It’s Week 3 of the college football season and there are a bunch of exciting matchups on display. With that in mind, we’ve produced this list of five NFL Draft prospects that you need to keep a close eye on.
Jer’Zhan Newton – IDL, Illinois (6-2, 295, rs-Junior)
If you’ve watched Illinois over the past year, you’ll have seen Newton wreaking havoc in the trenches. He racked up a whopping 55 pressures in 2022. This was the most in the Big Ten and the gap between Newton and the second placed interior defender was as wide as the gap between second place and 21st. He finished the season as a First Team All-Big Ten member.
There is a lot to like about Newton’s game. He is a quality athlete who plays with great leverage and good power at the point of attack. His ability to be a consistent difference maker in the passing game will obviously be prized at the NFL level. This weekend he faces a high-flying Penn State team. A good game here would help boost his stock further.
Spencer Rattler – QB, South Carolina (6-1, 217, rs-Senior)
It feels like Rattler has been on the NFL Draft radar for a long time now. Originally touted as a potential future No. 1 overall pick ahead of the 2021 season, Rattler ended up being benched at Oklahoma before transferring to South Carolina in 2022. He had a solid, if unremarkable first season with the Gamecocks, throwing for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Rattler has started this season well though, and it is tough to overlook his enticing skillset. His arm talent is elite and his ability to create outside of structure is impressive. This weekend’s game against Georgia will be his toughest matchup this season, making it must-watch TV for NFL Draft fans and scouts alike.
Tyler Nubin – S, Minnesota (6-1, 210, rs-Senior)
Nubin looks set to be one of the top safeties in this year’s draft. A former four-star recruit, he is now in his fifth season with the Golden Gophers and his fourth as a starter. Nubin has a well-earned reputation as a ball-hawk, clocking 10 interceptions and eight pass breakups on his 67 career targets. Two of these came in Minnesota’s 2023 season opener against Nebraska.
There is a lot to like about Nubin’s game when projecting to the NFL. At 6’2” and 210 lbs he has impressive size and length. He plays up to this too, showing good ferocity when working downhill against the run. This weekend he’ll be facing off against one of the top rated 2024 NFL Draft prospects in North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. This could be a fun matchup.
Malachi Corley – WR, Western Kentucky (5-11, 210, rs-Junior)
Corley is one of plenty of names in what looks set to be a deep 2024 wide receiver class. He formed a dynamic connection with quarterback Austin Reed last season, leading the C-USA in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,168). Corley was also one of just four FBS receivers to average at least 10 yards after the catch per reception.
At 5’11” and 210 lbs he is built more like a running back, and has the contact balance to match. Corley’s 36 forced missed tackles in 2022 were 11 more than any other wide receiver. This weekend we will get to see Corley against top competition as Western Kentucky head to Ohio Stadium to take on the Buckeyes.
Kiran Amegadjie – OT, Yale (6-5, 318, Senior)
It’s not often that you find yourself talking about Ivy League draft prospects, but Amegadjie is a name well worthy of consideration. The left tackle for Yale’s Ivy League championship team in 2022, Amegadjie allowed a paltry five pressures on 301 dropbacks last season.
At 6’5” and 318 lbs with 36.75” arms, Amegadjie ticks all of the size measurables you want in an NFL offensive tackle. His foot quickness and play strength also look to be more than adequate for the pro level, and his experience playing both tackle and guard will help his stock. Keep an eye out for him in Yale’s opener this weekend against Holy Cross.
