Saturday night time’s heavyweight bout between Ohio State and Oregon was adequate to need to see it twice. Perhaps even thrice.
That’s a chance now within the new-look world of the School Soccer Playoff, which is terrific information for NFL Draft evaluators hoping to get as many “good vs. good” seems to be at prime prospects as they will. From a draft standpoint, Saturday’s dramatic Oregon win was one of many largest showcase video games up to now this season. Ohio State boasted 5 gamers on Dane Brugler’s preseason checklist of the highest 50 prospects for the 2025 draft; Oregon has no less than that many candidates who may land within the prime 100, even with out injured star defensive lineman Jordan Burch.
Let’s check out how a number of the prime prospects fared in Saturday’s basic …
A former five-star broad receiver, Evan Stewart is likely to be certainly one of faculty soccer’s greatest examples of why context issues.
He signed with Texas A&M as one of many nation’s prime recruits in 2022, solely to see Jimbo Fisher’s program descend into dysfunction. Stewart (who can also be an instance of why the switch portal is a good factor for gamers) nonetheless managed greater than 50 receptions as a real freshman.
And although Saturday’s seven-catch, 149-yard outburst on a nationwide stage confirmed off every part Stewart is able to in a purposeful offense, it’s necessary to recollect one thing else: His abilities have all the time been there.
There are apparent measurement considerations with the 6-foot, 175-pounder, as his lack of energy might give the looks of a receiver who may be pressed. However as soon as the ball is snapped, every part modifications. A observe sprinter in highschool who ought to flirt with the 4.3-second 40-yard sprint vary, Stewart additionally was an elite lengthy and triple jumper prior to school — and that explosion reveals up in every part he does.
Stewart’s fuel pedal is totally different. He approaches prime velocity in a blink. If defenders guess with him whereas they’re enjoying in press, they’re performed — it’s onerous to hit what you possibly can’t see and all that.
In some methods, Stewart strikes like a a lot lighter model of present Giants rookie star Malik Nabers. Nabers is 200 kilos, although, and that further weight permits him to do issues within the air that Stewart is barely kind of able to doing, no less than proper now.
The subsequent step for Stewart might be consistency. It’s been feast or famine for the junior speedster this season. He put up 5 catches for 112 yards in Oregon’s Week 2 win over Boise State, however outdoors of that sport and Saturday’s win over Ohio State, he has simply 11 mixed receptions for 70 yards towards the remainder of the schedule. A part of that inconsistency may be chalked up a participant adjusting to a brand new system and a brand new quarterback, however we’re on the halfway level of the 12 months — so, we’ll see.
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Talking of Stewart, he was a horrible host to Ohio State DB Denzel Burke, who had a dreadful day in Eugene. Stewart was bodily, confirmed nice downfield blocking effort and felt like a top-50 prospect on his approach up. Burke confirmed the precise reverse.
Not solely did Burke have hassle with Stewart, each excessive and beneath, he additionally struggled to cowl Oregon WR Tez Johnson, who might need been the quickest participant on the sphere.
Johnson and Stewart mixed to make 14 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Burke, per PFF, was focused eight instances and allowed eight completion for 179 yards and two scores.
Extra on Johnson — Oregon lists the 5-foot-10 receiver at 165 kilos, which is clearly problematic and can restrict his positional versatility on the subsequent degree. Johnson’s velocity and skill to regulate it on a string, nevertheless, are actually one thing.
He’s a participant NFL groups are going to have to essentially study this winter and spring. Johnson has seven or extra catches in 5 of Oregon’s video games this season. A fifth-year senior, Johnson has had points with drops each at Oregon (seven final 12 months) and Troy (12 in three years) earlier than that. However he’s additionally totaled 49 catches (on 60 targets) for 470 yards and 6 touchdowns this season.
This was a significant alternative for Oregon left deal with Josh Conerly Jr., the very best of a proficient Geese OT duo (together with RT Ajani Cornelius), as he noticed intensive reps towards standout Ohio State edges JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer.
Conerly was credited with two pressures allowed in 38 safety reps. He can get himself caught lunging or guessing every now and then, however his influence on the bottom towards Ohio State was a giant deal for the Geese — they referred to as performs towards him time and again within the second half, together with mainly at any time when they wanted a brief chunk.
A 6-4, 315-pounder, Conerly seems to be stronger than he was a 12 months in the past and nonetheless performs with nice pure leverage, each inside and on the sting.
After Conerly began the 12 months outdoors Brugler’s prime 50, I’ll have an interest to see the place he winds up on the midseason replace. LSU’s Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr., Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. and Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery are a number of the most secure deal with bets on this class. But when we see extra big-game performances like this from Conerly, he would possibly begin sneaking into that dialogue.
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On the flip aspect, this sport was a very good instance of why some consider JT Tuimoloau is overrated — and why, frankly, that’s not true.
The shortage of sudden explosion off the ball is actual, however Tuimoloau’s capability to remain disruptive in each battle by bending, twisting and hand combating his approach via linemen stays top-notch. He completed the Oregon sport with a team-high seven pressures and three QB hits, fairly simply his most efficient sport of the 12 months, towards the very best group the Buckeyes have performed.
His operating mate off the sting, Sawyer, wasn’t almost harmful sufficient. A professional NFL Draft prospect himself, Sawyer did handle 4 pressures Saturday, however his restricted influence within the run sport and lack of creativity as a move rusher could make him fairly streaky.
If the sport consequence had flipped two factors within the different path, folks would’ve spent extra time speaking about Emeka Egbuka’s efficiency on Saturday night time. A scarcity of consideration has by no means appeared to bug Egbuka, however folks needs to be cautious to not overlook about him within the 2025 WR stack.
He’s going to be an excellent professional.
Like so many current Buckeyes receiver, Egbuka is basically knowledgeable receiver enjoying in faculty proper now. His understanding of route nuance, ball abilities, toughness and consistency make him one of many highest-floor playmakers within the nation. There’s not plenty of “elite” traits in Egbuka’s athletic profile, however if you add up every part he does, it’s value its weight in gold.
In a draft like this upcoming one, he’ll earn his share of first-round grades.
Ohio State matched Oregon’s steadiness, and the manufacturing of each Egbuka and freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith was onerous to argue with. It made sense that the Buckeyes went to the air extra, too, after OT Josh Simmons (who was enjoying effectively) went down with what regarded like a severe damage.
That mentioned, I do marvel if Ohio State nonetheless is likely to be have been higher served making an attempt to get extra carries for proficient RBs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. That they had a mixed 20 makes an attempt for 110 yards.
Henderson and Judkins have performed a fantastic job mixing collectively this season for the Buckeyes, and every has proven one thing outdoors of their dashing capability — Henderson stays a big-time pass-catching menace; Judkins’ effort as a blocker has been powerful to disregard. Refill on each guys proper now.
(Prime photograph of Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson: Brian Murphy / Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs)
