WAY-TOO-EARLY 2024 NFL DRAFT TOP 32 PLAYER RANKINGS WITH A WAY-TOO-EARLY COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP-25 POLL
Written By: Noah “Dr. Tee” Clendenen
INTRODUCTION
After the recent conclusion of the year’s edition of the NFL Draft, fans and football team’s alike are soon going to quickly shift their attention to the treats that the 2024 NFL Draft will behold of. With this past season’s Heisman winner among the list of draft eligible names, one thing is for sure: the 2023-24 college season will for certain be better than ever. With talent increasing at amazing rates (rates that will only speed up as day’s go by), there’s no reason to droop your head if you're someone who didn’t enjoy who your team selected. The 2024 draft will be your safe haven, and I’m here to tell you all the names of players you need to watch out for and who’ll make an immediate impact from kickoff in September, 2024.
Criteria
I will be going to give an overview of the top 3 prospects you should be most excited for going into 2022-23, as well as twenty-nine other names that will be worth a watch.
Twelve (12) names will be on the start of my 2024 “watchlist” - names that will certainly be involved on my draft rankings throughout the offseason and into the start of the regular season.
At the end of my rankings, a “way-too-early top 25 college football poll” will be posted with a brief overview of the top eight (8) teams, and why they're sitting at each of their respective spots in my poll.
DISCLAIMER: *It is WAY too early for this (you know what) to make assumptions off these rankings - please just have a good read and a good time* -Dr. Tee
Way-Too-Early 2024 Top 32 Draft Rankings
1 - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Maybe one of the best overall QB prospects we’ve ever seen, he plays a game reminiscent of Patrick Mahomes - he can create both in and outside the pocket in any situation and make almost any throw look possible. Williams was the 2023 Heisman Trophy Winner ahead of guys like CJ Stroud and Bryce Young; both who were selected inside the top 2 of this year’s NFL Draft. At this point, even a mediocre campaign in 2023-24 should earn him a top 5, possibly top 3 grade.
Coming out of high school as a 5-star recruit from Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C, Williams was the 2nd rated QB prospect in the class of 2021, he was living in the shadow of Ohio State-commit Quinn Ewers. While still piecing together a fantastic résumé, he would get his first shot of true collegiate action during the Oklahoma-Texas grudge match in Week 6 where he would replace Heisman-favorite Spencer Rattler and dominate. Williams would lead the Sooners past the Longhorns on a ferocious comeback in which they were down as much as 18 at one point. In route to scoring 25 4th quarter points, Williams would put up absurd numbers of 16-25 passing, 212 yards, 2 touchdowns with an additional 88 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Now, it’s hard to imagine Williams anywhere else but with the USC Trojans. In his first season in Los Angeles after transferring from Oklahoma (Which also led to player’s such as Jordan Addison and Mekhi Blackmon to follow in the transfer portal), Williams totaled a nation-leading 42 touchdowns through the air to only 5 interceptions, along with a total of 4,537 passing yards which was 3rd in the nation. His raw talent is unlike anything college football has ever seen - he can make the most complex and hard throws look effortless, and can dissect a defense so much to the point that it looks like he’s playing the game 5 seconds ahead.
2 - Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Ohio State
A finalist for the Biletnikoff Award in 2023 as only a sophomore, Harrison was without a doubt the nation’s most complete receiver and put together one of the most dominant receiving seasons by a Buckeye we’ve seen. Harrison can do it all, even being the son of a Hall of Fame receiver (Marvin Harrison) is something he knows quite well. His natural ability to run routes is eye-popping and his sticky hands will only get stronger as he progresses in his development. Stuffing the stat sheet with 1,263 yards on 77 receptions and 14 leading to the back of endzone, the 20-year-old impressed mightily solidifying himself as individually possibly one of the greatest receiver prospects we’ve seen.
Entering college as the #16 ranked receiver in the class of 2021, Harrison joined #1 rated and 5-star prospect Emeka Egbuka at Ohio State. While receiving offers from Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State and Pitt, Harrison would stay loyal to the Buckeyes where he would go-on to have a quiet freshman season. During a time where he saw limited action the Pennsylvania native ended his season on a high note: busting #11 ranked Utah for 3 touchdowns in the annual Rose Bowl game, en route to a 48-45 win that saw Ohio State boast 3 all-time great performances from 3 different offensive players, (Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison, Jr., CJ Stroud).
Harrison popped off during an end-of-season-stretch that put the college football world on pause. Over his last 8 games of the season, he posted 5 100-yard games, scoring a total of 8 touchdowns in those games, while putting up per game averages of 107 yards per game on 7 receptions with a touchdown.
The son of the HOF receiver has a good frame, standing at 6’2” and already packing on over 200 pounds of muscle. He has elite footwork, and the ability to go up and get the ball he has is one that is only comparable to his Dad. His overall ability to be a true wide receiver #1, and excel in every facet of the game is really what makes him the can’t-miss prospect he is.
