NFL Draft 2024 – Underclassmen

NFL Draft 2024 – Underclassmen

Final List of Underclassmen Posted

Jan. 5 – Draft eligible Underclassmen announced to participate in the College All-star games

Jan. 15 – Special Eligibility Deadline. Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2024 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.

Jan. 19 – NFL office releases full list of Underclassmen for the NFL Draft 2024

April 25-27 – NFL Draft, Detroit

Draft Insiders’ will have a January Newsletter with complete list of Underclassmen, Top 150 Prospects and Three Round Mock Draft

Twenty additional players granted special eligibility for 2024 NFL Draft for total of 54 players

The list of 54 players granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft was released by the NFL on Friday. Four underclassmen who have fulfilled their degree requirements with college football eligibility remaining are also eligible for selection.

Thirty-four players applied for special eligibility prior to the newly instituted early soft deadline of Jan. 5, which was added to assist players and all-star game organizers in the planning and invitation process. Twenty additional players submitted their petitions prior to the traditional deadline of Jan. 15 to apply for special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Each of the 54 players granted special eligibility has met the league’s three-year eligibility rule and has submitted to a written application in which he renounced his remaining college football eligibility.

The 54 players granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to be held April 25-27 in Detroit (players marked with an asterisk were newly added since the Jan. 5 deadline):

    2024 Underclassmen

Ajou Ajou, WR, Garden City C.C.
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
Terrion Arnold, DB, Alabama*
Cole Bishop, DB, Utah
Austin Booker, DE, Kansas
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia*
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas*
Arland Bruce, WR, Oklahoma State*
Javon Bullard, DB, Georgia
Calen Bullock, DB, USC*
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan*
Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa*
Jonah Elliss, DE, Utah
Audric Estimé, RB, Notre Dame
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Michael Hall, DT, Ohio State*
Marvin Harrison, WR, Ohio State*
Jaden Hicks, DB, Washington State*
Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Kalen King, DB, Penn State
Kamari Lassiter, DB, Georgia
JC Latham, OT, Alabama*
Cam Little, K, Arkansas
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan*
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas*
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington*
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Ennis Rakestraw, DB, Missouri
Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington*
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas*
Jaden Shirden, RB, Monmouth (N.J.)
Maason Smith, DT, LSU*
Carson Steele, RB, UCLA
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami
Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
Jeremiah Trotter, LB, Clemson*
Dallas Turner, LB, Alabama*
Sione Vaki, DB, Utah
Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
Nate Wiggins, DB, Clemson
Caleb Williams, QB, USC*
James Williams, DB, Miami
Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

The following underclassmen have in timely fashion under NFL rules officially notified the league office that they have fulfilled their degree requirements. They are eligible for selection (players marked with an asterisk were newly added since the Jan. 5 deadline):

Kamren Kinchens, DB, Miami*
Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB, Alabama*
Byron Murphy, DT, Texas*
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson




NFL Draft 2024 – Mock Draft  3.0

NFL Draft 2024 – Mock Draft  3.0

January, 2024 – * Underclassmen – Pre-Senior Bowl and East-West All-Star games
All underclassmen had until Jan. 15th to declare for the NFL Draft. Players have three days to rescind their decision.

x – Playoff teams will finalize their positions after each postseason round

Mock Draft 3.0 – Frank Coyle/Head scout

1st Round

#           Team          W/L      Position        Player                     School
1 Chicago (Carolina – 2-15)        QB       Caleb Williams             Southern Cal
2 Washington (4-13)                  QB       Drake Maye                  North Carolina
3 New England (4-13)                QB       Jayden Daniels             LSU
4 Arizona (4-13)                          WR       Marvin Harrison Jr         Ohio State
5 Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)   TE        Brock Bowers                Georgia
6 New York Giants (6-11)           OT        Joe Alt                         Notre Dame
7 Tennessee (6-11)                   Edge    Dallas Turner                Alabama
8 Atlanta (7-10)                         WR       Rome Odunze               Washington
9 Chicago (7-10)                       OT        Olu Fashanu                 Penn State
10 New York Jets (7-10)             WR       Malik Nabers                 LSU
11 Minnesota (7-10)                  DB       Cooper DeJean             Iowa
12 Denver (8-9)                         Edge    Laiatu Latu                    UCLA
13 Las Vegas (8-9)                    OT        Taliese Fuaga               Oregon State
14 New Orleans (9-8)                CB        Kool-Aid McKinstry        Alabama
15 Indianapolis (9-8)                  DL        Jer’Zhan Newton           Illinois
16 Seattle (9-8)                           QB       Michael Penix Jr.           Washington
17 Jacksonville (9-8)                  OT        Amarius Mims               Georgia
18 Cincinnati (9-8)                     CB        Nate Wiggins                Clemson
19 Los Angeles Rams (10-7)      Edge    Jared Verse                  Florida State
20 Pittsburgh (10-7)                   OT        Jordan Morgan             Arizona
21 Miami (11-6)                            OT        JC Latham                    Alabama
22 Philadelphia (11-6)                CB        Terrion Arnold               Alabama
23 Houston (Cleveland – 11-6)    Edge    Chris Braswell               Alabama
24 Dallas (12-5)                             S          Kamren Kinchens          Miami (Fl)

