2024 NFL Draft: College Football Game Recaps – Week 13

As we reported in the Hot Press, Florida State defensive end Jared Verse is not being graded as the high first-rounder many in the media have hyped him as. Verse entered this game with 4.5 sacks, but most of his sacks came against bad opponents. Florida fields a weak offensive line, and Verse had a nice performance, putting a lot of pressure on backup quarterback Max Brown. In the first quarter, Verse caused disruption behind the line of and started a tackle for a loss. Shortly later, he powered through a blocker to sack Brown. Throughout the second half, Verse put a lot of pressure on the quarterback and disrupted running plays in the backfield. Late in the fourth quarter, Verse bull-rushed through the left tackle to knock down Brown for another sack. A couple of plays later, Verse hunted down Brown again from the back side for a strip-sack.

Verse has the ability to be a starting defensive end at the next level. He has some tightness, but he has strength and quickness to close. This tape will help Verse’s hopes of being a first-round pick because this rivalry game was his best outing of the year. However, the Florida offensive line is terrible, so Verse’s big night has to be seen in that light.

Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman is a potential first-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft, but this game won’t offer real help to his draft grade. Coleman did not record a catch in the first half, but early in the third quarter, he got open on a cross and then darted downfield to gain 24 yards while powering through a few tackles. Shortly later, Gators corner Jason Marshall had tight coverage along the deep sideline to break up a long pass attempt to Coleman. Early in the fourth quarter, Coleman returned a punt 39 yards to flip the field for the Seminoles. However later on the drive, Coleman got separation from Jason Marshall in the end zone, but the pass sailed through Coleman’s hands for an incompletion on what should have been a touchdown.

Coleman is a big receiver who shows very good ball skills, and this season, he has displayed his dangerous run-after-the-catch ability. On top of that, Coleman has done a nice job as an emergency punt returner. A lack of speed to separate is an issue for Coleman with some NFL teams, which could make him more of a mid- to late first-rounder in the 2024 NFL Draft.

There were some media members who have had Marshall as a first-round pick, but he has had an ugly 2023 season. While he was better versus the Seminoles in the regular-season finale, he still had some bad plays. Marshall should have given up a touchdown to Coleman and a chunk reception to Johnny Wilson, but those passes went through the hands of those receivers. Marshall has a quality skill set, but he is very inconsistent and has given up too many plays this season. He has not played like a first-round pick in 2023, and if he enters the 2024 NFL Draft, he looks like a mid-round developmental player. Marshall would be wise to return to school to improve before going pro.

The 2024 NFL Draft has a large volume of quarterback prospects, and one of the intriguing players for the class is Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The left-handed quarterback has put up huge numbers this year but still needs a strong finish to the season to help his draft standing with NFL teams. This outing against Washington State is going to hurt Penix with pro evaluators.

In the second quarter, Penix hit a touchdown pass to Odunze, who was wide open in busted coverage, but throughout the first half, Penix tossed a number of passes off the mark. That continued early in the third quarter when he threw to a contested receiver, and the ball was too far to the inside, dropping into the chest of the cornerback for an interception. Penix came back at the end of the third quarter to hit another back-shoulder touchdown pass to Odunze. While Odunze was covered closely, the back-shoulder timing was on point to get the touchdown.

Late in the fourth quarter, Penix got lucky he did not throw a few critical interceptions. One pass fell short of the receiver and landed right in front of two diving defensive backs. Two plays later, Penix had another pass bounce off the hands of a cornerback who had tight coverage on Odunze. Penix then took a sack in bad situation despite needing to get the ball out with the pocket collapsing. Washington still was able to kick a game-winning field goal, but Penix was lucky he didn’t throw an interception that forced overtime. Penix ended up completing 18-of-33 passes for 204 yards, two touchdowns and a pick.

