5 Dark Horse Mid-Major NCAA Tournament Teams for 2021

Jason Preston, Ohio

While there's still plenty left to happen in the 2020-21 college basketball season, we now stand less than a month away from the 2021 NCAA Tournament and all the glory of March Madness. As it's been well over a year since the last NCAA Tournament (thanks, COVID!) this year could be especially exciting and chaotic. There are always "Cinderellas" that emerge during March, just one of the many reasons it's such a fun and unpredictable time. Obviously we don't know the complete Field of 68 just yet but through educated guesses, we can develop a solid group of potential "Cinderella" teams. Again, these teams don't have their tickets to the Big Dance punched right now, but I firmly expect they'll still be able to create plenty of noise. (* Note = In previous editions of my annual "Dark Horse Tournament Teams" I've included teams from high-major or power conferences, but I'll only be sticking to teams considering mid-major or low major this year. They don't get as much media attention, but they still have important roles to play come March.)

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (19-4 overall, 14-2 conference)

Conference: Missouri Valley

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2018

Projected Seed: 6-10

The last time Loyola-Chicago gained entry to the NCAA Tournament, you might remember what happened. The Ramblers went on a miraculous run to the Final Four, only to fall to Michigan one step away from the National Championship Game. There are several key remnants from that 2018 squad, from the unofficial mascot (Sister Jean) to the head coach (Porter Moser) and even many of the players. This 2021 edition plays much differently, however. While the 2018 club was one mainly led by a collection of high-scoring guards, this current edition is defensive-oriented and runs most of their offense through the post. The Ramblers allow under 58 points per game and rely primary on veteran big man Cameron Krutwig, a unique, old-school big who was around during the Final Four run. It's not exactly a super flashy team or one that will run you out of the gym, but they play to their strengths and they execute really well. Clearly it's effective, as they've jumped out to a 19-4 overall record and a No. 21 ranking in the latest AP Poll. In fact, Loyola is playing so well that they've lost just one game since dropping to Indiana State in early January. Now, the Ramblers are probably going to be a fairly popular "dark horse" pick because of their recent Tournament success but there's more reasons to like them than just that. They're extremely well-coached, have loads of veteran experience, and I also love the way they play defense. Plus, they just happen to play in one of the few mid-major leagues that is likely to have multiple NCAA Tournament bids.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (15-4 overall, 8-2 conference)

Conference: Conference USA

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2013

Projected Seed: 10-14

From the early to mid-2000s, Western Kentucky was a common NCAA Tournament fixture, as they made the Big Dance seven times from 2000-2013. Since then, the Hilltoppers have regularly been near the top of the C-USA standings, but unable to return to the Field of 68. This 2021 team looks different, and a big reason for that has to do with forward Charles Bassey. It's not often you see former five-star prospects and legit NBA talents spend multiple years at a place like WKU, but Bassey is an interesting case. He arrived as a highly touted, likely one-and-done recruit who averaged 14.6 PPG in his first year on campus. Bassey made a somewhat surprising decision to return for a sophomore season that was eventually doomed by a leg injury. That forced him to return for a third year in Bowling Green, and he has made the most of it. He ranks in the Top 5 in C-USA scoring and field goal percentage and leads the league in blocks and rebounds. He's the type of athlete you simply do not see very often in the mid-major leagues and even against many larger programs, he will probably be the best player on the court. To be fair to Western Kentucky as a whole, he isn't the sole reason they are on this list. WKU also has a proven head coach on the sidelines in former Mississippi State head man Rick Stansbury, who has played in the Tournament six times but is still looking to make the event's second weekend. In addition, the Hilltoppers have shown they can beat some genuinely great basketball teams. They beat Memphis and SEC favorite Alabama earlier in the year and gave West Virginia all they could handle in a six-point loss. They're likely to land somewhere in the 12-14 seed range, which is prime upset territory in the first round. However, they will have to hold off the rest of the C-USA, which includes sneaky teams such as North Texas, UAB and Louisiana Tech.

Iona Gaels (8-5 overall, 6-3 conference)

Conference: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2019

Projected Seed: 13-16

Out of all the teams on this list, Iona is the one with the worst shot at causing serious damage in March, but yet they're still a fascinating team. Part of that has to do with the fact that their coach is some guy named Rick Pitino, but it goes beyond just that. Pitino and his character overshadow anything else about Iona basketball, namely the fact that this program has been incredibly successful over the past decade. They've played in four straight NCAA Tournaments and six in total since 2012 and are pretty clearly the program to beat in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). This year's team is far from perfect at an 8-5 overall record, but they are in a good spot in the league standings and have a lot of pieces to like. For one, they have a dynamic lead guard in Isaiah Ross, who averages 20.5 PPG and shoots over 40% from three-point range. In addition, fellow guard Asante Gist is the type of complementary piece every top scorer needs, and Nigerian freshman Nelly Junior Joseph can dominate when he manages to stay out of foul trouble. It's not a very deep team, but it's a top line that can go out and get hot and create some chaos if things go right. Iona is also a program with some March demons to slay, as they haven't advanced past the first round since 1980, and have only one Tournament victory under their belt. Who better to slay those demons than a guy like Pitino?

Bryant Bulldogs (12-5 overall, 8-4 conference)

Conference: Northeast

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: Never (D-I Level)

Projected Seed: 13-15

If you aren't merely satisfied by the offenses at some of the big boys in college basketball, such as Gonzaga or Iowa, perhaps a fun small-school like Bryant may be more to your liking. The Bulldogs have one of the most explosive offenses in college basketball, averaging 85 points per game with an offense that never wants to stop running. It's an offense that not only puts up points, but does so in a very balanced way. They have four guards averaging double-digit points per game that can all shoot from both three-point territory and at the free throw line. It's a group that is a little undersized without a traditional big man beyond 6'8" forward Hall Elisias, but their ability to get out in transition and also shoot the ball can overwhelm even quality defenses. It's going to be interesting to see whether they can get out of the Northeast Conference with the auto-bid; beyond Wagner, who is currently in first place in the league, both Merrimack and Sacred Heart appear to be firmly in the mix. If the Bulldogs are able to win the conference, it would qualify them for their first NCAA Tournament appearance at the Division I level. They've appeared in the Division II Tournament seven times from 1978-2008, but this team appears to be in serious contention for the best team in school history. Any group with this type of offense is one to watch when March rolls around, and while they'll never go on a serious run in the Big Dance they could be the type of team to create some first weekend chaos.

