by Ten Patriots prospects to watch in the College Football Playoff this weekend originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
There are three College Football Playoff games on Saturday, all packed with talented players. Here are 10 names that Patriots fans should keep an eye on all the time, highlighting some of the best of the best who hold supposedly important positions for Robert Kraft’s club.
SMU vs. Penn State, noon on TNT
Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter
One of the best prospects in the draft. Period. And one of the few options on this list that has a realistic take on New England’s first pick.
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound sprinter is another explosive rusher from Penn State. He may not be Micah Parsons from a technical standpoint, although he looks like a naturally gifted disruptor who could slot into multiple spots in New England’s front seven. At some point he’ll have to be more than just a proven pass rusher, especially considering where he’ll be drafted, but that may have to be his role initially as he learns the pro game and develops his impressive physical skills.
Penn State TE Tyler Warren
At 6-foot-10 and 260 pounds, Warren looks like a blocking tight end but has the movement skills of an H-back. He’s a rare athlete that the Nittany Lions felt comfortable with anywhere, and his hands look like they could be among the best in the draft class regardless of position.
The Patriots’ tight end room was one of their best in 2024, but if they’re looking for a young and dynamic player to take over for Hunter Henry – or pair with him in 12-man packages (Austin Hooper will do that) . (be a free agent in 2025) – Warren appears to be a potentially game-changing mismatch option.
Clemson vs. Texas, 4 p.m. on TNT
Texas OT Kelvin Banks
Banks, widely considered one of the top tackling prospects in a relatively thin tackle class, could be New England’s first-round pick given their need for Drake-Maye protectors.
The 6-foot-1, 320-pound player has 37 starts under his belt after beginning his career as a true freshman starter and earned unanimous All-American status for his work in the 2024 season, but it He’s worth watching closely as he’s the best lineman in the class along with LSU’s Will Campbell.
Texas OT Cameron Williams
Banks’ teammate on the other side of the line is a talented player in his own right. At 1.80 m tall and weighing 150 kg, he cuts an imposing figure, but is rawer than his left tackle teammate.
Williams started just 11 games before the College Football Playoff, but has all sorts of physical attributes that could make him worth considering in the late first round. If the Patriots stick with a wide zone system in 2025, adding Williams (perhaps as a second pick) would make sense given his ability to move laterally.
Texas WR Isaiah Bond
Do you want speed for the Patriots? This 5-foot-10, 180-pounder has real juice. The Alabama transfer has the straight-line speed that New England lacks, but also shows some quickness to shake up man coverage at the next level. If the Patriots choose a lineman with their first pick, they might want to take a close look at Bond with their second. The 33rd team sees Jaylen Waddle in his game.
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Tennessee vs. Ohio State, 8 p.m. on ABC/ESPN
Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka
He plays a position the Patriots need, but he may not be exactly what they need at that position. If that makes sense. He is reliable. He looks like a pro. He has sure hands and is ready to do the dirty work.
His scouting report reads a little like Ja’Lynn Polk’s. Even if he is a better version and the Patriots could use another pro in that room, they could really use a high prospect at this spot. If they get the star in free agency and then need a No. 2? Then maybe Egbuka is your guy.
Ohio State EDGE JT Tuimoloau
With a height of 1.95 meters and a weight of 270 pounds, the Buckeyes have a professional player in Tuimoloau who gives them the decisive advantage. In New England, he would be a bull rush specialist who will do whatever it takes to get an edge. Jerod Mayo’s plan may require him to be more of a full-back than a 4-3 end, but he could make it work.
The only obstacle to the selection would be that the Patriots pick too early to take him at the top of the first round and that their second-rounder might come too late to take him. He is the 24th player in the draft according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer
These guys have a guy on the edge. Sawyer is another solid fullback who works through blocks rather than around them.
With a height of 1.90 meters and a weight of 110 kilograms, he will not achieve large sack numbers. But he will find the football, shed blocks and make tackles. Probably not what the Patriots need, with early-down run defenders Anfernee Jennings and Keion White already on the roster. Still, there is one player worth keeping an eye on.
Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams
This is the closest thing the Patriots will get to a defensive lineman this weekend. The 6-foot-2, 322-pounder is an immovable object against the run. He has the size and strength to eat up blocks and the discipline to understand how to make life easier for the tacklers behind him.
He’s another first-round option, but if it’s New England that wants him, they’ll either have to move back from their (likely) top-five spot or move up from their (likely) top spot in the second round.
Tennessee EDGE James Pearce
Physical freak. That’s Pearce flying over the edge. He is a top-level athlete and has crisp speed and fluidity to get around offensive tackles.
The only question is whether or not he’s worthy of a quality first-rounder when his early relegation prognosis is a bit unclear. He may have the frame (6’3″, 220 lbs) to put on some weight and be an all-case option. But if the Patriots are concerned about his versatility — as much as they could use some pass rush winners — they might feel like they need to look elsewhere for edge help. Bleacher Report compares him to Brian Burns.
