Phidarian Mathis, Alabama (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Top names for the upcoming NFL Draft will be visible on Monday night as Alabama takes on Georgia in the National Championship Game.
One of the craziest and most-unpredictable college football season’s in recent memory will finally culminate on Monday night when Alabama takes on Georgia in the CFP National Championship Game from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.
A rematch of a thrilling SEC Championship Game from back on December 4 when the Crimson Tide topped the Bulldogs 41-24, storylines will be a plenty for this matchup between two of college football’s powers. However, one storyline that may not garner as much attention is the upcoming NFL Draft, and which prospects playing in the National Championship Game will take center stage in late-April.
Despite notable names such as the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr. not eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft, there are multiple players taking center stage Monday night who are, four of which are likely first round picks. Let’s take a look at those four, as well as six others to compose the Top 10 2022 NFL Draft prospects playing in this year’s National Championship Game.
10 NFL Draft prospects to watch from Alabama and Georgia in the National Championship Game
10. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama defensive tackle
Coming off a career 2021, Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis has cemented himself as one of the better pass rushing defensive tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft, and will be looking to put the finishing touches on that phenomenal season on Monday night.
An impactful run stopper across the past three season’s in Tuscaloosa as a rotational depth piece, Mathis has emerged as the Crimson Tide’s top interior pass rusher in 2021 to the tune of a by-far career-high nine sacks. In the process, Mathis became the latest Alabama pass rushing specialist at the defensive tackle position in a group that also includes Quinnen Williams and Christian Barmore in recent years.
Now no, Mathis will not necessarily be as high of a pick in the 2022 NFL Draft as Williams was, but he will likely be one of the more-intriguing and experienced players available early on day two, similar to Barmore a year ago in the second round.
Regardless of where he is selected, the senior defensive lineman has the experience at an elite level in the SEC to step in and play a role for any NFL team in 2022, and will only continue to rise up draft boards due to his impressive pass rushing improvement in 2021.