Oh, hey. A post that isn’t about Ben Johnson’s hiring as the Chicago Bears’ next head coach.
We’ll get to more Johnson stuff in due time. But first, how about a quick look at some top NFL Draft-eligible prospects and possible Bears targets who are playing in tonight’s game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes?
HOW TO WATCH
Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1)
TV: ESPN (Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Molly McGrath, Holly Rowe), ESPN Deportes (Eduardo Varela, Pablo Viruega, Katia Castorena, Ciro Procuna)
Kickoff Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Site: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Atlanta, GA
Odds: Ohio State -8.5, O/U 45.5 (via DraftKings)
Potential Chicago Bears Draft Fits at the National Championship Game
Using prospect rankings from CBS Sports, I have listed all the prospects who check in among the top 150 whose teams are playing in tonight’s game.
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Here are some Ohio State prospects who play positions the Bears should prioritize filling this offseason:
- Josh Simmons, Ohio State offensive tackle (19th overall, OT-3)
- Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State wide receiver (24th overall, WR-3)
- Jack Sawyer, Ohio State Edge defender (26th overall, EDGE-7)
- Donovan Jackson, Ohio State interior offensive lineman (27th overall, IOL-2)
- Tyleik Williams, Ohio State defensive lineman (33rd overall, DL-5)
- Denzel Burke, Ohio State cornerback (37th overall, CB-4)
- JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State edge defender (43rd overall, EDGE-9)
- Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State running back (45th overall, RB-2)
- TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State running back (76th overall, RB-5)
- Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State cornerback (78th overall, CB-7)
- Lathan Ransom, Ohio State safety (99th overall, S-6)
I have lost count of how many years in a row the Ohio State football team has been this loaded with top-tier NFL Draft prospects. Frankly, it makes me wonder how this team lost a home game to a Michigan Wolverines team that it was favored to beat by double-digits. The Buckeyes can erase those painful memories with a win tonight against the Fighting Irish. Given this wealth of talent at the disposal of Head Coach Ryan Day, I can understand why OSU is a 6-point favorite going into tonight’s game.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Here are some Notre Dame prospects who play positions the Bears should prioritize filling this offseason:
- Benjamin Morrison, cornerback (17th overall, CB-2)
- Howard Cross, defensive lineman (80th overall, DL-15)
- Xavier Watts, safety (111th overall, S-7)
- Jack Kiser, linebacker (130th overall, LB-8)
It is water under the bridge at this point, but Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman addressed the reported interest from the Chicago Bears before it was reported that the team was finalizing a deal with Ben Johnson. Here is what Freeman had to say while speaking at media day ahead of college football’s national championship game in Atlanta, acknowledging the Bears’ reported interest (h/t Sun-Times):
“The reality is, with team success comes individual recognition. To hear that the Bears have interest, it’s humbling. It’s the NFL. It’s also a reminder that with team success comes individual success. I have put zero thought into coaching in the NFL. All my attention has just been getting this team prepared.”
For what it’s worth, I had made a 180-degree turn when it came to Marcus Freeman as a candidate to be the Chicago Bears’ next head coach. You can call it flip-flopping if you so choose. However, the way I see it, my opinion of Freeman’s coaching ability and upside has changed because of new information that has been presented by way of how the Fighting Irish have played this postseason.
Let’s give credit where it’s due: Freeman has done things at Notre Dame that his predecessors (including Brian Kelly) failed at doing — with the most notable being that he built a strong, resilient team that does not fold at the first sign of adversity. As a neutral observer and casual college football fan, that is impressive.