Week 9: Key NFL Draft Prospect Matchup
Dane Jackson, Cornerback, Pittsburgh (6’0″, 185 pounds) vs. K.J. Osborn, Wide receiver, Miami (6’0″, 205 pounds)
The ACC lacks a high-powered matchup for Week 9 of the College Football Season, so we are afforded the opportunity to review the match-up between a few late-round prospects.
Dane Jackson entered the season graded as one of the top cornerbacks in the ACC. Jackson is a solid football player that has good ball skills and plays with strong instincts. With that said, he has had a very pedestrian 2019 season. The one trait that Jackson brings to the table that separates him from the pack is his competitiveness, however. He brings a strong passion to the game and plays with tremendous effort every snap.
K.J. Osborn, a graduate transfer from Buffalo, isn’t the most explosive player on the field. He has good speed, body control, and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He fires out of routes and exhibits the ability to track the ball well.
6-yard TD by #IMGAcademy (FL), #Buffalo #Bulls alum & #Miami #Hurricanes WR K.J. Osborn (@KJ_Osborn) coming into your living room pic.twitter.com/KFt2R3UNbp
— Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAth1etes) September 21, 2019
It is an intriguing match-up indeed with one major caveat playing against Osborn: he is hampered by poor quarterback play. The Miami quarterbacks haven’t demonstrated the consistency to get the ball to their receivers. To the contrary, Miami’s best wide receiver Jeff Thomas is suspended for the game, which could open up more opportunities for Osborn. My bet is another poor performance by the Miami offense, leading Pittsburgh to a nice home win and Jackson putting up shutdown-like tape shadowing Osborn.
Projected Winner: Dane Jackson