3 - Drake Maye, QB, UNC
After becoming one of the nation’s biggest surprises, Maye has been the Tar-Heel darling of all NFL scouts. After red-shirting his true freshman season at UNC, Maye entered this season with little expectations behind a low-ranked team. The “Justin Herbert-like” prototype QB, as he’s been deemed, threw for over 4,300 yards, along with 38 touchdowns to 9 picks - averaging 9 yards per pass on a 66.2% completion percentage.
Before joining UNC’s program, Maye was ranked as the #56 player in the nation - a 4 star recruit - and was labeled as the 3rd best player in North Carolina. A stellar junior campaign (senior season cancelled by Covid-19 epidemic), throwing for over 3,500 yards, 50 touchdowns to a mere 2 picks, which ultimately earned him offers from power-5 programs in Wake Forest, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. Despite high-rated offers, the Charlotte native stayed local and sat behind now Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell in his first season. Learning the ropes of college ball while viewing one of the best teams the UNC program has ever fielded.
Entering a season that provided low to unknown expectations, Maye’s NFL-style game allowed him to adjust quickly, make quick decisions and make comfortable reads in the pocket. With good throw power and a nose for the back of the end-zone, he proved that he’s more than a QB carried by terrific talent when he showed out in the Holiday Bowl against Oregon; throwing for 3 touchdowns in what was an all-time classic New Year’s Bowl Game.
Concern is drawn to areas of his game that seem to just not “pop” the same as in other players he’ll be competing with - what I mean by that is simply his ability to create plays when plays aren’t given to him. Although already a very well-built prospect, standing at 6’5” and weighing 220+ pounds, Maye hasn’t shown the same elite ability to turn nothing into something, but I digress. There’s no doubt that Maye has all the tools to become an elite NFL quarterback, especially with how he plays the game as a true pocket passer. Next season will show a lot in terms of if he’s truly that Justin Herbert-like prospect or not.
Way-Too-Early Watchlist
KJ Jefferson, QB, Arkansas
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Dorian Singer, WR, USC (transfer)
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Michael Penix, Jr., QB, Washington
Zion Tupuola-Fetui, EDGE, Washington
Donte Cephas, WR, Penn State (transfer)
Isiah Williams, WR, Illinois
Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
Ja’Cory Brooks, WR, Alabama
Rod Moore, CB, Michigan
Way-Too-Early Top-25 College Football Poll
No. 1) Georgia Bulldogs, SEC, 21-22: 15-0
Still the king’s of college football, Georgia has continued to make steady waves in both recruitment and development. With their recent pedigree of both fielding the nation’s most stifling defenses’, as well strong offensive tools (TE Brock Bowers among the most notable), there’s no reason to think that Georgia will slow down. However, I do think that their will be a good portion of the year where they don’t sit at #1 in the AP Polls - Ohio State is looking to finally break through and if it’ll be any year, this upcoming 2024 season is seeming like the year of the Buckeye if any.
No. 2) Ohio State Buckeyes, Big 10, 21-22: 11-2
Feeding off of what I previously stated, the Buckeyes are yet again fielding a fantastic offense for the 2023-24 season. Under head coach Ryan Day, who is becoming one of the best offensive minds in all of college football, the Buckeyes’ will be high-flying and exciting. A stellar offensive core that includes Marvin Harrison, Emeka Egbuka, and TreyVeon Henderson (all of which will be picked in the first 3 rounds of the 2024 NFL draft), will be set-up for success. If Kyle McCord can at the least game manage this Buckeyes team, they’ll have a shot at a few #1’s in the Poll.
With all the attention the offensive brings, I would still like to point out some of the difference makers that will be on the Ohio State defense. This list includes future draft picks: JT Tuimoloau, Denzel Burke, Michael Hall, Liam Eichenburg and Jack Sawyer.
No. 3) Alabama Crimson Tide, SEC, 21-22: 10-3
The 2023-24 season will show a lot about both Nick Saban’s future intentions, and the overall outlook of all of college football - another missed chance at the college football playoff will most definitely ensure a new era of college football. In contrast, another fantastic, National Championship-like season will ensure that the Tide aren’t going anywhere soon.
I’m very intrigued to see how players like Ja’Cory Brooks (WR), Jermaine Burton (WR), and Jalen Milroe (QB), fair and adjust to much bigger roles within an offensive system that will be put under a microscope by the media with Bryce Young gone. On the other side of the ball, as usual, young studs fill the defensive side of the ball, headlined by the best corner in the nation heading into next season - Kool-Aid McKinstry - and star-edge rusher Dallas Turner.
