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Lebanon, TN – Collegefootballfan.com’s ongoing adventure to attend as many games as possible year after year allows us to display more Top draft picks of 2024 in action than ever before! With the additional years of eligibility due to the 2020 Covid season and eligibility extensions by the NCAA, players in action seen have been around longer than the standard four to five years.
We may not agree with these wide-open transfer policies, but we recognize the opportunity to have seen many top draft picks of 2024 over the course of the last six years or more. Some playing for current schools, and some at previous ones. In addition, our diverse schedules from year-to-year have provided us with opportunities to see players before or after they transferred (too open for our liking). This provides us flexibility to catch players from many different teams over the years. We hope that the NCAA will halt the ability of players to move on to other programs for purely financial purposes. However, we still like seeing the best of college football talent wherever we happen to find it – on purpose or by default.
Top draft picks at Quarterback
QB Bo Nix performed before us for Auburn against Penn State in 2021 before he rose to become a top draft pick at Oregon. At Auburn for three years, he passed for 7,241 yards, 39 touchdowns and 16 INTs. For OU in two seasons, he threw for 8,101 yards, 74 TDs, and 10 picks.The Broncos drafted him 12th overall the first evening.Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy’s stock has moved up as a top draft pick since the Wolverines won the national championship in 2023. Questions derived from Jim Harbaugh’s influence one way, or another, based on his new position as Head Coach of the LA Chargers.As a starter at U of M the last two seasons, McCarthy leaves behind a record of 28-1.The Vikings traded up to take him 10th overall.
Oh, those transfer QBs.
Michael Penix Jr. (9) here in action for Indiana in 33-31 win over Western Kentucky in 2021. He moved to the top of the scouting charts with great success the last two years leading Washington to a record of 25-3. There, he averaged a 65.3 % completion rate, threw 67 TDs and 19 interceptions. He finds ways to win though he was slowed by late season injuries for several seasons. Many were surprised as the Falcons selected him at No. 8 after signing Kurt Couzens for four years. Great back-up and great long-term plan from our perspective.In 2021, we watched Devin Leary at his peak in a 45-42 loss to Wake Forest. That season he threw for 3,433 yards, 35 TDs, and five INTs. As a grad student at Kentucky last season, he finished with 2,746 yards, 25 TDs and 12 INTs. He will probably be a late round selection for future development.Despite his drop-off and reputation for folding under pressure, the Ravens selected him at No. 218. South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler (7) lets loose here against win over Kentucky in 2022. Strong-armed transfer from Oklahoma. Saints picked him up at No. 150 for good value as a back-up in the short-term.
Many of the top draft picks among our Offensive Lineman
Penn State LT Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) blocked for potent rushing attack in 2023. Seen here against Michigan in 2023. A junior at 6’6″ and 319 lbs., expect him to be considered the prime prospect on the offensive line among top draft picks of 2024.Selected 11th by the Jets, but he was not top offensive tackle taken in 2024.Bama RT JC Latham (65) protected Heisman Winner Bryce Young in the 2022 season. The junior will be called early on to make another quarterback successful in the pros early in his new career.Drafted by the Titans at No. 7, JC became the first offensive lineman selected.Georgia Bulldog OT Amarius Mims (65) showed his blocking capabilities here against Kentucky in 2023. He’ll be plugging and opening holes against NFL foes in upcoming seasons.Glad we posted this blurred picture of the 18th selection made by the Bengals.Houston Cougar OT Patrick Paul (76) threw his weight around when we watched he and the Cougars defeat Navy in 2021. We will look to see how he does in the NFL as he lines up for the Dolphins who selected him at No. 55 in 2024.Michigan G and team captain Zak Zinter (65) lined up here against PSU but went down in injury against Ohio State. The Bengals look forward to his healthy return as they selected him at No. 85.Kansas OT Dominick Puni (67) signals touchdown in Liberty Bowl against Arkansas in 2022. Admired for versatility at different positions and for quickness, the 49ers selected him No. 86 overall.
Promising OL talent beyond the top draft picks as well.
