Now that the 2024 College Football Playoff is right around the corner, it’s time to preview some of the best NFL Draft prospects set to play for the four teams involved.
Plenty of talented players between Alabama, Michigan, Texas, and Washington are set to join the NFL once they hear their names called on draft day. This CFP preview highlights the very best 2024 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Monday’s matchups between Alabama vs. Michigan and Texas vs. Washington.
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Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
After recording nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss as a sophomore, Bralen Trice likely could have gone pro at the end of last year. Yet, Trice returned for another season and led the nation with 70 pressures.
Just look at that quick first step. It’s not hard to see how Trice can create havoc at the next level too.
Thanks to an impressive mix of size, speed, and strength, scouts view Trice as a potential first-round pick. As the biggest threat on the defensive line, don’t be surprised if Trice is frequently tasked with taking on two blockers on any given play. A strong showing against Texas could help solidify his status as a first-day pick.
Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold, CBs, Alabama
Once again, coach Nick Saban boasts a top-15 scoring defense with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold, two potential first-round cornerback prospects, are big reasons why.
Both have recorded multiple interceptions this season and have all the necessary traits required to become starters at the next level too. McKinstry is considered the better prospect of the two, but both have the ideal length and strength to develop into a No. 1 cornerback in the NFL.
Taking on Michigan, the duo may not be tested much through the air, but that doesn’t mean they can’t put some good film out there as run defenders too.
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Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
No one will confuse Texas receiver Xavier Worthy for Megatron any time soon. He’s maybe 160 pounds on a good day, but any potential lack of strength he has, Worthy makes up for with speed. When he takes off, it looks like he’s at a track meet, only, the rest of his peers are still bogged down by their pads. Not Worthy.
Worthy has legitimate game-breaking speed. It shows up in the Big 12, and the same will remain true in the NFL too. In what’s expected to be a shootout, don’t be surprised when Worthy is seen dashing for the end zone with no other defender in sight. He’s that fast.
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Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
As a bonafide first-round prospect, offensive lineman J.C. Latham deserves a place on this list, too, but let’s be honest: the trench warriors rarely get much love. So let’s turn to the defensive trenches, where edge rusher Dallas Turner will be competing with Latham to be the first Alabama to hear his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft.
While there’s some debate, Turner is considered one of the best, if not the best, pass-rushing prospects in this draft class. Turner has great flexibility, which allows him to bend around offensive tackles with ease. But he also has the size and speed to bullrush past blockers on the way to the pocket. After recording 21.5 sacks across three seasons, Michigan’s offensive line will have their hands full with Turner on Monday.
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Along with LSU’s Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze is considered the best wide receiver prospect in the draft class not named Marvin Harrison Jr. After recording 2,573 yards across the past two seasons, it’s not hard to see how Odunze could be considered a top prospect.
Sure, he benefited from having Michael Penix Jr. throw him the ball, but Odunze was the one running all the routes, getting open, and hauling in the passes too. We can’t give all the credit to his QB, as Odunze is such a natural receiver, who makes running routes look like second nature to the 21-year-old.
At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Odunze towers over many defenders in college football, but he’s not just winning with size. Odunze uses incredible coordination and footwork to get open, giving Penix an easy target downfield. Expect several opportunities to see No. 1 shine on Monday.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Some view J.J. McCarthy as one of many first-round quarterback prospects. He’s not on the level of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or even Jayden Daniels, but McCarthy has all the traits NFL scouts desire.
For one, he’s studied under coach Jim Harbaugh for the past three seasons, where Michigan has been one of the best teams in the nation. Moreso, at 6-foot-3 and197 pounds, scouts see NFL size, a pro-level arm, and a bright kid who doesn’t make many boneheaded mistakes.
Yet, facing a tough test like Coach Saban’s Alabama defense should provide evaluators with a better idea of how McCarthy handles pressure playing against top competition under the lights. From there, we should have a better understanding of where he belongs as a top QB prospect.
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Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
What a tale for Penix Jr., the most productive passing QB in college football this year. Some might even say for the past two years, after putting up 8,859 passing yards and 64 touchdowns across 26 games.
The former Indiana QB could never stay healthy with the Hoosiers, but transferring to Washington was the best decision of this young man’s life. Penix became a full-blown superstar and is now viewed as a potential first-round prospect who could someday be handed the keys to an NFL offense. It might even come next year.
But first things first, Penix has to put on a show against Texas in what will likely be a shootout between top-20 scoring offenses. Complemented by Odunze and future NFL pro Ja’Lynn Polk, the circumstances should be no different for Penix, as he’s been dominating for two full years now.
Penix, a left-handed QB, throws a beautiful deep ball, which is great because he loves taking shots downfield. Fans who love high-scoring college football games will love what Penix has in store for you on Monday.