With so much action over the course of four days, we’ve broken down the 2023 NFL Draft prospects to watch list into two pieces for college football Week 7. Below, you’ll find the top prospects in action across the five early games, with one player from each team playing Wednesday to Friday to get on your radar.
Top 2023 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in Week 7
Eric Garror, CB, Louisiana
It’s not been the ideal start to the 2022 college football season for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. A perennial Sun Belt contender under Billy Napier, they’ve labored to a 2-3 overall record so far, while losing both of their conference clashes.
Despite this, they have a talented secondary loaded with 2023 NFL Draft prospects including Trey Amos and Bralen Trahan. However, it’s cornerback Eric Garror that should command your attention.
A multi-use weapon who has returned two of five punt returns for touchdowns this year, Garror now has three consecutive seasons with an interception after snagging a pick in the season opener.
The 5’9″ CB is a dynamic athlete who is equally impressive going toe-to-toe in coverage as he is returning punts. His ability to elevate himself at the catch point mitigates his diminutive size, while he also boasts good ball tracking and strong hands in coverage. On the Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist, Garror should get some looks in April.
Khalan Laborn, RB, Marshall
With Rasheen Ali away from the team, the Marshall Thundering Herd needed someone to step up and replace his production while maintaining their offensive identity. With 731 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through five games, it’s fair to say Khalan Laborn has stepped up to the plate with aplomb. He’s yet to have a game where he doesn’t tally over 100 yards or score a touchdown. He has multiple touchdowns in three of his five games.
Laborn’s path to Marshall makes his 2023 NFL Draft projection a difficult one, but he’s one of the most interesting prospects on show during the early part of college football Week 7.
A former five-star recruit at FSU, he suffered a significant knee injury in 2018 before being dismissed from the program in 2020 for a violation of team rules. The Marshall RB had a failed stint at the JUCO level before returning to the Seminoles as a student.
His transfer to Marshall has given Laborn a significant opportunity to elevate himself amongst an interesting group of running back prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 5’9″, 205 pounds RB is physical yet possesses ankle-breaking twitchiness while flashing the requisite vision to be successful at the next level.
A rarity for college football backs, he’s also got very little tread on the tires. Teams will need to do their due diligence off the field, but Laborn could prove to be a late-round steal in April.
Al Walcott, DB, Baylor
Baylor’s trench prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft get a lot of publicity. With players like Siaki Ika, Jaxon Player, Jacob Gall, and Connor Galvin, it’s easy to understand why. However, the player who is impressing most when you turn on the Bears this season is defensive back Al Walcott. Statistically, he leads the team with 32 tackles that includes a team-high five for loss while adding two pass breakups to his blossoming résumé.
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However, Walcott’s impact is felt far beneath the box score. A former cornerback, he’s been tasked with playing the “STAR” position left vacant by impressive Houston Texans rookie Jalen Pitre.
They’re large shoes to fill, but not only has he filled them admirably, but at 6’2″ and 219 pounds, he brings a more physical presence to the position that has resulted in some pad-popping plays this year. Aided by impressive play recognition skills, the Baylor DB is a force coming downhill, flashing some high-level athleticism including explosion and speed.
Doug Nester, OT, West Virginia
As they prepare to take on a ferocious Baylor defense on Thursday evening, the West Virginia Mountaineers aren’t short on offensive firepower to counter in what should be an entertaining game.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton has established himself as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, while Kaden Prather and CJ Donaldson are names to put on your watchlists for future classes.
However, against such a dangerous defensive front, offensive tackle Doug Nester has the opportunity to elevate his 2023 NFL Draft stock. At 6’7″ and 320 pounds, he’s a man mountain for any pass rusher to navigate, with a rock-solid anchor in protection.
He boasts a powerful punch, impressive lower body strength, and a mauler mentality to be a force on the ground. A former guard, he’s played right tackle for the Mountaineers this season, adding an element of versatility to his impressive skill set.
Jordan Magee, LB, Temple
While their 2-3 start to the season might not feel like it from the outside, there are signs of green shoots of development for the Temple Owls under Stan Drayton. Two wins is one more than 2020, and the Owls just need two wins down the stretch to surpass last year’s win total. While it’s a program that’s developing in Drayton’s mold, one player who was at the program prior to the head coach’s arrival is leading the effort on the field.
Linebacker Jordan Magee has developed into a commanding presence and one of Temple’s top 2023 NFL Draft prospects. With 31 tackles, seven for loss, and three sacks through five games, he’s also been one of the more statistically productive players this season.
