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 SEC.
2023 SEC NFL Draft prospects to know
Alabama Crimson Tide
It’s an embarrassment of riches for Alabama, a program that puts players into the early part of the NFL draft year after year. The Crimson Tide has had 14 players selected in the top half of Round 1 since 2018 and will increase that number by at least two next April.
Will Anderson Jr., EDGE | Grade: 4.15 | Projected Round: 1
The argument could be made that junior Will Anderson Jr. is the most complete and versatile defensive prospect from the Alabama program since Derrick Thomas was drafted in 1989. Anderson is a sensational pass rusher who is impossible to stop. He’s quick, explosive, and incredibly athletic.
Yet Anderson is more than a guy who stands over tackle, pins his ears back, and mindlessly rushes the edge. He works hard defending the run and gets depth on pass drops the few times he’s asked to play in space. Thomas was the fourth pick of the 1989 draft, and Anderson could be selected even earlier in 2023.
Bryce Young, QB | Grade: 4.08 | Projected Round: 1
Quarterback Bryce Young is rated below Anderson on my board, yet he could be selected before his teammate based on position priority. Young had a tremendous campaign in 2021, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Alabama to another SEC title. But the Tide fell just short in the national championship against conference foe Georgia.
Young is an incredibly smart and poised signal-caller with great knowledge of the position and a feel for what’s happening on the field. He’s almost clairvoyant in his ability to diagnose what’s going to happen before it actually does, and Young’s intangibles are off the charts. He’s also accurate, makes good decisions. and protects the football.
Where he falls short is arm strength; Young has a solid arm, but by no means does he possess a cannon. In many ways, I think he’s a better version of Mac Jones, the first-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2021.
Henry To’oTo’o, LB | Grade: 3.82 | Projected Round: 2
Linebacker Henry To’oTo’o is a three-down player with outstanding athleticism and speed. He’s great in pursuit, gets terrific depth on pass drops, and covers a lot of area on the field. To’oTo’o is more of a traditional weakside/off-ball prospect at linebacker.
Brian Branch, S | Grade: 3.68 | Projected Round: 3
Junior Brian Branch is an exciting prospect at safety, displaying solid ball skills and range in center field as well as a lot of toughness against the run.
Getting back to the embarrassment of riches, true sophomore Dallas Turner already grades as a top-45 prospect after his freshman season. He’s a more forceful version of Christian Harris, the third-round pick of the Houston Texans last April, and Turner is better playing in space than Will Anderson.
Arkansas Razorbacks
When the Tennessee Titans made Treylon Burks the 16th pick of April’s draft, it was the first time since 2008 that Arkansas had a player selected in the top half of Round 1. Next year, the program may end up with just a single player chosen on the first day.
Jalen Catalon, S | Grade: 3.65 | Projected Round: 3
Safety Jalen Catalon was close to entering last year’s draft despite missing half the 2021 season with a shoulder injury. Or at least those were the signs he was sending before he chose to return for another season at Arkansas. Catalon is a long, fluid safety with a solid head for the position. He works well with corners in coverage and aggressively defends the run, but he really needs to complete his game. Catalon presently holds a third-round grade on my board.
Ricky Stromberg, EDGE | Grade: 3.43 | Projected Round: 5
Ricky Stromberg is a tough, hard-working center who is highly thought of in some areas of the scouting community. He flashes power at the point, but he shows a lot of stiffness in his game and is ineffective blocking in motion. Both are red flags for me.
Zach Williams, EDGE | Grade: 3.38 | Projected Round: 6
Zach Williams is an underrated pass rusher who comes with average size and speed. He’s a good football player who projects as a pass-rush specialist, either standing over tackle or out of a three-point stance. Yet, the testing numbers dictate a fall into Day 3.
Auburn Tigers
In a bit of an oddity, Auburn had just a single player selected in April’s draft. Moving towards 2023, three defenders grade as Day 2 picks on my board.
Colby Wooden, EDGE | Grade: 3.89 | Projected Round: 2 and Derick Hall, EDGE | Grade: 3.67 | Projected Round: 3
Auburn has a lethal duo of pass rushers in Colby Wooden and Derick Hall. Both are slightly undersized, athletic, and versatile. Each can come out of a three-point stance, stand over tackle, and play in space.
I like Wooden more, which is why I give the junior a second-round grade, while Hall is stamped as a third-round prospect.