Playoff Clubs below bracketed based on current record and SOS

25 Green Bay (9-8)                    OT        Troy Fautanu                Washington
26 Tampa Bay (9-8)                   QB       Bo Nix                         Oregon
27 Arizona (Houston – 9-8)      OT        Tyler Guyton                 Oklahoma
28 Buffalo (11-6)                       WR       Troy Franklin                 Oregon
29 Kansas City (11-6)                WR       Keon Coleman             Florida State
30 Detroit (12-5)                        DL        Leonard Taylor III          Miami (Fl)
31 San Francisco (12-5)            S          Tyler Nubin                   Minnesota
32 Baltimore (13-4)                 Edge    Chop Robinson             Penn State

 




QB Caleb Williams Declares for NFL Draft

USC QB Caleb Williams Declares for the NFL Draft

Frank Coyle /Head scout

Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams announced today he will forgo his remaining college football eligibility and enter the 2024 NFL Draft. We considered him one of the elite prospects in this draft class and probable first overall selection. He sat out the Trojan’s Holiday Bowl game in December and has been preparing for the NFL Draft since then. His only postseason activity may be the NFL Combine in March and the Southern Call pro day in April.

Draft Insiders will have the full List of Underclassmen in the January NL plus Three Round MD, New Top 150 Prospects – out this week

Williams is one of the most talented college players in recent seasons, winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy Award. He is the prototypical modern QB with RPO ability using his powerful arm and fine footspeed to pressure defenses. He shows natural improvisational skills with the ability to throw off platform and different throwing anagles. He has thrown for more than 10,000 pass yards in just three seasons.

Williams is just 22 years old and combines excellent arm talent, athleticism and the intangibles the position demands. The postseason including interviews will determine his NFL readiness and potential to earn a rookie starting grade.




NFL Playoffs – Divisional Round Schedule

NFL Playoffs – Divisional Round Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 20

AFC:
4:30 p.m. (4) Houston Texans at (1) Baltimore Ravens (ESPN/ABC, ESPN+)

NFC
8:15 p.m. (7) Green Bay Packers at (1) San Francisco 49ers (FOX)

Sunday, Jan. 21

NFC
3 p.m. (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (3) Detroit Lions (NBC, Peacock)

AFC
6:30 p.m. (3) Kansas City Chiefs at (2) Buffalo Bills (CBS, Paramount+)




Hula Bowl Begins All-Star Schedule

Hula Bowl 2024 – Orlando, Florida

The 2024 Hula Bowl will start the major All-star schedule in Orlando on Saturday January 13.

The game will be at UCF campus and kick off at Noon est. It will be the 78th edition of the all-star game, making it the second oldest in existence. It has moved from Honolulu to Florida in recent years and has assembled an interesting roster. Players could earn invitations to the latter All-star games with a strong week in Orlando.

The Hula Bowl has had a rich history with over dozens of Pro Football Hall of Fame players, in addition to many College Football Hall of Famers. Scouts from the NFL, CFL, and UFL will be in attendance. Both coaching staffs will be made up of former NFL coaches. We will have a Hula Bowl report in the January Newsletter out next week.

  All Star Game Schedule – January – February 2024

2024

  NFLPA Collegiate Bowl – (Cancelled)

1/5-1/7 – College Gridiron Showcase – Fort Worth, Texas

1/13 – Hula Bowl 78th Classic – Orlando, Florida – CBSSN  12 pm

1/20 – Tropical Bowl – Orlando, Florida

2/1 – East-West 99th Shrine Bowl – Frisco, Texas – NFLN

2/3 – Senior Bowl – Mobile, Alabama – NFLN

2/24 – HBCU Legacy Bowl – New Orleans, La – NFLN

 




NFL Postseason QB Records

NFL Postseason Quarterback Win/Loss Records

Listed below are the NFL Postseason Starting Quarterback Win/Loss Records for active NFL players that have started at least one game at quarterback. Figures are sorted by number of wins.