Ohio Bobcats (11-6 overall, 7-4 conference)

Conference: Mid-American 

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2012

Projected Seed: 13-16

Unless you happen to be an Illinois basketball fan, you've probably never of Ohio guard Jason Preston. The junior is an absolute superstar, and his numbers back that up. He leads the Bobcats in scoring (16.4 PPG) and assists (7.4 APG) and is second in both rebounds and steals, while shooting 52% from the field. In case you're wondering if he's only doing it against mediocre MAC competition, simply go back and watch that Illinois-Ohio game, where Preston went for 31 points and eight assists against a team seriously battling for a No. 1 seed. Preston alone would warrant a spot for Ohio on this list, but this team goes beyond just one player, much like Western Kentucky. Their entire starting lineup can all score, and they're actually a much deeper team than most mid or low majors. In addition, this is one of the best passing teams you'll find anywhere in college basketball that puts a ton of pressure on opposing defenses. It's not an elite shooting team but much like Bryant, they still find ways to put up a ton of points and they actually match up really well against just about any type of defensive scheme. Ohio's basketball program is also one that has proven they can win some games when they reach the NCAA Tournament, even if they aren't a highly regular participant. The last time they were playing in March Madness they upset Michigan and South Florida en route to the Sweet 16 in 2012, and they also won a game in 2010. Obviously teams from a decade ago shouldn't dictate your thoughts on this current squad, but this is not a program completely unaccustomed to some level of March success. Much like others on this list, the actual tougher part might be just reaching the Big Dance. The Bobcats are currently fourth in the MAC, beyond quality teams such as Toledo and Akron. It will take work to get there but with Preston leading the charge, this is certainly a team to keep an eye on.

Others to Watch

Belmont Bruins (24-1 overall, 18-0 Ohio Valley Conference) -- Regular NCAA Tournament participant is always a popular upset pick, but this team's schedule has been very weak en route to a 24-1 mark.

Liberty Flames (19-5 overall, 10-2 Atlantic Sun Conference) -- Liberty made this post a year ago, and the Flames are once again dangerous. Despite being tied for first in the A-Sun, Liberty is the prohibitive favorite as the top team in the league this year, Bellarmine, is ineligible for the 2021 NCAA Tournament as they transition from Division II.

Drake Bulldogs (23-2 overall, 14-2 Missouri Valley Conference) -- One of the final undefeated teams of the 2020-21 season, Drake could be in play for an at-large bid even if they don't win the Missouri Valley.

UMBC Retrievers (14-5 overall, 10-4 America East Conference) -- The Retrievers were the one of the stories of the 2018 NCAA Tournament, and they look ready to cause some damage once again in '21.

Winthrop Eagles (20-1 overall, 17-1 Big South Conference) -- Winthrop has long been a regular NCAA Tournament qualifier, and their lone loss came by just two against UNC-Asheville.

Scouting the Contenders 2021: Baylor Bears

 

MaCio Teague, Baylor

As March Madness slowly inches closer and closer, "Scouting the Contenders" takes a look at some of the nation's best teams in a chaotic race, scouts their strengths and weaknesses, and takes a best guess on just how far they could go in the NCAA Tournament. We continue with the nation's current No. 2 team, the undefeated Baylor Bears.

Track Record

• 17-0 overall, 9-0 Big 12 
• Notable Victories: 82-69 over Illinois, 68-60 over Texas Tech, 76-61 over Oklahoma, 83-69 over Texas
• Averaging 87.0 PPG (fifth nationally)
• 18.5 turnovers forced/game (fourth nationally)

Scouting Report

While Gonzaga has been No. 1 in every single Top 25 poll this 2020-21 season (including preseason), Baylor has not moved from their perch at No. 2 either. The Bears have done everything asked of them on the season, defeating a difficult Illinois squad in the non-conference and then rolling through Big 12 play, sitting top in the standings at 9-0. A lengthy COVID pause has restricted them from playing since very early February, but that has not changed the perception around the country that the Bears are clearly the greatest threat to a Gonzaga National Title. Is this perception correct, or is Scott Drew's club more of pretenders than actual contenders?

Strengths: Even with the abbreviated off-season, college basketball offenses are having a historical year, which remains the case in Waco. Baylor is averaging 87 points per game on the year, and they have a wide variety of scorers. Four different Bears currently average double-digit points per game and even the bench options can come on and provide a much-needed spark. Two things in particular stand out when watching this offense: how well they move the ball, and how well they shoot from three. I mentioned in my Gonzaga "Scouting the Contenders" how impressed I was with their ball movement and the lack of unnecessary flash or wasted movement. Baylor does the same; they understand space really well and know how to cut and get to the rim. It's an offense that knows their strengths, and does an excellent job executing them. The three-point shooting is really impressive, and the percentages back it up. There are five different regular contributor Bears that shoot over 40 percent from downtown (Jared Butler, Davion Mitchell, Adam Flagler, Matthew Mayer, and L.J. Cryer). These are not just guys that shoot from three a few times a game and have a nice percentage because of it, they all shoot at a very consistent clip. That's even with guard MaCio Teague having somewhat of a down year shooting the ball, as he passed the 40 percent three-point threshold his first two years on campus... All credit to the offense, but the things that really stand out to me about Baylor is their defense. They play an extremely disruptive brand of defense, getting their hands in passing lanes and forcing you into difficult, contested looks. They force nearly 19 turnover per game on average, and their length and size plays a major role in that. Baylor knows how to force you into tough passing angles and uncomfortable possessions as well as anybody in the nation. Even when they don't force a turnover, they'll tip a pass or two and mess with your rhythm and flow. In addition, the Bear defense always seems to have endless energy. They come out every night and compete for the entire forty minutes on the defensive end, which is not always the case in college basketball. It's never going to be a team you're going to be able to get easy looks against and they force you to beat them. It just so happens nobody has been able to in '20-'21... I also mentioned in my Gonzaga scouting report that I love teams with experience when it comes to March. Sure, we've seen "one-and-done" teams succeed when it comes to the NCAA Tournament, but I'm more trustworthy of veteran teams that have played a lot of college basketball together. Baylor checks that box, as their roster is loaded with established veterans who have played with each other for years. This particular group hasn't been on a deep March run (although they might've in 2020 if the Tournament had not been cancelled), but it's still a group that works extremely well with each other and feeds off each other. In addition, I love teams with depth when it comes to March, and Baylor checks that box as well. This is a group that can legitimately go 9-10 players deep, which is a rarity in modern college basketball. That type of depth is a major advantage when you get into the brutal March schedule, where games get even more physical and difficult. You don't necessarily need a lineup that can rotate ten guys deep to win a National Title, but it certainly helps.

Weaknesses: No college basketball team is completely perfect and that remains the case with Baylor. There are two primary concerns I have with the Bears on offense that I'll be intrigued with how they handle down the stretch. My main concern centers around how this offense looks when the three-ball isn't dropping. While they may be one of the best three-point shooting teams in the entire country, the reality is that they are not going to be able to stroke from downtown every single night. Every single team can go through shooting slumps and even if they only last one game, they can kill your season. The Baylor offense does have a tendency to look sluggish when the three-ball is not dropping and they are not as strong in the half-court as you'd like. They aren't usually going to need to be a team that runs the offense through the low-post, but you'd like to see them have the option to when the shots aren't falling. The other concern, going off of the first one, is that they don't get to the free throw line as much you'd like. While they do shoot a good percentage from the stripe, they don't do a great job of forcing opponents into foul trouble, or simply get to the line. Again, when the shots aren't falling you'd like to see Baylor be able to manufacture points in other ways, but that part of the offense just is not there yet. I think they're going to need to be more creative in what they do offensively if they truly want to overtake Gonzaga atop the college basketball pedestal... A point that I had brought up in my scouting reports on Baylor's 2020 team is the program's lack of historical March success. I think it's not as strong of a point as some make it out to be, but the fact of the matter remains that Scott Drew has never led the Bears to a Final Four. In fact, since 2012 Baylor has only advanced to the second weekend of the Tournament twice. That isn't terrible when you consider the program that Drew once inherited, but it is something to keep an eye on. The fact of the matter is that it's never easy to do it your first time and while this team is elite, the road is never easy. You always wonder if the March demons that have sometimes inflicted the program in the past will once again rear their head this year... My final weakness has to do with Scott Drew himself. Nobody can discredit what an incredible job Drew has done in Waco, especially when you consider the state of the program when he took over in the early 2000s. In fact, I think there is a fairly strong point to be made that this might be the greatest rebuilding job in college basketball history. However, as good as Drew has been at building and maintaining the program, I'm still not sure how good of an Xs and Os coach he actually is. There have been many times throughout his lengthy tenure in Waco where Drew has been out-coached by opposing coaches, and they've happened in several big games. Situationally, he's not an elite coach in the way that some of the other big names in college basketball are, like a Coach K, Bill Self, or Jay Wright. Now to be fair, Drew also has not had the talent of other blue bloods in college basketball and he's still had unquestioned levels of success with Baylor. But, is he a good enough in-game coach to lead this team to a National Title? I'm going to have to see it before I can believe it.

Bottom Line: Baylor has played second fiddle to Gonzaga all season and you better believe that they are tired of hearing themselves described simply as "Gonzaga's greatest threat." It's a disservice to how truly dominant the Bears have been all season long, racing to a 17-0 start in which they've won nearly every game by double-digit points. But, the reality is that this 2020-21 college basketball season has been a story of the top two dogs, and Baylor's may be defined in whether they're actually able to beat Gonzaga or not. Unfortunately, the two had previously been scheduled before a COVID postponement and while there remains a chance the two might still play prior to March, it's highly unlikely. That means the only chance these two teams will meet this season is in a potential National Championship Game, and there are still plenty of barriers to pass before we get there. One would assume Gonzaga would be favored in said NCG, but I actually really like Baylor's chances against the Bulldogs. They are the better shooting team and also the better two-way team, ranking Top 5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. This team is not a second fiddle to anyone; they are probably the best team in school history, and have a very legitimate chance at taking it all home come early April.

Breaking Down Every FBS Hire of the 2020-21 Coaching Carousel

Bryan Harsin

The assumption among most college football media and fans was that no matter what happened with the 2020 college football season, head coaches were going to get a longer leash than normal as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. After all, athletic departments across the country remain strapped for cash, and nearly FBS team was playing a shortened, abbreviated schedule. Months later, it's clear that this assumption was dead wrong. College football is big business after all, and business doesn't ever stop at many of these major universities, no matter what's going on in the world. As a result, we have seen massive jobs open up in many spots across the college football landscape, as well as some under-the-radar ones. As we prepare for the 2021 off-season and our world slowly returning to normal, I decided to break down every FBS head coaching hire and what it will mean going forward.

Arizona Wildcats

Out: Kevin Sumlin

In: Jedd Fisch, New England Patriots QB Coach

Once considered on a fast track to a future NFL head coaching gig, Kevin Sumlin's fall from grace continued on his short-lived tenure in Tucson. Sumlin seemed to be a good fit with the Wildcats and their personnel when he was hired, but things never quite meshed right. His debut season of 5-7 was extremely disappointing and after a 4-1 start to Year Two, Arizona would drop seven straight. His third team showed some flashes in the short Pac-12 season, but they still wound up 0-5 and dead last in the Pac-12 South, capped off by a shocking 70-7 loss in the Territorial Cup to arch-rival Arizona State. The Sumlin era ends up with a .310 winning percentage, which goes down as the second-worst in Arizona history for a coach that has been there over 20 games. There were several pretty notable names rumored for the job after Sumlin was let go, but in the end UA landed on Jedd Fisch, who was previously QB Coach with the New England Patriots. Fisch's only head coaching experience in the college ranks was back in 2017, when he served as interim coach at UCLA following the departure of Jim Mora. Fisch went 1-1 with the Bruins, who would go on to lose their bowl game to Kansas State. Outside of that, Fisch has regularly flipped jobs in both college and the NFL, including stints at Minnesota, Miami and Michigan. In every sense, the hire was not exactly "flashy" but Fisch does seem to have support from several big-name alumni. Arizona is a job with loads of potential, but the key for him will be finding out a way to lock down in-state talent. It's an extremely talent-rich area, but high-profile recruits continue to bail for other programs in the Pac-12 or Big 12. I'm not sure whether Fisch will win big with the Wildcats, but it's hard not to be somewhat of an upgrade over Sumlin. I firmly expect Year One to be fairly brutal, with a variety of Wildcats hitting the transfer portal following Sumlin's departure.

Arkansas State

Out: Blake Anderson

In: Butch Jones, former Tennessee HC & current Alabama assistant

Jonesboro, Arkansas has become a common pit stop for coaches looking to make an eventual Power Five HC jump and while Blake Anderson stuck around longer than most, he eventually did the same. Anderson left in a pretty surprising move to Utah State, which looks more like a lateral move than anything else. In response, Arkansas State quickly turned to a pretty big name in Butch Jones, who previously was head coach at Central Michigan, Cincinnati and of course, Tennessee. Jones received a lot of grief for how things ended in Knoxville, but we shouldn't ignore that he was actually fairly successful there. He posted two nine-win campaigns and proved himself as a very adept recruiter, even though he was never able to really get UT over the top. While the Sun Belt has improved in recent years, I still really like Butch's chances to succeed there. It's a program that does a very good job mining for talent in the Southeast and one with quality resources for a Group of Five program. Most importantly, it's a fantastic spot for Jones to get his career back on track and eventually land another P5 job, which will happen at some point if things go smoothly.

Auburn Tigers

Out: Gus Malzahn

In: Bryan Harsin, Boise State HC

Prior to Tom Herman's surprise dismissal earlier this week, Auburn was by far and away the biggest job that opened up this coaching carousel. Gus Malzahn was a regular fixture on hot seat head coach lists, but he managed to hold on to his job for nearly a decade in an extreme pressure environment. Although Gus never replicated the magic of the 2013 team, he did beat Nick Saban and Alabama three separate times in his tenure and won the SEC West twice. I actually think that's a very solid resume at one of college football's toughest jobs. Consider for a moment where the Tigers sit in the college football landscape; inside the state they have the most successful dynasty in modern college football history and inside the division, they are recruiting against powers such as LSU and Texas A&M. Auburn still felt it necessary to pay $22 million to move on, and eventually brought on Bryan Harsin from Boise State. Although Harsin put up great numbers while with the Broncos, it is a weird fit. He's only coached in the South for a short period of time as Arkansas State head coach and as co-OC at Texas. He's also a Boise State alum and an Idaho native. It's quite a difference recruiting up at Boise at one of the Group of Five's best brands versus the unforgiving SEC, especially if Saban sticks around for awhile longer, which I believe he will. Plus, it's fairly obvious that Harsin was not exactly the "first choice" as Auburn openly flirted with names such as Hugh Freeze, Billy Napier and Kevin Steele. I'm not grading any of these hires right now, but this one would not exactly get a good one if I was. Harsin's going to have a tough time transitioning from the Mountain West to the SEC, and while I do understand why Auburn wanted to move on, was he really worth paying over $25 million for (when also factoring in his likely salary)?

