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.
#2 Ohio State @ #13 Penn State
Saturday, 10/29 | 12:00 PM ET, FOX
#2 Ohio State
CJ Stroud #7, QB 2023 (6’3, 218)
The top player of note for Ohio State is their quarterback, CJ Stroud. He is currently the frontrunner for the Heisman and one of the favorites for the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. There isn’t much left for Stroud to do at the collegiate level, but this week’s matchup against a good Penn State defense should be a nice showcase for him. Stroud will likely be one of the top-3 picks in Superflex rookie next year.
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.
#13 Penn State
Nicholas Singleton #10, RB 2025 (6’0, 219)
The best prospect on Penn State’s roster is freshman running back Nicholas Singleton. He’s been getting the lion’s share of a crowded backfield and is easily the most talented runner. Singleton was the top-ranked RB in the 2022 recruiting class and has looked well deserving of that ranking. The biggest problem with Singleton is that we have to wait until 2025 at the earliest to see him in the NFL.
#7 TCU @ West Virginia
Saturday, 10/29 | 12:00 PM ET, ESPN
#7 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. He has had three strong games in a row for TCU and is finally showing off some of the physical tools that made him so intriguing. It’s easy to see the upside with Johnston, and I’m encouraged by this recent production. I hope it will continue this week against West Virginia.
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 him to be the focal point of the rushing attack for the #7 Horned Frogs this week on the road.
West Virginia
Bryce Ford-Wheaton #0, WR 2023 (6’3, 224)
The main player of note for the Mountaineers is their fifth-year junior wide receiver, Bryce Ford-Wheaton. He has slowed down a bit since his scorching-hot start to the 2022 season, but with his size and contested-catch ability, I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets some more draft buzz as the pre-draft process gets rolling. I’m not sure he’ll be more than a Day 3 pick, but he could be a value late in rookie drafts.
Florida @ #1 Georgia
Saturday, 10/29 | 3:30 PM ET, CBS
Florida
Anthony Richardson #15, QB 2023 (6’4, 232)
The player I’ll be watching closely when Florida has the ball is their quarterback, Anthony Richardson. There’s a high likelihood he will return to Gainsville for another season. But this game against top-ranked Georgia is as good of a showcase game as you can ask for. If there’s any hope in Richardson for the 2023 NFL Draft, he’ll need to ball out this week.
#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. If you aren’t familiar with him, he’s the massive human that treated us to this play in Week 1:
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. He’ll likely be a Day 3 pick, so I’ll be targeting him later in rookie drafts. If your league has a taxi squad, he’s a prime candidate.
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 Georgia’s best offensive weapon, 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.
#9 Oklahoma State @ #22 Kansas State
Saturday, 10/29 | 3:30 PM ET, FOX
#11 Oklahoma State
Spencer Sanders #3, QB 2023 (6’1, 190)
Senior quarterback, Spencer Sanders, is the primary player to watch for Oklahoma State. He has always been a player that seems to flash every one of the tools NFL teams look for, but rarely all together and never for any real length of time. This year Sanders has looked really good, and he’s been putting up big numbers. I don’t think he has too much of an NFL future, but he’ll be the key for OSU in this game.
#22 Kansas State
Deuce Vaughn #22, RB 2023 (5’6, 176)
Deuce Vaughn is the player to watch for Kansas State. At 5’6 and 176 lbs, Vaughn looks like a pinball bouncing all over the field. He’s been a bit underwhelming compared to last year, but I expect to see a heavy dose of Deuce Vaughn for the Wildcats this week. If they are going to upset Oklahoma State, then Deuce will likely need to be the driving force behind that.
#19 Kentucky @ #3 Tennessee
Saturday, 10/29 | 7:00 PM ET, ESPN
#19 Kentucky
Will Levis #7, QB 2023 (6’3, 232)
The most intriguing part of this game will be the battle between seasoned quarterbacks Will Levis of Kentucky and Hendon Hooker of Tennessee. Levis is a bit of a polarizing player in the devy community. I have seen him ranked as high as the QB1 in this class, but I think he’s firmly behind both CJ Stroud and Bryce Young. However, if he can upset the Vols, I believe the draft hype will explode for Levis.
#3 Tennessee
Hendon Hooker #5, QB 2023 (6’4, 218)
For Tennessee, Hendon Hooker has been unbelievable. The Volunteers are still riding the high of their upset over Alabama, and Hooker is benefiting from it. I’ve seen his name in the first round of NFL mock drafts. However, I’m not much of a believer in his NFL potential. He has the size and has looked impressive at times, but I’m wary. He’s a fifth-year player who took a long time to break out. He’ll probably play his way into a Day 2 NFL pick, but I will likely be out on him.
Jalin Hyatt #11, WR 2023 (6’0, 180)
Hooker’s top target this year has been junior receiver Jalin Hyatt. He doesn’t quite have the size of fellow WRs Bru McCoy and Cedric Tillman, but Hyatt has been the top option thus far. Hyatt had the monster 6 catch, 5 touchdown game in the aforementioned upset of Alabama that vaulted him up NFL Draft boards. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hyatt declare after this year, but as of now, I think he’s most likely a late Day 2 pick or early Day 3 pick in the NFL Draft.
Michigan State @ #4 Michigan
Saturday, 10/22 | 7:30 PM ET, ABC
Michigan State
Jalen Berger #8, RB 2023 (6’1, 205)
For the Spartans, the player of note is Jalen Berger. The former Wisconsin running back started the season strong but, like the Spartans, has fallen off of late. This game will be a great opportunity for Berger to get noticed by the NFL if he’s going to declare after this season. I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns for another year, though.
#4 Michigan
Blake Corum #2, RB 2023 (5’8, 210)
There are only two players that I’m interested in for the Wolverines, the first of which is junior running back Blake Corum. He is a little undersized and somewhat divisive player in the devy community. Corum has seen his stock steadily rise this season and is now firmly in the discussion to be a day 2 NFL pick if he continues.
JJ McCarthy #9, QB 2024 (6’3, 196)
The other guy to watch is sophomore quarterback JJ McCarthy. Since taking over the starting job, McCarthy has looked good, completing over 77% of his passes with a 9:2 TD:INT ratio. McCarthy is coming off his worst game of the season last week against Penn State. I’ll be interested to see how he does in this rivalry game.
Stanford @ #12 UCLA
Saturday, 10/29 | 10:30 PM ET, ESPN
Stanford
Tanner McKee #18, QB 2023 (6’6, 230)
If you’re staying up late for some #Pac12AfterDark, there are a few players to know in this game. For Stanford, I’ll be watching Tanner McKee. He had a bit of draft buzz early in the season but has somewhat fallen out of the picture of late. His size and arm strength could get him drafted, but I can’t say I’m a huge believer in McKee.
#12 UCLA
Dorian Thompson-Robinson #1, QB 2023 (6’1, 205)
There are two players to know on the UCLA side of the ball. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is the first player to watch. He played pretty well in last week’s loss in Oregon, throwing for 262 yards and 2 scores. DTR has always been an exciting player to watch, but he likely won’t do much at the next level.
Zach Charbonnet #24, RB 2023 (6’1, 220)
The leading 2023 eligible player that I’ll be watching is running back Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet had a big game last week against Oregon. He has looked good carrying the ball this season but has also been dynamic as a receiver. Charbonnet is currently the third-leading receiving option for the Bruins. I expect Day 2 draft capital for Charbonnet, assuming he doesn’t test poorly.
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!
