Alabama vs Clemson: 5 key matchups in National Championship Game
By John Buhler
3. Clemson WR Mike Williams vs. Alabama CB Marlon Humphrey
If there is any one-on-one battle that will greatly effective a player’s draft stock, the one to watch has to be the matchup between Clemson redshirt junior wide receiver Mike Williams and Alabama redshirt sophomore cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
Williams has been tabbed as the best pro prospect in a very deep wide receiver class. His NFL prototypes are that of Atlanta Falcons’ Julio Jones, Cincinnati Bengals’ A.J. Green, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Mike Evans. Humphrey is the star player of the Nick Saban/Jeremy Pruitt secondary. He could go pro this year if he really wants to. Humphrey probably will.
Going into this game, many feel that Williams has the advantage being three inches taller than Humphrey. Williams can play outside the numbers and go vertical, as well as possession receive on slants and other crossing patterns up between the hash marks.
Odds are that Humphrey will be assigned to track Williams the entire game. It doesn’t seem likely that Alabama will play Humphrey on an island to neutralize on side of the field for the Clemson offense. Williams is too adept at making players all over the gridiron for that to be effective.
Should Williams win his battle with Humphrey, he’ll be the first wide receiver taken in the 2017 NFL Draft, maybe as high as the top-10. If it is Humphrey who shuts down Williams, he could go as high as No. 4 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, probably to the Tennessee Titans at No. 5.