Owen Pappoe, LB | Grade: 3.61 | Projected Round: 3
The third round is where I have linebacker Owen Pappoe, a quick and explosive pursuit linebacker who makes plays all over the field. Pappoe is fierce and instinctive, but he’s barely six feet tall, limiting his appeal.
Florida Gators
The Gators are under new management, as Dan Mullen was let go in the middle of last season. Years of bad recruiting led to a depth chart void of talent by Florida standards, which will be reflected in upcoming drafts.
Brenton Cox Jr., EDGE | Grade: 3.77 | Projected Round: 3
The roster possesses a single Day 2 prospect as of now: pass rusher Brenton Cox Jr. Cox is fierce, explosive, and strong, displaying the ability to defeat blocks and disrupt the action behind the line of scrimmage. He’s not bad in space, though his speed (4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash) limits the types of schemes where he’d be effective.
Rashad Torrence II, S | Grade: 3.41 | Projected Round: 5 and Avery Helm, S | Grade: 3.37 | Projected Round: 6
Junior safety Rashad Torrence II and redshirt sophomore corner Avery Helm showed a lot of ability last season, and both come with an upside. I especially like Torrence, who has the speed and skills to be a good cover safety.
O’Cyrus Torrence, G | Grade: 3.35 | Projected Round: 6
O’Cyrus Torrence is a massive offensive lineman who followed head coach Billy Napier to Gainesville. He’s a powerful lineman with next-level size (6’4″, 345 pounds) who would immensely help his draft stock with a good season in the SEC.
Georgia Bulldogs
It was a banner year for Georgia. After beating SEC foe Alabama for the national title, the Bulldogs had five players selected in the first round, including the top pick of the entire event. Day 2 of the draft saw an additional four Georgia players selected. While they won’t have the same volume of impact in 2023, the UGA cupboard is far from bare of NFL prospects.
Nolan Smith, EDGE | Grade: 4.01 | Projected Round: 1
With his three linebacker compatriots drafted in the top 100 picks, Nolan Smith is now the man who leads the unit, and his 2021 tape is off the charts. Smith displayed himself as a forceful blitzer, a terrific athlete, and generally a three-down player at the position. He gets great depth on pass drops, displays terrific speed in pursuit, and has a complete game.
Add in outstanding size and speed, and there’s not much you can’t like about Smith. Scouts from the southeast I’ve spoken with give Smith a late Day 2 grade, but I disagree. Based on last season, he’s presently a first-round prospect on my board.
Jalen Carter, DT | Grade: 3.88 | Projected Round: 2
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter must now step to the forefront after three of his linemates were selected in the first round. Carter is quick like Devonte Wyatt, though he’s a bit taller and more athletic. He’s a better pass rusher than Jordan Davis and is slightly stronger than Travon Walker. Carter is still rough around the edges and must add bulk to his frame as well as complete his game. Presently, he holds an early Day 2 grade on my board.
Kelee Ringo, CB | Grade: 3.84 | Projected Round: 2
Kelee Ringo flashed moments of dominance in 2021, and he’s a tall cornerback with solid ball skills and athleticism. Ringo was so good at points last season that opposing quarterbacks purposely stayed away from him. Ringo presently grades as a second-round prospect on my board, though I could see him moving into the first round if his game progresses.
Tykee Smith, S | Grade: 3.81 | Projected Round: 2
I’m hoping West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith gets back to full health and displays the ability he previously showed for the Mountaineers in 2020. Smith was a dominant corner in the Big 12, making great play after great play. Smith also holds a second-round grade on my board.
Warren McClendon, OT | Grade: 3.71 | Projected Round: 3 and Broderick Jones, OT | Grade: 3.62 | Projected Round: 3
Offensive linemen Warren McClendon and Broderick Jones, both underclassmen, round out the Georgia players who presently grade as Day 2 prospects on my board.
Missing from the list is Adonai Mitchell, the true sophomore receiver who was brilliant last season and very likely grades as the top next-level prospect at UGA once he’s draft-eligible.
Kentucky Wildcats
After a bit of a dry spell, Kentucky has regularly placed players into the top 100 of the NFL draft since 2018. That streak will continue in 2023 on the shoulders of a signal-caller who draws a wide variety of opinions.
Will Levis, QB | Grade: 3.75 | Projected Round: 3
Will Levis is a big, strong pocket passer who is well-liked in the scouting community. Southeast scouts I’ve spoken with tell me they have him graded as an early Round 2 prospect who could be headed for the first round.