Penix has a quality arm capable making all the throws needed for the next leve, but he has major accuracy issues. After a red-hot start to the season, Penix has displayed ball-placement flaws in the back half of the year. He occasionally showed that he has some issues passing in the face of the rush, which can cause him to have some passes off the mark when he is thrown off rhythm. Penix needs to improve his mechanics. His footwork needs a lot of development for the pro game, as poor feet can lead to spraying passes off the mark. Penix needs to improve his footwork and accuracy significantly to be an effective starter at the pro level. Penix plays a position in demand, which will obviously helps him. He looks like a second-day prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Late in the fourth quarter, Odunze took an end around and darted downfield for 23 yards to convert a fourth-and-1. He finished the day with seven receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Odunze presents a threat to make contested catches thanks to having a tall, lanky frame alongside good leaping ability and ball-adjustment skills. He is superb at working the back-shoulder plays along the sideline. However, Odunze lacks speed and is not a shifty route-runner who will create separation from NFL cornerbacks. Some pro team sources think Odunze could go in the back half of the first round 2024 NFL Draft, while others think he belongs on Day 2.

Alabama right tackle J.C. Latham was seeing some good young talent with the Auburn defensive line and Latham had an impressive performance. Latham was rock solid in pass protection, tying up edge rushers and keeping them from putting pressure on the quarterback. Throughout the game, Latham showed impressive strength to sustain blocks and defeat second efforts.

The 6-foot-6, 326-pound Latham has a good skill set and a ton of upside. He did not give up a sack in 2022 and allowed very few pressures while manning right tackle. There is no doubt that Latham is a powerful kid with the ability to generate movement at the point of attack. He makes winning blocks look easy with serious strength and an ability to sustain. However, Latham is more of a right tackle than a left tackle for the NFL given his feet and movement skills.

Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner looks like a top-16 pick next April in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he showed why against the Tigers. Early in the second quarter, Turner burst into the backfield and withstood a block from a pulling guard to get a tackle for a loss of five yards. Midway through the fourth quarter, Turner notched a clutch sack after looping around to cut up the middle and then chasing down scrambling quarterback Payton Thorne.

For the NFL, Turner is a lightning-fast speed rusher off the edge and is similar to Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns. Turner has serious first-step quickness with a burst to close. He is a legit threat to blow by offensive tackles and make game-changing plays as a pass rusher. While Turner (6-4, 242) is undersized, he plays physically for a leaner player and is better against the run than one would expect. Turner should test well before the 2024 NFL Draft and could end up as a top-16 selection.

Overall, Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold helped himself in this game. He demonstrated tight coverage throughout the contest, and Auburn targeted other cornerbacks. Arnold made some good tackles in run support and showed physicality. His ball skills were on display at the end of the first half when he made a leaping interception on a Hail Mary attempt. At the very end of the fourth quarter, Arnold picked off Payton Thorne again after he threw a desperation up for grabs while under pressure. Arnold ran down the sideline for a touchdown to clinch the win for Alabama.

Arnold had a rough game against Texas early in the season, but he has bounced back since then and is turning in a very good year for the Crimson Tide. Arnold is a well-rounded player who has size, physicality, and good technique. The only real flaw for Arnold is he is not fast, which presents some limitations for the NFL. He will need to be protected from being in man on speed receivers. Still, Arnold looks like a good fit for a zone team, and he looks like he will become a first- or second-round pick next April in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is an elite prospect for the NFL, and he showed why in this game against arch-rival Michigan. In the first quarter, Harrison had a cornerback outfight him for a poorly located pass, and that resulted in an interception for the Wolverines. It was a difficult play for Harrison to bail out his quarterback because the cornerback had the angle and leverage to jump the route. The Buckeyes came back to hit Harrison on a back-shoulder route for a gain of 24 yards. Late in the first half, Harrison made a superb catch while getting tackled to the ground, but he still managed to haul in the pass for a 44-yard gain.

Harrison had a nice play on a short catch after halftime, breaking a tackle and then running for the first down. Later on the drive, Harrison had a nice block downfield to help spring teammate Emeka Egbuka. In the fourth quarter, Harrison caught a touchdown from 13 yards out. Harrison later brought in a cross at the 11-yard line, and he darted into the end zone to pull the Buckeyes within three. Late in the fourth quarter, Harrison made a leaping grab for 22 yards to get a get a critical first-down. Harrison finished the evenig with five receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown. If Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord had played better, Harrison could have had an even bigger game.

