The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the CFP First Round: Tennessee at Ohio State.
Tennessee Volunteers Draft Prospects
James Pearce Jr., EDGE
Pearce Jr. signed with Tennessee in the class of 2022. He had two sacks in his freshman year, but really stepped things up as a sophomore, getting named All-SEC First Team. This season, he has played solidly with 35 total tackles and 7.5 sacks.
At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, he has a solid frame to start with, but will need to add to it to be more effective in the NFL. He is a good athlete who gets a good jump at the snap. Pearce can bend around the edge and shows a good secondary rush. His pad level can get too high and he needs more work on his moves, but he is a very talented player. Pearce is currently projected to be a first-round pick.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
Omarr Norman-Lott, DL
Norman-Lott played three seasons at Arizona State to start his college career. He had two sacks in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Norman-Lott transferred to Tennessee before the 2023 season. He had six tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks last season. Norman-Lott followed that up with four tackles for loss and four sacks this season.
He stands 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, which is solid size for an NFL defensive tackle. Norman-Lott has pretty good sack production for an interior defensive lineman. His pad level can get too high and he needs to be more consistent, but Norman-Lott has played well. He is currently projected to be a day-two pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: RB Dyland Sampson (3rd-5th), WR Bru McCoy (5th-7th), WR Dont’e Thornton (6th-UFA), WR Chris Brazzell (6th-UFA), IOL Javontez Spraggins (6th-UFA), EDGE Joshua Josephs (UFA), TE Holdn Staes (UFA), WR Squirrel White (UFA), IOL Cooper Mays (UFA), DL Omari Thomas (UFA), DL Elijah Simmons (UFA), OT John Campbell (UFA), LB Keenan Pili (UFA)
Ohio State Buckeyes Draft Prospects
Emeka Egbuka, WR
Egbuka joined Ohio State in 2021 and played a little bit, even with a talented receiving room. He really broke out in 2022 with 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 2023 season had some injuries, and he returned for his senior season. This year, he has 60 catches for 743 yards and nine touchdowns.
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Egbuka has solid size for the position. He has good route running ability, which helps him separate. Egbuka takes pride in blocking and knows how to get open against zone coverage. He may not have the athleticism to be a no. 1 receiver in the NFL, but he has the tools to be a pro for quite some time. Egbuka is projected to be picked early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
Tyleik Williams, DL
Williams joined Ohio State in 2021 and started playing immediately, registering seven tackles for loss and five sacks as a freshman. He played a lot in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, helping to build his draft stock. Williams decided to return for his senior season instead of declining for the NFL Draft. He has six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks this season.
At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Willims has great size for an NFL defensive tackle. He moves well for his size, displaying solid athleticism. His pad level can get too high and he can add more pass rush moves to be even more effective. Williams is projected to be a day-two pick.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
*Offensive tackle Josh Simmons is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected first or second-round pick.
*IOL Seth McLaughlin is out fo this game with an injury. He is a projected late-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau (2nd-3rd), EDGE Jack Sawyer (2nd-3rd), IOL Donovan Jackson (2nd-3rd), RB Quinshon Judkins (2nd-4th), CB Denzel Burke (3rd-5th), RB TreVeyon Henderson (3rd-5th), CB Davison Igbinosun (3rd-5th), S Lathan Ransom (4th-6th), DL Ty Hamilton (4th-6th), LB Sonny Styles (5th-7th), QB Will Howard (6th-UFA), IOL Carson Hinzman (6th-UFA), CB Jordan Hancock (6th-UFA), LB CJ Hicks (UFA), EDGE Kenyatta Jackson (UFA), OT Tegra Tshabola (UFA), TE Gee Scott (UFA), LB Cody Simon (UFA)
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