Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Thinking about the NFL Draft? Here are 29 prospects to watch on conference championship weekend.
Draft season is always around the corner.
While the focus this college football weekend will be on the results in the games, and how they impact the College Football Playoff, you can bet that NFL teams are going to have a critical eye on these contests. These games are a chance to evaluate prospects as they take on perhaps their best competition of the year, and we might get some huge one-on-matchups as a results.
So, as we turn our attention to the conference championship games, here are the 29 players to watch for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pac-12 Championship Game
Washington vs. Oregon
Friday, December 1 — 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
In their last meeting, a game Washington won, Odunze had eight catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Now, with playoff hopes on the line, Odunze and the Husky receiver group has got to play at another level once again. The thing that stands out about Odunze is his ability to make catches outside his frame and body control. combine that with a 6’3 frame and 4.4 speed and you get a surefire first round wide receiver who can win on the outside.
Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
A rather underrated name amongst this years’ EDGE class, Bralen Trice can put his name firmly amongst the top group of pass rushers with a standout performance against Oregon. The Ducks don’t allow a lot of pressure or sacks, but for Trice it’ll have to be his best game of the season. Trice is a high effort pass rusher who can also win around the corner, and for the Huskies to rattle Ducks QB Bo Nix, he’ll have to be at his best.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Michael Penix Jr. is a Heisman frontrunner, has led one of the nation’s best teams to some huge wins, can make any throw asked of him, and could put the Huskies into the College Football Playoff this weekend.
So, what’s not to like?
NFL teams might be wary of his college offense, and might be scared off by his injury history and relative age. We saw similar concerns push Hendon Hooker down the board a bit last year. Could the same thing happen this season?
Troy Fautanu, IOL, Washington
Fautanu currently plays left tackle for the Huskies, but has the athletic traits and skill to move inside to guard. He has strong hands and play strength despite having longer arms, and when he drives and finishes blocks, pancakes often follow. Oregon has a physical defensive line who wants to win in those areas, and for Washington to win this game, Fautanu is going to have to play at his best.
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Here we are again with Bo Nix. Nix has undoubtably been one of the best college QBs in football this year, but NFL scouts will want to see more in the biggest game of the season. What Nix does well is be a good point guard for the offense. He has enough mobility to be a threat with his legs and challenge teams in the short to intermediate areas of the field. While he doesn’t throw the deep ball often (Sports Info Solutions has Nix at 75th among all college QBs in attempts where the ball travels over 20 yards in the air), Nix is going to have to test the Huskies vertically in order to beat Washington for the first time in his career.
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
One player who has seen his draft stock rise consistently this season is Oregon WR Troy Franklin. According to data from NFL Mock Draft Database, Franklin began the year as a fringe-Day Two prospect, but has steadily climbed into the early Day Two/Late First Round discussion.
In fact, recent mocks have placed Franklin well inside the first round, and with a big game against Washington, Franklin might solidify that status.
Along the way, Franklin has rewritten the record books at Oregon. He has become the school’s record holder for receiving yards and touchdowns already this season, and with one more catch Friday night he will become the school’s single-season receptions leader as well. He has the ability to play both outside and in the slot, and projects well into a variety of offensive system.
Brandon Dorlus, DL, Oregon
Teams looking to add up front on the defensive side of the football will likely have their eyes on Brandon Dorlus in this game. The versatile defender has aligned everywhere along Oregon’s front, from being on the edge to kicking well inside over the center. He has posted five sacks this year, as well as 45 total pressures according to charting data from Pro Football Focus. Beyond that, we might get some fascinating one-on-one matchups between him and Troy Fautanu on Friday, that we can file away for the spring.
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
Much like Odunze, Polk also had over 100 yards and a touchdown in the win over Oregon in the regular season. Polk is on the fringe of the top five wide receivers, a redshirt sophomore who can really stretch the field vertically. His hands aren’t as consistent as Odunze, but for NFL teams looking for designated deep threats on the outside, Polk can be a quality NFL starter in that category. Against a talented, but flawed Oregon secondary, he can once again put on a show for NFL scouts
Big-12 Championship Game
Texas vs. Oklahoma State
Saturday, December 2 — 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
We do not know exactly what the future holds for Quinn Ewers, and whether he enters the 2024 NFL Draft or stays in school. But at some point he is going to be on the board, and Saturday offers another chance to see the QB in action. Ewers shined in Texas’ early-season win over Alabama, hitting on 24 of 38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns, but a two-interception performance against Oklahoma in Red River knocked him down a few spots.
