With Week 11 of the 2021 college football season set to kick off, conference championship games begin in less than a month. And that means we're getting closer to the early stages of the 2022 NFL draft process. Prospects are adding a little bit more to their game tape sample size, while scouts and evaluators are scrambling to get last-second notes and live-scouting opportunities in their regions.
These last few weeks matter a great deal. Scouts won't have another in-person opportunity to gather intel about most prospects until February's Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl events, March's scouting combine in Indianapolis and the spring's pro days. With nearly five months until an NFL team is on the clock for the No. 1 overall selection, there's still plenty more to learn about this class.
This Saturday brings a few top-tier receivers facing off in Purdue versus Ohio State, a key game for a quarterback prospect with more to prove and important opportunities for linemen on both sides of the ball to make a statement.
Let's dive into five draft prospects whom I will have a close eye on during this weekend's slate of college games.
Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Week 11 opponent: at San Diego State (10:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports)
2021 stats: 3,197 passing yards, 25 TDs, 7 INTs