The 2023 college football season is right around the corner, which means a full schedule of games every weekend to evaluate the upcoming 2024 NFL draft class. Scouts are excited to see which players will play their way into higher draft stock over the course of the fall.
Some prospects have more on the line in 2023 than others. Future success and millions of dollars are at stake, and roughly a dozen games of tape -- starting with kickoff weekend in late August -- will be crucial for a handful of players with something to prove. How will some potential high picks return from serious injury in 2023? How will standouts adjust to new schemes, and can transfers transition seamlessly into new programs? Will star prospects rise above a dip from their supporting casts? And who needs to show they can put up the production to match their talent?
Let's pick out 10 draft prospects who have a lot at stake this season and what a good -- or bad -- year could mean for their outlook next April.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Ask 10 scouts for the third quarterback in the 2024 class after USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye, and you'll hear the Ewers' name often. He reclassified in high school to join Ohio State a year early but then transferred to Texas after losing out on the starting job to C.J. Stroud, and he wowed at times for the Longhorns during the 2022 season. But Ewers (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) also struggled to find consistency, especially after suffering a non-throwing shoulder injury in a close loss to Alabama early in the campaign.
"Ewers has that 'it' factor," said one area scout who covers the Big 12. "He's big, extra mobile, and has a soft touch on his arm. And everything I've heard is that he's taken it to the next level this offseason."
Ewers is just 20 years old, and he is surrounded by an elite supporting cast of wide receivers and tight ends while being coached by proven quarterback developer Steve Sarkisian. Expectations are huge for both him and the Longhorns. With above-average arm strength, plus mobility and great touch on his passes, Ewers has the skill set that NFL teams covet at the position. But he must be better than the 64.8 Total QBR that he posted last season. He threw just 15 touchdown passes to six interceptions while completing south of 60% of his passes. He's solid in a lot of areas and is in some ways physically similar to Joe Burrow; now he needs to show Burrow-like poise and production.
Texas always has a target on its back. Now Ewers does too, with the five-star recruiting ranking and super-sized hype placed on his immense talent. An improvement over his 2022 season could land Ewers in the early parts of Round 1 -- and maybe even get Texas into the College Football Playoff.
Maason Smith, DL, LSU
The 6-6, 310-pound Smith could be the first defensive tackle drafted in 2024 based on what he did in 2021. He made that big of an impact as a true freshman, recording four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss over just 342 snaps, and was poised to break out in his sophomore campaign. But then the game-wrecking interior slasher tore the ACL in his left knee after celebrating a big play and was lost for the rest of 2022 after just two quarters of football.
"Go back and watch Smith's frosh tape, and you see this dude dripping with potential," said an AFC area scout. "He's big but has a first-step that'll hurt you. He could be a top-10 pick if he's healthy."
Smith figures to combine with sophomore edge rusher Harold Perkins Jr. as the foundation of the Tigers' defense, but he'll have to prove that he's truly back to form after missing nearly a year of football and that his freshman tape wasn't beginner's luck. It's easy to see his upside, given his stunning first-step quickness and length that most young NFL defensive linemen don't have. If he lives up to the flashes shown early in his career, he does indeed have DL1 potential and talent.
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
It wasn't that long ago that Rattler was headlining preseason mock drafts alongside Sam Howell as future top draft picks for 2022. Things didn't quite go that way for either player; Howell ended up a fifth-rounder and is battling for the Commanders' starting QB job, while Rattler transferred from Oklahoma to South Carolina and saw his draft stock bottom out before a nice rebound late last season.
Over the final five games in 2022, Rattler threw 13 touchdown passes to just three interceptions. No, he is no longer talked about as a potential QB1, but he does have a chance to regain some of the ground he lost along the way from Norman to Columbia. He has a massive right arm and can rattle off "SportsCenter" worthy second-effort plays, and his six-TD performance against Tennessee in a 63-38 shootout had scouts excited.
"He's still that guy who'll run around and make crazy, creative plays, but he's been humbled by his setbacks and plays much more on-schedule and within the scheme," said an NFC area scout who believes Rattler could be a top-100 draft pick if his season goes well.
What I'd like to see in 2023? Rattler has to cut down on the 12 interceptions thrown last season and get passes into the end zone more than 18 times to see his stock truly soar.
Cameron Rising is shaken up by an apparent leg injury after getting tackled.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Last season's dominant Michigan offense was powered by the shifty runs of Corum, a 5-8, 213-pound junior running back. In his first full year as RB1 for the Wolverines, Corum rushed for 18 touchdowns and more than 1,400 yards. He averaged almost 6 yards a pop before injuring his knee against Ohio State in late November, ending his season.
But Corum isn't on this list just because he's returning from that injury. Backup Donovan Edwards also went off in his absence and could eat into Corum's workload. Edwards, a junior this season, rushed for 216 yards against Ohio State and followed it up with 185 yards against Purdue and 119 against TCU in the College Football Playoff. Corum's draft stock and starting spot both hang in the balance. If he shows he's healthy, gets back to where he was before the injury and holds off Edwards, he could be the top running back in the 2024 draft class. But there's a long way to go.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Colorado's new coach Deion Sanders told the media when he left Jackson State for the Buffaloes that he was bringing his luggage, and that it was Louis Vuitton. One of the luxury bags he was referring to is a do-it-all quarterback who also happens to be Sanders' son.
