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An Offensive Explosion Expected In The Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl features two of the best offensive teams in college football. The matchup between Washington and Texas is expected to be a high-scoring affair in New Orleans on January 1st. Both teams feature a lot of future NFL Draft prospects. This analysis will focus on the top impact players eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Washington Husky offense is loaded with the nation's top-graded WR group. Led by Rome Odunze, the Huskies have two additional NFL-caliber WRs in Jalen McMillan and Ja'Lynn Polk. The Texas Longhorns' defense will have to contend not only with the elite WRs, but the Huskies also have a potential first-round caliber QB in Michael Penix Jr. Penix is an accurate pocket passer. His rapport with Rome Odunze is special, and if the Huskies are going to win this game, they will need this combo to play at an elite level as they have throughout the 2023 college football season.
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 212 lbs
Overall Rk: 16
Play Style/Scheme: Dynamic receiver, known for deep-threat capabilities and reliable hands. Excels in vertical passing offense and could fit in a West Coast offense.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
On the other side of the equation, the Texas offense is led by an elite trio of pass catchers led by WRs Xavier Worthy and Addonai Mitchell and an elite TE in Ja'Tavion Sanders. They also have a very good QB in Quinn Ewers. Ewers could still opt to enter the NFL Draft, we are banking on his return to Texas in 2024, but if he has massive success in the College Football Playoffs, he could elevate himself into the backend of the 2024 NFL Draft conversation.
TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 249 lbs
Overall Rk: 22
Play Style/Scheme: Versatile, athletic tight end, similar to Travis Kelce and George Kittle. Fits well in schemes valuing athletic, pass-catching tight ends.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
The Texas Longhorn Defensive Line Could Be The Difference
The offenses for both teams feature a lot of talent, but it could be the Texas defense led by two elite-level interior linemen who win the day for the Longhorns.
IDL T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 362 lbs
Overall Rk: 21
Play Style/Scheme: Strong run-stopper, ideal for schemes prioritizing run defense. Potential rotational role in the NFL with development in pass-rushing techniques.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
IDL Byron Murphy II, Texas
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 308 lbs
Overall Rk: 68
Play Style/Scheme: Powerful and aggressive in run defense. Suited for traditional 4-3 defensive schemes focusing on run stopping and pocket pressure.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
I mentioned in the Sugar Bowl YouTube preview that both T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy will have to have a massive game versus the interior of the Washington offensive line if Texas is going to have any shot at stopping the Washington offense. Both players can stop the run and pass rush, and it will be critical for these two to create enough havoc to move Penix off his spot consistently in the passing game. If they can, they could be the key to victory for the Longhorns.
The Huskies Feature An Elite Pass Rusher Of Their Own
ED Bralen Trice, Washington
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 274 lbs
Overall Rk: 27
Play Style/Scheme: Physically imposing edge rusher, excels in explosiveness and run stopping. Best suited for a 4-3 defensive scheme.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential
Just like Texas, Washington will be dependent on the performance of their defensive line if they are going to get enough stops to pull away. Led by edge rusher Bralen Trice, a potential top 20 NFL Draft prospect, the Huskies will need to affect Quinn Ewers with their pass rush if they are going to have any shot at winning.
ED Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 260 lbs
Overall Rk: 97
Play Style/Scheme: Dynamic edge rusher with speed and power. Best in a 4-3 defensive scheme as a traditional defensive end.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential
On the opposite side of Trice is another really good edge defender in Zion Tupuola-Fetui. You can only realistically double-team one edge player, so if Trice is unable to get loose, the game could hinge on his counterpart on the opposite end of the defensive line.
Current List of 2024 NFL Draft Eligible Player Grades
Below is a complete list of players for whom we currently have NFL Draft grades ahead of the Sugar Bowl between the Washington Huskies and the Texas Longhorns.
Washington Top Draft Eligible Prospects
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 212 lbs
Overall Rk: 16
Play Style/Scheme: Dynamic receiver, known for deep-threat capabilities and reliable hands. Excels in vertical passing offense and could fit in a West Coast offense.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
ED Bralen Trice, Washington
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 274 lbs
Overall Rk: 27
Play Style/Scheme: Physically imposing edge rusher, excels in explosiveness and run stopping. Best suited for a 4-3 defensive scheme.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential
QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 214 lbs
Overall Rk: 35
Play Style/Scheme: Mobile left-handed quarterback with improvisational flair. Suited for West Coast offense with RPOs and play-action.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential
WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 192 lbs
Overall Rk: 41
Play Style/Scheme: Dynamic in vertical and intermediate routes, excels in downfield passing. Fits in offenses utilizing play-action and spread concepts.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential
OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 317 lbs
Overall Rk: 45
Play Style/Scheme: Balanced offensive tackle with good technique and power. Versatile for various schemes, including zone-blocking and power-run.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential
ED Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 260 lbs
Overall Rk: 97
Play Style/Scheme: Dynamic edge rusher with speed and power. Best in a 4-3 defensive scheme as a traditional defensive end.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential
WR Ja'Lynn Polk, Washington
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 204 lbs
Overall Rk: 102
Play Style/Scheme: Proficient route runner with ability to make contested catches. Suited for vertical passing schemes.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential
Texas Top Draft Eligible Prospects
IDL T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 362 lbs
Overall Rk: 21
Play Style/Scheme: Strong run-stopper, ideal for schemes prioritizing run defense. Potential rotational role in the NFL with development in pass-rushing techniques.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 249 lbs
Overall Rk: 22
Play Style/Scheme: Versatile, athletic tight end, similar to Travis Kelce and George Kittle. Fits well in schemes valuing athletic, pass-catching tight ends.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 170 lbs
Overall Rk: 26
Play Style/Scheme: Excels in a vertical-oriented offense with his speed and route-running ability.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 190 lbs
Overall Rk: 28
Play Style/Scheme: Athletic wide receiver proficient in deep routes. Fits well in schemes utilizing vertical threats.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 207 lbs
Overall Rk: 59
Play Style/Scheme: North-to-south runner, best suited for an inside zone scheme. Showcases agility and footwork in open spaces.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential
IDL Byron Murphy II, Texas
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 308 lbs
Overall Rk: 68
Play Style/Scheme: Powerful and aggressive in run defense. Suited for traditional 4-3 defensive schemes focusing on run stopping and pocket pressure.
Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential
S Jahdae Barron, Texas
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 192 lbs
Overall Rk: 96
Play Style/Scheme: Excels in zone coverage, effective in run support. Versatile safety option.
Draft Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential