With the college football season around the corner, it’s time to set our eyes on the next group of NFL hopefuls that could be available next April in the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City. In this edition, we’ll take a look at the draft prospects and scouting reports from the Big Ten.
2023 Big Ten NFL Draft prospects to know
Illinois Fighting Illini
Head coach Bret Bielema has the Fighting Illini headed in the right direction after years of subpar play. The program had three players selected in April’s draft, including third-round safety Kerby Joseph. Two Illinois players presently have draftable grades on my board, with another pair just outside of that range.
Devon Witherspoon, CB | Grade: 3.38 | Projected Round: 6
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon has decent size and ball skills and plays physical football. He’s best facing the action and needs work making plays with his back to the ball. Deep speed also seems to be a concern for Witherspoon, though he’s very effective backed off the line of scrimmage or in a zone system.
Tarique Barnes, LB | Grade: 3.33 | Projected Round: 6
Tarique Barnes is a fierce, hard-hitting linebacker with a terrific head for the ball. He’s constantly flying around the action and easily makes plays outside the box and up the field. While slightly undersized, Barnes plays big football and has been a productive two-year starter as he heads towards his senior season.
Sydney Brown, S | Grade: 3.26 | Projected Round: FA and Chase Brown, RB | Grade: 3.25 | Projected Round: FA
Safety Sydney Brown and running back Chase Brown are both very good football players with poor athletic testing numbers. They have enough ability to make Sunday rosters as situational/role players.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers are coming off a very disappointing 2021 campaign after a terrific season the prior year. While the depth chart doesn’t contain any early-round prospects, there’s plenty of Day 3 talent.
Matthew Bedford, OT | Grade: 3.40 | Projected Round: 5
Offensive lineman Matthew Bedford was someone I rated highly off the 2020 film, when he stood out at tackle for IU. Bedford’s play took a step back last season after he was kicked in to guard, yet he still displayed flashes of dominance.
Bedford is a big-bodied blocker who easily engulfs defenders when given room to work. He’s not an agile or nifty blocker, but he has possibilities at tackle in a power-gap scheme. Bedford is presently listed as the starting right tackle on the Hoosiers’ depth chart, and I’m betting he gets his game back to where it was in 2020.
Tiawan Mullen, CB | Grade: 3.35 | Projected Round: 6
Cornerback Tiawan Mullen is undersized but quick, explosive, and physical. He does a solid job making plays with his back to the ball and offers potential as a dime back/special-teams player on Sundays.
Devon Matthews, S | Grade: 3.33 | Projected Round: 6
I really like safety Devon Matthews. He plays fast, physical football and is always around the action making positive plays. He’s a tough run defender who displays cover skills between the numbers.
Jaylin Williams, CB | Grade: 3.31 | Projected Round: 6 and Cam Jones, LB | Grade: 3.27 | Projected Round: 7
Jaylin Williams is another undersized corner with solid ball skills and speed. I have him rated slightly lower than Mullen, as he needs to be quicker in his transition and do a better job making plays with his back to the ball.
Cam Jones is a run-and-chase linebacker with good instincts and solid speed.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa could be described as “Tight End U,” considering all the great talent they’ve developed at the position recently. And that trend will continue in the coming years.
Sam LaPorta, TE | Grade: 3.88 | Projected Round: 2
Had Sam LaPorta entered the 2022 NFL Draft, he would’ve competed to be the first or second tight end selected. LaPorta decided to bypass the draft and return to Iowa for his senior year. A nice-sized tight end who measures 6’3 1/2″ and tips the scales over 250 pounds, LaPorta will be an early pick in next year’s draft.
He plays fast, and although he won’t time under 4.5 seconds, he consistently gets downfield and makes several deep receptions. He plays to his size, comes away with the difficult catch in a crowd, and does a solid job as a blocker. LaPorta presently carries a second-round grade on my board.
Jack Campbell | Grade: 3.82 | Projected Round: 2
Linebacker Jack Campbell has all the makings of a three-down defender and a top-45 pick. He possesses good size (6’4 1/2″, 245 pounds) and speed (4.7 40-yard dash) and plays tough, instinctive football. Campbell covers a tremendous amount of area on the field, shows a lot of ability in coverage, and makes plenty of plays defending the run.
Jestin Jacobs, LB | Grade: 3.68 | Projected Round: 3
Linebacker Jestin Jacobs is a developing defender with a high upside. Jacobs was a terrific run defender last season, but he needs to complete his game and make more plays in coverage.
Luke Lachey, TE | Grade: 3.67 | Projected Round: 3
Luke Lachey gets lost in the shuffle playing behind LaPorta, but he’s a legitimate next-level prospect who presently grades out as a third-rounder. Lachey’s a terrific pass catcher who plays a little faster than LaPorta. However, he’s not as stout and must improve his blocking.
Mason Richman, OT | Grade: 3.48 | Projected Round: 5
Mason Richman is a developing left tackle with nice size, footwork, and agility. He needs to get stronger and learn to finish blocks, but I like Richman’s upside.
Maryland Terrapins
The Terps are a team on the rise after turning in their first winning season since 2014. Despite some awful on-field performances in recent years, the program has had a fair number of first, second, and third-round picks. Next season, one Terp could break into the Top 100.
Jaelyn Duncan, OT | Grade: 3.58 | Projected Round: 4
Tackle Jaelyn Duncan is someone I’ve rated as draftable since he completed his freshman season. He’s a tall blindside protector with next-level athleticism, footwork, and blocking range. What Duncan lacks is strength, as he’s struggled to finish blocks at the college level. Nevertheless, Duncan has the ability to line up in a zone-blocking scheme at tackle or guard, and if he has a big season in 2022, he’ll move up draft boards.
Dontay Demus Jr., WR | Grade: 3.55 | Projected Round: 4
Receiver Dontay Demus Jr. showed all the ability necessary to be a second-round pick last season. He’s a natural pass catcher who is tall and deceptively fast. Demus catches the ball well in the long and short fields, and he’s very reliable. Unfortunately, he suffered an ugly knee injury five games into the 2021 season. His return to playing form, predraft workouts, and — most importantly — Combine medicals will dictate where Demus ends up in the draft.
Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines had a hell of a season in 2021. After winning the Big Ten title, they played in the College Football Playoff and then boasted the second pick of the draft. No Michigan player presently ranks that highly, but then again, neither did Aidan Hutchinson at this point last year. Still, 14 Wolverines hold draftable grades on my board.
DJ Turner, CB | Grade: 3.99 | Projected Round: 1
With terrific length and ball skills, cornerback DJ Turner is my No. 1 Michigan prospect and is presently on the cusp of being a first-round prospect. He was so good at times last season that opponents purposely threw away from him. A big campaign could vault Turner into the middle portion of Round 1.
Mazi Smith, DT | Grade: 3.93 | Projected Round: 2
Mazi Smith is crazy underrated in my opinion, and in many ways, he allowed Hutchinson to wreak havoc last season. Smith is an explosive defensive tackle with terrific size, quickness, and strength. He’s near-impossible to move off the point and also shows playmaking ability. Smith’s ability to clog the middle of the line last season allowed Michigan pass rushers 1-on-1 opportunities with opponents. Smith grades as an early Day 2 pick on my board.
Erick All, TE | Grade: 3.74 | Projected Round: 3
Michigan has a pair of next-level tight ends, with Erick All atop the rankings on my board. All is a terrific pass catcher who consistently gets down the field and comes away with the difficult grab. He has excellent size at 6’4 1/2″, 253 pounds, and easily moves around the field.
Luke Schoonmaker, TE | Grade: 3.68 | Projected Round: 3
Teammate Luke Schoonmaker is a little taller and even a hair faster. He’s also a terrific pass catcher but had half the production of All. You could argue Schoonmaker has more upside, but I’ll argue All is presently the better tight end.
Cornelius Johnson, WR | Grade: 3.65 | Projected Round: 3
Receiver Cornelius Johnson is tall (6’2 1/2″), big (210 pounds), and very quick. He’s much more than a big pass catcher who just wins out for the contested throw. Johnson separates through his routes and consistently catches the ball with his hands.
Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans had a terrific season in 2021, but most of their talent graduated — either to the NFL or elsewhere. Their top next-level prospects enter the season in the form of underclassmen and graduate transfers.
Cal Haladay, LB | Grade: 3.73 | Projected Round: 3
Cal Haladay is a terrific linebacker with a three-down game. He’s instinctive, athletic, and fierce. Haladay forces the action upfield, shows tremendous skill in pursuit, and is effective in zone coverage. He’s short and lacks much growth potential, but Haladay offers scheme versatility for the next level. He’s stamped as a third-round prospect on my board.
