Welcome back! We’re off and running with another year of college football! If you’re new to this article, the goal is to bring you the top dynasty prospects to watch in nationally televised college football games. It’s never too early to take a look forward. Who will be the sleepers of upcoming rookie drafts? Check back here every week for my ‘Weekly Watch’ series before you head into the weekend. Use this article each week as a place to refer back to as you prepare to watch each game.
How this article works:
I’ll give you the network, time, and teams playing in nationally televised games. Below that, I’ll list the respective schools’ prospects that are, in my opinion, worth mentioning, their position, the year they are eligible to enter the NFL Draft, and their listed heights and weights.
Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@THEtristancook) if you have players you think deserve to be mentioned in next week’s article.
Maryland @ #4 Michigan
Saturday, 9/24 | 12:00 PM ET, FOX
Maryland
Rakim Jarrett #1, WR 2023 (6’0, 190)
On Maryland’s side of the ball, there’s really only one player that I’m paying attention to for the upcoming draft, junior receiver Rakim Jarrett. He has been a bit up and down so far this year but has the physical tools to be a Sunday player. I am interested in seeing how he will fare against Michigan. Jarrett was a highly touted recruit who has underwhelmed at Maryland, but he’s a name to know.
#4 Michigan
Blake Corum #2, RB 2023 (5’8, 210)
The players I’m focusing on for Michigan remain the same. The top 2023 eligible player is running back Blake Corum. He’s in the mix for Day 2 NFL Draft capital, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he fell or even returned to Ann Arbor for another year. Corum’s draft stock will largely depend on his testing numbers. I’ll be monitoring him closely throughout the year.
Donovan Edwards #7, RB 2024 (6’1, 204)
The other guy to watch is sophomore running back Donovan Edwards. He was a 4-star RB recruit and the fourth-ranked back in his class but has been stuck behind a log-jam of other players. I’m still intrigued by Edwards and hope to see him utilized more often.
#5 Clemson @ #21 Wake Forest
Saturday, 9/24 | 12:00 PM ET, ABC
#5 Clemson
Will Shipley #1, RB 2024 (5’11, 205)
For Clemson, I’m mostly going to be focused on a pair of 2024 draft prospects, the first of which is Will Shipley. He has been Clemson’s best weapon so far this year and will likely factor into the middle rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. If you are unfamiliar with Shipley, he was the 32nd overall recruit and the RB2 in the 2021 recruiting class. He’s underwhelmed a bit but flashed talent. Shipley is certainly a name to remember for next year.
Beaux Collins #80, WR 2024 (6’3, 210)
Beaux Collins is the other player for the Tigers to know. He isn’t having a particularly stellar year, but I think that’s more due to the mediocre quarterback play from DJ Uiagalelei. It wasn’t too long ago that DJU was a top devy prospect, but now he seems to be the cog holding back the Clemson offense. I like Beaux Collins a lot for 2024. We’ll see if he can continue to develop nicely.
#21 Wake Forest
Sam Hartman #10, WR 2023 (6’1, 210)
There are two 2023-eligible players for Wake Forest of note. First, we have their redshirt junior signal caller, Sam Hartman. Hartman was a potential 2022 NFL prospect but decided to return for the 2022 season. He then missed time earlier due to a medical condition but has since returned to the team. I think Hartman has the talent to get a look at the next level, but his draft position will likely depend on how his medical checks go.
AT Perry #9, WR 2023 (6’5, 205)
The top weapon for Hartman has been AT Perry. He broke out last year with 71 catches, 1293 yards receiving, and 15 touchdowns. I expected Perry to go to the NFL, but he returned for this season instead. He had a monster game a couple of weeks ago against Vanderbilt but has been relatively quiet in the other two games. If Wake Forest is going to upset Clemson, it will most likely be because of Perry and Hartman connecting.
#20 Florida @ #11 Tennessee
Saturday, 9/24 | 3:30 PM ET, CBS
#20 Florida
Anthony Richardson #15, QB 2023 (6’4, 232)
A lot can change in a few weeks, and that’s exactly what’s happened for Florida’s Anthony Richardson. After willing the Gators to victory, Richardson has been disappointing in back-to-back weeks. The athleticism and tools are there, but if he can’t harness it and provide a little more consistency, especially as a passer, Richardson’s draft stock may nosedive.
