1897 was the last year there was a 15-0 team in college football. 122 years later, Clemson managed to do it in 2019. The Tigers met Alabama in the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship.
The Tigers drew first blood early with a pick-six thrown by Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but the Tide tried to make up for it with a score of their own on the next drive. By the end of the first quarter, things were tied, but Clemson started getting distance with two touchdowns and a field goal in the second half and then Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence dismantling the Crimson Tide in a dominating loss Nick Saban hadn’t experienced since his days coaching the Miami Dolphins in the NFL. The Tigers beat the Tide, 44-16.
Most of the fans of the San Francisco 49ers fans want to know the performances of two prospects. Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell and Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Note: Numbers are taken from the box score at CBS Sports
Quinnen Williams
If 49ers fans are wanting the Arizona Cardinals to make a choice that isn’t Nick Bosa, Williams didn’t help that decision. The defensive tackle who has dominated all year was absent for most of the game. Things were looking promising with an early tackle for a loss, but he didn’t do much after said tackle. If you’re thinking this is an over-exaggeration, it isn’t. Williams fell far below expectations. It wasn’t even an off-game, it looked like a game he took off. Williams finished the night with three tackles, one of which was a nice blow-up (and what I hoped to see all night) and one assist.
Clelin Ferrell
By far the better of the two tonight, Ferrell finished the evening with one tackle and two assists, but he found himself in Alabama’s backfield a few times despite not racking up numbers. This bullrush against Alabama left tackle Jonah Williams is a thing of beauty and sums up what his plays were like—they won’t show up on a stat sheet, but his presence was known. I might be alone on this, but while I felt Ferrell had a solid night, it wasn’t a dominating, on an island for four quarters night (so still pretty good). I do feel his draft stock has gone up, but he hasn’t jumped into the No. 1 or No. 2 pick conversation. He had zero sacks for the night.
Oh, and he also referenced Suge Knight which was pretty awesome.
What were your thoughts on these two?