Scout's Eye - First Round Playoff Games Preview

John B. Everett
3 days ago
11 min read

Oregon QB Dante Moore prepares to pass the ball during the Oregon spring game — *Dante Moore / QB / Oregon*

The playoffs have arrived! Eight teams take to the field this weekend trying to earn berths to the quarterfinals and a New Year’s Day (or Eve) game. The games this weekend feature several potential first round prospects including QBs Ty Simpson / Alabama (SNS #2 QB), Dante Moore / Oregon (SNS #3 QB), and Carson Beck / Miami, Fl (SNS #5 QB), RB Kewan Lacy / Ole Miss (SNS #3 RB), WRs Germie Bernard / Alabama (SNS #5 WR) and KC Concepcion / Texas A&M (SNS #10 WR), TEs Kenyon Sadiq / Oregon (SNS #1 TE) and Dae’Quan Wright / Ole Miss (SNS #6 TE), OTs Kadyn Proctor / Alabama (SNS #2 OT), Isaiah World / Oregon (SNS #3 OT), Francis Mauigoa / Miami, Fl (SNS #4 OT), and Trey Zuhn / Texas A&M (SNS #10 OT), IOL Emmanuel Pregnon / Oregon (SNS #1 IOL), and Ar’maj Reed-Adams / Texas A&M (SNS #3 IOL), EDGEs Matayo Uiagalelei / Oregon (SNS #2 EDGE), Rueben Bain / Miami, Fl (SNS #3 EDGE), Cashius Howell / Texas A&M (SNS #4 EDGE), and R. Mason Thomas / Oklahoma (SNS #7 EDGE), IDL A’Mauri Washington / Oregon (SNS #2 IDL), Zxavian Harris / Ole Miss (SNS #3 IDL), and Albert Regis / Texas A&M (SNS #10 IDL), LBs Suntarine Perkins / Ole Miss (SNS #5 LB) and Wesley Bissainthe / Miami, Fl (SNS #10 LB), and Safeties Dillon Thieneman / Oregon (SNS #3 S) and Bray Hubbard / Alabama (SNS #5 S).

(9) Alabama (10-3) @ (8) Oklahoma (10-2)

Norman, Oklahoma

Friday, December 19. 8pm ET / 5 pm PT

The 2025 college football playoff kicks off in Norman, Oklahoma on Friday night featuring a rematch of Oklahoma’s 23-21 victory over Alabama in Tuscaloosa on November 15^th. The Crimson Tide are coming off a lackluster performance in the SEC Championship Game loss to Georgia in Atlanta two weeks ago. The Tide’s lack of a consistent and productive run game made Bama one dimensional in the SEC Championship Game as QB Ty Simpson had the worst performance of his young career against the Bulldogs, completing just 19/39 (48.7%) / 212 yds / 1 TD / 1 INT in Alabama’s 28-7 loss. RB Jam Miller is hoping to return for the playoff game but the Tide have had difficulty all season generating a run game, including gaining only 80 yards on 33 carries (2.4 YPC) against Oklahoma last month. An improved ground effort is vital for the Tide’s success, needing the balance to keep R. Mason Thomas and the Sooners’ pass rush off of Simpson. WR Germie Bernard has had an excellent season as Simpson’s best target. Bernard has caught 57 passes / 762 yds / 13.4 YPR / 7 TDs on the season and is one of the best route runners available next spring. Bernard, Ryan Williams, and Isaiah Horton form one of the best WR corps in the country and give the Tide their best weapons against the Sooners. LB Justin Jefferson led the Tide in tackles this season – 73 total tackles, including 39 solo tackles – and has become a solid NFL prospect. The senior has adequate size (6’1” / 227 lbs) and his instincts have noticeably improved during the second half of the season. Jefferson, who plays MLB for the Tide, has good range, NFL athleticism, and is a reliable open field tackler. The LB class looks especially talented and deep so that may suppress Jefferson’s draft value, but he should hear his name called sometime on the third day of the draft.

The Sooners get a home playoff game after going on the road and beating Alabama last month. Oklahoma has been squeaking by their SEC competition, dropping a neutral field game to Texas and losing a home game against Ole Miss but navigated the rest of their difficult schedule, defeating five ranked opponents along the way. QB John Mateer stabilized the QB situation this year in Norman after transferring in from Washington State, completing 62.1% of his passes for 2,578 yds passing, 12 TDs, 10 INTs and added 416 yards rushing and 7 TDs on the ground. Mateer needs to refine his decision-making – he attempts too many ill-advised throws and forces the ball into coverage too often. The Tide will try to pressure Mateer into mistakes on Friday night and Mateer’s ability to protect the ball will be a key factor in determining the winner of the game. Similarly, the Sooners’ ability to pressure Alabama QB Ty Simpson will be a huge factor in determining the winner Friday night. EDGE R. Mason Thomas has not played since injuring his quad against Tennessee on November 1^st, and even though the Sooners were able to defeat the Tide in Tuscaloosa, the return of Thomas for Friday’s playoff game is a needed boost for Oklahoma’s hope for a season sweep. Although Thomas has missed multiple games, he still led the Sooners with 6.5 sacks on the season, while adding 9.5 TFL and 23 tackles for the 10-2 Sooners. LB Kip Lewis had a career day against the Tide on 11/15, recording 7 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 TFL as the most disruptive defensive presence on the field for the Sooners. Lewis, who finished the season with 72 total tackles / 3 sacks / 8.5 TFL / 4 passes defensed, has one year of eligibility remaining but if he declares for the draft, Lewis should be selected early on day three of the draft as a fourth or fifth round pick next April.

