Hello and welcome back! College football is back! 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.
#4 FSU @ Clemson
Saturday, 9/23 | 12:00 PM ET, ABC
#4 FSU
Jordan Travis #13, QB 2024 (6’1, 212)
Florida State has quite a few players that I’ll be watching closely. Travis gave the country a scare last week against Boston College when he was injured on a scramble late in the first half. Thankfully, Travis was able to come back in and finish the game. There remains quite a lot of NFL Draft hype around Jordan Travis, but I’m still not sold on his NFL potential. Clemson isn’t as good as usual, but this will be a good test for Travis.
Johnny Wilson #14, WR 2024 (6’7, 237)
Johnny Wilson is the next player to note for FSU. Wilson has battled injuries in 2023 but had a nice 4-catch 105-yard performance last week in the narrow victory. He remains an unguardable target due to his 6’7 size and an unmissable player on the field. I like Wilson’s chances at being a day 2 NFL pick if he can test adequately.
Keon Coleman #4, WR 2024 (6’4, 215)
The next player to note is Keon Coleman. Like Wilson, Coleman started the season with a bang. So far on the young season, Coleman has 12 receptions for 170 yards and 4 scores. Coleman isn’t quite as physically imposing as Johnny Wilson, but he has been dominant at the catch point and has become one of the go-to targets for Jordan Travis. However, he disappeared last week against BC, so I expect to see him more heavily involved this week.
Jaheim Bell #6, TE 2024 (6’3, 239)
Jaheim Bell is the final player to note for FSU. The transfer from South Carolina had his best game for the Seminoles last week, catching 5 passes for 76 yards and a score. Bell possesses the traits to be an NFL player, so if he can continue to flash for a top-5 team, I expect the draft buzz around him to keep growing.
Clemson
Will Shipley #1, RB 2024 (5’11, 210)
The only player of note with 2024 NFL Draft eligibility is Will Shipley. Having said that, he’s had a rather underwhelming start to the 2023 season. Shipley came into the year with hopes of ascending draft boards, but at this point, it is more likely that he’s slipping down them. At this point, it doesn’t look like the Clemson offense will get much better, so Shipley will likely need to prove himself during the pre-draft process to regain some value.
#19 Colorado @ #10 Oregon
Saturday, 9/23 | 3:30 PM ET, ABC
#19 Colorado
Shedeur Sanders #2, QB 2024 (6’2, 215)
After the loss of Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders is the main player to know for the Buffs. Sanders’ stock has skyrocketed as he has the entire state of Colorado abuzz. He is draft-eligible this season and has been ranked as high as QB3 in some recent mock drafts. As long as the Buffs keep playing well, Sanders will continue to see his draft stock rise.
Xavier Weaver #10, WR 2024 (6’1, 180)
One of Sanders’ top targets this season has been senior receiver Xavier Weaver. If the Buffs are going to be competitive in this game, they will need a big performance from Weaver and fellow wideout and USF transfer Jimmy Horn Jr. Weaver has been the Buffs’ best receiver in 2023 and has a chance to get on the NFL radar with a few more big performances.
#10 Oregon
Bo Nix #10, QB 2025 (6’2, 217)
The main player on the Ducks’ side of the ball is their senior quarterback, Bo Nix. After a career year in 2022 that rebounded his reputation, Nix is off to another strong start this season. Nix is a lot like the aforementioned FSU QB, Jordan Travis. He is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who will likely be in the Heisman race all season. Unfortunately, he also needs to develop more as a passer if he’s going to be playing on Sundays next year. He’s still worth monitoring.
#15 Ole Miss @ #13 Alabama
Saturday, 9/23 | 3:30 PM ET, CBS
#15 Ole Miss
Quinshon Judkins #4, RB 2025 (5’11 220)
The primary name to know for Ole Miss is running back Quinshon Judkins. Judkins had an astonishing true freshman season in 2022, tallying 1,567 yards rushing on 274 carries with 16 touchdowns. He also added another 132 yards and one additional score on 15 receptions. Despite getting off to an underwhelming start, Judkins is in the mix to be the top RB in next year’s class and is a name you should know for the future.
Michael Trigg #81, TE 2024 (6’3, 240)
Michael Trigg is the other player to watch. He is coming off a disappointing 2022 that saw his season cut short with an injury. Before that, Trigg entered the season with a lot of hype surrounding him. He hasn’t done much yet this year but still has a chance to compete for the TE2 position in this class. I’ll be watching him closely this season to see how he looks.
#13 Alabama
Jase McClellan #2, RB 2024 (5’11, 212)
This is an interesting season for Alabama. The only player worth noting is running back Jase McClellan. He, along with the entire Alabama team, hasn’t done much to impress in 2023 yet. However, if the Crimson Tide are going to be successful this year it will likely be through the running game. I expect to see McClellan utilized pretty heavily going forward.
Arkansas @ #12 LSU
Saturday, 9/23 | 7:00 PM ET, ESPN
Arkansas
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders #5, RB 2024 (6’2, 242) ***INJURED***
This is an interesting season for Alabama. The only player worth noting is running back Jase McClellan. He and the entire Alabama team haven’t done much to impress in 2023 yet. However, if the Crimson Tide are going to be successful this year, it will likely be through the running game. I expect to see McClellan utilized pretty heavily going forward.
