CFB Saturday: Cowboys interested in Ohio State-Notre Dame, HBCU matchup of the week
College football returns in full throat on Saturday as the No. 5-ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will travel from Indiana to Ohio to face off against the No. 2 ranked Buckeyes of OSU. This will be this season’s first top-five matchup as expectations are high for two teams that both finished 11-2 in 2021.
Given their expectations and historic success at producing NFL talent, Saturday night’s game (kickoff 6:30 p.m. central time) has over a dozen players who will likely hear their name called next April. The Dallas Cowboys have a draft history with both of these schools, so here are a few ones to watch from this week one heavy weight bout.
There’s also a key HBCU matchup this weekend, so in addition to highlighting several of the players getting all of the national attention, here’s who else draft fans should keep their eyes on.
Ohio State | OT Paris Johnson Jr.
Jersey: No. 77
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 315 pounds
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (77)
Johnson is a former five-star recruit who became a household name overnight as a highlight video of him mauling high school opponents went viral in 2019. Since then he has had limited play, seeing minimal snaps in 2020 and time at RG in 2021.
In 2022 he looks to take hold of the starting LT spot with the hopes of living up to his hype. Although he is only a true junior, a good year will easily boost his stock into the 2023 draft and if Dallas has questions with rookie Tyler Smith as the future at LT, Johnson is definitely one to watch.
Notre Dame | TE Michael Mayer
Jersey: No. 87
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 250 pounds
Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87)
As one of the most hyped TE recruits in recent history, Mayer found playing time immediately as a true freshman. Now as a junior there is a solid chance he takes his talents to the NFL after this season.
His play style as an inline TE who can receive and block is exactly what Dallas tends to use. Should they let Dalton Schultz walk, Mayer would be a perfect player to replace him and become the long-term answer at a position Dallas is notorious for.
Ohio State | OG Matthew Jones
Jersey: No. 55
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 317 pounds
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Matthew Jones (55) Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jones has shown consistent growth as a fifth-year senior after being a highly sought after recruit. He has experience at all three interior OL positions and looks to lock down the RG spot this upcoming season.
His experience and versatility combined with a good year as a starter will see his name become one to watch come next years draft. If Dallas chooses to go into the next draft cycle with a depleted offensive line, Jones would be a great addition given his versatility.
Notre Dame | Interior OL Jarrett Patterson
Jersey: No. 55
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 307 pounds
Notre Dame center Jarrett Patterson
Patterson is a long-term servant for the Fighting Irish, earning the captain’s badge in 2021 and returning for a graduate season this year. He has played all three interior positions and even a little bit of tackle in 2018 but projects best at center.
Tyler Biadasz has shown promise but inconsistency in his career so come 2023, Patterson may be one of the better center prospects available to fight for the starting spot.
Ohio State | CB Cameron Brown
Jersey: No. 26
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 190 pounds
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Cameron Brown (26)
Brown has had a tough start to his collegiate career. Originally a four-star receiver, he made the switch to corner and faced an uphill battle with injuries and a consistently deep DB room at OSU.
As a fifth-year senior he seems to be a starting outside corner opposite the highly-touted freshman Denzel Burke. This will be Brown’s last chance to make a name for himself but given Ohio States pedigree for producing elite corners there is a good chance he makes a case as a Day 3 pick in 2023.
Notre Dame | Edge Isaiah Foskey
Jersey: No. 7
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 260 pounds
Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7)
Foskey burst onto the scene last season with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. Even with this elite production, there is still room for improvement as a pass rusher.
In addition, his run defense is ready for the next level as well. His size, pedigree and potential would look very nice next to the likes of DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons.
Ohio State | Edge Zach Harrison
Jersey: No. 9
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 266 pounds
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Zach Harrison (9)
Harrison is a former five-star recruit who has now become a captain for the Buckeyes in his true senior season. His production has not be stellar but he brings incredible length and solid run defense off the edge.
He will be played as Ohio State’s main pass rushing threat and should he turn those QB pressures into sacks, his name will be in the company of other high-end edge rushers in this upcoming class. Harrison would be a fantastic addition into DC Dan Quinn’s heavy rotation defensive front.
Notre Dame | Interior DL Jayson Ademilola
Jersey: No. 57
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 276 pounds
Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola (57) – Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Ademilola is a fifth-year senior who plays alongside his twin brother Justin, turning out consistent performances in each of his four seasons. He is a solid player overall but has yet to break through as a former four-star recruit.
Ademilola looks to use his final season to breakout and become a name for DC Dan Quinn and co won’t forget come draft night.
HBCU Spotlight: Jackson State vs Florida A&M
Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders addresses questions
For this first installment of the HBCU Spotlight the focus goes on Coach Prime in Jackson, Mississippi. The former Cowboys legend Deion Sanders and his troops look to take out fellow powerhouse Florida A&M, alma mater to preseason standout Markquese Bell and legendary Cowboy Nate Newton.
For Jackson State, WR Shane Hooks, LB Aubrey Miller, Jr., CB Isaiah Bolden and S, John Huggins were all named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list.
Hooks had limited production last year but looks to become a mainstay in the JSU offense. Miller, Jr. was first-team All-SWAC last season and looks to return as a leader for this young defense. Bolden saw limited time as a defender but was a game changer as a return man and Huggins rounds out this group as a solid contributor and leader on defense.
On the FAMU side of things, they boast an offense led by Vanderbilt transfer QB Jeremy Moussa, who looked comfortable against UNC last week, and WR Xavier Smith who has put up big numbers over the course of his career along with 10 of Moussas completed passes at Chapel Hill.
Defensively, CB B.J. Bohler returns for another elite season that saw him earn All-SWAC Defensive First Team honors. Senior DB Timothy Williams Jr. also returns and looks to fill the hole left by Markquese Bell. Senior defensive linemen Stanley Mentor and Abu Bangura also look to lead the way after the loss of multiple starters along the DL.
