Georgia vs. TCU 2023 NFL Draft Prospects To Watch in College Football Playoff National Championship

The College Football Playoff National Championship is here, as Georgia vs. TCU is for all the marbles. Georgia hopes the clock strikes midnight on Cinderella and they repeat as champions, while the Horned Frogs hope there’s more magic in the campaign and they can pull another rabbit out of their hat.

Georgia’s 2023 NFL Draft Prospects To Watch

Taking a look at the 2023 NFL Draft prospects to watch, here is a look at the top next-level players in Monday’s Georgia vs. TCU matchup.

Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

Jalen Carter has exceeded all my expectations this season and legitimately grades as a top-5 pick. Carter will grade as the top prospect of the entire draft and could end up as such with the Chicago Bears now owning the first selection.

Carter stepped up his game in every aspect this season, and despite three of his defensive line teammates being selected in the first round of last April’s draft, he was a dominant force opponents could not contain. But he’s not superhuman, as Luke Wypler proved last week. Carter will have his work cut out for him against TCU guard Steve Avila when they face-off.

Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia

Entering the season, I graded Nolan Smith as a surefire first-rounder. Yet injuries slowed him at the start of the season, and a torn pectoral muscle in late October ultimately ended his campaign. Smith is a complete linebacker with a three-down game. His final decision to enter the draft or return to Georgia for another season will be closely monitored.

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Kelee Ringo is universally considered a lock first-round prospect by everyone – but me. I love his upside but see a lot of inconsistencies in his game which concerns me. You can’t have lapses or inconsistencies at the cornerback position on Sundays, but Ringo showed both last week against Ohio State as he has all season long.

MORE: PFN’s Free Mock Draft Simulator

After giving up several bad receptions in the first three quarters, Ringo stepped up big for Georgia in the final minutes. Ringo is a cornerback prospect that can be dominant at the next level or break a coach’s heart with blown assignments. I’m told he will enter the draft.

Broderick Jones, OL, Georgia

Broderick Jones has done a tremendous job the past two years as Georgia’s starting left tackle. He’s smooth and easily slides off the edge in pass protection. Jones also shows a lot of skill in run blocking. Measurables will determine whether or not teams project him at tackle or guard, the latter where I presently grade him. The match-up against Dylan Horton, who had a career game last week against Michigan, will be fun to watch. I’m told Jones will enter the draft.

Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia

While I grade Luke Wypler of Ohio State the top draft-eligible center prospect, many in the scouting community believe Sedrick Van Pran deserves the honor. He’s quick, mobile, and strong. He also did a terrific job against Ohio State last week.

Christopher Smith, S, Georgia

Christopher Smith is one of the more underrated safeties in the nation. Entering the season with middle-round grades, he’s developed into a complete player at the position. The ability to stop Quentin Johnston over the middle of the field or quickly get to the flanks and assist Georgia cornerbacks in deep coverage will only enhance his draft stock.

Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia

Entering the season, scouts considered Kenny McIntosh to be one of the best running back prospects from the senior class despite the fact he was a rotational ball carrier in 2021. He’s shown flashes of ability and turned in several huge plays against Ohio State a week ago. McIntosh has it all — size, speed, athleticism, and upside. But he’s never really put it all together.

Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Darnell Washington would be the No. 1 tight end for 99% of the programs in the country, but he has the misfortune of playing behind superstar sophomore Brock Bowers at Georgia. He’s big, fast, and athletic — attributes Washington will showcase in pre-draft workouts next year. I was told he planned on entering the 2023 NFL Draft, but it remains to be seen if the ankle injury he suffered last week changes those plans.

TCU’s 2023 NFL Draft Prospects To Watch

Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Everyone’s favorite receiver in the upcoming draft, yet from the lens of a next-level prospect, Quentin Johnston needs a lot of work. He’s big, fast, and physical but has a limited route tree, and he’s suspect to the occasional drop.

MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board

He stepped up big last week against Michigan, helping TCU with several game-breaking plays. His route running was slightly better than I expected, but it still needs a lot of work. I’m told Johnston will enter the 2023 NFL Draft.

Steve Avila, G, TCU

The battle between Steve Avila and Jalen Carter will be the one to watch. Carter is quick, athletic, and agile. Avila is a classic power gap guard who consistently annihilates the opposition. He offers little scheme diversity, but a good performance against Carter could change that opinion.

