improves Significantly

NFL Season Final Weekend Schedule

The NFL announced today that Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin, who has been hospitalized at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center since Monday, has had substantial improvement in his condition. Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during Monday’s game which had huge impact on the players, coaches and fans who witnessed the traumatic collision. Though he still remains in critical condition, he has made improvement in 72 hours which is very encouraging. Currently, they have removed his breathing tube and continues to make amazing improvement. He has spoken to family and teammates and is addressing team via Facetime. The miracle continues to unfold with prayers for a return to full health from the nation and NFL community.

The Bills host AFC East rival, the Patriots Sunday afternoon this home field advantage through the conference playoffs at stake, along with the Patriots fighting for the final AFC playoff berth.

The NFL announced that the Week 17 Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals game will not be resumed and has been cancelled. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed all clubs of his decision on Thursday, after speaking with the Bills, the Bengals and NFL Players Association leadership.

“This has been a very difficult week,” Goodell said. “We continue to focus on the recovery of Damar Hamlin and are encouraged by the improvements in his condition as well as the tremendous outpouring of support and care for Damar and his family from across the country. We are also incredibly appreciative of the amazing work of the medical personnel and commend each and every one of them.”

Key factors in arriving at this decision:

Not playing the Buffalo-Cincinnati game to its conclusion will have no effect on which clubs qualify for the postseason. No club would qualify for the postseason and no club will be eliminated based on the outcome of this game.

The AFC Championship Game will be played at a neutral site if the participating teams played an unequal number of games and both could have been the number one seed and hosted the game had all AFC clubs played a full 17-game regular season. Those circumstances involve Buffalo or Cincinnati qualifying for the game as a road team and are listed below:

The NFL regular season closing weekend will determine the final three divisional winners with the Bengals/Ravens matchup for the AFC North title and the Titans/Jaguars deciding the AFC South winner key games.

The Eagles hold a one game lead over the Cowboys in the NFC East and host the Giants. A win and they clinch the divisional title. Three East teams, the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants are the only division with multiple clubs already in the postseason.  On Sunday night, the Packers-Lions matchup closes out the season with the winner qualifying for the final wild card spot. Both teams made strong pushes over the second half of the season to get to the .500 mark entering their final contest.

Final NFL Weekend Schedule

Saturday, January 7, 2023
    Matchup / Time / TV / Location

Kansas City @ Las Vegas – 4:30 PM – ESPN
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
 
Tennessee @ Jacksonville – 8:15 PM – ESPN
TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
 
Sunday, January 8, 2023
    Matchup / Time / TV / Location

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta – 1:00 PM – FOX
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
 
New England @ Buffalo – 1:00 PM – CBS
Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
 
Minnesota @ Chicago – 1:00 PM – FOX
Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
 
Baltimore @ Cincinnati – 1:00 PM – CBS
Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
 
Houston @ Indianapolis – 1:00 PM – CBS
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
 
New York Jets @ Miami – 1:00 PM – FOX
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
 
Carolina @ New Orleans – 1:00 PM – FOX
Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
 
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh – 1:00 PM – CBS
Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
 
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver – 4:25 PM – CBS
Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
 
New York Giants @ Philadelphia – 4:25 PM – CBS
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
 
Arizona @ San Francisco – 4:25 PM – FOX
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle – 4:25 PM – FOX
Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
 
Dallas @ Washington – 4:25 PM – FOX
FedEx Field, Landover, MD
 
Detroit @ Green Bay – 8:20 PM – NBC
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wi.

All-Star Game Schedule Begins This Weekend

The upcoming postseason All-Star season is here with the schedule posted below. We will have scouts at these events attending – weigh-ins, practices, interviews and games. These games will be the final chance to see prospects in game action prior to the NFL Combine and vital Pro day workouts. We will have extensive coverage on web page at  www.draftinsiders.com along with player evaluation in our Feb. Newsletter and Yearbook 2023. 