Following a 2022 campaign in which he threw 40 touchdown passes and ran for another six scores on the ground, Shedeur Sanders will have to prove he can turn that success at a lower level of competition into production against college football royalty -- opponents like USC. Sanders' draft stock is unknown at this time, given the transition he's making to a higher level of play, but his traits are impressive. If the 6-2, 215-pound junior can display the same creativity, playmaking and deep-ball passing that he did at Jackson State, he'll shoot up boards in his first season as a draft-eligible passer.
Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
The Notre Dame quarterback is always under the spotlight, no matter who it is. But that light will shine brighter and harsher for Hartman thanks to serious hype heading into the 2023 season. He started four seasons at Wake Forest and comes to South Bend with back-to-back 30-TD seasons under his belt and a bevy of experience.
"Hartman has all the tools from touch, timing and accuracy to really thrive," said an NFC area scout who has studied the 6-1, 210-pound senior's tape. "He also has seen everything a college defense can throw at a quarterback. And he has a legit O-line and weapons, something he never had at Wake."
Hartman's draft stock sits in the Day 3 territory right now. He has good accuracy, a feel for the game and an ability to get his offense into the right decision. Improved play at Notre Dame and the NFL's fascination with Brock Purdy-like rhythm passers could help him slide up boards come late April.
Dominic Lovett, WR, Georgia
The Georgia offense will look vastly different in 2023, and one player who stands to benefit is Lovett, a transfer wideout from Missouri. The 5-10, 179-pounder has excellent speed and after-the-catch ability. At Missouri, Lovett caught 56 balls for 846 yards and three touchdowns -- but he was the second option in the pass game that featured an unproven quarterback.
New Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo will look to open up the passing attack with Lovett as a focal point for quarterback Carson Beck. Lovett enters as an unproven work-in-progress and was essentially a gadget player at Missouri, but I see potential to round out his game and truly improve under Bobo and the Georgia staff. He is one of the biggest potential risers at wide receiver in the draft class, and if he hits the ground running, Lovett could quickly shoot into the top-50 conversation.
Steve Linton, OLB, Texas Tech
Linton will move to an outside linebacker role in Lubbock after 31 games (and four seasons) at Syracuse. He posted 11 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks in a rotational role, but the expectations are now high for him based on Texas Tech's ability to coach up defenders and his first-step speed at 6-5 and 235 pounds. If he can successfully transition into his new scheme and bump up the production, we could be talking about him a lot in draft season. With the lateral agility to play in space and the speed to stun offensive tackles, Linton has the traits to thrive coming off the edge of the Tech defense.
I've spoken with NFL scouts who have a top-100 grade on Linton, but one Big 12 area scout says that's way too low. "Linton will blow up [at Texas Tech]. His length and quickness are perfect for playing the outside in the Big 12. Watch him get 12 sacks and become a first-rounder."
Cameron Rising, QB, Utah
One more QB for the list. Rising looked like a Heisman candidate at times during the 2022 season, but he's also recovering from a knee injury suffered late in the campaign. He opted to return for his senior year and has been limited this summer in practice but an important season lies ahead. Can he get Utah into the playoff picture? And can he improve his Day 3 draft stock and perhaps restart his Heisman hype?
Rising passed for 3,034 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season, displaying high-end arm strength and really good second-effort ability. Scouts love his big-play mentality, his off-platform throws and his toughness behind center. I could see a scenario where a great final season pushes him up draft boards, much like we saw with Stetson Bennett or even Zach Wilson in recent years.
First up, though, is staying healthy. That's something Rising (6-2, 220 pounds) has yet to do in college and will be perhaps his biggest test of the season.
Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
NFL scouts have been buzzing about Latu this summer. "He could be this year's big riser," said an NFC scout who covers the West Coast. "He has legit ability. The only question is his injury history."
Latu began his career at Washington, where he suffered a neck injury in practice before his 2020 sophomore year. He ultimately medically retired from football at the advice of team doctors. But the Latu transferred to UCLA, where he was cleared to play football again. He has been nothing short of jaw-dropping since. In his comeback 2022 season, Latu posted 10.5 sacks (tied for ninth in the country) and forced three fumble recoveries while setting the edge at 6-5 and 265 pounds. His 19.1% pressure rate was the best in the nation, right above the guy at least one scout is comparing his upside to this season.
"He could legitimately be this year's Tyree Wilson. He has that size and trait potential," said the NFC scout.
Latu's relentless effort and strength often overpowers blockers, and he's a lot like Jaelan Phillips was at Miami in that way. His game is a bit raw, but the upside is obvious. Medicals will be huge for Latu at the combine, but what's at stake for him this season is a potential Round 1 grade from scouts -- as long as he can prove he's healthy and the he can match last year's production.