The 2020 college football season has been marred by COVID-19, with a large amount of players opting out and important games being postponed or outright cancelled. NFL teams’ scouting departments haven’t been unaffected either, as various regulations prevent them from attending games entirely, or limit the number of games they can attend. For example, the SEC implemented a lottery system for scouts. So the conference then decides which team’s scouts can attend their games. Nonetheless, Buffalo Bills scouts have been making their treks across the country to see games. So, what players or positions might the team be scouting? Find out below.
As always, a ‘thank you’ should go out to those few media members who report and tweet about such things, as without them we wouldn’t normally have access to this type of information.
Georgia Tech-Florida State
September 12
Top Prospects
- Georgia Tech (CB Tre Swilling, CB Myles Sims, LB David Curry, P Pressley Harvin III)
- Florida State (WR Tamorrion Terry, DT Marvin Wilson, EDGE Janarius Robinson, CB Asante Samuel Jr.)
Grif’s take: I’d like to think it was Harvin that drew the eye of scouts, as the junior has a huge leg and already earned All-ACC honors as a sophomore, but it was probably the cornerbacks who garnered the attention. You never hear Swilling’s name because he’s been injured, but he’s a solid player. Meanwhile, Samuel is a small but sticky corner who already has three interceptions this season.
Ole Miss-Auburn
October 24
Top Prospects
- Ole Miss (WR Elijah Moore, LB Sam Williams, LB Lakia Henry, OG Ben Brown, TE Kenny Yeboah)
- Auburn (WR Seth Williams, WR Anthony Schwartz, EDGE Big Kat Bryant, S Smoke Monday, LB K.J. Britt)
Grif’s take: No doubt that it was the offensive talent on display in this game that attracted Buffalo’s scouts. While it’s doubtful that Williams, Schwartz or Moore will go in the first round, they will be among the players hanging around during the second or third days, thanks to just how deep this upcoming wide receiver class will be come April. Yeboah has also been one of the biggest risers of the season, thanks to Lane Kiffin’s influence and play calling.
Alabama-Tennessee
October 24
Top Prospects
- Alabama (WR DeVonta Smith, OT Alex Leatherwood, QB Mac Jones, CB Patrick Surtain II, LB Dylan Moses, DT Christian Barmore)
- Tennessee (OG Trey Smith, WR Josh Palmer, DB Shawn Shamburger, S Bryce Thompson)
Grif’s take: My suspicion is that it was the offensive line and defensive back players who were worth watching in this contest. Smith may be a rare guard who’s worth a first-round pick, while Leatherwood is likely to join him. Shamburger and Thompson aren’t the most physically imposing players at 5’11”, but they’re heady, versatile defensive backs who can cover deep or play the slot—or even blitz when asked.
Purdue-Minnesota
November 20
Top Prospects
- Purdue (WR Rondale Moore, LB Derrick Barnes, DT Lorenzo Neal)
- Minnesota (WR Rashod Bateman, RB Mohamed Ibrahim, WR Chris Autman-Bell, OT Daniel Faalele, QB Tanner Morgan)
Grif’s take: Seeing Faalele in person should have been more than worth the price of admission to this game, however the 6’9”, 400-lb mountain of a man has been out indefinitely for the Gophers. Moore then, was probably the biggest draw as the speedy wideout finally returned to the field this game and blew up for 116 receiving yards, as well as 20 rushing yards. He has Percy Harvin-like talent.