Sometimes during a college football season, the presumptive top NFL draft prospects for the coming year wind up getting locked in place. Their performance after the first few weeks of a college season might not merit the lofty status anymore, but the early top prospects stay elevated regardless.
In Week 5 of the college football season, several players widely projected to be first-round picks proved they’re not just early-season or preseason flukes. They’ve got the high-level NFL draft goods and showed them on the final weekend of September.
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Williams is continuing to build his case as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. In the most anticipated game of the weekend, the Trojans quarterback threw for six touchdowns in USC’s 48-41 win.
He very much looked the part of a future NFL franchise quarterback. Beyond the impressive athleticism and accuracy (30-for-40 in this game), the poise and presence from Williams were outstanding. He consistently made the most optimal decision with the ball, buying an extra count or two if needed. Completing passes to 10 different targets reflected how well Williams was in control of the offense and also reading the defense.
Colorado’s defense was missing some key pieces, but Williams and his receiving corps showed no mercy. That should appeal to teams picking at the top of the 2024 NFL draft.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders did a fine job in keeping his undermanned team competitive with Williams and USC. Much like his Trojans counterpart, it was the brain and eyes that impressed as much as the obvious physical tools.
Sanders was great at exploiting mismatches and throwing sharp, catchable passes when and where they needed to be. He completed 30-of-45 for 387 yards and four TDs, while also running for another.
This TD strike on the move is something you see from Joe Burrow or Josh Allen: maintaining the threat to run but keeping the eyes down the field. Sanders found a few of these tight-window throws and generally delivered.
This angle of Shedeur Sanders touchdown pass to Omarion Miller (on 4th down) is insane.
Between him and Cormani McClain, Deion might have found a couple more dogs that are true freshmen.
The future looks bright. pic.twitter.com/CVeyfxPF9p
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 30, 2023
As with his own Buffaloes team, the defense he faced was not good. The scouts want to see top prospects carve up weaker foes; Sanders did that. His team might not have won the game, but Sanders played well. One quibble: clock management and switching into too many run plays late in the game.
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Bowers was the primary reason the top-ranked Bulldogs survived a trip to Auburn. The athletically freaky tight end caught eight passes for 157 yards and the game-sealing touchdown.
Beyond the raw numbers, Bowers put them up by showing high-level skill. He caught three passes on one-handed stabs, one of which was nullified by a penalty that was not his fault. When the Georgia offense wasn’t looking his way, and they got away from No. 19 for far too long in the middle portion of the game, they struggled.
It’s rare for a collegiate tight end to be the most important player on the field. Bowers has been just that for the last two weeks after a slowish start. The blocking still isn’t great, but his receiving skills and speed are dominant enough to allow a team to consider using the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder as a full-time receiver and not regret it.
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Turner turned in five total tackles and one sack in Alabama’s 40-17 rolling over Mississippi State, a good day. That didn’t accurately describe his impact on the game or his particular set of skills.
Turner bagged his sack with a great display of power-to-speed, jolting the tackle with an initial thrust to create space for himself, then getting quick and skinny on his way to wrapping up Bulldogs QB Will Rogers. The 242-pound Turner is very good at using his length and jolting power to set up other moves. But he also flashed the edge speed to win around the outside.
The containment principles in run defense looked good, too. Turner doesn’t have the hype of his predecessor, Will Anderson, but he’s very close in terms of length and technique. He showed that amidst the cowbells on Saturday night.