#12 LSU
Malik Nabers #8, WR 2024 (6’0, 200)
With Sanders out, the main attraction in this game is LSU’s Malik Nabers. He’s coming off a monster game against Mississippi State in which he caught 13 passes for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns. Nabers is in line to be the next promising WR prospect to come out of Baton Rouge. I expect to see him in the discussion for WR2 if he declares this year.
#6 Ohio State @ #9 Notre Dame
Saturday, 9/23 | 7:30 PM ET, NBC
#6 Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. #18, WR 2024 (6’4, 205)
The players to know for Ohio State haven’t changed. There are a few that are projected to be top dynasty picks. The first one of note is Marvin Harrison Jr. MHJ had another big game last week with 5 catches for 126 yards and a score. I expect to see more of what we saw last week going forward. Harrison is projected as a top 5 NFL pick and should be off the board by pick 4 in all dynasty rookie drafts. He’s my top-ranked receiver and will be a joy to watch all year.
TreVeyon Henderson #32, RB 2024 (5’10, 214)
Ohio State’s next player to watch is TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson finally had a solid game last week. He ran the ball 13 times for 88 yards and 2 scores and added another 27 yards through the air on one catch. All I am hoping for out of Henderson this season is his health. If he can get through the year without any injuries, he should test well and be one of the top RBs taken in rookie drafts next year.
Emeka Egbuka #2, WR 2024 (6’1, 206)
Emeka Egbuka is the final player I will note. He also started the season slow but had a nice 4-catch, 57-yard, 2-score game last week against Western Kentucky. He was recently ranked as the #18 overall player in Mel Kiper’s first 2024 NFL draft rankings. The biggest question for Egbuka and this offense hasn’t changed. This team isn’t as explosive as last year with CJ Stroud. However, it shouldn’t impact your prospect rankings for these three.
#9 Notre Dame
Sam Hartman #10, QB 2024 (6’1, 210)
The player to know in this game is former Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman. Hartman has continued his spectacular start to his first season in South Bend. He has completed 71.1% of his passes for 1,061 yards with 13 scores and no interceptions. If he keeps this up, he’s got a good chance to get into the QB3 discussion. I’ve been a fan of Hartman for a couple of years now and am excited to see him in a top-10 matchup this week.
#5 USC @ Arizona State
Saturday, 9/23 | 10:30 PM ET, FOX
#5 USC
Caleb Williams #13, QB 2024 (6’1, 215)
For the late-night crowd, there are a few players that should be fun to watch. First off is the probable first-overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, Caleb Williams. All the reigning Heisman trophy winner has done this year is throw for nearly 900 yards with 12 TDs and 0 interceptions, including this spectacular throw. I plan to sit back, relax, and watch the best quarterback in the country tear up one of the worst Power 5 teams in the country.
Zachariah Branch #1, WR 2026 (5’10, 175)
There are a few other players that are of note for USC, but the one that I’ll highlight here is freshman phenom Zachariah Branch. He is electric with the ball in his hands and has shown why he was such a highly coveted recruit. We still have a few years before Branch becomes an NFL prospect, but remember his name.
California @ #8 Washington
Saturday, 9/23 | 10:30 PM ET, ESPN
California
Jaydn Ott #8, RB 2025 (6’0, 200)
I don’t expect this game to be particularly close, but when Cal has the ball, I’ll be watching their sophomore running back, Jaydn Ott. If you’re unfamiliar with his name, you likely won’t be for too long. Ott had an impressive freshman year and is off to a strong start in 2023. He’s averaging nearly 7 yards per rush and has a chance to make a name for himself for the 2025 RB class with continued success. I like Ott and will tune into this one to see how he looks against a tough opponent in Washington.
#8 Washington
Michael Penix Jr. #9, QB 2024 (6’3, 213)
The Washington Huskies have a few players to know, starting with their quarterback, Michael Penix Jr. Penix, who has seemingly been in college for half a decade but really broke out last year in his first season with Washington. He’s off to a blistering start in 2023 with 1,332 yards passing and 12 touchdowns with only 1 interception. Penix is making a strong push up the 1st round NFL Draft board and will likely be a top-15 pick or higher.
Jalen McMillan #11, WR 2024 (6’1, 192)
One of Penix Jr.’s main targets last year was Jalen McMillan. No WR duo can stand up to the aforementioned Ohio State pair, but the Huskies have a dynamic duo of their own. As expected, McMillan has been impressive on the young season, catching 20 passes for 311 yards and 3 scores. McMillan should be involved early and often in this one, so be on the lookout.
Rome Odunze #1, WR 2024 (6’3, 215)
The other half of the WR duo for Washington is Rome Odunze. At 6’3, Odunze presents a prototypical NFL WR size. His name has been mentioned more and more as one of the top receivers in this class. I expect to see him targeted heavily this season and look forward to seeing him play.
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!
