While we've had a few thrilling Thursday night college football games so far this season, few can match the potential impact that Florida State's trip to Louisville will have on the national title race with both teams in the CFB Playoff
selection committee's top 25.
The matchup is also of significant interest to NFL scouts, as it features a great deal of potential NFL draft prospects, perhaps the most in any one game this year. Scouts from 21 NFL teams will be at Papa John's Stadium, and the list of evaluators slated to be on hand includes nine general managers (
Titans,
Vikings,
Lions, Niners,
Steelers,
Browns,
Chiefs,
Rams and
Buccaneers).
There's very likely never been more NFL talent on the field in Louisville, but is it the most in any one game this year or does another matchup from earlier in the season, say
Alabama and Ole Miss in Oxford, take the cake?
Obviously, Seminoles quarterback
Jameis Winston will have scouts' attention Thursday night. Although his numerous off-the-field missteps have been well chronicled, the redshirt sophomore's talent is readily apparent. As a result of Jimbo Fisher's recruiting efforts, Winston isn't the only current Seminole who will eventually find himself in Indianapolis for the
NFL Scouting Combine, though.
Rashad Greene is Winston's go-to receiver and has already established himself as the school's all-time leader in receptions.
Travis Rudolph and
Jesus Wilson are also making plays on the outside. And don't forget about
Nick O'Leary -- he could be one of the top
tight ends in next year's draft class. The FSU offensive line hasn't played well this year but there's still a belief that
Cam Erving,
Tre' Jackson and
Josue Matias will all be drafted.
Defensively, linemen like
Mario Edwards Jr. and
Eddie Goldman each have first-round potential and will be counted on to have big games on the road. It probably speaks to the FSU depth chart that even young guys like freshman
Lorenzo Featherston have been talked about inside the program as having similar potential despite just getting backup reps. Throw in defensive backs like
Ronald Darby,
P.J. Williams and
Jalen Ramsey and the Noles are stacked with guys that will play at the next level.
As for the Cardinals, most of the folks picking them to pull off the upset cite their very talented defense.
Lorenzo Mauldin is a beast and has picked up where 2014 first-round pick
Marcus Smith left off last year with six sacks already. Throw in DE
Sheldon Rankins, and Louisville sports a very talented front seven that could send three or four players to the NFL in the next two years. The talent doesn't end there, as safety
Gerod Holliman is tied for the FBS lead in interceptions (eight) and has been terrific in coverage.
Bobby Petrino is known as an offensive mastermind and there's plenty of talent on that side of the ball as well. Wide receiver DeVante Parker is back from injury and might be the best senior wideout prospect in the country thanks to his speed, size and ball-control ability. Don't forget running backMichael Dyer, who made his way to Louisville from Auburn and finally had a breakout game last week against N.C. State. Tight end Gerald Christianmight find himself on an NFL roster down the road, too, and there's a similar outcome in store for center Jake Smith. Though he's young, the coaching staff raves about wide receiver James Quick and he could one day hear his name called by a team.
