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2018 NFL Draft prospects to watch in conference championships

Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) passing against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The college football offseason coaching carousel has grabbed headlines this week, but let that not deter your attention away from what could almost be called the College Football Playoff, play-in weekend. A weekend full of outrageously talented teams, stacked to the brim with NFL-level talent all playing for their conference's championships, and their rightful path, hopefully into the College Football Playoff.

In our weekly feature, we examine the top draft-eligible players on each side of the ball for all five of the Power-5 conference championship games, starting with the Pac-12 Championship Game between USC and Stanford. Talented running backs and two talented defensive groups demand your attention, and PFF has you covered on the ins and outs of USC-Stanford, and the rest of the games this weekend you should be feasting your eyes upon.

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USC vs Stanford – Pac-12 Champhionship

USC v Stanford - 2018 NFL draft eligible prospects

When USC is on offense:

  • Ronald Jones II has consistently been the Trojans’ best offensive player this season and has forced 48 missed tackles on 212 carries. Jones’s elusive rating of 76.3 ranks No. 15 among draft-eligible running backs. Jones has 21 carries of 15 or more yards on the season and is a real breakaway threat.
  • Stanford DT Harrison Phillips will be the main weapon in trying to limit the Trojans’ rushing attack as Phillips is one of the premier run-stuffing defensive tackles in the country. Phillips’ 38 run stops leads all draft-eligible defensive tackles (the next closest is 31). He can also use his strength to push the bottom of the pocket and he has four sacks, six QB hits and 16 hurries on the season as well.

When Stanford is on offense:

  • Stanford RB Bryce Love continues to be one of the premier big-play threats in all of college football as 67.5 percent of his yardage on the year has come on breakaway runs of 15 or more yards which leads the nation. Love has forced 69 missed tackles as a runner this season and his elusive rating of 152.9 leads all FBS running backs. Love is averaging 4.74 yards after contact per attempt
  • Uchenna Nwosu is an athletic linebacker who can pass-rush effectively from either side of the defense. Nwosu has generated multiple pressures in 11 of his 12 games this season. Nwosu has six sacks, 20 QB hits, 27 hurries and 11 batted passes on his 402 pass-rushing snaps – his 20 QB hits and his 11 batted passes both rank No. 1 among all FBS draft-eligible edge defenders.
Be sure to sign up for PFF Edge and check out the rest of the conference championship previews, along with much, much more from your PFF Edge subscription.

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