 All-Star Game Schedule – January- February 2023      

January 8 – CGS Small School Invitational – Fort Worth, Texas
1/8 – Podyum Bowl – Miami, Florida
1/11 – College Gridiron Showcase – Fort Worth, Texas
 
1/14 – Hula Bowl – Orlando, Florida – CBSSN
1/21 – Tropical Bowl – Orlando, Florida
1/28 – NFLPA Collegiate Bowl – Pasadena, Ca – NFLN
 
2/2 – East-West Shrine Bowl – Las Vegas, Nv – NFLN
2/4 *** Senior Bowl Game – Feb. 4, 2023 Mobile, Alabama ***
– Hancock Whitney Stadium – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network –
                             Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 30th thru Thursday Feb. 3rd

For Complete Senior Bowl info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/
 
February 28 -March 6 – NFL Scouting Combine (Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN)

 Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 30 years. He was a 20-year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.

Rookie Dameon Pierce Looks to Top the 1000 yard Mark

Dameon Pierce – Draft Insiders’ Yearbook Scouting Report – March 2022

Three Rookie Runners Push for 1000-yard Campaigns in 2022 Season Finale

Three rookie running backs this season, Dameon Pierce, Kenneth Walker and Tyler Allgeier all have a chance to earn the 1000 yard                         USA Today Photo
rushing mark this season with a strong closing game.

Pierce has had an outstanding rookie campaign with 220 carries for 939 yards, a 4.27 yard average and 4TDs. He also adds 30 receptions for 165 yards and 1 TD entering his final game at Indianapolis. It is even more amazing that he has accomplished this with the team with the worst record in the league at this point of the season. He was one of the few shining performers for the Texans who once again with select in the top five draft choices and possibly the first overall selection with a loss at Indianapolis this Sunday.

Pierce’s scouting report from March 2022 is below and listed as one of our most underrated offensive players in the draft class.

Walker has been instrumental in the Seahawks run for the playoffs this season, becoming their feature back with game breaking speed to change games. He enters his final contest with 936 yards on 199 carries for a 4.7 yard average and 7 TDs. He faces the Rams this week at home, hoping to pass the 1000 yard. Allgeier has 900 yards on 186 carries for a 4.8 yard average and 3 TDs. He faces the Bucs at home this week and it will take a 100 yard performance to hit the coveted mark.

The last time three rookie running backs topped the 1000-yard rushing mark was the NFL 2008 season. That year runners, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton all topped the 1200-yard rushing mark.

Dameon Pierce – Draft Insiders’ Scouting Report – March 2022

Dameon Pierce #27 – 5-9, 220                Florida – Sp. 4.60
NFL Comparison: Mark Ingram                     Rating 72

Short compact two-year starter has been a consistent performer in the Gators’ pro-style offense. Low based back with good initial quickness, the speed to hit a hole and get outside. Fine vision and knows how to read and follow his blocks with sound decision making. Quickness to jump cut and string a few moves together. Good lower body power to break tackles with the speed through the hole to make plays and move the pile. Rarely goes down at first contact. Finishes with good body lean to make extra yardage. Displays reliable hands as a receiver and improved throughout his career. Runs the route tree with good patterns and initial coverage reads. Effective on screen passes and moves decisively up field after securing the catch. Needs to find soft spots in zones better and become a primary outlet receiver. Maxed out frame and probably at a good weight to run inside. Adept at seeing even a small crease and slipping through it quickly. Capable of handling a lot of touches. Size may be a liability when it comes to pass protection in the NFL, though definitely tough enough to make the step up and face a backer. At the NFL Combine, he came in at under 5’10” and 218 lbs. Ran a 4.59 time and did 21 reps. Added a 34.5” VL and a 9’11” BJ. Marginal career production. Shows adequate top end speed with the quick acceleration to get to the 2nd level with the creativity to hit openings and running lanes. As a receiver, shows developing skills to press in time for 3rd down role. Tough blocker with makeup to face up with backers after further technique work. Probably top 150–200 prospect and capable of being a quality starter, 1A or 3rd down back. Obscure well rounded prospect with the talent to fill a key, though limited role early in an offense. Talent to become solid surprise. Honest runner whose best football is ahead of him and a bargain on the 3rd day of the process.

