The college football season is now in the back half of the year, believe it or not. We’re into the eighth weekend of college ball.
That’s enough time to find the players who have really boosted their potential 2024 NFL draft stock on the field thus far. Some of them are known commodities who have shown more skill and NFL traits. Others are guys who came from out of the relative nowhere to command a lot more draft respect and attention.
This is reflective of my personal big board, which doesn’t necessarily match everyone else’s rankings. We’re all exposed to different players in different doses and times, after all…
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Coleman began the year as a likely Day 2 prospect with some mystery about him. He transferred from Michigan State with more hype than actual results.
The results are now there with Florida State. Coleman’s blend of speed, size, body control and feisty attitude have him a top-10 overall player on my board.
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Coming into the season, scouts knew about Paul’s potential. The issue for the big Cougars left tackle was consistency of play. Paul didn’t always keep his balance or display the cleanest technical skills.
That’s not a problem anymore. Paul has been exceptional in Dana Holgorsen’s offense in 2023. The junior has not allowed a single QB pressure all season. Paul pitched his latest shutout against West Virginia in a Thursday night game where 17 NFL teams were represented. Expect to see Paul in first-round projections from here on out.
Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State
Kamara leads the nation in sacks through October 18th, impressively bagging 9.5 in the Rams’ first five games. He did get blanked in the win over Boise State but still managed several pressures and two hits on the quarterback.
The results are great, but it’s the growth in his game that helps elevate Kamara’s stock from being a Day 3 guy into someone who should crack the top 100 and could sniff the second round. His countermoves have improved, as has his balance while in pursuit; Kamara no longer looks clunky when he turns the corner, and he’s still got the excellent finishing power.
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Fuaga showed real power and snarl for the Beavers in 2022 as their starting right tackle. He’s only added more of both in 2023, and it’s working very well.
It’s not typical for right tackles to get valued highly, but he’s an absolute natural for the spot. The lateral quickness and recovery reactions have upticked, making him a rising star on many draft boards, including mine.
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Count me as one of those who was still skeptical of Nix after his great 2022 season for the Ducks. It was hard to shake the memory of how decidedly un-NFL he looked in his prior time at Auburn.
I wanted to see Nix do it again, maybe even build upon the strong debut in Eugene. He’s done all that and more. The decision-making and pinpoint accuracy on the intermediate throws reflect a quarterback who is not only draft-worthy, but someone who could hear his name called in the first 40 picks.
Rod Moore, S, Michigan
Moore definitely flashed potential for the Wolverines in 2022, but there were some inconsistencies to his game that I wanted to see cleaned up.
It took a little time to witness, with Moore missing the first three games with a publicly undisclosed injury. As he’s jumped back into action, his more certain coverage skills — especially deeper down the field — have his draft stock rising. It looks like Moore has added a few pounds of needed bulk, too. He’s got more eligibility if he chooses, but Moore is looking better through NFL eyes by the week.
Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland
He’s currently dealing with a leg injury that kept him out of the last two Terps games, and that’s not exactly positive. Before the injury, however, Still was quickly asserting himself in a new role as an outside island corner after being Maryland’s slot corner in 2022.
As long as he comes back healthy and keeps playing the way he performed in coverage against Virginia and Michigan State, Still has moved from “maybe watch this guy” to potential early Day-3 pick. He’s got the length, football IQ and ball skills NFL teams want.
Honorable mentions
Two players deserve mention for their omissions: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders.
Latu showed the complete package as a pass rusher in 2022. The only real question about his NFL stock is the medical evaluations. So far, so good. He’s been the nation’s most impactful pass rusher in the college football season.
Sanders has proven he belongs in the crowded, unsettled draft conversation at quarterback. Transferring to the bigger stage has suited Coach Deion’s son very well. But I’m in agreement that he should wait until the 2025 NFL draft.
