College football has a ton of top-tier games this weekend loaded with NFL prospects, but Utah vs. USC on Saturday night has nine NFL teams sending scouts to watch the game, according to Chase Goodbread of College Football 24/7.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and the New York Jets will all be sending scouts to watch some of the top talent in the Pac-12.
USC quarterback Cody Kessler will be closely watched by NFL scouts, as he reportedly impressed scouts earlier in the season. He has struggled the past two games throwing two touchdowns to four interceptions, and the senior quarterback will have his toughest test of the season, as Utah is holding teams to an average of 19.5 points per game.
Utah has arguably the best defense in the Pac-12, and NFL teams will want to know how Kessler performs against a top-ranking defense. Teams like the Raiders and Jets could be interested in Kessler, as he could be a quarterback taken after the first round.
Utah's defense may be the strong part of this team, but NFL teams are likely sending scouts to see how Utes running back Devontae Booker performs on Saturday night. Booker has many claiming him as the best running back prospect of the 2016 NFL Draft. He is averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season, and has 783 rushing yards. The senior running back has scored eight touchdowns, and will look to get into the endzone against the Trojans.
The Buccaneers and Colts could be interested in Booker, as he is a young powerful back that will likely start on Sundays.
On defense, scouts will keep their focus on USC's linebacker Su'a Cravens, who is arguably one of the best linebackers in the Pac-12. The junior linebacker is listed at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, and can be a force on the football field. Cravens has 41 combined tackles this season with two sacks, and he also made an interception in the season opener.
For Utah, Scouts will pay close attention to linebacker Jared Norris and defensive back Marcus Williams. Both players have had a huge impact this year on defense, and Norris already has 23 solo tackles and two tackles for loss. Williams has four interceptions this season and has made 13 solo tackles. Teams like the Vikings, Patriots, and Packers will probably follow Utah's defense closely, as they could be watching a potential prospect.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will be packed Saturday night, and it will be interesting to see which of these players performs under the bright lights.
