The College Football Playoff championship matchup of Alabama and Georgia has all the makings of an exciting finale to the 2021 college football season. It has been about a month since the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs 41-24 in the SEC Championship, and now we get a second edition of the top-tier matchup. The game will feature numerous prospects for the 2022 NFL draft, starting with a game-breaking receiver for Alabama.
In all, five players from either side are included in my current top 32 rankings of draft prospects, but don't be surprised to see a few more join the ranks by April, especially with a big performance in the title game (8 p.m. ET on Jan. 10, ESPN). Who will separate themselves from the pack with one final piece of standout game tape? For everyone else, the Senior Bowl, the scouting combine and pro days lie ahead. That means prospects have plenty of opportunities to rise over the coming months, and a lot will change before the draft.
But for now, here are my top 32 prospects for the 2022 class, updated from my Dec. 6 version.
Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk, and grades are via Scouts Inc.
1. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 269 pounds
Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 1
Hutchinson plays a powerful game and is truly relentless in pursuit. He also has fast eyes and locates the ball really well. I like his inside move, and his ability to line up on either side and drop in coverage will be valuable to NFL teams. The senior can stack blockers at the point of attack and has active hands. He had 14.0 sacks (third in the country), 19 tackles for loss (tied for 23rd), 75 tackles, 66 pressures (second) and two forced fumbles this season for the Wolverines. If you want to see just how dominant Hutchinson can be, go watch his tape from Michigan's late-November win over Ohio State, when he had three sacks, 14 pressures and 10 tackles.
2. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 2
Thibodeaux is a phenomenal pass-rusher with great speed and size. He gets a good push on blockers, and he shows solid initial quickness and closing speed. Thibodeaux is effective at dipping and ripping, but he also displays a strong inside move. Against the run, he locates the ball then stacks and sheds blockers, often making plays in the backfield. And he is versatile enough to convert to 3-4 outside linebacker or even occasionally kick inside to rush the passer. He could use a little more work as a hands fighter, and I'd like to see him play with a little more fire. Thibodeaux finished the season with 7.0 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 46 pressures (10th in the nation) and two forced fumbles.
3. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama*
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 350
Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 3
Neal has played all over the Alabama line, starting at guard as a freshman, before sliding to right tackle in 2020 and finally left tackle this season. He mirrors and slides really well, and speed rushers struggle to get around his long frame. On run blocks, Neal excels with a quick first step and excellent angles. He shows range at the second level, which makes him perfect for a zone-blocking scheme. He also delivers blocks with power, though he is still developing his balance. His awareness stands out: He can locate blitzes, twists and stunts and seal off the pass rush. Neal can get in trouble by occasionally lunging, but his skill set makes him an easy plug-and-play lineman in the NFL. He allowed zero sacks this season for the Crimson Tide.
4. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195
Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 4
Stingley burst onto the scene with six interceptions as a freshman in 2019. The numbers weren't as eye-popping last season, and he didn't have a single interception in 10 games over the past two years, but he still has all the tools to be a truly dominant shutdown cornerback in the NFL. He is long, fast and physical, but his versatility is key. Stingley can play press-man, off-coverage, free safety and the overhang position. He is smooth with oily hips, and he has the recovery speed and instincts to make plays on the ball. A bonus: Stingley also has experience returning punts. In three games this season, he had three tackles for loss and forced a fumble, but Stingley missed most of the year following a procedure on his injured left foot.
5. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 219
Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 5
Hamilton is a nightmare matchup for offenses. He has great size and closing burst while playing all over the defense. You'll see him line up deep in coverage, over the slot and even at linebacker. Hamilton can blanket tight ends, and with solid ball skills and an ability to read the QB, he will make plays. He had three interceptions in seven games this year, along with 20 tackles and five passes broken up. Against the run, Hamilton can fill the alley, but he will need to work on his angles to avoid missing tackles. Hamilton injured his knee in October and never returned.
6. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 189
Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 10
An Ohio State transfer, Williams is a big-play threat with elite speed and shiftiness as a ball carrier. When he plucks on the run, he accelerates away from defenders. Williams is still working through the nuances of route running, and he can occasionally be a body catcher, but he tracks and adjusts well to balls in the air. Williams has 1,507 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns this season, and he is averaging 20.1 yards per catch. Those are all top-five numbers in college football. Williams rolled up a 7-184-2 line against Georgia in the SEC championship game, and he will see the Bulldogs again in the College Football Playoff title game.
7. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 290
Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 6
Leal's versatility will be valuable in the NFL. He can win as an inside pass-rusher thanks to a quick first step, an ability to penetrate gaps and solid closing speed. But he also can use his speed-to-power capability, length and awareness to get it done off the edge -- though he lacks the top-end speed to consistently get pressure outside. His range against the run is impressive, and he disengages quickly to make plays. Leal had 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 12 games this season.
8. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 225
Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 8
Dean is an off-ball linebacker who has good speed, suddenness, range and instincts. He can match up with running backs in coverage, but he also can go sideline to sideline in run defense. Dean will make a lot of plays in pursuit, closing on ball carriers and wrapping up on tackles. His improvement as a blitzer this season has been impressive, as well. He can locate gaps and close on the QB. Dean shows an excellent motor on every single down. In 2021, Dean had 68 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, four passes broken up, three forced fumbles and two interceptions -- including a pick-six.
9. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 193
Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 11
Wilson accelerates off the line and immediately puts defensive backs on their heels. He will drop his weight at the top of his route stem, and he is extremely sudden in and out of his breaks. Wilson occasionally is a body catcher, but I've also seen him make plenty of difficult catches away from his frame and in traffic, controlling his body and adjusting to off-target throws. There is big-play ability too, thanks to elite speed and acceleration. He tracks the deep ball well, and while he isn't going to elude many defenders laterally, he turns upfield and hits the second gear so swiftly that he is trouble after the catch. Wilson had 70 catches for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns (tied for seventh in the FBS) this season, and he had seven total TDs over his final three games.
10. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 310
Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 9
Cross has long arms, good agility and solid quickness for a 310-pound left tackle. He is a natural knee bender with great balance and the mirror-and-slide skills to handle double moves and speed rushers. Cross is a patient pass-blocker and can pick up blitzes and other defensive line disguises. On run-blocking plays, Cross has strong angles and above-average range, but he needs to develop his lower-body strength and push. He sees more pass-blocking snaps (683 this season) than most collegiate linemen in the Bulldogs' scheme, giving evaluators plenty of tape. And despite the hefty workload, Cross allowed just one sack and five pressures this season.
11. David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 19
Lining up opposite Aidan Hutchinson on Michigan's defensive front, Ojabo has really come on this season, posting 11.0 sacks (tied for 11th in the country), 14 tackles for loss, 39 pressures and five forced fumbles (tied for second). He has a super quick first step and excellent torso flexibility, and his dip-and-rip move is very effective. He has speed and hunts for the ball, but he can get stuck on blocks occasionally. Ojabo is sudden and instinctive, and he has very little wasted movement coming off the edge, running a tight loop. He plays with discipline against the run, doing a good job keeping the outside lanes contained.
12. Drake London, WR, USC*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210
Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 12
London is a big target who is versatile enough to operate out wide or in the slot. He has great contact balance, terrific body control and solid hands. London has the speed to threaten vertically, will make plays in traffic over the middle and is smooth in and out of his breaks. I really like his ability to find the soft spots in zone looks. Before he fractured his right ankle, London had 1,084 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Six of his eight games saw him hit 130-plus receiving yards, and despite not stepping foot on the field since October and only playing in eight games, his 88 catches still rank 15th in the nation.
13. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 290
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 17
Linderbaum is an effective zone blocker with great foot speed and range, and he is a solid combo blocker at the second level. At 290 pounds, he is a little on the smaller side, but he flashes good finishing power and anchors well for his size. But there is some room for improvement when it comes to staying square and in front of defenders. Linderbaum allowed pressure on just 1% of his pass-block snaps and took zero penalties this season.