And while I don’t disagree with the latter portion of that opinion, I’m not as high on Levis at this point in the process. Yes, he has the arm strength to make all the throws, drive deep passes downfield, and thread a needle with great velocity on the ball. I also like his decision-making and mental intangibles. It’s the accuracy and deep pass placement that worry me.
More times than not, Levis has receivers waiting for the ball to arrive and forces his targets to fight for contested passes because of inaccuracy. The physical tools are there for Levis to make a jump up draft boards, but he must prove he’s more than a Mike Glennon fireball thrower who sprays passes.
Tayvion Robinson, WR | Grade: 3.64 | Projected Round: 3
Tayvion Robinson will likely end up as one of Levis’ top targets after transferring from Virginia Tech. At the top of his game, Robinson — graded as a third-round prospect on my board — is a game changer with speed to break long plays and the route-running skills to be an underneath wideout.
LSU Tigers
Despite a program that’s fallen on tough times and changed head coaches, LSU has put a player in the top five of the NFL Draft every year since 2018. That streak will come to an end in 2023, as no player from the team presently owns a top-32 grade.
Kayshon Boutte, WR | Grade: 3.94 | Projected Round: 2
If there’s one player who could make a major jump up boards into Round 1, it would be receiver Kayshon Boutte. Though he played in just six games last season, Boutte proved himself to be a dominant, game-changing receiver when he was on the field. He’s well-built, shows decent speed, and comes with solid hands. Boutte’s production fell off a bit in 2021 compared to the prior season, though he played in fewer games.
From a scouting point of view, I want to see him rebound from last year and put together one more complete, knockout season before I stamp Boutte as a first-round prospect. Regardless, Boutte is a terrific next-level prospect. And as we’ve recently witnessed, receivers coming out of LSU are better players in the NFL than in college.
Ali Gaye, EDGE | Grade: 3.57 | Projected Round: 4
I graded Ali Gaye as a Day 2 pick coming off the 2020 season, but his game took a step back last season, primarily due to injuries. Gaye is a long, athletic pass rusher who plays with solid fundamentals and does a great job using his hands. The problem for Gaye is he’s really thin at 6’6″ and 250 pounds, and he ends up getting handled at the point by blockers. Gaye needs to get stronger and build upon 2020 if he wants to move into Day 2 of the draft.
Mekhi Garner, CB | Grade: 3.70 | Projected Round: 3
LSU saw a ton of players transfer into the program, and several could have a positive effect in a variety of ways. The first of these is cornerback Mekhi Garner, who transferred to LSU from Louisiana. There was talk that Garner would enter the 2022 NFL Draft and end up as a Day 2 pick, but he eventually chose to transfer and surprisingly did not follow his former coach to Florida.
Garner has terrific size and decent ball skills, and he physically beats down opponents to defend throws. He can be an overwhelming force, which is why he holds a third-round grade on my board. Many scouts are not sold on Garner, though, as they claim he’s not a hard worker and shows little urgency in his preparation.
Jayden Daniels, QB | Grade: 3.46 | Projected Round: 5
The other player who gave serious consideration to entering April’s draft was quarterback Jayden Daniels, who transfers to LSU by way of Arizona State. Off the 2020 film, Daniels looked like a big-time prospect with next-level physical skills. He showed little progress last season and even regressed in many ways.
He now joins Brian Kelly, a coach who was never able to establish a consistent quarterback at Notre Dame. Daniels presently grades as a mid-fifth-round prospect on my board, but he can go either way. He can move north with a big season or fall into the later rounds if he doesn’t improve or can’t win the starting job at LSU.
Mississippi Rebels
Ole Miss has had a player selected in the first or second round of every draft since 2015. They will be hard-pressed to keep that streak going next April.
Nick Broeker, OT | Grade: 3.68 | Projected Round: 3
The Rebels’ top prospect is offensive lineman Nick Broeker, who indicated throughout last season that he was going to enter the 2022 NFL Draft but decided to return to Ole Miss. Broeker is a fundamentally sound blocker who is fluid and moves well around the field. He lined up at left tackle the past two seasons, but he’ll kick into guard this season, the position he projects to on Sundays.
Broeker grades as a third-round prospect on my board, but if a team believes he can line up in a zone-blocking scheme, there’s an outside chance he slides into the second round.