A former quarterback and safety, the 6’3″, 225 pounds LB showcases top-tier play diagnosis both in coverage and against the run. An impressive athlete, Magee is the epitome of a high-motor guy who showcases competitive toughness from start to finish.
Javon Baker, WR, UCF
A former four-star recruit who saw limited opportunities for Alabama (9 catches for 116 yards, 2 touchdowns) during his two seasons in Tuscaloosa, Javon Baker has been making a name for himself early in the 2022 college football season following his transfer to UCF.
Through five games, he’s snagged 24 receptions for 395 yards, establishing himself as a big play threat with 16.5 yards per catch and two touchdowns. Baker is coming off a career-high 138 yards off just six receptions in the Knights’ win over SMU last week.
Alongside the dynamic Ryan O’Keefe, Baker gives UCF two prospects to watch out for in the 2023 NFL Draft. Although this is just his first full season of serious game time, and therefore production, he carries an alluring skillset that should attract attention this cycle.
The 6’2″, 195 pounds pass catcher is combative at the catch point with strong hands, while showcasing impressive route running capability. Although he’s not a long-speed burner, his instant acceleration and twitchy change of direction make him a dangerous YAC threat.
John Marshall, LB, Navy
With no prospects selected in the previous two NFL Drafts and the particular eligibility hurdles that come with playing at a service academy, it’s highly unlikely that we hear a player from Navy’s name called in the 2023 NFL Draft.
One name did pop during the pre-season, however, and Midshipmen “striker” John Marshall is living up to that early expectation despite a difficult start to the season for the program.
The 6’2″, 204 pounds linebacker leads the team with 39 tackles after their first five games. Of those four and a half were for loss and two were sacks. He’s also logged a forced fumble and pass breakup.
Marshall is a tenacious and technically sound tackler while boasting the athleticism, ball skills, and football intelligence to be a danger in coverage. While he’s a long shot to be drafted, it would not be a surprise to see him in an NFL camp next summer.
Jaylon Thomas, OL, SMU
Having spurned both Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl invites in the previous cycle, Jaylon Thomas returned to SMU as one of their top prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft. While he’s been historically their left tackle, Thomas has accepted a number of position shifts this season that adds to his versatility as a prospect. He’s started three games at left guard and was the starting right tackle in the Week 6 defeat to UCF.
While the 6’5″, 311 pounds offensive lineman will look to assert himself as an offensive tackle at the next level, he has the size to be an imposing guard at the next level. He’s an impressively agile athlete that helps him be a force in the ground game while moving quickly to counter rushers in pass protection. The power that he generates from his frame is particularly impressive as a mauling, people-moving run blocker.
Rashad Wisdom, S, UTSA
In Joshua Cephus, Zakhari Franklin, and De’Corian Clark, UTSA has a wide receiving trio that should all end up in the NFL eventually. Meanwhile, quarterback Frank Harris is an ascending prospect in the class as he continues to carve up college football defenses with his arm and legs. However, one year removed from sending Tariq Woolen to the league, UTSA has secondary prospects to watch for in the 2023 NFL Draft, led by Rashad Wisdom.
People might scoff at a 5’9″, 205 pounds safety prospect, but Wisdom plays much bigger than his size. The UTSA safety is a fearless and ferocious ball of energy who is equally as comfortable coming downhill and laying the boom as he is breaking up plays in coverage. He’s a hot motor, high-intensity, hard-hitting son of a gun who closes with lighting fast speed that helps him routinely act upon his football instincts to make a play.
Tyrese Chambers, WR, FIU
UTSA’s Wisdom will be tasked with keeping Florida International wide receiver Tyrese Chambers in check as the Golden Panthers seek to cause an upset and land their first conference win of the season.
Chambers made an immediate and sizeable impact for FIU last season after arriving from Sacred Heart, setting program records for receiving yards (1,074) and receiving touchdowns (9). After a flirtation with the transfer portal, he’s been slightly less productive so far this year, with 262 yards and three touchdowns.
Don’t be fooled by the lack of relative production this year, however. The 6’1″, 185 pounds pass catcher is a big-play threat waiting to happen on every down. Chambers does his best work in the deep third, where his ability to track the ball and strong hands give him a catch-point advantage.
However, he can also do damage with an impressive release package at the line of scrimmage. Despite his predominant usage being outside, this allows him to win from the slot if required.