Arkansas G Beaux Limmer seals the inside for a Razorback gain against Kansas in 2022 Liberty Bowl. Projected to be a mid-round selection. With ample experience, draft aficionados project No. 217 by the Rams moving him to center.Duke C Jacob Monk (63), 6’3″ 320 lbs., goes after loose ball in Birmingham Bowl triumph over Troy last December. Look for him to get selected in the middle rounds. Regaled for quickness off the ball, the Packers took him at No. 163.Ragin Cajun OT Nathan Thomas (50) opened a hole before halftime festivities for a gain against Texas State in their 2022 41-13 victory in San Marcos. At 6’5″, 334 lbs., pundits project him as a mid-round selection in 2024.Also known for his quickness of the line of scrimmage, the Cowboys selected him in the final round at No. 223.
Tight ends: Two Top Draft picks
Georgia All-American TE Brock Browers (19) will be called on to run-block and catch passes at the next level. The two-time Mackey Award winner for best college Tight End caught 175 passes for 2,538 and 26 scores in his three seasons at Athens. Definitely the top draft pick at Tight End in 2024. Does he still get to keep his independently negotiated NIL agreement?If so, good for him!Good luck to No. 13 overall taken by the Raiders.TE Theo Johnson (84) hauls in touchdown pass with 1:59 left before Penn State failed on a two-point conversion to put this game out of reach against eventual NCAA champ Michigan in 2023. With 73 grabs for 882 yards and 12 TDs over three seasons, he played a go-to role in short yardage situations. He went earlier than expected at No. 107 to the Giants.
Wide receivers: Some of the best
South Carolina WR Xavier Leggette (17) picks up more yards after a short pass at Kentucky in 2022. The Panthers drafted him at No. 32 to close out the First Round of the 2024 draft.Georgia WR Ladd McConkey (84) is expected to go in the first round of 2024. Remember Phil McConkey of the NY Giants (and Navy)? No relation as far as we know, but similar skills at the same position.This elusive 6′, 185-lb. WR gained 1,687 yard and scored 14 times with 119 receptions for the Bulldogs during three seasons.The Chargers under new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh traded up with the Patriots to make him the second pick of the second round at No. 34 overall.Texas WR Adonai Mitchell looks to go by fourth round. Seen here against Baylor in 2022, he caught 93 passes over three seasons. With a strong running attack, he still averaged 15.1 yards per reception and scored 18 touchdowns.Colts selected him at No. 52.Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley (11) fights his way into the end zone in his team’s 2022 win over Austin Peay. He impressed the Jets who selected him 65th overall.Michigan WR Roman Wilson (1) stopped here for a short gain by Penn State in 2023 victory. He stepped up in U of M’s championship season with 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 TDs. This elusive playmaker went to the Rams at No. 84 in Round 3.
Running backs: Top draft picks looking to shine
RB Trey Benson showed pass-catching skills out of the backfield for Florida State here against Wake Forest in 2023. In two seasons, he carried the rock 310 times for 1,895 yards, 6.1 yards per run, and totaled 23 TDs. He never fumbled. This versatile ball carrier also made 33 catches out of the backfield for 371 yards and TD. Good size at 6’1′, 223 lbs.Cardinals selected him at No. 66Michigan RB Blake Corum (2) rips off big yardage here against Penn State in 2023. He’ll take his 3,737 rushing yards and 58 TDs on the ground along with his 411 receiving yards and three TDs to the Rams. They selected him 83rd overall in Round 3.Re’Mahn (aka Ray) Davis (20), who moved on later to Vanderbilt and to Kentucky, scored for Temple early in 2019 Military Bowl loss to UNC, 55-19. Will he commit to play long-term for any team who selects him? In five seasons at three schools, he ran for 4,026 yards and 29 TDs. On catches out of the backfield, he posted 762 yards and 12 scores. His teams posted a combined record of 23-34.The Bills will test his staying power selecting him at No. 128.We watched Troy RB Kimani Vidal (28) explode for 233 rushing yards and five TDs on 26 carries to defeat a tough Appalachian State team, 49-33 in the Sun Belt Conference championship. The Duke defense held Vidal to seventy yards and no TDs in the Birmingham Bowl following a coaching change. His four years at Troy proved Vidal’s worth to the Chargers who added him as No. 181 in 2024.
