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NFL scouts identify where Texas has talent advantage over Alabama
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
The prime matchup for the Week 2 college football slate will take place in Tuscaloosa as No. 3 Alabama hosts No. 11 Texas.
It’ll be intriguing to see how Saturday’s contest unfolds after Alabama edged Texas by 1 point in Austin last season. NFL scouts appear to be leaning towards Texas in the rematch.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on College GameDay that scouts are heavily in favor of Texas’ roster over Alabama.
Here’s our @CollegeGameDay hit on the talent match-up in Texas vs Bama tonight. Does Texas (gulp) have an advantage? The crowd may disagree with NFL scouts. ??? pic.twitter.com/py5WyjLXcj
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 9, 2023
Scouts are raving about quarterback Quinn Ewers and “marauding” defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat as high-level prospects for the Longhorns.
Meanwhile, scouts are skittish at some critical positions on Alabama’s roster.
“Talking to NFL scouts this week, Rece, Texas is already in the same talent class as the top teams in the SEC,” Thamel said. “The fans won’t like to hear this but tonight Texas will advantages in talent at quarterback, wide receiver and scouts even say on the defensive line.”
Thamel says that scouts are forecasting double-digit Texas players to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“This is a crucial barometer for Texas as it enters the SEC in 2024. The best place to look at how far they’ve come is the draft. Scouts project Texas should have 10 players drafted this year,” Thamel said. “Double-digit draft picks are a sign of a Playoff caliber roster.”
Scouts aren’t optimistic that the Jalen Milroe led offense will be as potent as previous Alabama versions that featured NFL picks Bryce Young, Mac Jones, and Tua Tagovailoa.
“For Alabama, scouts worry about the drop off at quarterback with Jalen Milroe and the talent dip at wide receiver,” Thamel said. “One scout told me Rece: ‘I don’t think Alabama’s going to be able to score like they have in the past.'”
Texas at Alabama is set for 7 p.m. EST and will be televised on ESPN.