Quarterbacks are judged by their postseason records, right or wrong. Four current QBs, Mahomes, Stafford, Flacco and Goff have won Super Bowl rings.

Frank Coyle / Publisher

Starting NFL Quarterback Records – 1970-present

x – Currently in 2024 Playoffs 

All Games                         Home Games          Away Games

Player              
GS       W-L      Pct                   W-L                  W-L

x Patrick Mahomes
14        11-3      .786                  10-2                  1-1

Aaron Rodgers
21        11-10    .524                  6-4                   5-6

x Joe Flacco
15         10-5      .667                  2-0                    8-5

Russell Wilson
16         9-7        .562                  5-2                    4-5

Joe Burrow
7           5-2        .714                  2-1                    3-1

Jimmy Garoppolo
6           4-2        .667                  2-0                    2-2

x Matthew Stafford
7           4-3        .571                  2-0                    2-3

x Josh Allen
8           4-4        .500                  4-1                    0-3

x Brock Purdy
3           2-1       .667                  2-0                    0-1

x Jalen Hurts
4          2-2        .500                  2-1                   0-1

x Jared Goff
5          2-3        .400                  1-2                    1-1

Ryan Tannehill
5           2-3        .400                  0-2                    2-1

x Dak Prescott
6           2-4        .333                  1-2                    1-2

John Wolford
1           1-0        1.000                0-0                    1-0

Daniel Jones
2           1-1        .500                  0-0                    1-1

Trevor Lawrence
2           1-1        .500                  1-0                    0-1

x Baker Mayfield
2           1-1        .500                  0-0                    1-1

x Marcus Mariota
2          1-1        .500                  0-0                    1-1

Case Keenum
2           1-1        .500                  1-0                    0-1

x (IR) Deshaun Watson
3           1-2        .333                   1-1                  0-1

Kirk Cousins
4          1-3        .250                 0-2                    1-1

x Lamar Jackson
4           1-3        .250                 0-2                    1-1

Kyler Murray
1           0-1       .000                  0-0                    0-1

x Carson Wentz
1           0-1        .000                  0-1                    0-0

Mac Jones
1           0-1        .000                  0-0                    0-1

Geno Smith
1          0-1        .000                  0-0                    0-1

x Skylar Thompson
1          0-1        .000                 0-0                    0-1

x Tyler Huntley
1          0-1        .000                  0-0                    0-1

Derek Carr
1          0-1        .000                  0-0                   0-1

A.J. McCarron
1          0-1       .000                  0-1                    0-0

Justin Herbert
1           0-1        .000                  0-0                    0-1

Teddy Bridgewater
1          0-1        .000                  0-1                    0-0

Taylor Heinicke
1          0-1       .000                  0-1                    0-0

Tyrod Taylor
1          0-1       .000                  0-0                    0-1

Brian Hoyer
1          0-1       .000                  0-1                   0-0

x Mitchell Trubisky
2          0-2        .000                  0-1                    0-1

Andy Dalton
4           0-4        .000                  0-1                   0-3

 




NFL Draft 2024 – Underclassmen

NFL Draft 2024 – Underclassmen

Jan. 5 – Draft eligible Underclassmen announced to participate in the College All-star games

Jan. 15 – Special Eligibility Deadline. Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2024 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.

April 25-27 – NFL Draft, Detroit

Draft Insiders’ will have a January Newsletter with complete list of Underclassmen, Top 150 Prospects and Three Round Mock Draft

We scouted most of these new prospects especially running back Jaden Shirden of Monmouth University and OT Kiran Amegadjie of Yale both at practices and in live games. We recommended them to a few All-star games.

Frank Coyle/ Head scout

Thirty-four players granted special eligibility for 2024 NFL Draft after early deadline

A list of 34 players granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft was released by the NFL on Tuesday.

With the NFL allowing draft-eligible underclassmen to participate in college all-star games in 2024, a soft deadline of Jan. 5 was added to assist players and all-star game organizers in the planning and invitation process. The hard deadline for underclassmen to submit a petition to the league is Jan. 15. A list of additional players who have been granted special eligibility in accordance with the Jan. 15 deadline will be announced on Jan. 19. The 2024 draft is scheduled to be held April 25-27 in Detroit.

