Want to get to know the draft prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft? This weekly column breaks down the best matchups to watch each week in college football.
Florida vs. Utah; Thursday, Aug. 31, 8:00 PM ET ESPN
The Prospects:
Florida
- CB Jason Marshall, No. 3
- WR Ricky Pearsall, No. 1
- RB Montrell Johnson Jr., No. 2
- RT Damieon George, No. 76
- DT Cam Jackson, No. 99
- CB Jaydon Hill, No. 23
Utah
- WR Mycah Pittman, No. 5
- QB Cameron Rising, No. 7
- TE Brant Kuithe, No. 80
- S Cole Bishop, No. 8
- CB Zemaiah Vaughn, No. 5
The Matchups: The best prospect in this game could be Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn, and he will be tested by a quality receiving prospect in Ricky Pearsall. If Pearsall does well against Vaughn, that could really help Pearsall to start rising as a senior.
Similarly, there is a decent draft matchup with Gators cornerback Jason Marshall taking on Utes wideout Mycah Pittman and quarterback Cam Rising. Marshall has talent, but he needs to be more consistent as a junior to rise.
Ohio State vs. Indiana; Saturday, Sept. 2, 3:30 PM ET CBS
The Prospects:
Ohio State
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr., No. 18
- WR Emeka Egbuka, No. 2
- RB TreVeyon Henderson, No. 32
- RB Miyan Williams, No. 3
- DE J.T. Tuimoloau, No. 44
- DE Jack Sawyer, No. 33
- DT Michael Hall Jr., No. 51
- LB Tommy Eichenberg, No. 35
- CB Denzel Burke, No. 10
- CB Jordan Hancock, No. 7
- CB Cameron Martinez, No. 3
- S Lathan Ransom, No. 8
- S Josh Proctor, No. 41
Indiana
- DE Andre Carter, No. 1
The Matchups: This is a quality game for getting a look at a few future NFL edge rushers. Ohio State has a pair in Tuimoloau and Sawyer, and each has the potential to produce a big season. While Indiana does not have a lot of prospects, the program has an intriguing defensive end in Carter. The top prospects in this contest are the Ohio State star wide receivers, Harrison and Egbuka. They should have big 2023 seasons and be first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
West Virginia vs. Penn State; Saturday, Sept. 2, 7:30 PM ET NBC
The Prospects:
West Virginia
- WR Devin Carter, No. 5
- DE Sean Martin, No. 91
Penn State
- DE Chop Robinson Jr., No. 44
- LB Curtis Jacobs, No. 23
- CB Kalen King, No. 4
- CB Johnny Dixon, No. 3
- WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, No. 1
The Matchups: There is a quality matchup in this game with King going against Carter. King is in the running to be the first cornerback taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Carter is a quality wideout who could provide a good test for him in Week 1.
Florida State vs. LSU; Sunday, Sept. 3, 7:30 PM ET ABC
The Prospects:
Florida State
- DE Jared Verse, No. 5
- QB Jordan Travis, No. 13
- WR Johnny Wilson, No. 14
- S Akeem Dent, No. 1
- DT Fabian Lovett, No. 00
- RB Trey Benson, No. 3
LSU
- WR Malik Nabers, No. 8
- WR Karen Lacy, No. 2
- QB Jayden Daniels, No. 5
- RB Josh Williams, No. 27
- DT Maason Smith, No. 0
- CB Sage Ryan, No. 15
- S Greg Brooks, No. 3
- LB Omar Speights, No. 1
- DE Sai’vion Jones, No. 35
- DE Jordan Jefferson, No. 99
The Matchups: This is the best matchup of Week 1 in college football for evaluating 2024 NFL Draft prospects. Both Travis and Daniels have next-level potential, and whichever quarterback generates a win for his team should be off to a good start. Both programs have potential early-round receivers, in Wilson and Nabers, respectively. Verse could be one of the top defensive prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Tigers defensive tackle Maason Smith is suspended over an autograph signing, although he is also dealing with an ankle injury from training camp.
Clemson vs. Duke; Monday, Sept. 4, 8:00 PM ET ESPN
The Prospects:
Clemson
- DT Ruke Orhorhoro, No. 33
- DT Tyler Davis, No. 13
- S Andrew Mukuba, No. 1
- QB Cade Klubnik, No. 2
- RB Will Shipley, No. 1
- WR Beaux Collins, No. 80
- G Walker Parks, No. 64
Duke
- LT Graham Barton, No. 62
The Matchups: Barton will see a good test right out of the gate, as Clemson once again has good NFL talent on its defensive line. Orhorhoro and Davis flashed interior pass-rush potential last year, and if either, or both, can build on last season, each could be a riser for the 2024 NFL Draft.
