We saw many of the stars from the 2019 rookie class come up with huge performances in rivalry games.
A.J. Brown's 6-catch, 167-yard performance against Mississippi State in the 2017 Egg Bowl was the perfect example of a talented player putting his team on his back in a high-pressure situation.
Deebo Samuel's 10 catches for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns against in-state rival (and eventual national champion) Clemson in 2018 was another textbook case of a talented player starring in a high-pressure rivalry game. If players are able to thrive in these big rivalry games where local bragging rights are at stake and the blood is up, they are more likely to handle the transition to the bigger stage of the NFL with ease.
With that context in mind, let’s countdown the 10 best performances by top offensive draft prospects in rivalry games last season.
