The National Championship Game is set, and to no one’s surprise, it’s Alabama vs Georgia. I think we should expect the SEC to dominate every single year, you’d be nuts to think otherwise. The SEC Championship rematch will feature future NFL stars. Scouts will have their hands full in this one as there are playmakers on all sides of the ball. But who are the National Championship draft prospects to keep your eyes on?
Jameson Williams WR, Alabama
The Alabama top receiver has burners for days. Williams will be showing off with a sub 4.3 40-yard dash at the combine. He’ll be called upon often in this one as Alabama will be missing fellow receiver John Metchie. After a relatively quiet game against Cincinnatti where we saw him go for 62 yards on 7 catches (quiet for Williams’s standards), Williams will try to bounce back against a stout Georgia defense whom he torched before. The question is how he will fare against Georgia’s top cornerback…
Derion Kendrick CB, Georgia
I can’t stress how much of a fan I am of Derion Kendrick. He stood out at Clemson and holds down the secondary at Georgia. The former receiver turned DB has character concerns but it appears he’s moved past it all since coming to Athens. His receiver background leads to his tremendous ball skills which he demonstrated this weekend against Michigan with two big-time interceptions. If he can pull off another tremendous game against an explosive Alabama offense, Kendrick may be able to play his way into the first round.
Travon Walker EDGE, Georgia
Travon Walker is an under-the-radar pass-rusher for the Bulldogs. In a loaded edge class, Walker isn’t getting the respect he deserves. Like most SEC stud outside linebackers, he possesses freakish athleticism and uses it to his advantage. He fights off blockers and gets in the backfield quickly. Walker’s numbers are lackluster as the defensive line depth of Georgia allows him to rotate in and out. But, when he is lining up on the outside he can move lineman or even drop back into coverage. He stands out during games and will hopefully do so on the biggest stage as he’ll battle against one of the best offensive tackles in the nation.
Evan Neal OT, Alabama
This is a mammoth of a human being. Evan Neal stands at 6-foot-7 360-pounds and moves fluidly despite that size. Moving to left tackle this season, Neal hasn’t lost a step. He is simply too big and strong to be overpowered, and his quick feet allow him to stay in front of pass-rushers. Travon Walker and co. will have their hands full as they try to get into the Alabama backfield.
Nakobe Dean LB, Georgia
Georgia’s top playmaker on defense is a do-it-all linebacker. Arguably the top linebacker in the 2022 Draft, Dean has all the tools you look for in a modern linebacker. Despite his small stature at just 6-feet tall he can get off blocks with ease and makes tackles in the backfield. He possesses elite speed and burst to be a sideline to sideline player. I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes up with a sack and a pick on any given week, he’s that good.
2023 Prospects
This piece was to draw attention to the National Championship draft prospects in this year’s class. But there are a few monsters on this Alabama squad that are draft ineligible due to their young ages. I simply cannot finish without mentioning them as they will inevitably be making jaw-dropping plays against Georgia.
Bryce Young QB, Alabama
The top quarterback prospect in the 2023 class is Bryce Young. Ohio State’s CJ Stroud will give him a run for his money, but the pocket poise and ability to extend plays is second to none. He has absurd accuracy and poise making him the clear-cut winner for the Heisman trophy this year. Young is a special talent and will put it on display against a stellar Georgia defense.
Will Anderson Jr. EDGE, Alabama
If the team with the top pick is not in line for a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, you’ll likely be hearing Will Anderson Jr’s name. The edge rusher is a freak of nature. As a sophomore, he leads all of college football in sacks with 17.5. At this point, I think he’s a better player than Kayvon Thibodeaux and that’ll likely be the number one player off the board in this year’s draft. At just 20-years-old he’s only getting better which is a scary thought.