14. Travon Walker, DE, Georgia*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 275
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 23
Walker is a hybrid defender who plays off the edge and on the interior defensive line. He tends to be a little late off the snap as a pass-rusher and needs to diagnose a little quicker, but he has the strength to walk blockers back. And his length, ability to locate the ball and strong tackling in run defense make him tough to beat on the ground. His game is still a work in progress, but his versatility will be key to NFL success. Walker has 5.0 sacks, six tackles for loss and 19 pressures in 14 games this season.
15. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 188
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 21
Receivers have a hard time getting off the line against Gardner. He is tall and long, and he smothers coverage underneath. Gardner has strong recognition ability in zone, is an adequate wrap-up tackler and flashes playmaking skill. He had three interceptions, a trio of sacks, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 2021. As the primary defender in coverage, he surrendered zero touchdowns and just 60 total yards over 14 games this season.
16. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 15
Pickett is ninth in the country in Total QBR (81.2), his 4,319 passing yards rank sixth and his 42 passing TDs are fourth. He had seven interceptions over 13 games, and he completed 67.2% of his passes. His arm strength and pocket mobility are average areas in his game, but his toughness in the pocket, fast eyes on progressions and awareness in holding the safety stand out. His decision-making is improving after back-to-back seasons with 13-to-9 TD-INT ratios. And Pickett flashes some second-reaction ability too, scrambling when he needs to create.
17. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 16
Corral improved as a pocket-passer and decision-maker in 2021, but those are still work-in-progress areas. He is tough and mobile in the pocket, and he has a nice quick release, getting the ball out on quick-game throws and leading receivers into extra yardage. Corral had 3,349 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes this season, and he notably had just five interceptions -- after throwing 14 of them last season. His run-game ability also is playing a big part: He had 614 yards on the ground along with 11 scores. Corral suffered an ankle injury in the Sugar Bowl.
18. Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 25
Lloyd is a versatile linebacker who moves like a safety -- the position he played in high school. He has the quickness, strength and balance to slip blocks, but there is room for improvement here. Lloyd is rangy and closes well in pursuit. He will oftentimes spy quarterbacks. When turned loose as a pass-rusher, he is an effective hands fighter, and he can win against running backs when hitting an inside hole. Lloyd had 96 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and seven passes broken up. His four interceptions tied for 14th in the country -- and tied for first among linebackers.
19. George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 270
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 7
Karlaftis had 4.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 43 pressures, two forced fumbles and a fumble return for a TD in 12 games. He wins with power, holding his own at the point of attack and showing good stopping power. Karlaftis gets a good push as a power rusher then falls inside when he is even with the QB. He also has shown an ability to make an impact as an inside rusher.
20. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 13
At his best in press-man coverage, McCreary can reroute receivers with his length and quick feet. He does get in some trouble when receivers make sharp cuts, and his run support needs to improve, but his ball skills and length lead to plays on the ball. His 15 passes broken up are tied for second in the nation, and he also had a pair of interceptions (one of which was taken to the house). NFL teams that play a lot of press will want to take a look at McCreary's tape.
21. Ikem Ekwonu, G/OT, NC State*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 28
Ekwonu is an aggressive run-blocker who uses power to knock defenders off the ball. He is at his best in a phone booth, and I'd like to see better body control when in space. In pass protection, he is tough to get around, though he is much more effective inside than at tackle, where he tends to overset and lunge. I think he is a better fit at guard in the NFL, and he can develop into a mauling starter there. Ekwonu plays with an edge and looks to bury defenders.
22. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 188
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 14
Olave's ball skills are excellent, and there is plenty of speed in his game. His route running stands out, as he explodes off the line and creates separation vertically. He always seems to have a plan, and he drops his weight quickly to accelerate out of his breaks. I'd like to see him get stronger, but Olave is an extremely talented wideout prospect. He had 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns (sixth in the country) this season. Consider this: Olave scored at least once in nine of 11 games this season, and he had four games with at least 100 receiving yards and multiple TDs.
23. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 30
I like Booth's game a lot. He does a nice job locating the ball while running in phase with receivers, and he is at his best in press coverage. Booth has a smooth back pedal and quick feet, but he does overreact at times to a receiver's first move. The ball skills are top notch, as he had three interceptions and five passes broken up in 11 games this season.
24. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 184
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 20
Dotson is a bit undersized, but his suddenness, speed and route craftiness make him a dangerous offensive weapon. He is lightning quick in and out of his breaks, but he always seems to be in control. His tape is smooth, and his routes are sharp. Despite a smaller catch radius, his ball skills are terrific, and he will pluck the ball on the run and/or adjust to throws with excellent body control. Dotson can challenge vertically too, but he doesn't have the size to win many 50-50 balls; if he does win, he has the field vision and wheels to produce after the catch. Dotson had 91 catches (12th in the nation) for 1,182 yards (18th) and 12 touchdowns (tied for seventh) this season, and he had at least five receptions in 11 of 12 games.
25. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 193
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 18
Elam is instinctive and aggressive. He has loads of top-end speed (he ran track in high school), great closing burst and excellent awareness in coverage and he is able to play in press, zone or off-man. Elam follows the ball well when it's in the air, and his on-ball production is solid. He had an interception and five passes broken up this season.
26. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 340
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 22
Davis is a massive 3-4 nose tackle, but he has experience as a traditional defensive tackle in a 4-3 too. He has power and will bull-rush blockers back into their quarterback. But he is more of a disrupter than a finisher -- he has just 2.0 sacks in 13 games -- and lacks first-step quickness and redirect ability. Against the run, Davis does a great job with gap control and is a true space eater. Good luck moving him off his spot. Watching his tape, the thing that jumps out is how often he requires double-team attention.
27. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 24
Willis is terrific at extending plays and keeping his eyes downfield outside the pocket. His off-platform throws have plenty of wow factor, as he gets the ball out from various release points with velocity and hits tight windows. An Auburn transfer, Willis threw for 2,857 yards this season with 27 passing touchdowns. On the ground, Willis had 878 yards and another 13 touchdowns. But there are some red flags on the stat sheet too. His 12 interceptions -- including three in three different games this year -- are tied for the nation's eighth most, while 51 sacks taken were the most.
28. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa*
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 321
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 26
Penning pushes defenders off the ball with his power, and he moves well for his size. I'd like to see some improvement in his footwork, and he has some issues with mirroring, but Penning is an absolute mauler. He'd likely be a swing tackle to begin his NFL career, but his upside is immense.
29. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 27
Burks won't burn defensive backs off the line of scrimmage, but he is a savvy route runner who knows how to find the soft spots in zone coverage and use his frame to generate late separation. But what puts Burks among the best wideouts in this class? His ball skills. He can pluck on the run with his oversize hands and does an outstanding job with body control to haul in deep passes or off-target throws. Burks also is effective after the catch, transitioning upfield, showing good vision and breaking tackles along the way. He had 1,104 receiving yards, and his 11 touchdown catches tied for 16th in the nation.
30. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 260
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 29
McBride was No. 23 overall in the nation with 1,121 yards, and his 90 catches tied for 13th. Both numbers were No. 1 among tight ends, though. He is versatile, lining up out wide, in the slot and in-line with the Rams, and he can be a real matchup problem for defensive coordinators. McBride is a big target who makes plays in traffic and downfield, thanks to elite ball skills. He leverages his routes well and is productive after the catch.
31. Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 270
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 32
Thomas is so versatile, as he has experience play 0-technique, 3-technique, 5-technique and wide-7. But he also has the production. In 14 games, Thomas has 11.5 sacks (tied for eighth in the nation), 27 tackles for loss (second), 61 pressures (third) and 82 tackles. He wins with a great combination of quickness, length, power and a relentless motor.
32. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 31
Petit-Frere has heavy hands, and he will often knock defenders off balance and even sometimes to the ground with his power. But he also is very quick and shows body control in pass protection. As a run-blocker, he smothers defenders at the point of attack and seals off the backside. He was the Buckeyes' right tackle in 2020 but moved over to the left side this season.
See my full rankings for the 2022 NFL draft.