Michigan Ohio State players Detroit Lions should scout

The newest version of “The Recreation” could very properly be the sport of the 12 months within the 2022 faculty soccer season.

The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes, each sporting unblemished 11-0 information, will sq. off Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. The winner will declare a spot within the Large Ten championship recreation, whereas the loser will hope for the right dominoes to fall to have an opportunity on the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

For groups just like the Detroit Lions, which hope to enhance itself via the NFL Draft, this matchup shall be one price watching. With loads of top-tier expertise, Ohio State and Michigan can have loads to boast to professional scouts.

Listed here are 10 prospects to look at when Michigan and Ohio State sq. off. 

Ohio State

QB C.J. Stroud

Stroud is ranked extremely by scouts, and is projected to go inside the high 5 of the 2023 NFL Draft. The standout Ohio State signal-caller has been wonderful for the Buckeyes since taking up the beginning position in 2021. In 23 begins, he’s thrown for 7,426 yards and 79 touchdowns, with simply 10 interceptions.

Presently, SI’s NFL Draft Bible has Stroud as its No. 2 quarterback, behind solely Alabama’s Bryce Younger.

“A mature, extremely smart, pocket-passer who makes sensible selections, does an exceptional job of studying via his progressions and understands when so as to add zip or contact,” reads a one-line scouting report from the NFL Draft Bible, describing the California native.

The Lions have been linked to this 12 months’s quarterback class, and will have a draft choose excessive sufficient to take top-of-the-line. If Younger isn’t obtainable, Stroud shall be in competition to change into Detroit’s quarterback of the long run.

OT Paris Johnson Jr.

One other highly-rated prospect, Johnson is among the many greatest offensive linemen within the 2023 Draft class. Presently, he has an 83.9 offensive grade on Professional Soccer Focus, which ranks 18^th within the nation.

Johnson has began each recreation for the Buckeyes this season, and is a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, which is given yearly to the most effective Division I lineman.

The true junior exhibits power in each cross and run blocking, sporting excessive PFF grades in each facets. He’s an environment friendly blocker who has but to be penalized in 2022.

DE Zach Harrison

Harrison has emerged because the chief of a dominant one-two punch for the Buckeyes on the defensive finish place. On the other facet of sophomore J.T. Tuimoloau, the senior has notched three sacks throughout the 2022 marketing campaign.

Harrison made a giant play final week to cement the Buckeyes’ win over the Maryland Terrapins, strip-sacking quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa on the sport’s last play. The veteran has 10.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in his profession, showcasing his skill to wreak havoc on opponents.

Harrison is graded as a third-round prospect by SI’s NFL Draft Bible.

S Ronnie Hickman

A projected second-rounder by the NFL Draft Bible, Hickman has reportedly already voiced his intentions to enter the 2023 NFL Draft on the conclusion of the season.

The playmaker has three interceptions in 26 video games as a Buckeye, to go together with 152 whole tackles. His present PFF grade, sitting at 87.7, is among the many workforce’s greatest. In a secondary stuffed with expertise, Hickman’s skill to learn run lanes and assist in protection stands out.

LB Tommy Eichenberg

Starting the season low on draft radars, Eichenberg has risen up boards steadily in what has been a superb 2022 marketing campaign. He leads the Buckeyes’ protection with 70 tackles, and has added 2.5 sacks, in addition to an interception.

Within the season opener towards Notre Dame, Eichenberg made a press release with two sacks and 9 tackles. Since then, he’s had 4 video games with at the least 13 tackles.

Although he stays lower than a family identify, Eichenberg’s inventory continues to develop. He’s been an anchor of Ohio State’s protection. With the Lions in search of assist at linebacker, Eichenberg could possibly be an possibility, if Detroit elects to dedicate one other draft choose to the place.

Michigan

WR Ronnie Bell

Bell was regarded as a promising professional prospect final season earlier than struggling a torn ACL within the 2021 season opener. He’s labored his means again to full well being, and whereas Michigan’s passing numbers haven’t been ultra-impressive, he’s had a strong 12 months.

Bell leads the Wolverines in receptions (48) and yards (641). Although his stats aren’t precisely eye-popping, he’s carried out sufficient to earn an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. His draft inventory isn’t sure but, however his efficiency over the ultimate stretch of the season ought to give scouts a good suggestion of the place he’s at heading into the offseason.

The Missouri native is flexible. If his physique of labor as a receiver isn’t essentially the most interesting, his skill to work as a returner on particular groups could possibly be a talent that enables him to stay with an NFL franchise. 

OT Ryan Hayes

The Wolverines have made their residing on the bottom, and Hayes has been a giant a part of that effort. Regardless of coping with accidents, Hayes has been a key piece of Michigan’s dominant offensive line every of the final two seasons.

Standing 6-foot-7 and 305 kilos, Hayes is an enormous sort out. He’s been very environment friendly as a cross blocker, permitting simply seven pressures in his 9 video games performed. The veteran sort out has performed in 37 video games throughout his Michigan profession.

Presently, Hayes is evaluated as a second-round prospect by SI’s NFL Draft Bible.

CB DJ Turner

Turner has been constant in Michigan’s secondary, as its high cornerback. Whereas Gemon Inexperienced has struggled on the other facet, which has led to enjoying time for true freshman Will Johnson, Turner has remained steadfast for the Wolverines’ protection.

Turner has allowed simply 22 completions, on 52 targets, this season, in response to PFF. Opponents have transformed only one landing towards him, which is the same as the variety of touchdowns he has on the 12 months.

He’ll face a really robust check Saturday, as Ohio State’s receiving corps is among the many greatest within the nation. Marvin Harrison Jr. shall be among the many greatest gamers in subsequent 12 months’s draft class, whereas Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming have loved good years.

The Lions want secondary assist. In the event that they select to take a nook within the center rounds, Turner can be a high possibility.

DT Mazi Smith

Smith has by no means acquired the shine that his line of defense teammates previous and current have. Whereas he doesn’t have the numbers that the likes of Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo acquired in years previous, he’s been a relaxing presence on Michigan’s defensive inside.

He’s generated 11 pressures this season, notching one sack. His 39 tackles ranks among the many greatest on the Wolverine protection, and his efforts in plugging run lanes that enables different defenders to make performs doesn’t present up in a field rating.

If Michigan goes to decelerate Ohio State’s punishing run recreation, Smith should play a key position. His expertise, which has been his sturdy swimsuit, shall be examined.

C Olusegun Oluwatimi

When heart Andrew Vastardis graduated final 12 months, there have been issues concerning the degree of play on Michigan’s offensive line taking a step again. Because of Oluwatimi, that has not been the case.

Behind Oluwatimi, the Wolverines have averaged 243.8 yards per recreation on the bottom. His PFF Grade is a strong 77.3, which ranks as third greatest amongst Michigan’s linemen behind Hayes and Trente Jones.

Oluwatimi gained’t be among the many first few linemen chosen however could possibly be a match for a workforce trying so as to add depth within the center rounds.