Extra eyes will possible be on the 2023 School Soccer Playoff than in years previous given the quantity of NFL-caliber expertise set to play within the CFP semifinal video games.
Greater than 20 draft hopefuls shall be on show within the Rose Bowl, which options No. 1 Michigan towards No. 4 Alabama, whereas the Sugar Bowl matchup between No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Texas might showcase as many as eight first-round picks.
Listed below are the ten most intriguing draft-eligible gamers to look at on this yr’s School Soccer Playoff.
1. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 4 QB
McCarthy simply would be the most polarizing quarterback on this yr’s class. Many scouts are torn about whether or not or not he’s a first-round expertise, whereas some consider he could possibly be the third or fourth QB picked.
He threw for simply 2,630 yards, 19 touchdowns and 4 interceptions this yr, however as a result of Michigan was so good, he typically didn’t play previous the third quarter. A powerful exhibiting towards a Crimson Tide protection that ranked within the prime 18 in complete protection and scoring protection could possibly be sufficient to push him into that Spherical 1 dialogue.
2. Dallas Turner, Edge-rusher, Alabama | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 11 total, No. 2 Edge-rusher
With 52 pressures, 31 hurries, 10 QB hits and 9 sacks this season, there’s not a lot left for Turner to show. He’s an unquestioned first-round choose and one of many prime three or 4 pass-rushers within the class. However with little separation between himself and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, Penn State’s Chop Robinson and Florida State’s Jared Verse, a superb exhibiting on a nationwide stage might launch Turner into the highest 10 because the No. 1 edge-rusher come April.
3. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 5 QB
One of the crucial thrilling gamers within the nation this yr, Penix Jr. threw for 4,218 yards, 33 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, and he has the Huskies undefeated and one win away from enjoying for a nationwide championship. However like McCarthy, a number of scouts are torn on the place precisely he falls within the draft.
With USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels more likely to be the primary three QBs taken, Penix Jr. might transfer into the fourth spot and doubtlessly into the primary spherical ought to he lead the Huskies previous Texas and into the nationwide championship sport.
4. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 4 RB
There’s no clear-cut No. 1 operating again this yr, which implies the title is Corum’s for the taking. He’s rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, and he set a brand new career-high with 24 speeding touchdowns this yr. His draft inventory possible gained’t be affected a lot (no RBs are at the moment projected to go in Spherical 1), however he might cement himself as the highest participant at his place with a robust exhibiting within the CFP.
5.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 20 total, No. 5 WR
Worthy is a type of fringe gamers with Spherical 1 expertise who will possible fall to the second. Nonetheless, his pace is among the many finest within the 2024 class and his versatility as a receiver plus a returner might entice a group to take a threat on him before anticipated.
One of many extra under-the-radar gamers this yr, Worthy has quietly logged 969 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns plus 358 punt return yards and one other rating. He’s a risk to take it to the home anytime he touches the ball, which makes him one of many must-see gamers within the CFP.
6. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 5 total, No. 2 WR
There’s no query Marvin Harrison Jr. would be the first receiver drafted, however after that, it seems to be a battle between LSU’s Malik Nabers, Florida State’s Keon Coleman and Odunze, who ranked sixth within the nation in touchdowns (13) and was second behind Nabers in receiving yards (1,546 to 1,428). The 6-foot-3 junior is a surefire first-rounder, however he could possibly be approaching top-15 and even top-10 territory with a giant sport towards Texas.
7. T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 2 DT
Sweat has labored his manner into the Spherical 1 dialogue together with his spectacular 2023 season wherein he totaled 28 pressures, 23 hurries and two sacks. The latest success of gamers like Jeffery Simmons, Quinnen Williams, Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence has led to groups putting an even bigger emphasis on constructing by way of the defensive position, and defensive sort out is a place that has produced 17 first-round picks over the past six seasons. Sweat could possibly be the Calijah Kancey (No. 19 total choose in 2023) of the 2024 draft.
8. Kool-Assist McKinstry, CB, Alabama | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 21 total, No. 3 CB
Many anticipated McKinstry to cruise by way of the yr and be a top-10 choose in 2024. And whereas he’s had a superb season, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins, Iowa’s Cooper DeJean and Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter have as properly, and instantly it’s not a foregone conclusion that McKinstry would be the first cornerback drafted.
Nonetheless, if he can shutdown Michigan’s Roman Wilson and/or Cornelius Johnson, it might cement his standing as a top-10 draft choose and possibly make him the top-rated CB heading into April.
9.
Bralen Trice, DE, Washington | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 7 DE
Trice started the yr as a probable top-20 choose, however his 2023 wasn’t as productive as his 2022 season was, which can have damage his draft inventory a bit. His pressures and hurries have been roughly the identical as final season, however his sack numbers have been down from 10 to 5 and he simply didn’t appear to disrupt video games as a lot as he did the season earlier than. Nonetheless, he nonetheless has Spherical 1 expertise, and a superb outing within the CFP is perhaps simply what he must reminds scouts of that.
10. Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan | Mel Kiper Jr. draft rating: No. 4 DT
Jenkins has the expertise to be a late first-rounder, however he’s extra of a run-stopping DT than a pass-rushing one. He had simply 15 pressures, 13 hurries and two sacks this yr. However he was the Wolverines’ second-leading run-stopper (25 tackles and 21 run-stops). His large body (6-foot-3, 305 kilos) will make a wonderful addition to a group needing so as to add dimension up the center.
Honorable point out:
Chris Braswell, Edge-rusher, Alabama
J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas