College Football has a ton of top-tier games this weekend, but Georgia Tech at Notre Dame is pulling in six NFL clubs as the field will be covered with top prospects, according to Chase Goodbread of College Football 24/7.
The Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and the New York Jets are the six teams attending the game Saturday. Notre Dame will be without starting quarterback Malik Zaire, but there will be plenty of other talent the scouts will want to focus on.
For the Irish it's linebacker Jaylon Smith, offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley, and defensive lineman Sheldon Day. Notre Dame develops top offensive lineman every season, and this year is no different in Ronnie Stanley. Stanley is 6-foot-5, 315 pounds and can move defensive lineman around. Notre Dame's Zack Martin was drafted 16th by the Dallas Cowboys in 2014, and he earned himself a Pro-Bowl in his rookie season. Every team on this list is in need of a lineman, and both the Eagles and the Bears will likely need to draft a lineman in the next couple seasons.
Junior linebacker Jaylon Smith is a dominating force for the Irish, and whenever he is playing it's clearly visible his caliber of talent as he is making tackles all over the field. Smith might be one of the best linebackers in the upcoming class, but it is unknown if he will go to the league or put another year in at Notre Dame. The Jets and Seahawks are always looking at defense, and the Titans could use a top-tier linebacker. Smith would be a good commodity for any team, and the Bears could also be interested since they no longer have Lance Briggs.
The last major recruit from the Irish is Sheldon Day, who is an explosive defensive lineman, but his size and arm length may hurt his chances. Day is listed at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds and can be moved around the defensive line. Scouts feel that he is better playing inside on a 4-3 defense as opposed to playing on the edge. Day may fall further then these other players, but watching him in the game truly shows his motor. Any of these teams are likely to want Day, but it all depends on where he falls in the draft.
For Georgia Tech, there are three players scouts will be focusing on Saturday. Quarterback Justin Thomas, running back Marcus Marshall, and linebacker KeShun Freeman. Thomas is not a typical quarterback, as Georgia Tech likes to run the triple-option offense. Thomas is a legitimate player, but will likely have to change positions when he gets to the league. That doesn't mean he won't be successful, as he is just a pure athlete. The Seahawks could use a talent of his nature, and so could Tennessee, as Thomas could bring an x-factor whether lined up at receiver or running back. This doesn't mean Thomas won't push to play quarterback on the next level though, as that has not been determined.
Running back Marcus Marshall will be watched for two or three years down the road, as he is only a freshman. In two games this season, Marshall has rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Scouts are likely going to see this freshman running back because he is likely to have a bright future. Of the teams listed above, none is in a desperate need of a running back now but could be two years down the road. Marshawn Lynch is getting up there in age, and the Titans have Bishop Sankey and Dexter McCluster but neither of them have the job on permanent lockdown.
Lastly is linebacker KeShun Freeman, who is a cross between a rolled up linebacker and a defensive lineman. Freeman is only a sophomore but already has a sack and four tackles through two games. Freeman is a developing player, and scouts are likely to see how he handles playing under the spotlight Saturday. Teams that would be interested in him are likely the Bears, Jets, and Seahawks, but Freeman still needs time at the college level before he is ready for the league.
This game looks to be a great matchup this weekend, and scouts will likely be keeping a close eye on these players. The result of this game could knock one team out of playoff contention, so expect a hard fought game because both teams likely know what's at stake.