Jonathan Mingo, WR | Grade: 3.49 | Projected Round: 5
Receiver Jonathan Mingo is a nice-sized target who is quick and fluid. He runs solid routes for a bigger wideout and extends to catch the ball away from his frame. Mingo’s testing numbers (6’1″, 218 pounds, 4.48 seconds in the 40) scream Day 2, but he has a propensity for dropping easy passes and losing focus, which is why I have a fifth-round grade on him.
Jaylon Robinson, WR | Grade: 3.39 | Projected Round: 6
Keep an eye on the team’s other receiver, Jaylon Robinson, a transfer from UCF. Robinson graded as a Day 2 pick off the 2020 film, as he was a big-play wideout who could not be stopped. His game took a step back last season for a variety of reasons. I presently have a sixth-round grade on Robinson, and he’s one of those guys that could go undrafted if he does not play well or move into the middle rounds should he return to prior form.
Mason Brooks, OT | Grade: 3.37 | Projected Round: 6
Another transfer now playing for Ole Miss that I like a lot is former Western Kentucky tackle Mason Brooks. He’s a tall blocker with long arms who could come off the board in the middle rounds.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
For the first time in a while, Mississippi State had a player selected in the top 10 when the Seattle Seahawks chose Charles Cross with the ninth pick of the draft. At best, the program is looking at Day 3 prospects in 2023.
Emmanuel Forbes, CB | Grade: 3.51 | Projected Round: 4
Two underclassmen lead the way, starting with cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes is a fluid corner with solid ball skills who flashes the ability to shut down opponents. Scouts have expressed concern about his build, as Forbes reportedly measures 5’11” and barely 175 pounds. He has an upside and lots of room for improvement.
Will Rogers, QB | Grade: 3.42 | Projected Round: 5
Quarterback Will Rogers is a terrific game manager with a head for the position. He moves the chains, keeps his team in games, and protects the football. What Rogers lacks is arm strength, as he cannot drive deep passes or fire the ball through tight spots.
Tyrus Wheat, EDGE | Grade: 3.38 | Projected Round: 6
Tyrus Wheat could make a big move up boards if used correctly. Wheat is an athletic big man who measures 6’2″ and 270 pounds, and MSU uses him all over the place, much to his detriment. He has the quickness and size to play defensive end in a four-man line and enough speed and athleticism to stand up over tackle as a pass rusher. He’s a prospect who’s actually much better than the stats lead you to believe.
Missouri Tigers
Missouri had a pair of Day 3 picks in April, and that number could double based on my present board.
Martez Manuel, S | Grade: 3.34 | Projected Round: 6
Martez Manuel is a well-built safety with an explosive style. He’s a tough run defender who shows solid cover skills between the numbers. I presently grade him as a sixth-round prospect, higher than the scouts I’ve spoken with. Much of Manuel’s draft grade will depend on his 40 time. Many scouts feel he won’t break 4.6 seconds, but the tape shows me a safety well under that mark.
Trajan Jeffcoat, EDGE | Grade: 3.29 | Projected Round: 7 and Darius Robinson, EDGE | Grade: 3.28 | Projected Round: 7
Three defensive linemen presently grade as seventh-round prospects. Trajan Jeffcoat is a nice-sized, pass-rushing end with a high motor. He displays a variety of moves getting off blocks and has long arms. Darius Robinson has size, growth potential, and excellent quickness at defensive tackle. He fires off the snap, moves well around the field, and has an upside.
Javon Foster, DT | Grade: 3.28 | Projected Round: 7
Offensive tackle Javon Foster draws a wide variety of opinions from scouts, who grade him from the late rounds to as early as the fourth round. He’s a nice-sized right tackle prospect who presently holds a seventh-round grade on my board.
South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina had three players selected in the late part of the 2022 draft, with Kingsley Enagbare coming off the board first in Round 5. Next April, it could be a pair of transfers who lead the way on Day 2.
Spencer Rattler, QB | Grade: 3.69 | Projected Round: 3
One year ago, smart money said Spencer Rattler would be the top quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft, if not the first overall selection of the entire event. We all know what happened next. As we move towards the season, Rattler has a brand new team to lead: the South Carolina Gamecocks. I haven’t given up hope on Rattler, who currently carries a third-round grade on my board. If he’s able to return to the form he showed in 2020, Rattler will spike up draft boards. If he continues to regress, Rattler will end up as a late-rounder — if not a UDFA — should he opt for the draft.