Boise State

Out: Bryan Harsin

In: Andy Avalos, Oregon DC

The surprising departure of Harsin to Auburn forced Boise State to hire another alum in Andy Avalos, who has spent the past two seasons as defensive coordinator at Oregon. Avalos was a highly successful linebacker during his time as a player in Boise, leading the team in tackles each year from 2002-2004. In addition to his playing days, he's spent several years in different roles on the Boise State staff, rising from DL Coach to defensive coordinator, a role he held from 2016-2018. Oregon clearly saw something in him to poach him away from his alma mater, and statistically his numbers were very strong in his two seasons in Eugene, despite being crippled by opt-outs this fall. At the very least, Avalos should be able to keep the positive momentum going that has continued at Boise throughout the last two decades. They remain one of Group of Five's premier brands, and should be able to recruit very well. He's also blessed with a stud quarterback to begin his tenure in Hank Bachmeier, who has been an absolute stud when healthy. It's a hire that might not make "waves" in the coaching industry, but it's hard to see it not working out well. 

Illinois Fighting Illini

Out: Lovie Smith

In: Bret Bielema, former Wisconsin HC & NY Giants LB Coach

A late run to the 2019 season saved Lovie Smith's job for one more season, but a 2-5 mark in 2020 eventually sunk him. Lovie was a popular hire for the Illini but he never really acclimated to the college level, forcing the Illini to turn to a familiar name as their next head coach. Bret Bielema returns to the Big Ten, where he put together an impressive run at Wisconsin before moving on to the SEC and Arkansas. Bielema coached in Madison for seven seasons, where he went a combined 68-24 and 37-19 in the conference. Bielema's teams epitomized the Wisconsin brand, power-running teams that played physical defense. However, Illinois is a much different challenge than the one he took one with the Badgers in 2006. Lovie really leaned on the transfer portal in the end of his tenure, which resulted in a loss of depth throughout the roster. The Illini also don't have much football tradition to lean on, although the state is rich with talent. With that being said, the Big Ten West is a division ripe with opportunity for the right guy, and Bielema is a Big Ten guy through and through (played at Iowa). My view on this remains rather simplistic: if this hire was made a decade ago, it would obviously be a killer move for Illinois. But in the year 2020? I think Bielema will elevate the floor in Champaign, but I don't see this move changing the face of the Big Ten West either.

Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks

Out: Matt Viator

In: Terry Bowden, former Auburn & Akron HC

A school of just under 9,000 students in rural Louisiana, UL-Monroe is expectedly far from a football powerhouse but they were at least respectable throughout much of the Matt Viator era, beginning in 2015. Viator was 19-29 in four seasons prior to this 2020 season, when things absolutely fell off the track, as the Warhawks went 0-10. In response, ULM chose to move on from Viator and hired Terry Bowden, who has been coaching in college football at various levels since the 1980s. Bowden first made a real name for himself while at Auburn in the mid-90s where he went 47-17-1, but his most recent stop was at Akron. Akron is an incredibly difficult job to win at but Bowden at least kept the Zips competitive, going 35-52 there. ULM isn't going to expect the 64-year old to come on and build a Sun Belt Title contender instantly, but he has a proven pedigree at program building, at least to a certain point. The program should be good enough to at least compete for bowl games on the regular, even if Bowden probably isn't the long-term solution here.

Marshall Thundering Herd

Out: Doc Holliday

In: Charles Huff, Alabama RB Coach

Of all the FBS jobs to open this off-season, perhaps none was more surprising than at Marshall. John "Doc" Holliday had led the Thundering Herd for over a decade, and the West Virginia native had done a good job. He compiled an overall record of 85-54 and 55-30 inside the Conference USA, winning the East Division three times. With all that success, including a 7-3 record in the 2020 campaign, it's still quite a mystery why Holliday was let go. There are some that point to the program stalling in recent years and the three straight losses to end 2020 weren't reassuring, but the larger factor was likely because power-brokers behind the scenes wanted a fresh start. That fresh start will end up being 37-year old Charles Huff, the former RB coach at Alabama. In some ways, Huff is a surprising hire, considering he has never been a head coach or coordinator at any level of football, and he has only been coaching since 2006. However, Huff's youth might actually be an advantage in the recruiting trail. He has established himself as one of the best recruiters in America, and won the 247Sports Recruiter of the Year for 2020. That, along with his prior experience with Nick Saban, was clearly a major selling point for a Marshall program that clearly wanted to go younger. It will obviously be much more difficult getting recruits to come to Huntington, West Virginia than Alabama, but if Huff can elevate the talent level here and surround himself with the right staff, this has the potential to be extremely successful. Even so, I'm always a little bit wary about handing such a young coach the keys to a football program. It has worked before, but if Huff is successful, it also makes it that much more likely he'd jump at a Power Five opportunity when given the chance.

South Alabama Jaguars

Out: Steve Campbell

In: Kane Wommack, Indiana DC

After two consecutive 10-win campaigns with Central Arkansas, Steve Campbell seemed like a logical move for South Alabama when they hired him in 2018. But, Campbell never was able to acclimate to FBS football and the Jaguars were regular Sun Belt bottom-feeders under his leadership, going a total of 9-26 and 6-18 in the conference. South Alabama next turned to Kane Wommack to be their third head coach since the program formed back in 2008, taking him away from his role as Indiana defensive coordinator. Wommack becomes the youngest head coach in FBS football at just 33, but it's a very promising move for several reasons. First off, Wommack's performance with the Hoosiers speaks for itself, as Indiana's defense was among the best in the nation despite having a roster of two and three-star recruits. Secondly, Wommack has prior experience with the Jaguars, as he was their DC/LB Coach from 2016-17. He also has other Southeast roots, as he played at both Arkansas and Southern Miss. He should be a great fit with South Alabama, a place that is obviously not going to land top-tier in-state talent but should be competitive with other Sun Belt foes. Overall, it's a move with a lot of promise without any obvious downsides at this point.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Out: Will Muschamp

In: Shane Beamer, Oklahoma assistant/TE Coach

The first Power Five job to open up this cycle, South Carolina is a fascinating job. It's a school without a long tradition of winning that plays in the ultra-competitive SEC, but Steve Spurrier proved you could win here. Even Will Muschamp did a decent job in Columbia before the bottom started to fall out the final year and a half. There were a few pretty big names tossed around here, but Oklahoma assistant Shane Beamer quickly rose to the forefront. As a South Carolina native who's well-respected in the industry, Beamer received a bunch of support from former players and USC alumni. The fascinating thing is, Beamer has never been a head coach at any level before, and he's never even been a coordinator. Taking the jump to head coach at a major institution in the SEC is a significant one. Now, Beamer does have some talent to work with already on the roster, and he's known as a skilled recruiter. The thing is, Muschamp was a fairly solid recruiter himself and overall, the SEC East has vastly improved in the past half-decade. I certainly think Beamer can succeed here, but I also wouldn't label it a "home run" hire. The SEC has a way of humbling even the most skilled coaches, and South Carolina will be no different.