The Cowboys are ranked 100th in the nation in Defensive Passing Efficiency, so Ewers has a chance to put up some big numbers this weekend.
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Senior Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat is a big, big BIG dude. Listed at 6’4 and 362 pounds, Sweat is a ready made run defender who instantly lifts the floor of a run defense with his power and size. Although he’s shown growth and flashes potential as a pass rusher, that part of his game is still limited. With another test in a feisty Oklahoma State team on the way, Sweat has a good chance of proving to scouts that he can rush the passer, while providing great run defense.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
When it comes to the tight end position for the 2024 NFL Draft there is Blake Bowers, and there is everybody else. But in that latter category, Ja’Tavion Sanders is at the top of the list. The Texas TE is fourth on the team in receptions, having caught 31 passes for 502 yards and a touchdown. Sanders was a five-star recruit coming out of Billy Ryan High School in Texas, where he played both WR and DE.
He is just in his third year at tight end, but his background as a receiver — as well as his athleticism — has him on a similar path like Isaiah Likely. Likely was recruited out of Everett High School in Massachusetts as a WR, but made the switch to TE in college, and made it stick in the NFL. Sanders can do something similar.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Texas has a pair of wide receivers to watch in this game. First up is Asonai Mitchell, who has caught 45 passes this year for 704 yards and a team-high 9 touchdowns. His production this season has put him into the first-round discussion, and with good reason. Mitchell has near-prototypical size to play in the X receiver role at the next level, and the athleticism to create some explosive plays in the downfield passing game.
Traits that NFL teams love to see.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Lining up across from Mitchell? Xavier Worthy. While Mitchell is the more prototypical boundary receiver, Worthy is likely a slot/flanker option at the next level. That might mean he gets pushed down the board a bit, but in today’s NFL the ability to win out of the slot is still a critical component to modern offenses. And he has the numbers to backup that ability, as he enters the Big-12 Championship Game having caught a team-high 67 passes for the Longhorns.
SEC Championship Game
Alabama vs. Georgia
Saturday, December 2 — 4:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
There is an argument to be made that Blake Bowers is the best player in all of college football. Despite undergoing TightRope surgery earlier this season to repair a high ankle sprain, Bowers was back in the lineup just 26 days later, catching a touchdown as Georgia routed Mississippi.
While he was held out of Georgia’s season finale, he should be back in the lineup against Alabama in a critical game for both teams.
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Bowl season often provides some great one-on-one matchups.
The SEC Championship Game will provide one of the best there is to offer, as offensive tackle Amarius Mims will likely see a good deal of Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner. Mims has limited starts to his name, as he made his first career start last year against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, and missed time with a TightRope surgery of his own this year. But his game last week against Georgia Tech was perhaps his best yet, and a solid effort against Turner on Saturday could lock down an early first-round selection for him, provided he enters the draft.
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Lassiter’s name has started to heat up during the season, due to his physical play and athletic traits on the outside, Unlike some other Georgia DBs before him, Lassiter displays a bit better traits when the ball is in the air, with 15 pass deflections and an interception. He’s started to come up in first round conversations, and against an Alabama team that will test the Bulldogs vertically, Lassiter has the chance to solidify his draft stock.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
With all the attention going to teammate Terrion Arnold, it’s easy to forget that Kool-Aid McKinstry might also be a first round pick in the same room. The junior corner is a phenomenal athlete who has the change of direction and ball skills to be a top flight corner in the NFL. Georgia’s offense is one of the best in the country, and can throw the ball as well as any team out there. McKinstry will see a bunch of different body types and playing styles on the outside, and it’ll be great evaluation for NFL scouts.
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Currently, Dallas Turner is among the top edge rusher on my board and a consensus top pick. With 43 pressures and nine sacks this season, Turner has the chance to put up more high quality tape against a Georgia offensive line that is considered among the best in the country. Where some of Turner’s drawbacks are his slender frame, Turner plays with more power and leverage than you would expect for a guy his size, and going up against another first round caliber offensive tackle in Amarius Mims will help solidify his status going into bowl season.
J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Latham is another first round trenches player in a game full of them. Latham has primarily played right tackle, where he’ll more than likely stay in the NFL, but what teams can look forward to is his power and strength in the run game. Latham is a wide body at tackle, but also has the requisite quickness to be a force in the run game and play action-heavy offenses. For Alabama to win this game, they have to win up front and Latham will be a huge part of that.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
McConkey finds himself among the next tier of receivers in this upcoming draft who might not be instant-impact stars, but will serve a really good role on a contending team. McConkey is a legit athlete, with the short-area quickness and speed to create separation and is more than willing to do the dirty work despite his frame. Going against two first-round caliber corners in Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry will provide scouts with some much needed tape against high-caliber NFL talent.
AAC Championship Game
Tulane vs. SMU
Saturday, December 2 — 4:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
We know that quarterbacks get pushed up draft boards all the time, and Michael Pratt could be the latest example. While he has missed time this year due to injury, when he leaves campus he will depart as one of the best QBs in both school, and conference, history.
He has already accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and his experience might make him an intriguing Day Two option for NFL teams next spring.
Sincere Haynesworth, IOL, Tulane
Sincere Haynesworth was considered one of the nation’s top interior offensive line prospects heading into the 2022 college football season, but he decided to stay on campus and pursue a Master’s degree, and play with teammates like Pratt one more time.
While he might not be a buzz-worthy prospect on mock drafts at the moment, that could change as we get through bowl season, and into the draft all-star circuit.
Big Ten Championship Game
Iowa vs. Michigan
Saturday, December 2 — 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Going into “The Game,” there were lingering questions about Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy, at least from an NFL draft standpoint. Hampered by a leg injury, McCarthy was relegated to a supporting role in wins over Penn State and Maryland, and in that Penn State victory he did not attempt a single pass in the second half.
But McCarthy, who indicated this week that he is almost completely healed, played a much bigger against the Buckeyes. He hit on 16 of 20 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown, as Michigan beat their rivals to advance to the Big Ten Championship Game.
The battle for QB3 might be the most fascinating position fight in the entire 2024 NFL Draft — and it might be a fight that has gotten away from McCarthy towards Jayden Daniels in recent weeks — but a strong bowl season could push McCarthy back into that fight.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Michigan running back Blake Corum made history last weekend, as his two rushing touchdowns pushed him atop the school’s all-time single-season rushing TD list, passing Hassan Haskins. With three rushing touchdowns against Iowa — which is a possibility — he would move to the top of Michigan’s all-time career list, passing the mark of 55 set by Anthony Thomas.
Still … Corum is a running back, and we know how that position has been valued in recent years by the NFL. That might see him wait until Day Two to hear his name called, but he is definitely worth watching this weekend.
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Yes, the Hawkeyes have someone you need to keep an eye on for draft purposes. Cooper DeJean is already piling up the accolades, as he was recently named the Big Ten’s Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, as well as the conference’s Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the year. He was also a first-team All-Big Ten defensive and return specialist, as selected by the league’s coaches and media.
However, you might not get a chance to watch him. DeJean suffered a leg injury in practice late in the year, and was ruled out for the rest of the regular season. It is likely that DeJean is ruled out for the Big Ten Championship Game as well, but he should still be on your draft radar.
ACC Championship Game
Florida State vs. Louisville
Saturday, December 2 — 8:00 p.m., ABC
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Jared Verse burst onto the scene in 2022 as a transfer from Albany, and this year he’s put up almost identical, if not better numbers. His total pressures are higher than last year, and his 16.4% pressure rate is higher than it was last year. He’s a high motor player who wins with speed and power, and also is a plus run defender who can anchor against power as well. Florida State’s defense is going to have to lead the way with QB Jordan Travis out for the rest of the season, and if the Noles can get past Louisville and into the College Football Playoff, NFL scouts will take notice.
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
The battle for WR2 in this draft is among the most interesting stories of the year, and Coleman is among the favorites to take the top spot. A former basketball player as well as receiver at Michigan State before transferring to Tallahassee, you can see the above the rim capabilities with Coleman as an outside receiver. Every ball is his when it’s in the air, and he’s come down with some spectacular catches as well. He’s also one of the best in the nation after the catch, and has all the traits to be a dominant alpha receiver in the NFL. Going against an opportunistic Louisville defense, Coleman has the chance to solidify his top wideout status.
Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
This is a major opportunity for Riley and the Cardinals in the upset. Already a Senior Bowl invitee (which he has accepted), Riley is a long physical corner who plays at his best when he can use his hands and length at the line of scrimmage. His numbers were absurd in the regular season, and now with the eyes of scouts on both him and the physical specimens FSU has at receivers, Riley can really improve his stock if he plays well.
Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville
Thrash is a fun receiver who is also going to be in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. A Georgia State transfer, Thrash has got nice ball skills and the size to play in versatile spots in the formation. He has the potential to sneak into the early day 3 portion of the NFL Draft with some more great performances, and against a team like the Seminoles who play a lot of man coverage, his ability to win in those situations will be under the microscope.