(10) Miami, Fl (10-2) @ (7) Texas A&M (11-1)

College Station, Texas

Saturday, December 20. 12 noon ET / 9 am PT

The lone representative in the 2025 playoff field from the ACC, Miami, edged out Notre Dame for the last at-large bid due to their season opening victory over the Irish, and travel to College Station to play the 11-1 Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday afternoon. QB Carson Beck is the key to the Hurricanes winning a playoff game on the road. Beck has had another statistically satisfying season, passing for 3,072 yds, completing 74.7% of his pass attempts, with 25 TDs and 10 INTs on the season. When Miami wins, Beck is a solid contributor. But when Beck struggles, the Hurricanes suffer. Beck threw 4 INTs in a shocking loss to Louisville and then threw a crucial INT in an OT loss to SMU. The Aggies have a fast and aggressive defense that specializes in pressuring the QB and forcing turnovers. If Beck’s decision-making suffers, it could be a long afternoon for the Hurricanes. So, protecting Beck is a top priority for Saturday’s game. OT Francis Mauigoa is a potential first-round selection next spring and looks like a long-term starter at either ORT or OG in the NFL. Mauigoa will be lined up across from a pair of NFL-caliber EDGE Rushers in Cashius Howell and Dayon Hayes and how the Hurricanes hold up against the Aggies’ pass rush will likely be a key factor in determining the winner of this game. EDGE Akheem Mesidor does not garner the attention and praise that teammate Rueben Bain garners, but he is a top shelf prospect for the NFL Draft. Mesidor has premium size for an EDGE (6’3” / 280 lbs) and he has the production that NFL teams covet – 46 total tackles / 7 sacks / 12 TFL / 4 forced fumbles. Mesidor, from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is likely to be a very high draft pick in the CFL draft and that remains an option for Mesidor if the NFL does not work out.

The Aggies dropped their season finale to rival Texas and that lone loss cost Texas A&M a bid to their first ever SEC Championship Game and a first-round playoff bye. The Aggies earn a home game against the Hurricanes Saturday afternoon and QB Marcel Reed will be key to Texas A&M winning. Reed has had an outstanding season in leading the Aggies to the playoffs, completing 61.8% of his passes for 2,932 yds / 25 TDs / 10 INTs through the air while adding 466 yards rushing (5.2 YPC) and 6 TDs on the ground. Reed will want to be on his game on Saturday after having his worst game of the season against Texas when he threw two INTs and never found his stride in the Aggies’ 27-17 loss to the Longhorns. The Aggies feature a pair of the most explosive WRs in the nation in slot receiver Mario Craver and wideout KC Concepcion. Concepcion, a transfer from North Carolina State, is a seasoned and experienced WR with very good hands and explosive speed after the catch. Concepcion, one of the nation’s most dangerous punt returners, will create mismatches in space against the Hurricanes’ secondary that is missing All-American CB Keionte Scott, who is lost for the season. EDGE Cashius Howell is having a fantastic season for the Aggies, having recorded 11.5 sacks and 14 TFL on the season. Howell’s match-ups against Miami OT Francis Mauigoa will be appointment viewing for every scout between Saturday and the NFL Draft in April.

(11) Tulane (10-2) v (6) Ole Miss (11-1)

Oxford, Mississippi

Saturday, December 20. 3:30 pm ET / 12:30 pm PT

Another rematch taking place in the first round of the playoffs, Tulane travels to Oxford hoping for a better result than the 45-10 drubbing that the Rebels handed them on September 20^th. If the Green Wave hope to pull off the upset, QB Jake Retzlaff needs to play significantly better than he did three months ago when he only completed 5/17 passes (29.4%) for 56 yds through the air and added 51 yds rushing against the Ole Miss defense. Retzlaff, a transfer from BYU, has streaky accuracy and needs to be much more efficient and intelligent in keying the Green Wave offense to avoid another blowout loss. The best NFL Draft prospect playing in this game for Tulane for the 2026 NFL Draft is WR Shazz Preston, who was a 5-star recruit at Alabama, and he has finally started to play to his immense potential as a junior at Tulane. Preston (6’0” / 206 lbs) caught 38 passes / 398 yds / 15.7 YPR / 4 TDs this season, including 3 receptions / 35 yds / 11.7 YPR against Ole Miss in September. Preston’s explosive speed is Tulane’s most dangerous offensive weapon and could serve as an equalizer for the Green Wave Saturday afternoon.

