Just a handful of years ago, the UAB Blazers college football program ceased operations. Now coming off a 9-3 regular season, the Blazers will travel to Boca Raton to take on the FAU Owls in the 2019 Conference USA Football Championship, reaching the title game for a second consecutive year. FAU, meanwhile, enters the game coming off a 9-3 season of their own as rumors swirl about where FAU head coach Lane Kiffin will be coaching next season.
What scouts will be watching
There’s little in the way of next-level talent, as just two players have draftable grades.
FAU tight end Harrison Bryant is hands down the best of the pair. Featured as my Prospect of the Week back on September 6, Bryant is solid in all facets of the game. He’s a terrific pass catcher who does a solid job with blocking assignments. Bryant has already accepted an invitation to participate in the Senior Bowl.
Defensive tackle Garrett Marino turned in three productive seasons for UAB and showed improvement each year. Entering the year graded as a street free agent, scouts have been impressed with his playmaking skill in 2019. He’s a solid three-technique tackle for the next level.
Prediction
On paper, FAU should win. However, you should never count out UAB. Additionally, it’s fair to wonder if the rumors of Lane Kiffin moving elsewhere in 2020 will be a distraction for FAU. Still, I like the UAB Blazers to win the championship by a touchdown.
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C-USA Title Game Prospects |
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| Grade | Rnd | Full Name | Pos | # | School | Yr |
| 3.43 | 5th | Harrison Bryant | TE | 40 | Florida Atlantic | 4Sr |
| 3.27 | 7th | Garrett Marino | DT | 1 | UAB | 5Sr |
| 3.00 | FA | Brandon Walton | T | 73 | Florida Atlantic | 4Sr |
| 2.99 | FA | Spencer Brown | RB | 28 | UAB | 3Jr |
| 2.98 | FA | Tyler Johnston III | QB | 17 | UAB | 3So |
| 2.83 | FA | Tim Bonner | DE | 45 | Florida Atlantic | 5Sr |
| 2.72 | FA | Rashad Smith | OLB | 7 | Florida Atlantic | 4Sr |
| 2.68 | FA | Noah Jefferson | DT | 91 | Florida Atlantic | 5Sr |
Tony Pauline is Pro Football Network’s NFL Draft Analyst and Insider. Follow him on Twitter @TonyPauline. Follow PFN on Twitter @PFN365. Also, be sure to join us on Saturday for the PFN College Football Game Day Blog, as Tony and the rest of PFN’s NFL Draft team give the latest analysis and inside scoops on the day’s games.