Vikings Draft 2020: Four college games to watch in Week 1

#3 Georgia at Vanderbilt

• When: Saturday, August 31st 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, TN
• TV: SEC Network

I generally hate the idea of a conference game to start the season. This isn’t necessarily an outlier, either.

Georgia travels to Vanderbilt for an SEC clash to open up their 2019 campaign as the Bulldogs aspire to hoist the National Championship Trophy this year. The positive of this matchup is the widespread NFL talent that will be on display.

Georgia

Georgia is ranked third in the nation for a reason. They have an abundance of talent throughout the roster.

Jake Fromm is a game-manager at quarterback who will likely be drafted relatively early in 2020. He isn’t the best quarterback by any means, but NFL teams will be interested in what he brings to the table.

Bulldogs running back D’Andre Swift is one of the best pure playmakers in the country right now. He is explosive with the ball, he can catch out of the backfield, and he breaks opposing defenders’ ankles left and right.

Georgia also has a deep group of pass-catchers. Demetris Robertson, a former five-star recruit at wide receiver, is set for his first full season with the school. He transferred from California in 2018, but he only played in four games last season.

Bulldogs tight end Charlie Woerner is one of the top-rated at the position this season and left tackle Andrew Thomas is arguably the best lineman in the nation. The Georgia offense will probably be dominant this season.

The Bulldogs’ defense can hold its own too as they have veteran leadership and young studs at all three levels.

Georgia senior defensive lineman Tyler Clark can play a powerful edge or a speedy interior rusher. He disrupts the backfield consistently and he will be a difference-maker for the school’s defense this season.

Bulldogs linebackers Tae Crowder and Monty Rice are both incredible athletes that fly around the field and make plays everywhere. Redshirt senior safety J.R. Reed surprisingly returned to school for the 2019 season and he will look to make a big impact for the school this year.

He has a chance to improve his draft stock drastically before next spring. His partner in the defensive backfield, safety Richard LeCounte III, is a tackling machine and turnover magnet.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt is no Georgia, but they have some studs of their own. Ke’Shawn Vaughn is the best senior running back in the country. He ran for 1,244 yards, averaged 7.9 yards per carry, and scored 14 total touchdowns in 12 games last season. Vaughn should probably be a Day 2 draft pick in 2020.

Wide receivers Kalija Lipscomb and Chris Pierce bring the Commodores’ passing game to life while tight end Jared Pinkney is a dominant run blocker and red zone receiving target. He can impact the game in any facet, making him a valuable piece.

Vanderbilt graduate transfer quarterback Riley Neal is one of my early sleepers for the 2020 NFL Draft after opting to forgo the event last season. The former Ball State quarterback is built for the pros with a large frame and a strong arm. Showing out against the SEC might be his ticket to the NFL.