#11 Tennessee
Hendon Hooker #5, QB 2023 (6’4, 218)
I’m not much of a believer in Hendon Hooker’s NFL potential. He has the size and looks impressive at times, but I don’t see it with him. Plus, he’s a fifth-year player who took a long time to break out. It wouldn’t shock me at all to see him get a look in the NFL, but I’m not too excited about him after college.
Cedric Tillman #4, WR 2023 (6’3, 215)
Hooker has two big targets to throw the ball to, one of which is Cedric Tillman. Tillman had a quiet week against Akron last week, but since that game was never in doubt, I’m not taking much of anything away from that. I expect to see #4 for the Vols more heavily involved this week.
#22 Texas @ Texas Tech
Saturday, 9/24 | 3:30 PM ET, ESPN
#22 Texas
Bijan Robinson #5, RB 2023 (6’0, 220)
There’s not much that needs to be said about Bijan Robinson. He’s really good, and he’s all but locked up the 1.01 in non-super flex drafts. Bijan went for a casual 183 yards rushing, and 3 scores on only 20 carries last week. And, he may be relied upon heavily again this week with Quinn Ewers potentially coming back from a shoulder injury for Texas. As long as he stays healthy, Bijan should be the top non-quarterback pick in all formats.
Xavier Worthy #7, WR 2024 (6’1, 163)
Sophomore wide receiver Xavier Worthy is the other Texas player I’ll mention. He has been very underwhelming this entire season, with his best performance coming against Alabama. I’m still a believer in his talent and not too concerned with his size, but I’d like to start seeing bigger production numbers on the field. Perhaps this week will be the start of that.
Notre Dame @ North Carolina
Saturday, 9/24 | 3:30 PM ET, ABC
Notre Dame
Michael Mayer #87, TE 2023 (6’4, 265)
The only player I’m interested in for Notre Dame is their star tight end, Michael Mayer. He actually had a very quiet day last week against California, with only 2 catches and 10 yards receiving, but I’m not concerned. This Notre Dame team is bad on offense, and days like this will happen. What’s important to note is that Mayer is my TE1 for 2023. Keep your eyes on #87 for the Irish.
North Carolina
Drake Maye #10, QB 2024 (6’4, 220)
One of the biggest surprise breakouts this season has been North Carolina’s Drake Maye. He has completed over 74% of his passes, nearly 1000 yards passing, 11 scores, and only a single interception. May has vaulted himself into the 1st round quarterback discussion in the 2024 draft. It’s only been three games, but his value is at an all-time high. This Notre Dame defense is pretty strong, though, so this game will be a great test for Maye.
Josh Downs #11, WR 2023 (5’10, 175)
The best weapon for UNC is Josh Downs, and it looks like he’s going to return to the field after missing some time. Downs isn’t in my top tier of receivers in the 2023 class, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s good. This is shaping up to be a very deep year for WRs, and I think Downs could end up being a value pick in the second round of rookie drafts this summer.
#15 Oregon @ Washington State
Saturday, 9/24 | 4:00 PM ET, FOX
#15 Oregon
Troy Franklin #11, WR 2024 (6’3, 178)
Bo Nix has looked much better for Oregon than he did at Auburn, but the player I’m most intrigued by is wide receiver Troy Franklin. At 6’3”, he has good size and a great ability to go up and get the ball in the air.
I’d like to see Franklin add a little bit of weight, but he’s certainly got my attention, and I’ll be monitoring him going forward.
Washington State
Cameron Ward #1, QB 2023 (6’2, 220)
I’ve talked about Cameron Ward quite a bit so far this year. He’s a very intriguing prospect that has been dynamic at times for Washington State. He looked pretty good last week against Colorado State, throwing for 299 yards and 4 scores. Ward loves to throw the ball to his big outside receivers, Donovan Ollie and De’Zhaun Stribling. All three are interesting to me, and will get a chance to show off on a national stage this week.
