Much of the focus this college football weekend will be on how Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck plays against Oregon.
But the premier matchup of draft prospects is in the Florida at Alabama game. Everywhere you look, there is a bright NFL future – Dont'a Hightower, Mark Ingram, Marcell Dareus, Mark Barron, Mike Pouncey and WIll Hill all could be taken in the first two rounds of the draft.
Although they're all very good, none will be the focus of the game. Instead, that goes to the matchup of Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins against Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones.
Julio Jones/Janoris Jenkins matchup Saturday intriguing
This is the first time the two juniors will directly matchup against one another. In previous years,
got the task of covering Jones. The wide receiver dominated Haden in 2008, even against double teams. Last season, a banged up Jones only had two receptions for 28 yards.
This year, it’s an intriguing matchup less for Jones and more for Jenkins. On the year, Jenkins has been arguably the best coverage corner in college football. So much so that Kentucky only threw in Jenkins’ direction a couple of times Saturday.
Jenkins has the speed and agility to consistently break up passes or knock a receiver off his route. Entering the year, Jenkins wanted to improve his tackling and bump-and-run coverage, which he’s done.
Alabama not only needs to be throwing the ball to Jones to succeed, but it’s unlikely the Tide are afraid of Jenkins. To prove them wrong, Jenkins has to show off those bump-and-run improvements. It won’t be easy against the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Jones. Not only big, he’s deceptively quick. If he beats Jenkins off the line, he’ll be open over the top.
With Alabama’s running offense, it’s unlikely Jenkins will get a lot of help over the top in coverage. This game could expose Jenkins for good or bad and completely affect his draft status.
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