No. 4) Michigan Wolverines, Big 10, 21-22: 13-1
Although last season was probably the best shot the Wolverines have had at winning a National Championship in a long time, Jim Harbaugh’s squad is loaded heading into next season. With soon-to-be Junior QB JJ McCarthy behind center and a talented backfield, I’m excited to see what new heights the interestingly set-up Michigan offense will hit. An underrated DB-duo of Rod Moore (led team in interceptions last season, 4) and Will Johnson (3 interceptions) is locking down the secondary, with solid protection on both the d-line and LB positions as well.
No. 5) USC Trojans, PAC-12, 21-22: 11-3
We saw how exciting the transfer-governed Trojans were last season, now anything but a playoff college football playoff berth will be a let down. It sounds harsh, but on paper this team is arguably the best in the nation - led by the best QB in the nation (Caleb Williams). Heading into 2023-24, they’ve added even more weapons, with former Arizona WR Dorian Singer getting added to the mix. With Tahj Washington, Mario Williams and Austin Jones returning for more action, there’s no reason to see any sort of decline in USC’s offense. One of the best DB’s heading into next season is helping hold down defense through the air in Calen Bullock (4 interceptions), and a good complimentary back in Max Williams; the pass defense of the Trojans should be just as good as the pass offense.
No. 6) Penn State Nittany Lions, Big 10, 21-22: 11-2
With returning stud O-lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu, the Nittany-Lions have the best shot at reaching a big time New Year’s Six bowl - and potentially the Playoff - than ever before. The best RB-duo in the nation, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, will be better than ever before and if last year was a sign of things to come, expect greatness from the two sophomores. The only noticeable weak spot on this team is QB, and college football has had its way with surprising people in the past.
No. 7) TCU Horned Frogs, Big 12, 21-22: 13-1
After the greatest season in program history, the Horned Frogs are coming off of the worst National Championship loss we’ve ever seen - which hasn’t been looked at too bad given their opponent - but they will certainly still have things to prove in 2023-24. For one, they need to show their not a one-year wonder. After losing Kendre Miller, Quentin Johnston, and Max Duggan to the NFL, it will be up to youngsters Jordan Hudson, Sam Jackson, Chandler Jackson as well as returning players in Zavion Williams, Bud Clark, Josh Newton, Jamoi Hodge and Emani Bailey.
No. 8) Clemson Tigers, ACC, 21-22: 11-3
Ever since Trevor Lawrence left the Tigers have seemed to have been stuck in a rut. They’ve been both really good and really bad, but have both suffered from inconsistencies and have been good at times but not great. This should be the year Cade Klubnik solidifies himself as a top QB in the nation; however it will have to be more than simply the quarterback driving the offense with soon to be Junior RB Will Shipley who should be one of the first running backs selected in the 2024 draft. A talented tandem of Jeremiah Trotter (LB) and Andrew Mukuba (S) will lock down the defense - as Dabo Swinney will try once more to break through the depths of the team’s that are really good in college football, but can’t seem to do anything with it.
No. 9) Washington Huskies, PAC-12, 21-22: 11-2
No. 10) Florida State Seminoles, ACC, 21-22: 10-3
No. 11) Tennessee Volunteers, SEC, 21-22: 11-2
No. 12) Oregon Ducks, PAC-12, 21-22: 10-3
No. 13) Utah Utes, PAC-12, 21-22: 10-4
No. 14) LSU Tigers, SEC, 21-22: 10-4
No. 15) Texas Longhorns, Big 12, 21-22: 8-5
No. 16) Kansas State Wildcats, Big 12, 21-22: 10-4
No. 17) Tulane Green Wave, AAC, 21-22: 12-2
No. 18) Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Big 10, 21-22: 9-4
No. 19) Ole Miss Rebels, SEC, 21-22: 8-5
No. 20) Illinois Fighting Illini, Big 10, 21-22: 8-5
No. 21) UNC Tar Heels, ACC, 21-22: 9-5
No. 22) Mississippi State Bulldogs, SEC, 21-22: 9-4
No. 23) UCLA Bruins, PAC-12, 21-22: 9-4
No. 24) South Carolina Gamecocks, SEC, 21-22: 8-5
No. 25) Oregon State, PAC-12, 21-22: 10-3
Teams That Will Be Ranked At Some Point In The Season:
Colorado Buffalo, PAC-12
Auburn Tigers, SEC
Pittsburgh Panthers, ACC
Arkansas Razorbacks, SEC
Cincinnati Bearcats, AAC
BYU Cougars, Independent
Texas A&M Aggies, SEC
Texas Tech Red Raiders, Big 12
Wake Forest Demon Deacons, ACC
Kansas Jayhawks, Big 12
Oklahoma Sooners, Big 12
Oklahoma State Cowboys, Big 12
Baylor Bears, Big 12
Arizona Wildcats, PAC-12
NC State Wolfpack, ACC
Iowa Hawkeyes, Big 10
Fresno State Bulldogs, MW
Hope Y’all Enjoyed,
And Until Next Time.