Dee Winters, LB, TCU

Dee Winters is undersized, barely touching 6-feet for the tape (in fact, he may end up 5-feet-11.5-inches) and under 230 pounds. Yet he’s athletic, fast, and incredibly instinctive. Winters will have his mettle tested against Georgia as the mission will be covering tight end Brock Bowers as well as stopping big plays from running back Kenny McIntosh.

Dylan Horton, DE, TCU

During last week’s preview of the Fiesta Bowl, I stated Dylan Horton as an underrated pass rusher. He proved me correct with four sacks and for TFLs against Michigan. This week’s test against Broderick Jones will be a little different for Horton. Jones is more athletic, a better pass protector, and he’s rated two rounds better than last week’s opponent — Ryan Hayes — on my board.

Horton comes with size (6-foot-3.5, 265 pounds), speed (4.73s forty), and athleticism. He has the ability to come out of a three-point stance as well as the movement skills to stand over tackle.

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU

If he were three inches taller, the 5-foot7.5-inch Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson would be graded as a top-100 prospect. Being what it is, he’s a dynamite cover corner with terrific ball skills who proved as much last week, breaking up three passes against Michigan.

Derius Davis, WR/Returner, TCU

Derius Davis is dismissed in some areas of the scouting community as he measures around 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds. Yet he times the forty in 4.4 seconds and plays faster. Davis is a legitimate big-play wideout and a game-breaker returning punts and kicks. He’ll find a home on Sunday as a slot receiver/return specialist.

Where Georgia and TCU’s Draft Prospects Fall on Pauline’s Big Board

The following indicates each prospect’s Grade, round projection, vital information, and class.

• 4.56, 1st, Jalen Carter, Georgia, DT, 3Jr
• 4.03, 1st, Quentin Johnston, TCU, WR, 3Jr
• 3.96, 1-2, Nolan Smith, Georgia, OLB, 4Sr
• 3.89, 2nd, Kelee Ringo, Georgia, CB, 3So
• 3.87, 2nd, Broderick Jones, Georgia, G, 3So
• 3.83, 2nd, Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia, C, 3So
• 3.80, 2nd ,Warren McClendon, Georgia, T, 4Jr
• 3.72, 3rd, Steve Avila, TCU, G, 5Sr
• 3.65M, 3rd, Tykee Smith, Georgia, CB, 4Jr
• 3.63, 3rd, Chris Smith, Georgia, S, 5Sr
• 3.61, 3rd, Kenny McIntosh, Georgia, RB, 4Sr
• 3.49, 4-5, Darnell Washington, Georgia, TE, 3Jr
• 3.48, 5th, Dee Winters, TCU, ILB, 4Sr
• 3.47, 5th, Dylan Horton, TCU, DE, 5Sr
• 3.45, 5th, Robert Beal Jr., Georgia, OLB, 5Sr
• 3.45, 5th, Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, CB, 4Sr
• 3.42, 5th, Max Duggan, TCU, QB, 4Sr
• 3.34, 6th, Ladd McConkey, Georgia, WR, 3So
• 3.33, 6th, Kearis Jackson, Georgia, WR, 5Sr
• 3.23, FA, Nook Bradford, TCU, S, 4Sr
• 3.22, FA, Stetson Bennett, Georgia, QB, 5Sr
• 3.21, FA, Noah Daniels, TCU, CB, 6Sr
• 3.18, FA, Derius Davis, TCU, WR, 5Sr
• 3.15, FA, Mark Perry, TCU, S, 5Sr
• 3.07, FA, Taye Barber, TCU, WR, 5Sr
• 3.05, FA, Brandon Coleman, TCU, G, 4Jr
• 3.00, FA, Marcel Brooks, TCU, S, 4Sr
• 3.00, FA, Jack Podlesny, Georgia, K, 5Sr
• 3.00, FA, Jared Wiley, TCU, TE, 5Sr
• 2.95, FA, Terrell Cooper, TCU, DT, 5Sr
• 2.92, FA, Alan Ali, TCU, C, 5Sr
• 2.83, FA, Lwal Uguak, TCU, DT, 5Sr