NFL Draft 2023 – First Round Mock Draft 1.0

January, 2023
         All underclassmen have until Jan. 16^th to declare for the NFL Draft 2023. Players then have three days to rescind their decision and return to school and retain their college eligibility.

Exact draft order to be determined at close of the postseason. Top overall selections will change after the final games over the Jan 7-8 weekend of the non-playoff clubs.
   Frank Coyle/ Head Scout

1st Round

#           Team                           W/L      Player                          Pos      Ht/WT               School

1          Houston                        2-13-1   Bryce Young                 QB       5-11, 195          Alabama
2          Chicago                        3-13      Will Anderson                Edge    6-4. 245            Alabama
3          Seattle (Denver)            4-12      CJ Stroud                     QB       6-3, 215           Ohio State
4          Arizona                         4-12      Jalen Carter                  DT        6-3, 310        Georgia
5          Indianapolis                  4-11-1   Will Levis                      QB       6-3, 230         Kentucky
6          Detroit (LA Rams)          5-11      Bijan Robinson              RB        5-11, 225          Texas
7          Atlanta                          6-10      Myles Murphy               DE       6-5, 275            Clemson
8          Carolina                        6-10      Quentin Johnston          WR       6-3, 215            TCU
9          Las Vegas                    6-10      Joey Porter                     CB        6-1, 200        Penn State
10         Phil (New Orleans)         7-9        Kelee Ringo                  CB        6-2, 205            Georgia
11         Houston (Cleveland)      7-9        Paris Johnson               OT        6-6, 315            Ohio State
12         Tennessee                    7-9        Peter Skoronski           OT      6-4, 315            Northwestern
13         NY Jets                        7-9        Broderick Jones             OT        6-4, 315          Georgia
14         Washington                   7-8-1     Anthony Richardson      QB       6-4, 230            Florida
15         Seattle                          8-8        Michael Mayer              TE        6-4, 255            Notre Dame
16         New England                8-8        Bryan Bresee                DT        6-4, 300            Clemson
17         Pittsburgh                     8-8        Drew Sanders               LB        6-4, 245         Arkansas
18         Green Bay                    8-8        Jaxon Smith-Njigba       WR       5-11, 200          Ohio State
19         Detroit                      8-8        Tyree Wilson                   DE       6-5, 275            Texas Tech
20         Jacksonville                  8-8        Cam Smith                  CB        6-1, 190          South Carolina
21         Tampa Bay                   8-8        Isaiah Foskey               DE       6-4, 250            Notre Dame
Miami (pick forfeited)     8-8
22         NY Giants                   9-6-1     Jordan Addison               WR       5-11, 175          Southern Cal
23         LA Chargers                  10-6      Nolan Smith                  Edge    6-3, 235            Georgia
24         Baltimore                      10-6      Christian Gonzalez         CB        6-1. 205            Oregon
25         Cincinnati                      11-4      Clark Phillips                 CB        5-10 185           Utah
26         Denver (San Fran-Miami) 12-4     O’Cyrus Torrence        OG       6-5, 340            Florida
27         Dallas                         12-4      Brian Branch                   FS        6-0, 195            Alabama
28         Minnesota                     12-4      Kayshon Boutte           WR       6-0, 205            LSU
29         Buffalo                      12-3      Noah Sewell                    LB        6-2, 250            Oregon
30         Kansas City                  13-3      Jalin Hyatt                   WR       6-0, 180            Tennessee
31         Philadelphia                  13-3      Dawand Jones              OT        6-7, 360            Ohio State