Jayden Reed, WR | Grade: 3.42 | Projected Round: 5
Receiver Jayden Reed is a terrific pass catcher with average size and speed. Reed runs solid routes to separate from defenders and catches the ball well. He projects as a fifth receiver/punt returner and a Day 3 draft pick.
Daniel Barker, TE | Grade: 3.32 | Projected Round: 6
Tight end Daniel Barker surprised people by going from potential late-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to transferring to MSU from conference-rival Illinois. Barker is a move tight end who catches the ball well. He presently carries a sixth-round grade, but predraft 40 times will elevate his draft stock.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Since 2020, Minnesota has had players selected on either Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft, and scouts I’ve spoken with feel several Gophers could be top-100 picks in 2023. Based on my board, I believe the program will be hard-pressed to keep the streak going.
John Michael Schmitz, C | Grade: 3.38 | Projected Round: 6 and Dylan Wright, WR | Grade: 3.28 | Projected Round: 7
John Michael Schmitz is a wide-bodied blocker who can play center or guard. He has decent size, but Schmitz doesn’t dominate opponents at the line of scrimmage and is marginally effective in motion.
Receiver Dylan Wright, meanwhile, is a long, sure-handed pass catcher with speed and quickness limitations.
Tyler Nubin, S | Grade: 3.24 | Projected Round: FA
Unlike his teammates, safety Tyler Nubin is just outside of draftable range. Nubin is a tough run defender, but he has speed and range limitations.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Despite disappointing season after disappointing season, Scott Frost has managed to keep his job at Nebraska. The program had a center selected in Round 2 last April, and moving forward, the top Cornhuskers on my board are also offensive linemen.
Bryce Benhart, OT | Grade: 3.38 | Projected Round: 6 and Turner Corcoran, OT | Grade 3.35 | Projected Round: 6
Offensive tackles Bryce Benhart and Turner Corcoran are both massive blockers with terrific upside potential. Benhart was a consistent right tackle for NU and is fundamentally sound for such a big lineman.
While Corcoran wasn’t as consistent as his teammate, he showed tremendous potential. He could eventually be the higher-rated prospect if his game develops.
Luke Reimer, LB | Grade: 3.28 | Projected Round: 7
Luke Reimer is a smart, tough linebacker who can play three downs. However, he lacks size and is better at pursuing plays in the open field. Reimer holds a seventh-round grade on my board and could easily make a next-level roster as an eighth linebacker/special-teams player.
Northwestern Wildcats
It looked as though Northwestern would enter the 2022 season with a Day 2 prospect on the depth chart. That was until safety Brandon Joseph transferred to Notre Dame. But even with Joesph’s departure, the Wildcats could have a top-100 pick in the future.
Peter Skoronski, G | Grade: 3.47 | Projected Round: 5
Left tackle Peter Skoronski turned in a terrific season for a Northwestern squad that won just three games in 2021. Skoronski is a fundamentally sound blocker with solid footwork and lateral range. He moves well and is very effective blocking in motion, but what he lacks is size and strength. Skoronski holds a fifth-round grade on my board, but if his game improves, Skoronski could eventually end up as a Day 2 pick as a zone-blocking guard.
Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE | Grade: 3.34 | Projected Round: 6
Defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore is slightly undersized, but he’s explosive, athletic, and plays with great intensity. He shows terrific speed moving in every direction and projects well as a Day 3 pass-rushing specialist.
Ohio State Buckeyes
After a season-opening loss to Oregon, the Buckeyes looked like they were headed to the College Football Playoff until they got smacked around by Michigan. Nevertheless, their Rose Bowl victory over Utah displayed some of the extraordinary next-level talent presently on the depth chart, specifically on offense.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR | Grade: 4.11 | Projected Round: 1
Ohio State had two receivers — Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave — selected with the 10th and 11th selections, respectively, this past April. Next year, Buckeyes receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be drafted even earlier.
In many ways, Smith-Njigba combines the best of both those receivers. He’s sturdy like Wilson and a legitimate deep threat like Olave. Smith-Njigba is a terrific route runner who easily separates from defenders and consistently catches the ball with his hands away from his frame. He’s fast and is a true vertical threat who also broke games open running reverses in 2021. Smith-Njigba works well in confined quarters, possesses natural receiving skills, and presently ranks ahead of C.J. Stroud on my OSU board.