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

Out: Jay Hopson

In: Will Hall, Tulane OC

Southern Miss football over the last decade has been one of significant highs and major lows. Larry Fedora won 12 games in 2011 and parlayed it into the UNC job, while Todd Monken left to the NFL after going 9-5 in 2015. Included in the decade has also been the 1-23 run in '12-'13, as well as the 3-7 mark the team experienced in 2020, that began with Jay Hopson stepping down. Hopson did okay with the Eagles but was mired in mediocrity through most of it. For a program that has big dreams, they were eager to bring on an up-and-comer in Will Hall, previously the Tulane offensive coordinator. Hall has been a riser through the Southeast as both an assistant and head coach, with previous HC stops at West Georgia and West Alabama, where he put up good records. Since 2017, he's been making the rounds at some of the better Group of Five programs in the nation, and he did a really job under Willie Fritz with Tulane. Technically, he has not coached at the D-I level yet, but he appears to be well worth the risk at 40 years old. Hall will also provide valuable continuity to a program that had two interim head coaches after Hopson left. His creative offense will be a breath of fresh air for a program that had gone a little stale under Hopson.

Tennessee Volunteers

Out: Jeremy Pruitt

In: Josh Heupel, UCF HC

Entering 2020, Tennessee was riding a significant wave of momentum. They ended 2019 on a six-game win streak that included a comeback victory over Indiana in the bowl game and they also appeared to be making waves on the recruiting trail. Just a few months later, things have flipped in the complete wrong direction for the program. The Volunteers limped to a disappointing 3-7 record on the season and then reports came out that Jeremy Pruitt and the coaching staff had engaged in serious recruiting violations that could haunt the program for years to come. Tennessee decided to start anew, as Pruitt was fired an AD Phil Fulmer stepped down. In his place stepped in former UCF AD Danny White, whose first football hire in Knoxville is a guy he's very familiar with: former UCF head coach Josh Heupel. Heupel and White have a great relationship from their time in Orlando and Heupel has never shied away from the big stage. That doesn't mean that there aren't questions about this hire, however. Heupel's first head coaching gig was at UCF and while 28-8 isn't anything to scoff at, the program appeared to be slipping down the American Athletic totem pole. In addition, Heupel has never coached at an environment quite like Knoxville, a pressure cooker where fans can turn on you in an instant. With that being said, his explosive offenses should endear fans to him right away as compared to what Pruitt did early on, and he is believed to be a fairly strong recruiter. I'm not sure whether it will work out when you consider all the sanctions likely to hit the program in the coming years, but I know that it will never be boring at UT.

Texas Longhorns

Out: Tom Herman

In: Steve Sarkisian, Alabama OC

Texas head coach Tom Herman entered 2020 on a hot seat and while his 7-3 record wasn't overly encouraging, the expectation was that he was going to get another year to show his worth. The program even seemed to have some momentum, fresh off a dominant Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado and with intriguing young talent, namely tailback Bijan Robinson. But, a place like Texas expects more than Alamo Bowl wins and they saw an opportunity to snag a coach quickly moving up the ranks, in 2020 Broyles Award winner Steve Sarkisian. Sarkisian has a complicated past; he did a really good job building up the Washington program prior to Chris Petersen's arrival in Seattle and got a chance at the USC job. Sarkisian was the first Trojan HC to get a crack at the job without the NCAA sanctions that had crippled Lane Kiffin. After winning nine games in Year One, off-the-field problems that involved problems with alcohol eventually led to Sarkisian's dismissal in 2015. By all accounts, Sark has moved on with his life and career, and there is no denying he has done an excellent job the past two seasons as Alabama offensive coordinator. There's no question that Sarkisian is a tremendous offensive mind going all the way back to his days as USC offensive coordinator, but Texas is possibly the toughest job in college football. Not only are the on-field expectations insane, but dealing with boosters and recruiting the state is a different animal altogether. Of course, with all that does come endless resources to build a winner in the most talent-rich state in America. I remain split on whether I think this is going to work out; Sarkisian's career coaching record of 47-35 doesn't exactly jump off the page at you, but he is known as a skilled recruiter and talented coach. I will say, it still feels like a hefty price to pay, no matter who they were getting to replace Herman. Herman will make $15 million on his own buyout, and it will cost roughly $24 million to buy out the rest of this coaching staff. I understand this is Texas, but all that for a guy who has gone 32-18 overall and whose three losses in 2020 were by a combined 13 points? 

UCF Knights

Out: Josh Heupel

In: Gus Malzahn, former Auburn HC

With both White and Heupel moving onto the SEC, UCF could go nearly anywhere to land their next head coach. While plenty of names were rumored, in the end it looks like it will be Gus Malzahn leading the new era of Knight football. Malzahn's coaching career has been really fascinating to watch; he made a name for himself coaching high school football in Arkansas before eventually moving up and leading Auburn as OC on the 2010 National Championship team. After a brief stint at Arkansas State, he returned to the Plains, where he coached for eight years. While his time with the Tigers was far from perfect, he did make a National Championship Game and also beat Nick Saban and Alabama three times. There's not many coaches anywhere in the nation that can claim that, let alone any in the Group of Five. The good news for Gus is that he enters a really favorable situation with UCF. The roster is still loaded with talent and already has a star QB in Dillon Gabriel ready to lead the show, and they're located in a talent-rich area. I absolutely love this hire, and I think it's the perfect move for a football program looking to keep itself near the top of the Group of Five.

Utah State Aggies

Out: Gary Andersen

In: Blake Anderson, Arkansas State HC

Gary Andersen's return to Utah State was supposed to be the hire that would once again stabilize the football program after Matt Wells went south to Texas Tech. Andersen had gone 26-24 in his first stint in Logan and parlayed it into the Wisconsin gig, a job he held for two seasons before a return to the West Coast at Oregon State. After less than two seasons back with the Aggies, it became clear that Andersen was not the right answer at the time. After a decent 7-6 2019, the team started off 0-3 in 2020 and the school and Andersen opted to part ways. It's another curious case of a program deciding to move on despite not terrible results, but likely has to do with Andersen and his commitment to being a head coach. Following his departure, Utah State replaced Andersen with an Anderson, plucking Blake Anderson from Arkansas State. It's certainly no surprise to see Anderson eventually leave Jonesboro, but the fit is interesting. Is Utah State really an upgrade over Arkansas State? Both are solid Group of Five gigs that could eventually set up a Power Five job, but the Aggies are definitely not a traditional power or school with unbelievable resources. Whatever the reason, Anderson should bring a fresh energy back into the program, and his track record speaks for itself. While Arkansas State had a down 2020, Anderson still went 51-37 overall there and won a pair of conference titles. Geographically, Utah State is a different fit but he does have some experience in the Mountain West, previously coaching at New Mexico.