Josh Vann, WR | Grade: 3.56 | Projected Round: 4
Josh Vann is a receiver I really like. He’s a surehanded pass catcher with the deep speed to be a vertical threat. I have Vann slightly higher than Stogner as a mid-fourth-round prospect.
Austin Stogner, TE | Grade: 3.52 | Projected Round: 4
Austin Stogner is another who was left out in the cold at Oklahoma last season and transferred to South Carolina. Like Rattler, many thought Stogner could end up in the early part of the draft (Round 2) if he built off a solid 2020 campaign, but his production fell through the floor. Stogner is a lanky pass-catching tight end with athleticism who holds a fourth-round grade, but like Rattler, he could go either way.
Zacch Pickens, EDGE | Grade: 3.48 | Projected Round: 5
Zacch Pickens is an explosive and athletic defensive tackle who measures 6’4″ and a tad over 300 pounds. He’s tough to move off the point and should only improve as he adds bulk to his frame. Pickens holds a fifth-round grade on my board.
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee had a pair of players selected during Day 2 of the 2022 draft, including receiver Velus Jones. This year, it’s another receiver who’s the clear favorite to be the first player selected from the program.
Cedric Tillman, WR | Grade: 3.79 | Projected Round: 2-3
Cedric Tillman is a dynamo at receiver. He combines outstanding size (6’3″ and 212 pounds), sneaky speed, and reliable hands to beat opponents. Tillman finds his way past defenders down the field or gets up in a crowd to come away with the contested catch. He’s football smart, and things click for him mentally as well as physically. I like his game and presently have an early third-round grade on Tillman, though a major move up draft boards is a definite possibility.
Byron Young, EDGE | Grade: 3.58 | Projected Round: 4
Byron Young is undersized, yet he’s a very athletic pass rusher who creates havoc up the field and shows the ability to play in space. He’s fast as well as explosive, but at 6’2″ and 250 pounds, he’ll have to play standing up on Sundays.
Hendon Hooker, QB | Grade: 3.35 | Projected Round: 6
Quarterback Hendon Hooker has the physical skills to play at the next level and the smarts as well. He possesses a big arm and protects the ball. His accuracy and pass placement, especially down the field, leave a lot to be desired and need improvement. He’s a late-rounder on my board, but as with any quarterback, a big senior season could vault him up boards.
Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies’ four-year dry spell with no players selected in the first round was broken last season when the Houston Texans chose Kenyon Green in the middle of Round 1. The way the Texas A&M board presently stacks up, it looks as though the program may squeeze one player into the top 100 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Ainias Smith, WR | Grade: 3.63 | Projected Round: 3
Receiver Ainias Smith currently grades as the highest-rated Aggie on my board, and the senior holds a third-round grade. Smith is incredibly quick, runs sharp routes, and catches the ball extremely well. He consistently separates from defenders, and though he’s under 200 pounds, Smith competes for the contested throw in a crowd. Though not a true vertical threat, Smith has enough speed to beat opponents in a foot race and looks like he’d be a potent punt returner.
Edgerrin Cooper, CB | Grade: 3.45 | Projected Round: 5
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Edgerrin Cooper shows a lot of athleticism, speed, and ability. He’s fast in pursuit, fierce, and gets great depth in pass coverage. I have a fifth-round grade on Cooper, and he comes with great upside.
Myles Jones, CB | Grade: 3.44 | Projected Round: 5
I stamped cornerback Myles Jones with a fifth-round grade off the 2020 film, but he played just two games last season before being lost to injury. He’s a king-sized corner at 6’3″ and flashed ball skills in the past. Jones also displayed a lot of smarts on the field and comes with tremendous upside.
Vanderbilt Commodores
After having a player selected in six consecutive drafts, no player from Vanderbilt was chosen in 2022. It could be a repeat next April.
Anfernee Orji, LB | Grade: 3.04 | Projected Round: FA
With left tackle Tyler Steen transferring to Alabama, Anfernee Orji is the only Commodore with a chance of being selected in the draft, and it’s a remote chance. Orji is a smart, instinctive linebacker who does a great job diagnosing plays and remaining disciplined. He sells out up the field and gives effort. Still, Orji is small, slow, and lacks quickness. He’s the type of prospect who will make a roster if a coach takes a liking to him and he shows ability on special teams.