This game shows that Harrison is a future No. 1 NFL wide receiver. His dynamic skill set gives him a variety of ways to shred a defense. Automatically, Harrison gives cornerbacks problems with his size. Thanks to his height, length, and leaping ability, Harrison is never truly covered. Even when defenders run with him, Harrison is extremely skilled at winning contested catches. He will make use his size to get position, and he outbattles corners for jump balls. Harrison is a tremendous red-zone weapon due to his ability to high point the football and win 50-50 passes. With his size and body control, Harrison is fantastic on fade routes and back-shoulder receptions along the sideline. Beyond his size, Harrison has strong hands, which he uses to naturally make catches.

Harrison is not a big-bodied receiver who can’t run either. He has a nice burst out of his breaks to get separation from cornerbacks and shows a second gear to dart for extra yardage after the catch. Many big receivers are not as twitchy or flexible as Harrison is. He will dodge and juke defenders in the open field and can use that ability to get off the line of scrimmage when seeing press-man coverage. With enough speed to get vertical, Harrison attacks defenses at every level and is a threat to make big plays downfield. Whether it was innate or he was taught by his father, Harrison is an advanced route-runner. Many big receivers struggle to run routes as fluidly as Harrison does. He has lower body flexibility and can sink his hips to turn quickly. This tape will help Harrison to go in the top-five next April in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy could be a first-round pick next April in the 2024 NFL Draft, and his performance versus Ohio State will help his cause. While McCarthy did not dominate the Buckeyes, he did a good job of managing the game and leading his offense to points while taking what the defense was giving him. McCarthy did not get impatient and did a good job of protecting the ball.

In the first quarter, McCarthy had a nice pass that led his tight end on the run for a big gain that helped produce some points. Early in the second quarter, McCarthy made a superb pass. Thanks to the rush coming into his face, McCarthy threw off his back foot, but he found Roman Wilson for a touchdown from 20 yards out. McCarthy threaded the pass down the seam and over two defenders who were close to Wilson. It was a phenomenal pass in terms of ball placement and accuracy.

Late in the third quarter, McCarthy had a nice 15-yard run to get across midfield, and it was a smart decision by McCarthy not to force the ball into coverage. Against Ohio State, he completed 16-of-20 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for some yardage.

McCarthy has been banged up lately, but he looked better against Ohio State and ran with more speed and agility. McCarthy has a quality arm and can throw the ball accurately. This season, he has been much better with decision-making and taking what the defense is giving him. McCarthy has shown growth in terms of taking checkdowns, underneath routes, and using his legs at the right time. For the NFL, McCarthy might be more of a game-manager than an elite playmaker, but he has starting ability and could be a first-round pick next April in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Ohio State has some future defensive line talent for the NFL. Defensive end T.J. Tuimoloau has gotten a lot of hype, but he has quiet stretches, and this game only illustrated that. He is more of a second-day pick for the 2024 NFL Draft. Fellow defensive end Jack Sawyer has been overrated in his college career and is more of a mid-rounder. This outing gave proof of that. Defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. is a quick and athletic defender at the line. In the second quarter, Hall had an impressive rush on which he shed the block from guard Zak Zinter before closing on McCarthy in a blur to start a sack that forced a punt on the next play. Late in the fourth quarter with Ohio State needing a critical stop, Hall got through the line to swallow up running back Blake Corum for a little gain. Overall, this tape will help Hall because he showed his pass-rush ability and some quality run defense. Hall could get late first-round consideration in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he will go in Round 2 if he doesn’t go on Day 1.

Michigan running back Blake Corum (22-88-2), Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (19-60-1), and Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (3-25-1) all helped themselves in this contest as well. While none of them were dominant, they all showed next-level ability in spite of going against good defenses. The running backs could be second-day picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and future pro starters. Egbuka might get first-round consideration in the 2024 NFL Draft and won’t get out of Round 2.