Each of the 34 players listed below have met the league’s three-year eligibility rule and have renounced their college football eligibility by submitting written notification to the league office on or before the Jan. 5 early deadline. Consequently, they are eligible for selection:

Underclassmen

Ajou Ajou, WR, Garden City C.C.
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
Cole Bishop, DB, Utah
Austin Booker, DE, Kansas
Javon Bullard, DB, Georgia
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Jonah Elliss, DE, Utah
Audric Estimé, RB, Notre Dame
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Kalen King, DB, Penn State
Kamari Lassiter, DB, Georgia
Cam Little, K, Arkansas
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Ennis Rakestraw, DB, Missouri
Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
Jaden Shirden, RB, Monmouth (N.J.)
Carson Steele, RB, UCLA
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami
Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
Sione Vaki, DB, Utah
Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
Nate Wiggins, DB, Clemson
James Williams, DB, Miami
Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

The following underclassman has in timely fashion under NFL rules officially notified the league office that he has fulfilled his degree requirements. Consequently, he is eligible for selection:

Will Shipley, RB, Clemson

 




Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll

Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Final Regular Season Ranking

Ravens & 49ers Byes for Postseason
Rams, Steelers & Packers Win to Earn Playoffs

Teams of the Week 
Bills Drill Dolphins
Rams Edge 49ers
Steelers Outlast Ravens
  
Players of the Week
  NFC
   Offense – QB Jordan Love – Packers
   Defense – S Xavier McKinney – Giants

 AFC
   Offense – QB Josh Allen – Bills
  Defense – LB Christian Harris – Texans
 
Rookies of the Week
   Offense – WR Dontayvion Wicks – Packers
   Defense – CB Devon Witherspoon – Seahawks
 
Wild Card Weekend – Playoff Games – Jan. 13-15

Saturday
(5) Browns at (4) Texans, 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
(6) Dolphins at (3) Chiefs, 8 p.m. ET (Peacock)

Sunday
(7) Steelers at (2) Bills, 1 p.m. ET (CBS/stream on Paramount
(7) Packers at (2) Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET (Fox)
(6) Rams at (3) Lions, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Monday Night
(5) Eagles at (4) Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)

We will have an in-depth NFL Team Report (40 pgs) in April for all clubs with team needs and NFL free agency and offseason changes.
 

NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff – Frank Coyle/Publisher

 
Ranking / Team / Record
#1 – Ravens – 13-4
#2 – 49ers – 12-5
#3 – Cowboys – 12-5
#4 – Lions – 12-5
#5 – Bills – 11-6
#6 – Chiefs – 11-6
#7 – Dolphins – 11-6
#8 – Browns – 11-6
#9 – Rams – 10-7
#10 – Eagles – 11-6
#11 – Bucs – 9-8
#12 – Steelers – 10-7
#13 – Texans – 9-8
#14 – Packers – 9-8

Non-Playoff Teams  below– season complete

#15 – Bengals – 9-8
#16 – Saints – 9-8
#17 – Jaguars – 9-8
#18 – Colts – 9-8
#19 – Seahawks – 8-9
#20 – Raiders – 8-9
#21 – Vikings – 7-10
#22 – Broncos – 8-9
#23 – Giants – 6-11
#24 – Bears – 7-10
#25 – Falcons – 7-10
#26 – Chargers – 5-12
#27 – Jets – 7-10
#28 – Titans – 6-11
#29 – Cardinals – 4-13
#30 – Commanders – 4-13
#31 – Patriots – 4-13
#32 – Panthers – 2-15
 
Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in major college player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc. for the past 30 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season.
 
He has a new column ‘The Word on the Street’ dedicated for the NFL Draft and Free agency insight and news with unique content during January through May. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS and ESPN on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

 




NFL Draft 2024 – First Round Order

NFL Draft 2024 – First Round Selection Order – Jan. 8,2024

Frank Coyle/ Publisher

Here is the first-round draft order following the full NFL schedule. The Chicago Bears are guaranteed the first overall  pick from the Carolina Panthers as a result of the trade last spring.  They also hold their own #1 pick, the 9th overall selection.

