It’s Week 5 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.
Shedeur Sanders – QB, Colorado (6-2, 215, Junior)
Colorado has been earning plenty of attention through the first four weeks of the season, and their quarterback is no different. Sanders’ showings through the first few games of the season saw him talked about as a potential first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Buffaloes came crashing down to earth last week against Oregon though, and Sanders really struggled in that game.
This weekend’s matchup with USC will obviously be must-see TV. There are plenty of other stars on show, but I am intrigued to see how Sanders handles the big occasion opposite potential No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams. Last week he completed just four throws for 31 yards on his 16 pressured dropbacks. He can’t do that again. A big game here would be huge. If he looks like he did against Oregon, then the concerns are only going to grow.
Cedric Johnson – EDGE, Ole Miss (6-3, 265, Senior)
Ole Miss have another test against top-25 opposition this weekend as they go up against Jayden Daniels and LSU. One of the names to keep a close eye on is Rebels edge rusher Cedric Johnson. Johnson is in his third season as a starter and was named a Preseason All-SEC member. He has also been named to the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List.
He leads Ole Miss with 13 pressures through four games and certainly possesses the size and athleticism to make it at the NFL level. A former Feldman’s Freaks List member, Johnson has reportedly logged a 36.5” vertical jump and clocked over 20 mph on the GPS. He just needs to show that he can make an impact in the biggest games. After a quiet showing last week against Alabama, he’ll be determined to show out in Week 5.
Jordan Morgan – OT, Arizona (6-5, 325, rs-Senior)
Arizona isn’t a school known for creating NFL talent. They have had just nine prospects drafted in the last decade, and haven’t had a top 50 pick since Brooks Reed in 2011. Jordan Morgan has a very real chance to change that. A former three-star recruit, Morgan committed to his home state Wildcats over an offer from USC. He has been their starting left tackle since the abbreviated 2020 season.
It is easy to see why Morgan is earning real NFL Draft hype. He boasts imposing size at 6’5” and 325 lbs, but he pairs this with legitimate movement skills. He is noticeably light on his feet and has the ability to work on an island in pass protection. Morgan brings the play strength you want in a tackle too and this makes him a real asset in the run game. This weekend he has a very tough test against a strong Washington pass rush headlined by Bralen Trice.
DJ James – CB, Auburn (6-1, 164, rs-Senior)
A former three-star recruit, James began his career at Oregon in 2019. He eventually broke into the starting lineup in 2021, but elected to transfer the following summer and landed at Auburn. He has been a huge part of the Tigers’ defense ever since, starting 14 of their 16 games over the last two seasons. This weekend he will get the toughest test of the season as Auburn faces off against No. 1 ranked Georgia.
There is a lot to like about James’ game. Whilst he isn’t the biggest corner, he is a fluid athlete with quick feet and smooth hips in coverage. He pairs this with some impressive ball skills that have seen him log 18 forced incompletions over the last three seasons. James also shows impressive effort getting downhill in run support. Seeing how he holds up this weekend against top competition will be a big part of his evaluation process.
Jalon Daniels – QB, Kansas (6-0, 220, Senior)
The Jayhawks have been one of the most exciting teams in college football through four weeks. Their offense is averaging 37.8 points per game, and a big part of that is down to quarterback Jalon Daniels. The fourth-year senior is completing 74.7% of his passes and has thrown for five touchdowns and just one interception.
Daniels might not have ideal size for an NFL quarterback, but he has pretty much everything else. He showcases a live arm with impressive velocity in short and intermediate areas, as well as the processing ability to work through his reads efficiently. This weekend’s matchup against Texas will be their biggest test yet and if Daniels wants to enter the conversation as a legitimate NFL prospect, he would really help himself with a good performance here.
