Ole Miss at Florida Preview: Three Key Matchups to Watch

Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) pushes away Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Rebels defeated the Tide 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell vs. Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves

In terms of a one-on-one matchup, Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell versus Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III may be the best in the country this season – though we can only hope they do match up often Saturday.

Both Treadwell and Hargreaves are projected as first round picks in the 2016 NFL Draft. According to NFLDraftScout.com, Hargreaves is currently the No. 7 overall prospect and is the second best cornerback in the country behind Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey. Treadwell comes in first among all wide receivers and No. 14 overall.

After catching eight passes for 135 yards last week against Vanderbilt, the 6-foot-2, 229-pound junior has 332 yards and one touchdown on 22 receptions this season. Treadwell obviously has a physical advantage against the 5-foot-11, 198-pound Hargreaves, but the All-American corner has terrific leaping ability and ball skills to make up for his lack of size and strength. So far this season, Hargreaves has two interceptions (returned for a total of 96 yards), ten total tackles and one additional pass breakup in three games.

Unfortunately, Hargreaves has been dealing with leg and back injuries this season. He missed Florida’s Week 2 matchup against East Carolina, and walked off the field with the team’s medical staff last week against Tennessee, though he did return to the game. Of course, Treadwell has had his own injury issues, most notably a broken leg that cost him the final four games of the 2014 season. However, through four games this season, Treadwell hasn’t appeared to be limited.

If both players stay healthy, and if their respective coaches deem it appropriate to match them up one-on-one, Treadwell vs. Hargreaves will be a treat.

Next: Florida Freshman Connection vs. the Landshark Defense