Welcome back! The college football season is nearly half completed. If you’re new to this article, the goal is to bring you the top upcoming dynasty prospects to watch in nationally televised college football games. It’s never too early to take a look forward. Who will be the sleepers of upcoming rookie drafts? Check back here every week for my ‘Weekly Watch’ series before you head into the weekend. Use this article each week as a place to refer back to as you get ready to watch each game.

How this article works:

I’ll give you the network, time, and teams playing in nationally televised games. Below that, I’ll list the respective schools’ prospects that are, in my opinion, worth mentioning, their position, the year they are eligible to enter the NFL Draft, and their listed heights and weights.

Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@THEtristancook) if you have players you think deserve to be mentioned in next week’s article.

Illinois @ #3 Michigan

Saturday, 11/19 | 12:00 PM ET, ABC

Illinois

Chase Brown #2, RB 2023 (5’11, 205) 

The player to know for the Fighting Illini is their star running back, Chase Brown. He has been the heart and soul of this Illinois offense in 2022 and is currently leading the country in rushing. Brown is dealing with an injury, so it’s possible that he won’t play or will be limited, but if he’s on the field, there’s a good chance he’s getting the ball. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brown is a Day 3 NFL Draft pick, but he has the skills to produce nicely if given the opportunity.

#3 Michigan

Blake Corum #2, RB 2023 (5’8, 210)

The player I’m focusing on for Michigan remains the same, and it is running back Blake Corum. Corum currently has the fourth most yards rushing in college. He’s been pushing for Day 2 NFL Draft capital, and deservedly so. However, Corum’s draft stock will largely depend on his testing numbers. But he’s looked good so far in 2022. He’ll probably head into the pre-draft process around RB5 for me in the class. 

#4 TCU @ Baylor

Saturday, 11/19 | 12:00 PM ET, FOX

#4 TCU

Quinten Johnston #1, WR 2023 (6’4, 215)

TCU has two players that I’m interested in. First and foremost, I’ll be watching Quinten Johnston. Johnston has been on fire of late, scoring in his last five games. He is now being projected in the early 1st-round of some NFL mock drafts as the top wide receiver taken. While I agree that the physical tools and upside are both there, I worry about his inconsistency.

Kendre Miller #33, RB 2023 (6’0, 220)

The other player on this roster that I’ll be watching this week is Kendre Miller. Miller has looked good this season and is making a claim for Day 2 NFL Draft capital. I am not sure if he’ll get there, but he’s continued to impress all season. I expect to see him be the focal point of the rushing attack for the #4 Horned Frogs this week.

Baylor

Monaray Baldwin #80, WR 2024 (5’9, 169)

One of the only bright spots from last week’s blowout loss was sophomore wide receiver, Monaray Baldwin. He caught 8 passes for 75 yards and a score. He’s a smaller player but should be involved in the passing attack for the Bears. He has shown the skillset to win at the collegiate level, so I’ll be watching him closely.

Wisconsin @ Nebraska

Saturday, 11/19 | 12:00 PM ET, ESPN

Wisconsin

Braelon Allen #0, RB 2024 (6’2, 235)

The player for Wisconsin to know is still Braelon Allen. He’s one of the players vying for the RB2 spot in the 2024 class, and this game will likely be a determining factor in where he ends up. Allen has fallen off a bit in the devy world, but I’m still a firm believer. I expect to see a heavy dose of Allen against the Huskers.

Nebraska

Trey Palmer #3, WR 2023 (6’1, 190)

Trey Palmer is the player to know for Nebraska. He has had a strong year statistically but has struggled since blowing up against Purdue in October. Palmer has another year of eligibility if he chooses, so I’ll be interested to see what he decides. I think it’s in his best interest to return. Palmer has shown some NFL traits but still has a ways to go.

Boston College @ #18 Notre Dame

Saturday, 11/19 | 2:30 PM ET, NBC

Boston College

Zay Flowers #4, WR 2023 (5’10, 182)

The player to know for Boston College is their senior receiver, Zay Flowers. I was surprised that he went back for another year, but he has looked good in 2022. Flowers is basically the entire BC offense and has shown spectacular playmaking ability, including this catch:

Sign me up as a Zay Flowers fan.

#18 Notre Dame

Michael Mayer #87, TE 2023 (6’4, 265)

The only player I’m interested in for Notre Dame is their star tight end, Michael Mayer. He had a very quiet day last week against California, with only 3 catches and 23 yards receiving, but I’m not concerned. This Notre Dame team is not particularly good on offense, and days like this will happen. What’s important to note is that Mayer is my TE1 for 2023. Keep your eyes on #87 for the Irish.

#1 Georgia @ Kentucky

Saturday, 11/19 | 3:30 PM ET, CBS

#1 Georgia

Darnell Washington #0, TE 2023 (6’7, 270)

The two players I’m watching for Georgia are both tight ends. The first guy to know is Darnell Washington. He’s had a strong year for Georgia, and I expect him to declare for the NFL Draft. Washington’s size and athleticism will get him drafted into the NFL. I have seen him shooting up draft boards, and it wouldn’t shock me if he ended up going on the second night of the NFL Draft.

Brock Bowers #19, TE 2024 (6’4, 230)

The other tight end to know for Georgia is sophomore Brock Bowers. He doesn’t quite have the size of Darnell Washington but is currently the leading candidate to be the TE1 in 2024. Bowers is the best offensive weapon that Georgia has, but I’d like to see him bulk up a little before going into the NFL. Having said that, I’m not concerned if he doesn’t add too much weight. Bowers is an amazing athlete, as he’s shown some impressive speed on tight end jet sweeps. 