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings 2020-21: Edition 2

Kofi Cockburn, Illinois

 * Updated through February 8th, 2021

1. Michigan Wolverines (13-1 overall, 8-1 conference)

While the rest of the Big Ten continues to beat itself up, Michigan has stayed mostly above the fray, with the lone exception coming in a road loss to Minnesota. A lengthy COVID postponement has put UM's February schedule completely into wack, but the hope is that the Wolverines will be able to return this upcoming weekend against a sneaky Wisconsin squad.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (16-4 overall, 10-4 conference)

Ohio State may be playing the best basketball in the entire league right now. They have now won eight of their last nine games, with the lone loss being a two-point, last-second loss to Purdue. The offense has always been explosive, but it is the improved play on the defensive end that has really feueld Ohio State's recent hot streak. A manageable slate of games before a huge meeting with Michigan should only continue this recent Buckeye run.

3. Illinois Fighting Illini (13-5 overall, 9-3 conference)

After a relatively disappointing start to their Big Ten season, the dangerous Illinois Fighting Illini also appear to be hitting their stride. Since their 87-81 loss to Ohio State, Illinois has won four consecutive games, which includes victories over Iowa and Wisconsin. The 1-2 punch of Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn continues to be overwhelming to opposing foes. Cockburn in particular is playing the best basketball of any big in the conference not named Luka Garza.

4. Iowa Hawkeyes (13-6 overall, 7-5 conference)

I had the Hawkeyes ranked No. 1 atop these rankings during my prior release, but Iowa is enduring a cold stretch. While OSU and Illinois are rising, Iowa has lost four of five. I don't think it's time to panic, as Luka Garza still remains the clear favorite to win the Wooden Award and most of the recent losses have been extremely tight. Head coach Fran McCaffery has to find a more effective way to close out basketball games, or this is probably not even a second weekend NCAA Tournament team.

5. Wisconsin Badgers (14-6 overall, 8-5 conference)

The Badgers continue to be a constant fixture around the 3-5 spots in these rankings, beating everyone you'd expect them too, but not being able to finish off the true "elites". The offense has really struggled to find a punch as of late, and recent struggles from Micah Potter and Nate Reuvers don't help. I still think the veteran experience will be a huge advantage for the Badgers when March finally arrives, but they remain a fringe Top 25 team at this juncture.

6. Purdue Boilermakers (13-7 overall, 8-5 conference)

How can you doubt Matt Painter at this point? Since a mediocre 2-3 start to league play, Purdue has played just about as well as anybody in the Big Ten, winners of six of their last eight. It seems like a new face steps up just about every single game for the Boilermakers. A perfect example? Freshman Brandon Newman coming on and dropping 29 points in Purdue's decimation of Minnesota last week.

Full Conference Rankings

Scouting the Contenders 2021: Gonzaga Bulldogs

Corey Kispert, Gonzaga

As March Madness slowly inches closer and closer, "Scouting the Contenders" takes a look at some of the nation's best teams in a chaotic race, scouts their strengths and weaknesses, and takes a best guess on just how far they could go in the NCAA Tournament. We begin with the nation's current No. 1 team, the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Track Record

• 18-0 overall, 9-0 West Coast Conference
• Notable Victories: 102-90 over Kansas, 87-82 over West Virginia, 99-88 over Iowa, 98-75 over Virginia
• Averaging 94.3 PPG (2nd nationally)
• Only one game that was not a double-digit win (West Virginia)

Scouting Report

Heading into an uncertain 2020-21 college basketball season, Gonzaga was a fixture near the top of most polls. With ample experience returning and several high-profile newcomers on the way, the Bulldogs were a popular preseason Final Four selection. Through the first three months of the season, they've managed to even surpass those lofty expectations. They currently sit 18-0 and have blown out a few big name teams. In fact, outside of a five-point win over a Top 25 West Virginia, every single win has been by double-digits. Can Mark Few's team keep it up and bring the program's first National Title back to Spokane?

Strengths: This is one of the best offenses we've seen in college basketball in recent memory, a group currently averaging over 93 points per game. The group's balance and versatility is actually fairly mind-boggling, and they check off every box you could want from a college basketball team. Corey Kispert is a 6'7" forward that can bully down low and yet step outside and shoot over 48% from three, while being the team's volume three-point shooter. Drew Timme is your prototypical, crafty Gonzaga big who is an excellent distributor for his position, while Joel Ayayi and Andrew Nembhard are your typical college guards. Then there's dynamic true freshman Jalen Suggs, who is playing as well as any freshman in the nation. He's one of the best passers I can ever reminder seeing play college basketball, and yet still shoots the ball at an effective clip. This is the type of offense that can run in transition and overwhelm opponents, and yet they still move the ball incredibly well in the half-court. They can lean on the three when needed, but are still big enough to play physical in the post. No defense has been able to stop this offense all season and the only one I could see matching up with them is Baylor... The things I like about teams like this is the blend of experience with polished youth. Although it isn't always a qualification to win in March, having veterans who have been there before is an advantage, particularly in this wacky season. Kispert, Timme and Ayayi have played in big games before and they will once again be ready for the big stage. And then there's the younger talent that could theoretically get better down the stretch. We've seen young players come into their own when March arrives and while Suggs is already playing amazing, there's still a chance he could kick it into an even higher gear when the games really start to matter. This mix is important, and it gives the Bulldogs an extremely capable and balanced roster... As I've mentioned, Gonzaga's ball movement and distribution is incredibly impressive, and it's something to expand on. When you watch Gonzaga play, they operate more like the old San Antonio Spurs or Golden State Warriors in how they move the ball and get teammates open. Just look at this clip of their game against Virginia earlier this season; they spread you out and attack. There is no wasted movement in this offense or anything unnecessarily flashy, but every pass and dribble has a purpose. That is certainly not the case with a lot of teams you see in college basketball, especially when the three-point shot isn't falling. You also have to consider that this clip is against a Virginia team that once again has one of the best defenses in college basketball, and plays a very disruptive, physical brand of defense. Gonzaga just so happened to drop 98 points against it, and made it look easy in doing so. 

Weaknesses: Frankly, when a team is 18-0 and has played dominant all season, it comes down to nit-picking their weaknesses. One of the primary concerns I have against this Gonzaga team is at the free throw line, where they shoot at a 73% clip. Now that isn't a completely terrible number, as it ranks 95th nationally amongst some 360+ Division I college basketball teams. But, it is a lower number than you might expect for a team that has been so dominant all season long. I don't envision it as a major problem in the first couple rounds of the NCAA Tournament but when the competition heats up and the Bulldogs finally get a really tough game, it could catch up with them. It's the type of Achilles Heel on a great basketball team that isn't obvious on its face, but is the underlying problem that can doom even dominant teams. Gonzaga is so good shooting from the field, they've been able to get by without being elite at the line, but I just don't know if that will extend through all of March... Secondly, this Gonzaga program as a whole has some March Madness demons to get by if they want to win a National Title. Despite being one of college basketball's most consistent programs the past two decades, the Bulldogs have made just one Final Four in their history, coming back in 2016-2017. Over that span, they've been a high seed numerous times, and have been eliminated before the second weekend on multiple occasions. Now, I think this is a really weak argument against this current Bulldog team. I don't believe past performances from players that are long-gone should change how we view this particular Gonzaga team. I said the same thing about Virginia back in 2019 when they were coming off the historical loss to UMBC the year prior; past teams and players in completely different situations shouldn't dictate what we think of current teams. But, it's going to be an argument made against Gonzaga, and one to at least bring up... Another common argument made against Gonzaga is that playing in the West Coast Conference, they play "nobody". Again, I think is a weaker argument especially against this 2020-21 team. Out of conference, Gonzaga went and played Kansas, Auburn, West Virginia, Iowa, and West Virginia and they were scheduled to play the current No. 2, Baylor, before it was postponed. Now, the WCC is down this year so it has been awhile since the Bulldogs have faced a Top 25 foe, but the resume still speaks for itself. This has not been a program that ever shied away from playing blue bloods or major-conference foes, and that goes again for the 2020-21 edition. Perhaps a game against BYU will tell us even more, as they're likely the only WCC team with a chance an at-large Tournament bid.

