Let’s take a look at which college games and prospects to keep an eye on in Week 12 of the 2024 season.
College football is back!
As the 2024 season rolls along, so will our weekly previews of games and NFL prospects to watch. This will come in addition to our NFL Draft coverage over the course of the fall and winter. Whether you’re a fan of the draft or just a college football fan, this series looks to give you an idea of what to watch each week.
Windy City Gridiron’s Lead Draft Analyst, Jacob Infante, will be taking a look at what to expect in Week 12 of this year’s college football campaign.
Blue-chip of the week
No. 1 Oregon DL Derrick Harmon vs. Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, 6:30 p.m. CST
Harmon has been rapidly rising up boards in recent weeks, as his strong 2024 campaign has been coming to light with Oregon ranked as the top team in the country.
He deserves that recognition, too. As of this writing, he has an 84.2 PFF grade with an 86.3 pass-rushing grade, leading all interior defenders with 23 hurries. Harmon’s 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, and he’s incredibly well-built with good length. He’s explosive off the line of scrimmage and offers a diverse arsenal of moves with his hands to shed blocks at the point of attack. With long arms, elite athleticism and a high football IQ, there’s enough upside for him to be a first-round pick.
Prospect matchup to watch
No. 7 Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. vs. No. 12 Georgia OTs Earnest Greene III and Xavier Truss, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, 6:30 p.m. CST
Pearce hasn’t been talked about a ton in draft circles compared to this offseason, but he’s still firmly in Round 1 territory. His 22.2% pass-rush win rate is second among FBS edge rushers with over 200 pass snaps, and he’s second in the nation with 33 quarterback hurries. He’s a tremendous athlete with top-notch acceleration off the snap, he’s flexible turning the corner, and he has a deep toolbox of moves as a pass-rusher.
This Sunday should be an interesting fight for Pearce. Though he wins a lot with speed and finesse, he can struggle against power sometimes. Georgia’s two offensive tackles are sturdy linemen who don’t have problems in that regard. Greene is someone I think kicks inside due to his struggles against lengthier edge rushers, but he brings an ideal combination of quick feet and anchor strength to the table. I think he ends up selected in the third round. Truss is an inside-outside versatile blocker with elite size at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds. Though his lateral agility isn’t very good, his size and power make him a valuable gap blocker.
Sleeper highlight
William & Mary LT Charles Grant vs. Bryant, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, 11:00 a.m. CST
Grant is my highest-rated FCS prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft and one of the top small-school offensive linemen I’ve scouted. Between him and North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel — who I covered back in Week 3 — I think there are two FCS players selected on Day 2, as opposed to Bears tackle Kiran Amegadjie being the only one in 2024.
As of this writing, Grant has the third-best PFF grade among FCS tackles at 90.4 and a 90.2 pass-blocking grade that ranks second. He’s shorter for a tackle at 6-foot-4 but has 35 5/8-inch arms, which is 92nd percentile for his position. He’s a fantastic athlete with great burst off the line of scrimmage, quick lateral movements in pass protection, refined hand usage and ideal coordination at the point of attack. I think he could stand to add a bit more weight to his frame, but the tools are there for Grant to eventually become an NFL starter.