NFL fans are already expressing their excitement surrounding the 2022 college season as they sight out the next big collegiate prospect that could take the league by storm and be amongst the highlighted top picks ahead of the impending 2023 NFL Draft as some of the league’s worst teams sight a young talent that could propel their core of young talent.
The popularity surrounding the NCAAF has significantly grown over the decades as more high school star prospects and recruits now look to showcase their skills against some of the country’s most versatile talent for various highly established collegiate programs.
College football games now draw in crowds from far and wide with some games even breaking attendance over the 100,000-spectator mark for various high-profile outings featuring the most elite talent on display.
Heading into the 2022 season, here are the top listings of the best college football players to keep a watchful eye on throughout the regular season and playoffs in the race to win the National Championship.
- Bryce Young (QB) – Alabama Crimson Tide:
In the latest college football odds, the Crimson Tide are ranked at +210 outright to win the National title thanks in large part to their extremely talented QB Bryce Young who may have many NFL fans and analysts alike believing that he could be the first overall pick in the 2023 Draft class.
Young has many credentials on his resume already which includes a CFP National Championship in 2020 as well as the prestigious 2021 Heisman Trophy award for the best college player during last season, the greatest individual award available at the collegiate level.
Alabama made great strides last season and remain as the forefront for all future NFL talent with Young helping the program reach the National Finals where they narrowly fell short of another championship to their fierce rivals Georgia thanks to the team’s rugged defense that has featured numerous stars selected within the first round.
Young has already showcased his immense talent and uplifting potential with a winning start to the new season including a nail-biting outing against the Texas Longhorns from which Young has remained at the focal point of all future NFL mock Drafts.
- Will Anderson (DE/OLB) – Alabama Crimson Tide:
When it comes to deciding on which two players are expected to go one or two in the upcoming 2023 Draft Class, chances are that most fans and scouts alike will choose between the aforementioned Bryce Young and his Alabama teammate Will Anderson depending on whether a QB is a necessary selection for the team in question.
Anderson is expected to be an NFL ready prospect and could take the NCAA by storm thanks in large part to his superior athleticism, quickness and strength that makes him an absolute nightmare for offenses to deal with on a regular occurrence.
Entering his junior year, Anderson finished his sophomore season with a total of 56 solo tackles, 45 assisted and 17.5 sacks on opposing Quarterbacks which are very impressive numbers from just 15 games in total leaving many to question on whether he will be selected with the first overall pick in next year’s Draft should he continue to raise his stock with another excellent season of imposing defensive stops.
- C.J. Stroud (QB) – Ohio State Buckeyes:
The consensus top three picks in next year’s Draft appears to revolve around Alabama’s two high profile talents in Young and Anderson, with the Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud also in the running to land a spot as a top tier selection for any NFL club that is in dire straights for a talented QB to vastly improve their offense.
During his Freshman year, Stroud completed a total of 317 passes from an attempted 441 marking his average percentage of completion at around 72% with a total of 4435 yards and 44 touchdowns scored.
Stroud also impressed in his accuracy of passing as only 6 of his previously listed 441 attempted passes were picked off and intercepted by opposing defenders with Stroud also enjoying great success throughout his current junior year campaign which will various NFL scouts interested in acquiring his signature on Draft night.
Outside of these top three projected Draft picks, some other notable star names include Georgia’s DL Jalen Carter, Clemson’s EDGE Myles Murphy, Kentucky QB Will Levis and Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba who may all be expected to be selected within the very early stages of the first round depending on what they can showcase throughout the ongoing NCAA regular campaign and post season.
The hype surrounding the looming 2023 Draft class is very apparent given the incredible talent that is now so often on display from the various established collegiate programs and contenders that are raring for a chance to claim the prestigious and highly coveted National Championship trophy that can also play a pivotal role in improving other players Draft stock or viability as a potential high selection in the Draft.
