(Drake Maye / QB / North Carolina)
The 2023 college football season is in full swing with every FBS school having played at least one game. Although far too early to draw any conclusions, the 2024 NFL Draft looks to have some promising prospects at a number of positions.
2024 QB class has the potential to be special
Next April’s draft appears to have a number of potential franchise signal callers that several NFL teams will attempt to angle for (Looking at you, Arizona!). Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Michael Penix (Washington), Jordan Travis (Florida State), Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina), Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland), Jayden Daniels (LSU), and KJ Jefferson (Arkansas), all profile as potential starting caliber QBs in the NFL. Williams, in particular, is a special, potential generational talent with a well-developed skill set and a style of play reminiscent of Patrick Mahomes. Every QB listed is a dual threat prospect offering passing skill combined with mobility and athleticism that fits the modern-day NFL QB. We are at the very beginning of a long, grueling season where injuries will certainly take a toll and some of these prospects will not pan out, but this is a very exciting group of prospects that will be closely observed this season.
Colorado has some fantastic athletes
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was hired last winter and immediately purged the roster – only one starter, safety Trevor Woods, returned – and significantly upgraded the talent on the Colorado’s two deep depth chart. Freshman RB Dylan Edwards, the #1 RB in his class, displayed amazing burst, speed, and agility while generating 157 yards and 4 TDs on offense in Colorado’s upset of TCU. Shedeur Sanders, son of Coach Prime, transferred from Jackson State and immediately demonstrated that he is an NFL prospect after going for a school record 510 yards passing and 4 TDs. WRs Jimmy Horn and Xavier Weaver were too fast and elusive for the Horned Frogs to cover, going for a combined 21 receptions for 235 yards and 1 TD. But the most impressive athlete for Colorado was WR / CB Travis Hunter, the top prospect in the 2021 high school class, who put on an incredible performance on the field in Fort Worth. Hunter played both ways and was on the field for 129 snaps (in 100-degree heat!) going for 14 receptions for 111 yards and 1 INT while displaying true lockdown CB attributes with great ball skills, fluidity, speed, and attitude. Hunter is an elite prospect at both WR and CB and it will be fascinating to observe his maturation over the course of this season. Colorado will be a fun team to watch this year.
The 2024 NFL Draft WR class looks to have a great group of prospects
Last April’s draft was a down year for elite WR prospects but that looks to be a one-year aberration as next year’s draft looks to offer a couple of intriguing, blue chip prospects. Marvin Harrison, Jr. (Ohio State), son of the Hall of Fame Indianapolis WR, offers a near perfect combination of size, speed, agility, athleticism, hands, and toughness to be a generational talent worthy of the top pick next April. But Harrison isn’t the only top WR prospect that could command a top 15 pick next year. Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk (Washington), Xavier Worthy (Texas), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), Dorian Singer (USC), Malik Nabers (LSU), Johnny Wilson, and Keon Coleman (Florida State) are all extremely talented WRs who could garner first round consideration next year.
Very good depth in this year’s interior defensive line class
Last year’s IDL class (DTs) lacked both top end talent and great depth, a problem that the 2024 class could potentially resolve. There are several blue-chip prospects that provide a good combination of pass rushing upside and solid run defense. Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro (Clemson), Nazir Stackhouse (Georgia), Mekhi Wingo (LSU), Kris Jenkins (Michigan), Fabian Lovett (Florida State), Jaheim Oatis (Alabama), and Jay Toia (UCLA) all could be 2024 first round picks. Much like the QB class, injuries and performances this fall will impact the depth of the IDL class. But there is no doubt that there should be some top shelf athletes at DT available next spring.
An entirely way too early look at the top 10 prospects potentially available next April
1. Caleb Williams / QB / USC
2. Marvin Harrison / WR / Ohio State
3. Olumuyiwa Fashanu / OT / Penn State
4. Drake Maye / QB / North Carolina
5. Brock Bowers / TE / Georgia
6. Joe Alt / OT / Notre Dame
7. Mekhi Wingo / IDL / LSU
8. Jared Verse / Edge / Florida State
9. Kool-Aid McKinstry / CB / Alabama
10. Michael Penix / QB / Washington
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(Travis Hunter / WR-CB / Colorado)
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