CFB Week 1 Watch List
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ESPN announced on Tuesday the opening weekend list of games and we are stoked! Taking a game-by-game look at each of the ESPN Labor Day weekend festivities, here are our players to watch.
9/4, 3:30pm EST
Alabama vs. Miami
Alabama Crimson Tide
RB Brian Robinson, Jr.
RB Trey Sanders
WR John Metchie III
WR Xavier Williams
TE Jahleel Billingsley
TE Cameron Latu
TE Major Tennison
OT Evan Neal
IOL Emil Ekiyor
DL D.J. Dale
DL Phidarian Mathis
DL LaBryan Ray
DL Byron Young
EDGE Christopher Allen
LB Christian Harris
LB Henry To’o To’o
LB Shane Lee
CB Josh Jobe
S Jordan Battle
Miami Hurricanes
QB D’Eriq King
RB Cam’ron Harris
OT Zion Nelson
C Corey Gaynor
S Bubba Bolden
9/4, 7:30pm EST
Georgia vs. Clemson
Georgia Bulldogs
QB JT Daniels
RB Zamir White
RB James Cook
WR George Pickens
WR Kearis Jackson
OT Jamaree Salyer
DL Jordan Davis
DL Devonte Wyatt
DL Travon Walker
EDGE Adam Anderson
EDGE Nolan Smith
S Lewis Cine
S Tykee Smith
Clemson Tigers
RB Lyn-J Dixon
WR Justyn Ross
WR Joseph Ngata
WR Frank Ladson
TE Braden Galloway
DL Tyler Davis
EDGE KJ Henry
EDGE Xavier Thomas
CB Andrew Booth
CB Sheridan Jones
9/5, 7:30pm EST
Notre Dame vs. FSU
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
RB Kyren Williams
C Jarrett Patterson
DL Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
S Kyle Hamilton
Florida State Seminoles
QB McKenzie Milton
RB Jashaun Corbin
9/6, 8pm EST
Louisville vs. Ole Miss
Louisville Cardinals
TE Marshon Ford
Ole Miss Rebels
QB Matt Corral
RB Jerrion Ealy
OT Nick Broeker
C Ben Brown
DE Isaiah Foskey for ND is a guy to watch. This year will be his first year as a starter and has really good lenth and size.
For the past two years we have been hearing some analysts *cough* Todd Todd Todd *cough* say the phrase, "Best WR class." They have been impressive with five going in the first round this year, six the year prior, with arguably more taken on Day Two, with Round One grades. With all the "generational QBs" moved on into the NFL, some of the guys they left behind will have plenty to prove. On this list, I am specifically talking about:
WR John Metchie III, ALA / WR Justyn Ross, CLEM / WR George Pickens, UGA
Metchie III is following four, Day One WRs in Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith. He has had his own valuable contributions going 8rec, 81yd in the 2020 CFP National Championship. Can he build on that success to follow his peers into next year's draft?
Ross finds himself in between these two other prospects' given scenarios in having championship pedigree, but missing a season due to injury. Entering the same year as Trevor Lawrence, Ross was a beast accumulating 17TD over two seasons (2018 and 2019) including going 6rec, 153yd, and 2TD against Bama in the 2019 CFP National Championship. He missed all of 2020 with a spinal issue that has been deemed cleared for him to return. Will he show that he was not just a product of the prize of the draft?
Pickens did not play with a Day One QB or National Champion, but QB Jake Fromm and Coach Kirby Smart were in the National Championship the year prior to his arrival. The Bulldogs lost a lot of talent from that team which allowed Pickens to be a shining star in the offense, racking up 14TDs the last two seasons while averaging 14.5yd per reception. Now, Pickens had torn his ACL earlier this year, but the hope is for him to play at some point this upcoming season. While there is no need for him to rush back, whenever he is back on the field he will have to play in a big way to be considered an elite draft prospect again.