We made it through another bitter college football offseason. Week 0 was the perfect appetizer, and now it’s time for the first full slate of collegiate action for the first time since November. I can think of no better way to preview the season than to feature some of the top devy assets in college football’s premier conference. Here are the most elite NFL prospects in the Southeastern Conference.
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia | 6’4″ 240 lbs | 2024 Class
Very few tight ends in the country are featured playmakers in their offense. Even fewer have the athleticism Bowers possesses and are productive enough to be named on the Biletnikoff Award watch list in back-to-back seasons. Bowers is the runaway best tight end in college football, standing head and shoulders over Ja’Tavion Sanders, teammate Oscar Delp, and others. His versatility makes him a nightmare for defenses, even in the talent-rich SEC. He is big, strong, and fast and has rare ball skills.
Bowers ran a verified 4.5 40 in high school with a 40-inch vertical, so that we can be confident in the measurables. Bowers has led Georgia in every major receiving category the past two seasons and likely will again this fall. The list of draftable tight ends in devy is short, but Bowers is a top-five lock in startup drafts. He is an early first-round pick in the NFL Draft next April.
If you thought the 2023 Tight End class was good, wait till you see Brock Bowers. pic.twitter.com/m9y5s09e4f
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) May 21, 2023
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ole Miss | 5’11” 210 lbs | 2025 Class
If you enjoy hanging out in the Dynasty Nerds prospect film room as much as I do, do me a favor and watch a few clips of Judkins. Talk about a fun film review. In a few moments in the Alabama game, he made their defense look foolish. No running back in the country has seen their stock rise quite like Judkins’ has in the past 12 months.
PFF ranked him in the top ten in rushing yards, yards after contact, and forced missed tackles in his true freshman season. His 76 forced missed tackles last season led all SEC running backs. According to Reel Analytics, he is also one of the fastest players in college football, maxing out at over 21 MPH multiple times. I have also been impressed with his pass protection and ability to pick up the blitz. These things turn a Day 3 pick into an early Day 2 pick or better.
Watching the 2025 running backs this morning and Quinshon Judkins is different man 👀
— Kevin (@Daboys_22) February 26, 2023
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Raheim Sanders, RB, Arkansas | 6’2″ 242 lbs | 2024 Class
I was all-in on Sanders last summer as a major devy riser, and here we are. The community has passed me up a bit on the Rocket hype train, to the point I would consider selling, but there is plenty to be excited about with this bulldozer. As one of the top running back prospects in college football, Sanders is a punishing runner with surprising versatility. I consider him to be a plus receiver and athlete. He has been a nightmare for SEC defenses with two seasons of efficient production under his belt.
At 6’2″ and 242 lbs. with no fat, according to Arkansas HC Sam Pittman, it’s easy to assume that he profiles as a traditional bell cow back at the next level. Do not underestimate his pass-catching ability, though. If I had to call it right now, Sanders looks like an early Day 2 pick in the NFL Draft.
Raheim Sanders is a sturdy bell cow with a forward leaning downhill running style
— Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) July 24, 2023
Rocket’s versatile and can be positioned all over the field defenders just fall off this guy
My 2024 RB1
pic.twitter.com/ctYF6QjjS9
Evan Stewart, WR, Texas A&M | 6’0″ 175 lbs | 2025 Class
After a promising true freshman campaign where he posted a 53-649-2 receiving line, look for Stewart to make a monumental jump in his sophomore year. The highlight reel catches will grab your attention, but the All-22 review shows a player who routinely creates space. We could easily be talking about the devy WR1 after the 2024 prospects cycle through. His ball skills are wildly impressive, and he plays much bigger than his listed size. He is ready to take the next step with another favorite of mine, Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman. This is College Station’s version of DeVonta Smith.
Evan Stewart is going to be a problem this season🍿
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 8, 2023
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Luther Burden, WR, Missouri | 5’11” 208 lbs | 2025 Class
The fifth spot on this list was a brutal decision to make. I love Burden’s profile, but any players listed below could have been featured here. There is a very short list of players in college football more electrifying than Luther Burden. He is a force on the football field and provided flashes of that in his freshman season. Burden was used in a variety of ways in his first year at Missouri. He turned 63 touches into 463 yards and eight touchdowns. The efficiency was lacking, but I was encouraged, considering the limitations of the offense.
I don’t think we have seen anything close to what Burden can do. He is a true weapon that will be utilized that way. He will spend the majority of his time in the slot this season, but I expect 30+ carries as well. Burden is also a difference-maker as a punt returner. As one of the most complete receivers in college football, Burden has the NFL size and strength you love to see. He plays with quick feet and aggression and will be a YAC monster this season. Missouri cannot feed him enough.
Luther Burden is a fantastic talent! You get the ball in the hands of your best play makers! pic.twitter.com/HDpLOZqp4d
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) October 23, 2022
Honorable Mentions
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU | 6’0″ 200 lbs | 2024 Class
Barion Brown, WR, Kentucky | 6’1″ 166 lbs | 2025 Class
Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee | 6’6″ 206 lbs | 2026 Class
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