Bottom Line: The last time we saw a college basketball team enter March Madness undefeated was the 2014-2015 Kentucky Wildcats, who ended up losing in the Final Four. Of the 19 teams that have entered March with a perfect record, seven have gone on to win the National Championship. I think it's highly likely the Bulldogs become the 20th team to do it, and they're certainly the betting favorite to take home the National Title. I hate making proclamations that a team is a "Final Four lock" when we don't even know the full Tournament field, but I'd be pretty shocked if this team does not make their second ever Final Four. It has been just so dominant and even their "weaknesses" are poor arguments. Crazy things can happen in March, but I think you'd be pretty foolish to bet against this Gonzaga team playing in the National Championship. In fact, both Gonzaga and Baylor have been so good, I'd rather bet on them winning than any combination of the other 66 teams set to square off.

NFL Mock Draft 2021: Edition 2 (Senior Bowl Edition)

DeVonta Smith, No. 3 to Miami

The first major checkpoint of the 2021 NFL Draft process took place this past weekend, with the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. The Senior Bowl is not the most crucial part of the pre-Draft process, but it is an important chance for prospects to make their first real impressions in front of NFL teams. It has taken on special importance in the year 2021, as so many opt-outs of the 2020 college football season meant that a big chunk of these prospects were showing out for the first time since 2019. Plenty of prospects both helped and hurt their stock over the weekend, giving us plenty of reason to create a new 2021 mock draft.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Since my Edition 1 Mock Draft in December, Jacksonville has overtaken New York for the No. 1 overall pick and also hired Urban Meyer to be their head coach. It's certainly an intriguing fit, but one ripe with potential if things go right. Meyer will play a role in whoever the Jaguars take here, and I'd be shocked if it wasn't Trevor Lawrence. He checks just about every box an NFL team could be looking for, and Lawrence fits in just about any offense you put him in at the next level.

2. New York Jets

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

The Jets are in a really fascinating position at pick No. 2. Do they give up on Sam Darnold after three underwhelming seasons, or give him one more chance? And if they do choose to move on, do they go after Justin Fields or BYU's Zach Wilson? I think they'll be pressured into going with a QB in this class, and Fields makes the most sense. He's the type of "new-school" quarterback prospect NFL teams want right now, and he proved his toughness in this year's CFB Playoff.

3. Miami Dolphins

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Miami needs more help for Tua Tagovailoa, which makes either O-Line or receiver the selection here. I think receiver ends up being the play, and Ja'Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith will battle to be the top wide out in this Draft. Smith edges out Chase, fresh off a historical 2020 season and already having a great relationship with Tua.

4. Atlanta Falcons

Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Matt Ryan has had a tremendous career in Atlanta but he'll be 36 entering 2021. It's about time the Falcons think of a long-term solution at the position, and they'd jump at the chance at Zach Wilson if he is still available. Wilson has a game that actually reminds me a lot of Ryan, although Wilson is a little bit more mobile. Atlanta could follow the Alex Smith-Pat Mahomes method, and have Wilson watch Ryan for a year before giving him the keys to the offense.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Penei Sewell was one of the bigger name opt-outs for the 2020 college football season, making it easy to forget just how dominant he was in 2019. He was the best blocker in all of college football as a 19-year old, and there's a good chance he goes much higher than No. 5. However if he does last this long, the Bengals get the franchise tackle they need to keep Joe Burrow upright.

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

The Eagles desperately need more weapons offensively and while Chase is still available, I actually think Kyle Pitts makes the most sense. He's fresh off one of the best tight end seasons in college football history, and fits a clear need. While Philadelphia does still have Zach Ertz, he's in the final year of his contract and could be traded over the off-season, giving Pitts snaps right away.

7. Detroit Lions

Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

While Detroit took Jared Goff from LA in the blockbuster Matt Stafford trade, QB could still be in play for the Lions at pick seven. However, I envision Detroit giving Goff a year to see what he can do, and adding a dynamic receiver like Chase would be a major help. Chase was the Biletnikoff Award winner in 2019, and would be a Top 10 prospect no matter the Draft.

8. Carolina Panthers

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

The run on quarterbacks continues with Carolina, who could be a contender to trade up. Teddy Bridgewater had a solid 2020, but I'm not sold on him being the long-term guy for head coach Matt Rhule. Instead, the Panthers take Trey Lance, who was wonderful in 2019 but played just one game in the wacky 2020-21 FCS season. His body of work overall isn't as impressive as the three signal-callers taken in front of him, but he's still certainly a first-round prospect.

9. Denver Broncos

Patrick Surtain Jr., CB, Alabama

Not only do the Broncos have to deal with Patrick Mahomes in the AFC West, there's another rising star QB in the division now in Justin Herbert. If the Broncos want to contend at all, they need to upgrade a patchwork secondary. Enter Patrick Surtain Jr., a three-year starter at Alabama who will battle former Virginia Tech corner Caleb Farley to be the best DB in this class.

10. Dallas Cowboys

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Once an obvious strength for this Dallas team, the Cowboy O-Line has really deteriorated over the last couple seasons. They have an excellent opportunity to address it in the Top 10 and while Sewell will definitely be gone, Rashawn Slater is a fine consolation prize. Slater played tackle throughout college, but there's some NFL personnel that think he'll eventually move inside and become a guard/center in the future.

11. New York Giants

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

It's easy to forget that Jaylen Waddle was having an even better year than DeVonta Smith before a broken ankle cost him most of the 2020 season. Even so, he'll contend for a spot in the Top 10, with the Giants making a lot of sense. He's the type of offensive weapon that can open up everything for New York, and he could also potentially play a role on special teams.

12. San Francisco 49ers

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

San Francisco suffered through an injury-ravaged 2020 after playing for a Super Bowl the year prior, making them a wild card entering the off-season. We will wait and see what happens at QB, but the more pressing need is actually at corner. It was a good unit in '20, but the top three cornerbacks hit free agency and adding a youngster would be helpful either way. Caleb Farley was the first big name to opt-out of the 2020 season, but asserted himself as a star with his work in 2019.

