All eyes will be glued to the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game, where the Alabama Crimson Tide takes on the Ohio State Buckeyes.
While many will be watching it for entertainment purposes, there will be plenty of NFL caliber talent on the field that are worth keeping an eye out for.
With that, here are nine players that the Los Angeles Chargers could be scouting tonight:
Alabama
CB Patrick Surtain
Voted a unanimous All-America selection and the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year, Surtain has been lockdown, breaking up eight passes and picking off one which he took back to the end zone. Surtain is a long, smooth athlete who has impressive instincts and ball skills. He could polish up in the run game, but overall, he has the makeup of an All-Pro cornerback.
Projected Round: Top-15
WR DeVonta Smith
While Smith may not have the track-like speed, the 6-foot and 172 pounders plays with a well-rounded route tree, excellent footwork, and brings the separation tactics to thrive at the next level. Through four seasons, Smith has 3,750 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Projected Round: Top-15
WR Jaylen Waddle
Speed kills. Waddle, the 5-foot-10 and 182 pounder, is a pass-catcher with elite phone booth quicks and legitimate breakaway speed to threaten a defense vertically. He can line up all across the formation as well as serve as a return man. After missing the last seven games with a fractured ankle, Waddle is game-time decision.
Projected Round: 1st
OT Alex Leatherwood
Named the 2020 Outland Trophy winner, which is awarded to the best interior lineman in college football, Leatherwood, the 6-foot-5 and 313 pounder, made 47 starts for the Crimson Tide with 13 of them coming at right guard in 2018. Leatherwood is an excellent blindside blocker who possesses great size, length and physicality to grow into a very reliable tackle or guard at the next level.
Projected Round: 1st-2nd
CB Josh Jobe
Surtain is the No. 1 corner but opposite of him is another player who has proven to put the clamps on receivers. Jobe has good length and size at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, reactive athleticism and ball skills. He has 52 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and 11 passes defensed.
Projected Round: 3rd-4th