Defensive linemen
Texas DL Byron Murphy (90) in pursuit of a Baylor Bear in 2022. He recorded eight sacks among 68 stops in three seasons. We look for him to go in the later rounds. Wrong we were! The Seahawks took him at No. 16.Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson (44) moves in to make stop against Auburn in 2022 win. The Dolphins landed him at No. 21 to enhance their pass rush.He explodes off the snap of the ball.Auburn decked Vanderbilt in Nashville in 2023 as DT Marcus Harris (50) applied pressure with others on this play. Probably a late round pick in the upcoming draft.Exactly – No. 247 to the Texans.
Linebackers
Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner (15) showed us open field tackling capabilities here against Utah State in 2022. At 6’4″, 242 lbs, he could be converted to a linebacker in the NFL.He tallied 22.5 sacks for Bama.Should be top draft pick in Round 1. Taken by the Vikings as their second first round pick at No. 17, Dallas can play with chip on his shoulder.Michigan LB Junior Colson (25) impressed his former Head Coach Jim Harbaugh so much, he wound up on Harbaugh’s new team, the Chargers, as the 69th pick in the draft overall.We caught LB Tyrice Knight (10 in white) of UTEP in 2023 against Jacksonville State in our opener. He averaged 113 tackles annually and picked two passes for the Miners his past three seasons.The Seahawks pounced on him at No. 118.
A lot of depth seen in the secondary
2022 Music City Bowl MVP and DB Cooper DeJean (3) makes one of his eight stops against Kentucky. He also returned a pick six for the Hawkeyes’ third and final score of the second period and of the game, a 21-0 Iowa victory. Seven career picks, three for TDs, and 120 tackles for the Hawkeyes.Picked 40th by the Eagles on the second round, he became the second DB selected overall behind Quinyon Mitchell also selected by the Eagles in Round One.Top Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell applies a solid stop here against Bowling Green in the Rockets’ 2023 win. Six career INTs, two for scores. 124 tackles. The Eagles grabbed him at No. 22, top DB of the 2024 draft.Tight coverage like this by Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama will be called on to shut down prime receivers in the NFL. Two career picks and 93 tackles for The Tide.Selected by the Saints who traded up for him to take at No. 41.
DB talent went deep into the 2024 draft
Penn State CB Kalen King (4) halts Purdue ball carrier in third period in 2022. Deep secondary talent in this year’s draft. King tallied three picks for the Lions and 80 stops over three seasons.Value dropped senior year and Packers picked him up at No. 255.Wake Forest CB Caelen Carson holds Florida State WR to a short gain here in 2023. He’ll be the next in line among Demon Deacs defenders to add some pop to an NFL secondary. Carson hauled in three enemy passes and posted 119 tackles. Cowboys selected him at No. 124.Seen here against Auburn in 2021, Penn State CB Daequan Hardy (25) picked five passes and recorded 5.5 sacks for the Lions in his career. Predict he will go in Round 5 or 6.Stood out against Ohio State in 2023. Became a Bill at No. 219.
Other top draft picks seen, but not recorded
Despite taking too many pictures, between missed opportunities, blurred pictures, and an inferior camera used early on, we missed some shots of some of the best. Among them, WR Marvin Harrison of Ohio State at Penn State in 2022. He caught 10 passes for 183 yards in that one. Zoom Lense broke! CB Terrion Arnold of Alabama against Utah State in 2022. I don’t remember Bama on defense too often – a lot of three-and-outs.
Disappointed I couldn’t capture any shots of Illinois DL Zer’zhan (Johnny) Newton in 2023 game against Penn State. Had to use my cell phone and missed shots of a definite top draft pick. Defective camera snapped all defective pictures to void shots of Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw, DL Darius Robinson and RB Cody Shrader in their win over Vanderbilt. Next season, I hope to be better prepared with a better camera and better strategy for top draft picks.
ed. by Steve Koreivo. member of Football Writer’s Association of America
