The 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship is just around the corner. Many of those suiting up for TCU and Georgia hope to be playing on Sundays later this year. Here are a few of the top players to watch Monday. They’re likely to hear their names called early during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
2023 College Football Playoff National Championship: NFL Draft Prospects to Watch
Georgia Players to Watch
Jalen Carter (DL – UGA)
Perhaps more disruptive than Bryan Bresee, his aggressiveness and intensity would fit perfectly at three-technique in a defensive scheme built around creating chaos in opposing backfields.
Broderick Jones (OT – UGA)
An intelligent tackle prospect with excellent athleticism and positioning, he has a little bit less starting experience than some of the other tackles in the class, but his superior tools are clearly visible on-tape.
Kelee Ringo (CB – UGA)
A five-star recruit with rare size, length and explosiveness, he shows the ability to handle different types of receivers in man coverage with a more polished game than is typical for a redshirt sophomore.
Nolan Smith (DE – UGA)
A somewhat undersized edge defender with an incredible motor and impressive tenacity, he can slip punches as an edge rusher and closes fast when he’s in position to finish snaps with a sack or tackle for loss.
Kenny McIntosh (RB – UGA)
A pretty big running back who has the quickness and patience to get what’s available and who also offers a reliable pair of hands in the passing game, but who doesn’t have the consistent grittiness of some of his peers in the class, limiting the amount of yards he can gain after contact. With some more glass in his diet, could turn into a pretty good member of a running-back committee, but may have to wait until the mid-to-late rounds to hear his name called and will likely begin his career as a reserve.
TCU Players to Watch
Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)
The rare big receiver who’s dangerous after the catch, Quentin Johnston spins, jukes and barrels his way through defensive backs, turning shorter throws into big gains and threatening over the top.
Kendre Miller (RB – TCU)
May not be the flashiest back in the class, but has one of the most pro-ready games between the tackles, with the size, vision, footwork, burst, power and physicality to grind out tough yardage up the middle and to convert opportunities near the goal line. As it currently stands, doesn’t appear to have much value on passing downs, so is probably destined to work into a team’s running-back rotation as an early-down/short-yardage power back, complemented by a receiving/blocking specialist. Could conceivably sneak into the second day and shouldn’t fall much further than that.
Max Duggan (QB – TCU)
Max Duggan is a productive, tough quarterback who makes sound decisions with the football, shows appropriate touch on his passes, and offers the ability to pick up yardage with his feet on designed runs or as a scrambler. However, he has below-average physical tools, relatively pedestrian arm talent, and occasional issues with ball placement that either result in incompletions or limit yards after the catch. Those limitations may make him more of a backup/spot-starter at the pro level, projecting as more of a mid-round selection.
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