As TCU and Kansas State prepare to do battle in the Big 12 Championship Game, here are the top 2023 NFL Draft prospects to watch in the clash — led by a potential top-ten pick in WR Quentin Johnston.
Top NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in 2022 Big 12 Championship Game
As one might expect with two of the best teams in the Big 12 conference, there’s an abundance of 2023 NFL Draft talent to observe in this conference championship matchup.
Kansas State’s Draft Prospects
EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Kansas State’s top 2023 NFL Draft prospect is undoubtedly edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who has 18.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. Anudike-Uzomah isn’t the largest edge rusher, but he has enough length. More importantly: He’s a twitched-up, flexible attacker with a hot motor and brutal hand combos in his arsenal.
G Cooper Beebe
Cooper Beebe was a standout performer at tackle in 2021 before shifting inside to guard ahead of the 2022 season. At guard, he’s thrived and has quietly put up some of the best tape in the 2023 NFL Draft iOL class. Beebe has size and length at 6’4″, 322 pounds, along with grizzly play strength. Even more impressive, however, is his awareness in congested spaces and his combative hands.
RB Deuce Vaughn
Deuce Vaughn has at times drawn comparisons to fellow Kansas State product Darren Sproles. While a rule of thumb is to generally avoid same-school comparisons, both players fit the undersized but dynamic playmaker mold. Vaughn’s 5’6″, 176-pound frame will indeed be a sticking point, but he’s an explosive runner, an able receiver, and a versatile piece with a willingness to block as well.
CB Julius Brents
In a deep CB class, Julius Brents may be one of the more underrated talents. At 6’4″, 204 pounds, with arms nearly 34″ long, Brents is a true albatross at the CB position. His length can be smothering for opponents, and it’s what’s allowed him to generate three picks this year. He’s surprisingly agile for his size and surges downhill with force in run support.
WR Malik Knowles
Late emergences can be sparse at WR, but that’s exactly what Malik Knowles has experienced this year. The 6’3″, 200-pound super-senior has 46 catches for 679 yards and two touchdowns and also has five carries for 114 yards and three additional scores.
MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board Rankings
With his long-strider speed and athleticism, Knowles can be a versatile playmaker, and he’s experienced success as a kick returner as well.
TCU’s Draft Prospects
WR Quentin Johnston
Injuries have kept Quentin Johnston from putting up dominant surface numbers. But when he’s on the field, his impact is clear. At a lean 6’4″, 215 pounds, Johnston has rare length, and he combines it with elite long-strider explosiveness, lateral twitch, and flexibility as a route runner. His twitch makes him a rare threat after the catch, and he can moss smaller DBs down the field. He’s a favorite for the WR1 crown because of his traits.
RB Kendre Miller
The hype hasn’t quite caught up to third-year junior Kendre Miller. But in Zach Evans’ stead, Miller has been authoritative in establishing himself as a quality prospect for the Horned Frogs.
In the regular season, Miller amassed 199 carries for 1,260 yards and 16 touchdowns. At 6’0″, 220 pounds, he has great size and density, but his twitch and foot speed add an extra dimension to his potential.
CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
At 5’9″, 177 pounds, the nephew of LaDainian Tomlinson isn’t going to tip any scales. But Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is a quality prospect in spite of his size. He’s a high-level athlete and a high-level playmaker who’s put up five interceptions and 30 pass deflections over the past three seasons. He’s simply a gnat in coverage, with the explosiveness, instincts, and tenacity to terrorize receivers.
S Mark Perry
Mark Perry falls under the radar sometimes, most likely because of his lacking ball production. He does need to grow as a playmaker at the catch point, but Perry’s profile is surprisingly solid outside of that. He’s a great athlete at 6’0″, 215 pounds, with foot speed, explosiveness, and hip sink. He’s physical, he can man the slot, and he can play in space — providing versatility and upside as a prospect.
EDGE Dylan Horton
Dylan Horton is an intriguing depth prospect on the edge, with 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss this year. He was a Feldman Freak in the summer, with a documented 4.55 40-yard dash, a 38″ vertical, and a 10′ broad jump at 6’4″, 279 pounds. Horton’s functional athleticism isn’t quite as impressive, as he’s fairly stiff at the apex. But he has the burst, length, and power capacity to earn fans at the next level.