13. Los Angeles Chargers

Christian Darrisaw, OL, Virginia Tech

The Chargers have a real star at quarterback in Herbert, but providing the right support around him is critical. The offensive line has a massive hole at left tackle that must be filled, and Virginia Tech's Christian Darrisaw should go somewhere in the mid-first. Darrisaw didn't allow a hit or sack once in pass protection in 2020, and he could move anywhere along the unit.

14. Minnesota Vikings

Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (FL)

One of the most notable breakout stars of the 2019 college football season was Gregory Rousseau, who posted 15.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman. While he opted out of 2020, there's still enough NFL interest out there that he should land somewhere in the first. The Vikings pass rush has seriously declined recently, and adding an impact pass rusher like Rousseau should be a priority.

15. New England Patriots

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

New England has obvious needs on the offensive side of the ball but with the top three receivers in this class gone, Micah Parsons becomes the selection. For the record, I think Parsons will probably go higher than 15, but team needs could cause him to drop slightly. In typical Patriots fashion, they take the dropping Parsons to add much-needed athleticism to the front seven.

16. Arizona Cardinals

Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Patrick Peterson appears to be beginning to decline and also hits free agency over the off-season. Even if he is brought back, the Cardinals should look to add a young talent at the cornerback position. Enter Jaycee Horn, a well-built CB who played three impact seasons at South Carolina. He's still a little raw in some areas, but projects favorably if he lands in the right spot.

17. Las Vegas Raiders

Kwity Paye, DL, Michigan

Although Kwity Paye played in just four games total in 2020, he has evolved into a first-round lock and a serious candidate to the first defensive end off the board this spring. Watch the game against Minnesota to get a good idea about why NFL scouts adore Paye; he had two sacks against a veteran O-Line and showcased eye-popping quickness and twitch. He would immediately upgrade a Las Vegas pass rush that has been underwhelming for a few years now.

18. Miami Dolphins

Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama

Already adding a ready-made playmaker on the outside with pick 3, Miami works on their offensive line here. Alex Leatherwood did not have a very good Senior Bowl showing, but he still is likely to land somewhere in the mid to late first round. Leatherwood was a four-year contributor while in Tuscaloosca, and has experience blocking for Tua.

19. Washington Football Team

Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Mac Jones had a terrific Senior Bowl, outplaying every quarterback in Mobile. He was already a fringe first-rounder based on what he did in the 2020 regular season, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't go Day One now. Washington obviously needs to address the QB position and Jones is the type of level-headed, intelligent QB that the organization has too often ignored.

20. Chicago Bears

Jalen Mayfield, OL, Michigan

Could this selection be used in a possible Deshaun Watson deal? Perhaps, but if it does stay in Chicago the Bears have to address their porous offensive line. There are plenty of options to choose from in this spot, but I think they stay in the Midwest and take Jalen Mayfield. The Michigan product is able to play either guard or tackle, and he's a proven commodity as a run blocker.

21. Indianapolis Colts

Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

While DeVonta Smith, Ja'Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle look like the top three receivers in this Draft, there's a long list of players vying to be the fourth wide out taken. That includes names like Rondale Moore, Rashod Bateman and Kadarius Toney. My guess is that it will end up being Toney, who was absolutely dynamite for UF in 2020. The Colts take a swing on him at 21, as both Zach Pascal and T.Y. Hilton are set to hit the open market.

22. Tennessee Titans

Azeez Ojulari, DE/LB, Georgia

While Tennessee was hoping Jadeveon Clowney could be a massive difference-maker on defense, but he didn't record a single sack in eight games. The Titans could go the cheaper route in adding pass rushing abilities this off-season by selecting Azeez Ojulari. Ojulari's tape speaks for itself, and he wrapped up his collegiate career by recording three sacks in the Peach Bowl victory over Cincinnati.

23. New York Jets

Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

In 2020 New York rotated their primary running back duties between 37-year old Frank Gore and untested youngsters Ty Johnson and La'Mical Perine. It's clear that they have to figure out a long-term plan here, and Najee Harris makes a ton of sense. Harris came back for his senior season and led the nation in rushing touchdowns, finishing fifth in Heisman voting. His 2020 was so strong it likely pushed him to RB1 territory over Clemson's Travis Etienne.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

Once a notable strength on this Pittsburgh team, the Steeler offensive line has really diminished in recent years. Enter Samuel Cosmi, a 6'7" behemoth of an offensive tackle who started 34 games over his Texas career. He doesn't have the upside of other O-Linemen in this Draft, but he could possibly have the highest floor of anybody not named Penei Sewell.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

Although he isn't a household name, Trevon Moehrig is my favorite safety prospect in this cycle. The former TCU Horned Frog is unbelievably rangy and he has excellent ball skills, picking off seven passes in his collegiate career. He helps a Jacksonville secondary that has a promising young talent in C.J. Henderson, but little else.

26. Cleveland Browns

Jaelan Phillips, DE/LB, Miami (FL)

Once a No. 1 recruit, Jaelan Phillips had a fairly fascinating collegiate career. He started off two injury-plagued seasons at UCLA before emerging as a real force on Miami's defense in 2020. Even though the injury concerns are still there, he's got all the tools to be a dominating end in the pros. Cleveland could use him to free up some attention away from Myles Garrett.

27. Baltimore Ravens

Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest

There's usually good value on edge rushers late in the first round and Baltimore takes a chance on one in Carlos Basham Jr. The long-time Demon Deacon is extremely well-rounded; not only will he rack up sacks but he's proven his worth in run support. He upgrades a Raven pass rush that could miss some pieces this off-season.

28. New Orleans Saints

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

Winner of the 2020 Butkus Award, Jeremiah Owusu-Kormoah is an interesting prospect. He improved rapidly at Notre Dame and should acclimate quickly to the pros, but it's unclear what role he'll play in the NFL. Obviously he is an excellent linebacker, but there are some that think he could end up in the defensive backfield at some point. Either way, he adds a proven defender to a Saints defense that could use it.

29. Green Bay Packers

Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

A year later than most expected, Green Bay adds an impact receiver in the form of Rashod Bateman. Bateman was 2019's Big Ten Receiver of the Year but was in an uncomfortable role in 2020, forced to play primarily out of the slot. Even in a loaded receiver class, Bateman is almost sure to land somewhere in the first round.

30. Buffalo Bills

Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State

Buffalo has not shied away from going "best player available" with their high Draft picks, and Penn State's Jayson Oweh would fit that mold. Oweh is a monster who is just scratching the surface of what he can be as a pass rusher. Plus, Buffalo does have an aging defensive line, making this selection even easier for the front office.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jay Tufele, DL, USC

One of the more obvious needs on the NFC Champion Buccaneers is at interior defensive line. While Ndamukong Suh still played a major role this season, he's now 34. Tampa Bay can add a talented youngster to eventually fill his place in Jay Tufele. Tufele was another guy that opted out of 2020, but he showed impressive pass rushing technique for a player at his position, with 7.5 sacks the previous two seasons.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Zaven Collins, DE/LB, Tulsa

Another team with the luxury of being able to go "best player available" Kansas City takes a chance on Tulsa's Zaven Collins. A former high school quarterback, Collins had an impressive Tulsa career that he ended by taking home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for being the country's best defensive player. His amazing versatility is the top selling point, as he could play just about anywhere defensively.