The NFL Draft selection order is based on the 2024 NFL standings plus the NFL Draft tiebreaking procedures. Picks 1-18 are the non-playoff teams, with the order decided by the draft tiebreakers. Tied positions rotate up in the succeeding rounds. Positions 19 through 32 are based on playoff game results and tiebreakers are used if necessary.

Currently Carolina & Cleveland do not have 2024 1st round picks

Jan. 15 – Special Eligibility Deadline. Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. They will have until Jan 18th to rescind their decision and retain their college eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2024 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.

April 25-27 – NFL Draft 2024 – Detroit, Michigan

NFL Draft 2024 – First Round Order – Jan. 8

1 Chicago (Carolina – 2-15)
2 Washington (4-13)
3 New England (4-13)
4 Arizona (4-13)
5 Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
6 New York Giants (6-11)
7 Tennessee (6-11)
8 Atlanta (7-10)
9 Chicago (7-10)
10 New York Jets (7-10)
11 Minnesota (7-10)
12 Denver (8-9)
13 Las Vegas (8-9)
14 New Orleans (9-8)
15 Indianapolis (9-8)
16 Seattle (9-8)
17 Jacksonville (9-8)
18 Cincinnati (9-8)

Playoff Clubs below bracketed based on current record and SOS

19 Green Bay (9-8)
20 Tampa Bay (9-8)
21 Arizona (Houston – 9-8)
22 Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
23 Pittsburgh (10-7)
24 Miami (11-6)
25 Buffalo (11-6)
26 Kansas City (11-6)
27 Philadelphia (11-6)
28 Houston (Cleveland – 11-6)
29 Dallas (12-5)
30 Detroit (12-5)
31 San Francisco (12-5)
32 Baltimore (13-4)

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in major college player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc. for the past 30 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season.

He has a new column ‘The Word on the Street’ dedicated for the NFL Draft and Free agency with unique content during January through May. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS and ESPN on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites




Wolverines vs Huskies in Championship Game – Preview

Wolverines vs Huskies for CFP Title Game
No. 1 Michigan (14-0) vs. No. 2 Washington (14-0)

CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T
Monday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m. ET – NRG Stadium, Houston
Network – ESPN

Preview – Frank Coyle

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Head Coach Kalen DeBoer, Washington

National Title Matchup

The #1 Wolverines (14-0) will face the #2 Huskies (14-0) in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 8 at NRG Stadium in Houston. This year’s semi-final matchups were the best in CFP history. Big Ten champion Michigan won a thrilling overtime first game over the SEC champ, Alabama 27-20 while Washington edged Texas 37-31, setting up the title game of unbeatens. Both Michigan and Washington will be making their first appearance in the BCS title game. This championship game will be the last in a four-team playoff before the field expands to 12 in 2024.

This title game features one of the nation’s top defenses in Michigan vs the high-powered Washington offense.  Both clubs are directed by talented QBs in JJ McCarthy of Michigan and Michael Penix of Washington. McCarthy is a savvy leader who has led this balanced attack through a somewhat soft Big Ten schedule. They came up big late vs Ohio State and Iowa to claim the conference title before the OT victory vs Alabama in the semi-finals. He was highly proficient with 22 TD passes and only 4 picks. Runners, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards gives the Wolerines a strong Thundering and Lightning combination. Wideout Roman Wilson made big clutch plays with 12 TDs. The line was an anchor. The Michigan defense ranked with any unit in the nation with a veteran unit and well versed in both run and pass defense and allowed only 9 points per game.

The Washington high powered offense is directed strong armed Michael Penix who led the nation in passing yardage. He throws laser passes and is especially effective in the deep game, utilizing his three NFL caliber receivers, Rome Ozunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan. Huskie offense averaged over 39 points per game with Penix throwing for over 4600 yards. Runner Dillon Johnson is a battering ram who scored 16 rushing TDs.

The Huskie defense relies on edge defenders, Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui. This unit has allowed too many big plays, though has made many impact plays to counter. Corner Jabbar Muhammad is a developed cover man with keen instincts and probably matches up vs Roman Wilson.

Both clubs have responded to difficult situations with Michigan facing an early suspension to HC Jim Harbaugh and staying focused on their tough late schedule.  Washington faced the acid test with two classic matchups with Oregon and won both in high scoring affairs behind Penix.

This title matchup is a scout’s dream with as many as 20-25 draft prospects on both clubs if the underclassmen declare. Michigan edges out a close win over Washington in the expected finale for HC Jim Harbaugh.

Prediction – Michigan 31 – Washington 27

Frank Coyle