C.J. Stroud, QB | Grade: 4.07 | Projected Round: 1
Quarterback C.J. Stroud started slowly last year and had a lot of early-season struggles. Yet, as 2021 progressed, so did Stroud’s game, and he was head and shoulders a better signal-caller during the finale against Utah than he was in the opener against Oregon.
The main feature of Stroud’s game is his arm strength, which allows him to make all the throws and get rid of the ball with a flick of his wrist. Stroud displayed himself as a tremendous vertical passer and made the most of the speed brought to the field by Buckeyes receivers.
Stroud still has some holes in his game; he needs to improve his reads as well as his pass placement. But if Stroud is fractionally better this season than he was in 2021, he’ll justifiably be talked about as a top-three pick next April.
Steele Chambers, LB | Grade: 3.84 | Projected Round: 2
It’s an oddity when a true linebacker from Ohio State is not selected in the draft, but that’s exactly what happened last April. However, that won’t happen in 2023 if Steele Chambers enters the draft.
An athletic linebacker who looks sensational in space and makes plays in pursuit and in coverage, Chambers is presently stamped as a second-round pick on my board. Though he’s undersized, Chambers shows a lot of force up the field on the blitz and defending the run. He needs a bit of polish on his game, but I love Chambers’ upside.
Luke Wypler, C | Grade: 3.82 | Projected Round: 2
Much the same can be said for center Luke Wypler, who looks like he’ll be the next top interior offensive lineman from OSU. Wypler is explosive, strong, and moves exceptionally well on his feet, but he needs a bit of polish on his game. Wypler also has a second-round grade on my board, but I’ve seen him listed at 6-foot-2 in many places. If he doesn’t measure at least that tall when scouts control the measuring tape, his draft stock will drop.
Paris Johnson Jr., OT | Grade: 3.80 | Projected Round: 2
I’m excited to see Paris Johnson Jr. make the transition from guard to left tackle. Johnson is a tall lineman who blocks with terrific fundamentals. He’s strong but also agile. I’ve given him a late-second-round grade, but a good season at left tackle will vault Johnson up draft boards.
Dawand Jones, OT | Grade: 3.47 | Projected Round: 5
On the other hand, I’m not nearly as high on Dawand Jones as the scouts I’ve spoken with, who view Jones as a second-round prospect. Jones is massive, tipping the scales over 370 pounds, and he plays to that size. The problem as far as I’m concerned is that Jones is too large and isn’t effective off the line of scrimmage or on the second level. In my opinion, he’s similar to former Minnesota tackle Daniel Faalele, the Baltimore Ravens’ fourth-round pick in April’s draft. Faalele was more athletic, and I had him graded higher than I do Jones.
Penn State Nittany Lions
For the second consecutive draft, Penn State had a player selected in the first round when receiver Jahan Dotson was chosen by Washington with the 16th pick. Despite some topsy-turvy times, PSU has had a player picked in the top 100 in every draft since 2003. If that streak is to be kept alive in 2023, it will come via underclassmen from the program.
Joey Porter Jr., CB | Grade: 3.82 | Projected Round: 2
Joey Porter Jr. grades as my top NFL prospect on the depth chart, and I stamped the cornerback as a second-round pick. Porter is big, physical, and fast. He beats down opponents to defend throws and makes many positive plays. The issue for Porter is poor technique; he gets sloppy pedaling in reverse and struggles to make plays with his back to the ball. Those details must be improved, but Porter’s size and style are enticing.
Curtis Jacobs, LB | Grade: 3.62 | Projected Round: 3
Curtis Jacobs looks like the next legitimate prospect from the place once known as Linebacker U. Jacobs is slightly undersized, but he’s athletic, fast, and covers a lot of area on the field. I like his ability in pursuit as well as in coverage.
Brenton Strange, TE | Grade: 3.54 | Projected Round: 4
Penn State has recently put some talented tight ends into the NFL, and Brenton Strange will be next. He’s a quick pass-catching target who showed a lot of improvement in his game over the course of last season. Strange should also see more passes thrown his way in 2022 with Dotson gone to the NFL.