Ole Miss enters the postseason with a new coach, former Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding has succeeded Lane Kiffin, who famously has moved on to SEC rival LSU, but bring back a team loaded with NFL-caliber talent on both offense and defense. QB Trinidad Chambliss, a senior transfer from Division 2 power Ferris State (Mi), will seek to return for another season in Oxford, but still has work to accomplish this season. Chambliss, who began the season as Austin Simmons’ backup but took command of the position after replacing the injured Simmons early in the season, has thrown for 3,016 yds, completing 69.4% of his attempts, for 18 TDs and 3 INTs while adding 470 yds rushing (4.0 YPC) and 6 TDs on the year. Chambliss operates a very balanced offense with one of the best RBs in the nation, Kewan Lacy, at his disposal. Lacy, a transfer from Missouri, is in his first season as a feature back, has rushed for 1,279 yds (5.0 YPC) and 20 TDs while catching 25 passes for 154 yds (6.2 YPR) on the season. Lacy is an X-factor that Tulane will need to slow down to have a chance at the upset. Potentially the first IDL to get selected next spring, Zxavian Harris has put together a fantastic senior season, recording 43 total tackles, 3 sacks, 7.5 TFL, 1 INT, and 2 blocked passes so far this season. Harris has premium size (6’8” / 330 lbs) and offers a well-rounded game as a run stuffer and as a pass rusher. Harris is also an elite kick blocker with six career blocked FGs during his time in Oxford.

(12) James Madison (11-1) @ (5) Oregon (11-1)

Eugene, Oregon

Saturday, December 20. 7:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT

James Madison made the playoffs despite not owning a single victory over a Power 4 conference team, with their lone loss being suffered against Louisville of the ACC. The Dukes finished as the fifth highest ranked conference champion after the five loss Duke Blue Devils upset Virginia in the ACC Championship Game last Saturday. JMU is an experienced, well-coached team that plays fundamentally solid football where they do not beat themselves. But do they have enough offensive talent to keep up with explosive Oregon Duck attack? WR Nick DeGennaro is the most dangerous option on the Dukes’ offense having caught 23 receptions / 410 yds / 17.8 YPR / 4 TDs on the season. DeGennaro, who has been invited to the inaugural American Bowl All-Star game next month, has NFL size – 6’1” / 196 lbs – and possesses reliable hands and concentration. DeGennaro is deceptively quick after the catch and has surprising speed and acceleration. How JMU deploys DeGennaro will be an important subplot to follow Saturday night. The highest-ranked NFL prospect on the field Saturday night for the Dukes is ORT Pat McMurtrie, a rugged and experienced OT with good enough feet to play OLT in the NFL. McMurtrie looks the part with NFL size (6’5” / 305 lbs), including a large wingspan, desired on the outside. McMurtrie has the athleticism to play OT but needs to improve his strength to better absorb bull rushes. McMurtrie will be lined up across either Matayo Uiagalelei or Teitum Tuioti, a fascinating set of battles to watch unfold Saturday night.

Oregon enters the college football playoff as the highest-ranked at-large team in the field and get to host a home game against the upstart James Madison Dukes. Oregon is led by third-year Sophomore QB Dante Moore, SNS’ number three ranked QB for the 2026 NFL Draft. Moore has proven to be a reliable and productive starter for the Ducks this year, throwing for 2,733 yds, completing 72.5% of his passes for 24 TDs and 6 INTs through the air and adding 191 yds rushing and 1 TD on the ground through 12 games for the Ducks. Moore still needs to improve his field vision and decision-making, especially while under pressure, but looks like a potential franchise QB in the NFL. Moore would be best served returning to Eugene for another year of experience before trying out the NFL. TE Kenyon Sadiq, SNS’ number one ranked TE for the 2026 NFL Draft, may be the most physically gifted TE to enter the NFL since Kyle Pitts was selected number four overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Sadiq (6’3” / 245 lbs) creates mismatches in space – he is too big and physical for CBs to cover but is too fast and athletic for LBs and most safeties to handle in man coverage. Even though Sadiq, who has recorded 40 receptions / 490 yds / 12.3 YPR / 8 TDs, is a dangerous weapon in the passing game, he is a quality in-line blocker who aids the running game through his blocking ability as a classic Y-TE. Sadiq should be a top 20 selection next spring. Another likely first round pick next spring, EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei did not have the sack production in 2025 that he had in 2024 (5 sacks recorded this year, 10.5 sacks recorded last season) but he may have actually improved his stock this past season. Uiagalelei entered the 2025 season needing to improve his ability as a run defender and he noticeably has been able to do so as he sets a strong edge in the run game and has improved his ability to defeat the OT at the LOS due to improved hand use. Uiagalelei looks like a top 20 pick in next April’s draft.