#10 Arkansas @ #23 Texas A&M
Saturday, 9/24 | 7:00 PM ET, ESPN
#10 Arkansas
Raheim Sanders #5, RB 2024 (6’2, 227)
This game has two very different running backs that are both quite interesting. For Arkansas, Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders is the player to watch. He has dominated all three games this year and is making a strong claim to be one of the running backs in the second-tier for 2024. Sanders is a big back, and he should be heavily involved for the Hogs on Saturday.
#23 Texas A&M
Devon Achane #6, RB 2023 (5’9, 185)
For A&M, the main guy to watch is junior running back Devon Achane. I’m still very interested to see how he is valued as the NFL draft gets closer (assuming he declares) because he doesn’t have the size to be an NFL running back. Achane has speed for days, but his size might hurt his draft stock.
Wisconsin @ #3 Ohio State
Saturday, 9/24 | 7:30 PM ET, ABC
Wisconsin
Braelon Allen #0, RB 2024 (6’2, 235)
The player for Wisconsin to know is still Braelon Allen. He’s vying for the RB2 spot in the 2024 class, and this game will likely be a determining factor in where he ends up. Allen is facing off against one of the most talented teams in the country, who will be keying in on slowing him down. If he can show up big, he can put a strong claim for that RB2 position.
#3 Ohio State
CJ Stroud #7, QB 2023 (6’3, 218)
The players to note for Ohio State haven’t changed. I could list a handful of players and still feel like I’m leaving some players out. You’re probably quite familiar with them at this point. First, we have quarterback CJ Stroud. There seems to be a toss-up in the devy community between CJ Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young as the QB1 for 2023. I have Stroud as my QB2, but the gap isn’t particularly large.
Jaxon Smith-Njiba #11, WR 2023 (6’1, 200)
It’s no secret that Ohio State has a plethora of receiver talent, but the surprising situation for me is that Jaxon Smith-Njigba has hardly done anything this season. He did miss time with an injury, but I certainly expected more than 4 catches, 36 yards receiving, and no scores heading into Week 4. I am not concerned about his long-term outlook at this point, but I’d like to see more production.
TreVeyon Henderson #32, RB 2024 (5’10, 214)
The final player to watch is TreVeyon Henderson. He’s not eligible until 2024 and is the clear-cut RB1 as far as most everyone is concerned. All Henderson needs to do is stay healthy and test as expected, and he’ll be the top running back in the class.
Kansas State @ #6 Oklahoma
Saturday, 9/24 | 8:00 PM ET, FOX
Kansas State
Deuce Vaughn #22, RB 2023 (5’6, 176)
Deuce Vaughn is the player to watch for Kansas State. At 5’6 and 176 lbs, Vaughn looks like a pinball bouncing all over the field. It’s hard to say what Vaughn will or could be at the NFL level, but all he’s done in his career is produce. He can be effective as both a runner and receiver and is dynamic with the ball in his hands.
#6 Oklahoma
Eric Gray #0, RB 2023 (5’10, 211)
The first of two players that I’ll be watching for Oklahoma is running back Eric Gray. He had a big day in the blowout victory over Nebraska last week. I anticipate Gray being a Day 2 NFL Draft pick, but I think he’s a steal there. I’ll probably end up drafting him in a lot of rookie drafts.
Marvin Mims #17, WR 2023 (5’11, 184)
The other player I’ll be watching closely is receiver Marvin Mims. Mims had a quieter game last week but was really needed. Like Gray, I expect Mims to be a value pick for NFL teams and dynasty teams. I’ll be watching to see how Mims looks and if he can show up big for the Sooners.
That’s it for this week’s games. As I previously mentioned, if there is anyone you’d like me to take a look at or want to share your thoughts on anything dynasty related, hit me up on Twitter ( @THEtristancook ). Also, check out the tape on some of these guys in the Dynasty Nerds Film Room. It’s an amazing tool that I plan to take full advantage of. You can use the code “tcook” for 15% off a membership of any kind!