Juice Scruggs, G | Grade: 3.49 | Projected Round: 4-5
Guard Juice Scruggs is my highest-rated senior on the team. Scruggs blocks with great fundamentals, and he’s very explosive at the point. There’s a lot about his game that stands out, though I’m not sure how effective Scruggs is blocking in motion, as Penn State rarely uses him in that capacity. I have a fifth-round grade on Scruggs, but if he shows potential as a zone blocker during his senior campaign or in the postseason, he’ll be drafted earlier.
Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers had a first-round selection in April for the first time in more than a decade. Presently, three Purdue prospects have fifth-round grades on my board.
Kydran Jenkins, DE | Grade: 3.48 | Projected Round: 5 and Gus Hartwig, C | Grade: 3.45 | Projected Round: 5
Two junior linemen also grade in the same round as O’Connell: defensive end Kydran Jenkins and center Gus Hartwig. Jenkins showed a lot of flash last season playing on the other side of George Karlaftis. Now, he’s the defender opponents will focus on.
Hartwig is an explosive blocker who shows strength at the line of scrimmage and agility blocking in motion.
Aidan O’Connell, QB | Grade: 3.46 | Projected Round: 5
There are a number of scouts I’ve spoken with who presently grade quarterback Aidan O’Connell as a Day 2 draft pick, but I disagree. While O’Connell is a smart college QB, I see a prospect with an average arm and an elongated throwing motion — a bad combination.
O’Connell struggles driving deep passes as well as getting the ball through tight spots. Could he make a big move up draft boards à la Kenny Pickett? Anything is possible, but right now O’Connell grades as a fifth-rounder on my board.
Jalen Graham, LB | Grade: 3.32 | Projected Round: 6 and Reese Taylor, CB | Grade: 3.20 | Projected Round: FA
Linebacker Jalen Graham is an undersized defender who is effective in space, while corner Reese Taylor transfers from Indiana after showing ability the past two years. Graham has a sixth-round grade, and Taylor is a PFA.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers turned in a terrific campaign in 2020 after the return of head coach Greg Schiano, but they disappointed last season. The top prospect on the depth chart has bloodlines to the program and is a name many will recognize.
Max Melton, CB | Grade: 3.74 | Projected Round: 3
Receiver Bo Melton was the first Rutgers player drafted last season, though he came off the board much later than many expected in Round 7. That won’t happen with his younger brother.
Max Melton is a terrific cornerback prospect who was constantly around the ball making positive plays last season. He possesses outstanding length and will measure over six feet tall for scouts when his time comes. Melton’s athleticism matches that of his older brother — who tested off the charts at the Combine — and his ball skills are terrific. I presently grade Melton as a third-round prospect, but there’s plenty of opportunity for him to move up boards. If he turns in a good season, I expect Melton to enter the draft.
Christian Izien, S | Grade: 3.39 | Projected Round: 6
Scouts I’ve spoken with grade safety Christian Izien much lower than I have him presently rated. Izien is a dynamite run defender who does a solid job in coverage. Measuring under 5-foot-10, Izien’s lack of size is a concern. He’s a prospect who must play well in 2022 and run fast prior to next April’s draft.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers are known for putting talented linemen into the draft, usually offensive linemen. This year, their top prospects are players from both sides of the line.
Keeanu Benton, DT | Grade: 3.85 | Projected Round: 2
Keeanu Benton is a killer on the inside of the Badgers’ defensive line and is a lot of fun to watch on film. He’s big, powerful, and plays with a nonstop motor. Benton is not a great playmaker, though he shouldn’t be pigeonholed singularly as a gap occupier. He has the size and style to line up at nose tackle or on the inside of a 4-3 alignment. I also would not rule Benton out as a two-gap defensive end.
Jack Nelson, OT | Grade: 3.72 | Projected Round: 3
Underclassmen Jack Nelson had a terrific season at guard in 2021, and now he moves out to left tackle. Nelson is large and strong yet relatively mobile. He did a good job blocking on the second level when required last season and is able to adjust to oncoming blitzers. Nelson has a third-round grade on my board, but if he shows the ability to handle the left tackle spot, he’ll fly up draft boards.
Nick Herbig, LB | Grade: 3.44 | Projected Round: 5
Linebacker Nick Herbig is another underclassman who displays a lot of athleticism in his game and effectively makes plays in space. Herbig is slightly undersized and must improve his playing strength, but he already has a fifth-round grade on my board.