The college football season has officially started, signaling the commencement of in-depth draft evaluations.
To prepare for the upcoming season, Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso, Mike Renner, and I have collaborated to compile our summer scouting grades, resulting in the preliminary Top 50 overall prospect rankings.
1. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
2. Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
3. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
4. Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
5. James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
6. Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
7. Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky
8. Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
9. Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
10. Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Johnson is considered one of the most polished cornerback prospects since Patrick Surtain II. It will be intriguing to observe how NFL teams evaluate Hunter, who is capable of playing on both sides of the ball. While I believe he would excel as a cornerback at the professional level, what if Hunter expresses a strong desire to play wide receiver instead? Additionally, Hunter stands out as the top-rated transfer, having started his college journey at Jackson State.
Pearce and Williams are projected to be impactful players. Byron Murphy II from Texas was the first interior defender selected (No. 16 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft, but both Walker and Graham may be chosen even earlier. Michigan has consistently produced a front seven player drafted in the top 100 for the past six years, and this trend is expected to continue with Graham.
Beck holds the distinction of being the top-rated quarterback, while Burden is recognized as the top-rated wide receiver.
11. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
12. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
13. Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
14. Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
15. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
16. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
17. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
18. Harold Perkins, LB, Louisiana State
19. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
20. Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Burden showcases exceptional speed and agility, while McMillan stands out as a tall receiver capable of making some of the most impressive catches in college football this season. Egbuka’s return to Ohio State was unexpected, yet he has proven to be a reliable player with strong coaching behind him. Scourton is a formidable pass rusher reminiscent of Jared Verse.
Sanders ranks as the second-best quarterback, and there are discussions regarding the potential influence of his father, Deion Sanders, the head coach at Colorado, on his future playing decisions. Perkins is an incredibly athletic player who has taken on various roles for the LSU squad. Loveland is recognized as the top tight end in the rankings.
21. Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
22. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
23. Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
24. JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
25. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
26. Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
27. Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
28. Emery Jones, OT, LSU
29. Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
30. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
The top 30 overall rankings feature seven edge rushers, including Sawyer, Tuimoloau, and Jackson. Ewers holds the position of the third-ranked quarterback, but his offensive lineup will undergo significant changes this season due to the absence of wide receivers AD Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, along with tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and running back CJ Baxter.
Judkins is recognized as the highest-graded running back overall, although I personally favor Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.
31. Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
32. Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
33. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
34. Conner Weigman, QB, Texas A&M
35. Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
36. Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
37. Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
38. Dani Dennis-Sutton, DL, Penn State
39. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
40. Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
This group also features two additional quarterbacks, as Leonard and Weigman have been selected. Leonard made the move from Duke during the offseason, while Weigman played only four games last year due to a foot injury that ended his season in September.
41. Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville
42. Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
43. Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
44. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
45. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
46. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
47. Wyatt Wilum, OT, West Virginia
48. Damien Martinez, RB, Oregon State
49. Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
50. Bear Alexander, DL, USC
The trend of selecting running backs persists in the final round, with three additional players entering the competition. The first running back selected in the 2024 draft was Jonathon Brooks from Texas, chosen at No. 46 overall—marking the latest selection for a first running back since Bishop Sankey was picked at No. 54 in 2014.
Additionally, Dart ranks as the sixth quarterback among the top 50 overall prospects. A record-setting six quarterbacks were chosen in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
