Although the new season in the NFL has just begun, teams behind the scenes are already looking towards the 2024 draft. But which players are currently being traded the highest? Sport.de presents the current top talents in the first Prospect Watch.
Our first top 10 for the upcoming draft is once again dominated by the offense, where quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. are not just the best-known names. But one or two defenders also make it onto the list.
College Football Prospect Watch 2023-24
1. Caleb Williams – Quarterback, USC Trojans
The 2022 Heisman winner would have been drafted this year had he been allowed to declare. But as a sophomore, he hadn’t yet completed his three seasons and can therefore continue to delight college fans on the West Coast with his game.
Caleb Williams playfully escapes any pressure from the pocket and repeatedly provides highlights with powerful throws. This year he is picking up exactly where he last left off. His qualities in improvisation, creativity and decision-making are exceptional. Here he can compete with the best talents like Trevor Lawrence three years ago.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr. – Wide Receiver, Ohio State Buckeyes
Marvin Harrison Jr. is likely to go in the top 3 in the next draft and is definitely one of the best talents of his year. The hype surrounding him is entirely justified and cannot be attributed solely to the fact that he is the son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison.
At 1.93 meters tall and weighing 95 kilograms, Harrison Jr. meets the requirements of a future number one receiver. His hands are excellent. He catches practically every ball, even in tight pressure. But that rarely happens because he is also one of the most explosive wideouts in college football. In terms of his athleticism, he can currently be compared to former professionals like AJ Green.
3. Drake Maye – Quarterback, North Carolina Tar Heels
Drake Maye plays without fuss and is very reliable. Without any major highlights in his game, he initially throws safe passes at short and intermediate levels before suddenly bringing out his strong arm and dangerously attacking deep areas of the field. In this regard, he is the closest thing to a future NFL quarterback of all the talent in the 2024 draft.
Last year he completed over 66 percent of his passes. In 2023, although he already had to clear a big chunk out of the way with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, he has so far achieved over 72 percent. His rate of 43 touchdowns to eleven interceptions is impressive, even if he doesn’t seem as confident this year as he did last season.
With his athleticism and passing accuracy, you never get the feeling that the game might be too difficult for him. As the season progresses, Maye should continue to stabilize and play confidently as usual.
4. Joe Alt – Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
At 2.03 meters tall, Joe Alt doesn’t have to play conspicuously to be seen by scouts. At the venerable Notre Dame University, offensive linemen receive a lot of attention anyway, so early comparisons to his predecessor Mike McGlinchey are hardly surprising.
Alt is very light on his feet for a player of his size and he always plays with great control and confidence. There’s no sense that he might be lumbering or too big for the NFL tackle position. He puts his athleticism into every one of his lively movements, so it’s easy to imagine how well he’ll be able to block with the professionals in the future.
5. Brock Bowers – Tight End, Georgia Bulldogs
Two years ago, Kyle Pitts was drafted fourth overall, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone right now if Brock Bowers was selected even earlier. If he had been allowed to register last year, he probably would have already been in the top 10. Because his explosiveness is unparalleled among tight ends.
In 33 appearances, Bowers is now on the verge of breaking the barrier of 2,000 receiving yards in his college career in the game against the UAB Blazers in Week 4. He also has 25 touchdowns.
The Georgia Bulldogs have always created opportunities to integrate their best offensive player into their game, even sometimes incorporating him into the run game as a ball carrier on end arounds. Bowers accelerates very quickly and still plays with stable body control. His feeling for attacking the gaps in the defense is just as pronounced as his excellent and safe catching hands.
6. Kalen King – Cornerback, Penn State Nittany Lions
Kalen King plays quickly and with enormous explosiveness to mirror every movement of the opposing wide receiver. He also likes to distract his opponents with small skirmishes. This mix is perfect for the NFL.
Last year he benefited from the presence of Joey Porter Jr. Because quarterbacks preferred to throw in the direction of the unknown King instead of throwing the ball directly into Porter’s arms. This led to three interceptions and a whopping 18 passes defensed by King.
He now sets the tone for his defense and as a result he is now the player who is being avoided. Quarterbacks don’t throw in his direction. For scouts, it’s a good sign if a cornerback isn’t seen the entire game. Then he kept his opponents completely at bay. King is currently managing to do this from week to week.
Kalen King is currently considered the top cornerback for the 2024 NFL Draft
7. Jared Verse – Edge Rusher, Florida State Seminoles
Before last season, Jared Verse transferred from the minor FCS level from Albany to Florida State. Although he was only able to play at the highest college level for one year, he immediately made a lasting impression.
His pass rush skills are much better than expected. In 15 games so far he has recorded 18.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He would have been selected in the top 10 after his first strong season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). But according to his own statement, the Seminoles and he still have plans for this year. There is talk of “unfinished business”. Then he will go off the board in the first ten places in the 2024 draft.
8. Olu Fashanu – Offensive Tackle, Penn State Nittany Lions
At 1.98 meters and 145 kilograms, Olu Fashanu is an above-average athlete at the offensive tackle position. With his footwork he achieves an extremely high reach and he never loses control when contact with the opponent occurs.
He understands where the greatest pressure on the quarterback comes from and knows how to align his teammates accordingly. The tall college player, who will only be 21 years old at the 2024 NFL Draft, already has a lot of playing experience.
9. Kool-Aid McKinstry – Cornerback, Alabama Crimson Tide
For a cornerback who is so often used in physical press coverages, Kool-Aid McKinstry is surprisingly able to mirror the movements of his opponents. But overall, he is likely to be viewed most critically among the top 10 talents for the 2024 NFL Draft.
At 85 kilograms, he is not particularly strong and some matchups have already posed problems for him this year. Despite his technique and high mobility, he didn’t look good in the most important game so far against Texas receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell. It is primarily his previous season that currently brings him enough advance money.
10. JC Latham – Offensive Tackle, Alabama Crimson Tide
A highly decorated five-star recruit, JC Latham was recruited by the Alabama Crimson Tide. Last year, Latham was allowed to start and didn’t allow a single sack at right tackle.
There may be quicker tackles at his position. But with control and physicality he overcomes such weaknesses. A team that places strong run blockers over delicate pass protectors could even rank Latham higher than Fashanu or Alt.
But his mention also shows how different talents can be in the same position and still be among the best of their year. The offensive tackle position group in particular is remarkably well-staffed at the top this year.
Philip Forstner