1. Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State (vs. BYU, Friday, 9 p.m. ET): Looping in one of the four Friday night games because SI's Pete Thamel and Thayer Evans
reported this week that Ajayi, a redshirt junior, now is "expected to leave early for the draft."
The six-foot, 215-pound back is in the midst of his second standout campaign as Boise State's lead ball-carrier. Headed into Friday, Ajayi is approaching 1,200 yards from scrimmage -- he has 867 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground plus 35 receptions for 317 more yards.
That
every-down potential will boost Ajayi's stock should he head for the NFL after this season. The stats are no fluke, either. Ajayi can do damage between the tackles or beat defenders with moves on the outside.
He has a nationally-televised opportunity to show off Friday night.
2. T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh (vs. Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m. ET): Clemmings has not joined some of his fellow tackles in the early Round 1 buzz, but his name is one to remember the closer we get to the draft.
Right now, the former defensive end is mashing Pitt's opponents from his right tackle spot. Clemmings (6-6, 315) is coming off an extremely impressive performance in the
Panthers' win over Virginia Tech last Thursday. And one of the main reasons NFL scouts are keeping an eye on him is that, because of his rather recent move from defensive line to offensive line, there looks to be a decent amount of potential here.
As one might expect given his background,
Clemmings moves well at the point of attack and is able to get outside, pull or clear to the second level. Guard or tackle could be in his NFL future. Either way, he could wind up an early-round pick.