Kentucky

Will Levis #7, QB 2023 (6’3, 232)

Will Levis is the only prospect for this Kentucky team I’ll be monitoring. Levis had been considered the potential QB3 in this class but was recently ranked as the QB1 by some people. I’m not sure that I quite agree with that ranking, but it wouldn’t shock me to see him taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. I don’t know that he’ll ever get higher than QB3 on my rankings, but some people are big fans.

#2 Ohio State @ Maryland

Saturday, 11/19 | 3:30 PM ET, ABC

#2 Ohio State

CJ Stroud #7, QB 2023 (6’3, 218)

I don’t expect to be paying too close attention to this game when Indiana has the ball. However, when the Buckeyes have the ball, the players to watch haven’t changed. The top 2023 prospect to know is their Heisman frontrunner, CJ Stroud. I have Stroud as my QB2 in this class, but he’s not very far behind Alabama’s Bryce Young for the top spot.

Marvin Harrison Jr. #18, WR 2024 (6’4, 205) 

One of the most exciting players on the field for Ohio State this season has been standout-sophomore receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr. He seems to outdo himself each week, including a spectacular twisting catch along the sideline last week. If you aren’t already, get used to hearing his name until the 2024 NFL Draft.

TreVeyon Henderson #32, RB 2024 (5’10, 214)

The next player to watch is TreVeyon Henderson. He’s my RB1 in 2024 and is for nearly everyone. Henderson has struggled a bit with his health this year, but I’m not concerned about his long-term outlook. Barring anything major changing, he’ll be the top running back in his class.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11, WR 2023 (6’1, 200) ***INJURED***

Well, the return of Jaxon Smith-Njigba was rather short-lived. He injured himself again, and at this point, I would be surprised if we see much of JSN for the rest of the year. He will have to show that he’s healthy in the pre-draft process and will likely have a bit of an ‘injury-prone’ label, but I’m still expecting him to be a first-round NFL draft player. There are several future receiver prospects to know for OSU, but the one for this year is JSN.

Maryland

Rakim Jarrett #1, WR 2023 (6’0, 190)

On Maryland’s side of the ball, there’s really only one player that I’m paying attention to for the upcoming draft: the junior receiver Rakim Jarrett. He has been up and down this year but has the physical tools to be a Sunday player. I am interested in seeing how he will fare against a good Ohio State team. Jarrett was a highly touted recruit who has underwhelmed at Maryland, but he’s a name to know.

#7 USC @ #16 UCLA

Saturday, 11/19 | 8:00 PM ET, FOX

#7 USC

Caleb Williams #13, QB 2024 (6’1, 215)

The Trojans have a ton of talent on their roster, but I will focus on their top two guys. First, we have sophomore Caleb Williams. He is already the top quarterback in the 2024 class, which is shaping up to be a better class than some people expected. Williams has all the tools you want in a quarterback, and watching him play is a lot of fun. I expect another big game from him against his cross-town rival.

Jordan Addison #3, WR 2023 (6’0, 175)

Jordan Addison is the other player I’ll be watching for USC. He hardly did anything last week against Colorado, but I’m not concerned. Addison, like Williams, doesn’t have much to do but stay healthy to be a highly-ranked prospect. I have Addison as my WR3 in the 2023 class. I think the top-5 receivers are much closer than when the year started, so it’ll be interesting to see who can separate during the pre-draft process.

#16 UCLA

Zach Charbonnet #24, RB 2023 (6’1, 220)

The leading 2023 eligible player that I’ll be watching is running back Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet has had six straight 100+ yard rushing games, including two games where he had 198 yards. One of the most underrated parts of his game is his receiving ability. He’s certainly not going to wow you out of the backfield. But he’s shown that he can contribute on third down and in the receiving game. I expect Day 2 draft capital for Charbonnet, assuming he doesn’t run poorly.

#10 Utah @ #12 Oregon

Saturday, 11/19 | 10:30 PM ET, ESPN

#10 Utah

Cameron Rising #7, QB 2023 (6’2, 218)

There are a couple of players that I’m interested in for the Utes, the first of which is quarterback Cameron Rising. He came into this season with some high expectations for Utah and some draft buzz surrounding him. After the disappointing loss in the opening week at Florida, Rising has looked strong. I think the ceiling is limited with him, and he’ll likely be back at Utah in 2023, but he could be a Sunday player.

Dalton Kincaid #86, TE 2023 (6’4, 240)

The other player to know is tight end Dalton Kincaid. He had a monstrous game a few weeks back against USC but has been a little banged up since. This offense usually runs through the tight end position, and Kincaid is a good one. He has the physical profile to play on Sundays. It will likely come down to how he runs at the combine. So, make sure you remember his name.

#12 Oregon

Bo Nix #10, QB 2023 (6’2, 213) 

The player to watch for the Ducks is Auburn transfer Bo Nix. He rejoined his former coach Kenny Dillingham in Eugene with the hopes of revitalizing his NFL potential. After a tough opening week, Nix has put up huge numbers and is in the Heisman hunt. He’s also starting to garner a little bit of draft buzz. If Nix can finish the year strong, I would expect to see Nix hear his name called as early as Day 2 of the NFL Draft.

That’s it for this week’s games. As I previously mentioned, if there is anyone you’d like me to take a look at or want to share your thoughts on anything dynasty related, hit me up on Twitter ( @THEtristancook ). Also, check out tape on some of these guys in the Dynasty Nerds Film Room. It’s an amazing tool that I plan to take full advantage of. You can use the code “tcook” for 15% off a membership of any kind!