It’s almost time for playoff football! Not just in the NFL, but college football as well.
This year’s College Football Playoff semifinals take play on New Year’s Day. First, top seed Michigan takes on fourth-seed Alabama in the Rose Bowl, followed by No. 2 Washington facing no. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl. The winners of each game will then meet in the National Championship a week from Monday.
Of course, the main goal for the players on all four of these teams in to capture a National Championship. That being said, these games also represent potential tape against high-level opponents in a high-stakes game, which will be valuable and weighted by NFL talent evaluators.
It’s also a good chance for Patriots fans who may not watch college football regularly to familiarize themselves with some of the top players in this year’s class. All four roster feature players that aren’t just good prospects, but stand out as logical Patriots fits throughout this year’s draft (not just first-round picks).
Who are the names to know? We’ll take a look at a few players from each team for fans to keep an eye one, and wrap up with some additional names of top draft prospects overall.
Keep in mind we’re only talking about players eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, so underclassmen or players that have announced they’re returning to school for the 2024 season aren’t included here. There are some underclassmen that haven’t announced their intentions yet, so they may go back to school after the playoff. Also, we’re not including draft prospects not playing due to injury, like Texas running back Jonathan Brooks or Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter.
OT JC Latham, Alabama
Sep 4, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham (65) blocks against the Miami Hurricanes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Of the four schools playing in the college football playoff, Alabama has the fewest players on our watch list. That may be surprising at first, but most of Alabama’s top prospects this year are defensive players while the Patriots’ needs are almost exclusively on the offensive side of the ball.
Their top offensive prospect this year is Latham, a two-year starter for the Tide at right tackle. At 6-foot-6, 360 pounds he fits the most of a mauling Patriots right tackle. He’s currently projected to be a top-15 pick and the third tackle off the board so he sits in an awkward spot for the Patriots right now in terms of draft position, but his skillset certainly would help in New England.
WR Jermaine Burton
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 02: Jermaine Burton #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide catches a touchdown pass against Daylen Everette #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The last few years, Alabama hasn’t been the wide receiver factory it was the past few years, but that doesn’t mean there’s no talent there. Their top receiver this year was Burton, a former four-star recruit and Under Armor All-American who spent two years in Tuscaloosa after playing his first two years collegiately at Georgia.
Burton came on strong this year as a pure deep threat. He caught just 35 passes in 13 games, but racked up 777 yards for a monstrous 22.2 yards per catch with eight touchdowns. Speed is his carrying trait, and while he’s not the biggest receiver (6-foot, 194 pounds) he’s still more competitive than you’d first expect at high-pointing the ball and winning on contested catches. That willingness to embrace physicality carries over to the running game as well.
During the pre-draft process he’ll need to prove his game is more than just go balls. Interviews will be key too, as he’ll likely be asked about an on-field incident involving a fan in 2022. That could sway his stock but for now most projections have him as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
DB Malachi Moore, Alabama
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – NOVEMBER 11: Malachi Moore #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field on November 11, 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Moore, a four-year starter for the Tide, would be a very trend-fitting pick for the Patriots. He’s a hybrid box safety/slot corner, who saw increased raps as a free safety this year. A well-rounded and instinctive defender, he can make plays on the ball from a number of different spots against the run or the pass. Without the top-end athleticism of some of other defensive backs he’s projected as a Day 3 pick but will be a solid NFL contributor in the right role.
QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 25: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines passes the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The first quarterback on our list in McCarthy, who has a wide range of projections right now. Some see him as a potential top-10 pick, while others don’t see him as a first-rounder at all.
What makes evaluating McCarthy so hard is he really isn’t asked to do much in the context of Michigan’s offense. In the Wolverines’ run-heavy attack he’s averaged just 22 pass attempts per game, with more than half of those coming within nine yards of the line of scrimmage.
His role has been further decreased against tougher competition – he threw just eight passes against Penn State, then 20 against Ohio State. Those games featured two of his three lowest average depths of target this season, joined by his 30-pass performance against Iowa in the Big Ten Championship, which was his second-lowest of the season at six yards per attempt.
On top of that his performance dipped in the five weeks following the exposure of Michigan’s sign stealing scandal and the dismissal of Connor Stalions. McCarthy was responsible for just one touchdown over the final five weeks of the season.
That’s not to say McCarthy is bad – there’s just not a ton of information to go on one way or the other with him. That being said, against Alabama it’s not going to be as easy to win relying so heavily on the ground game. He’ll likely have more put on his plate against an elite defense, and the results will be telling.
RB Blake Corum, Michigan
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 11: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 11, 2023 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The real driving force behind Michigan’s offense is Corum. Projected to be a Day 2 pick last year he suffered a knee injury late in the season and ended up returning to school. This year he posted his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and scored a nation-leading 24 touchdowns while running for 4.7 yards per carry.
Corum is a well-rounded back that can win with both power and agility. He was used regularly as a receiver two years ago, but that hasn’t been as much a part of his role the last two years. He could go as high as the middle of the third round, but if the Patriots want to start planning ahead with Rhamondre Stevenson in a contract year, he’d be a very logical pick.
RB Donovan Edwards, Michigan
Nov 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) makes a reception in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Stadium. Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Edwards is the second half of Michigan’s two-headed monster backfield. He rushed for 991 yards last season – as a backup. This year he was used more as a receiver, catching 30 passes for 249 yards.
He’s well-rounded like Corum but doesn’t have as much experience or as extensive of a resume. Projected as an early Day 3 pick, he’s another likely Patriots target as a potential Rhamondre Stevenson replacement.
WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson makes a catch against Ohio State safety Malik Hartford and cornerback Denzel Burke during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (Junfu Han/USA Today Network)
When Michigan does throw the ball, Wilson is the primary beneficiary. He caught 41 passes for 662 yards and 11 touchdown this year.
Wilson’s at his best at the catch point, and plays much bigger than his 6-foot, 192 pound listed size. His natural athleticism suggests his game still has plenty of room to grow, but he’ll need to be better at the pre-catch process. He’s currently projected as an early Day 3 pick.
DB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 25: Mike Sainristil #0 of the Michigan Wolverines while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
An Everett High grad and former Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts, Sainristil has had an interesting career at Michigan. Originally recruited as a receiver, Sainristil spent his first three years in Ann Arbor on offense. He started five games at receiver in 2021 when he caught 22 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns, mostly working as a slot receiver.
In 2022 Sainristil moved to defensive back and didn’t miss a beat. After primarily working as a slot corner that year, his role expanded to more snaps on the boundary and at safety this past season. This past season he had five interceptions and 10 quarterback pressures.
That kind of versatility would play well in the Patriots’ secondary. He’s currently projected to be a Day 3 pick.
S Rod Moore, Michigan
Michigan defensive back Rod Moore runs after intercepting a pass vs. Indiana during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Junfu Han/USA Today Network)
We’ve hit on a couple of hybrid/box safeties, but the Patriots’ biggest need in the secondary is a true free safety – something they didn’t have this year. Moore could fit that role, having started on the back end of Michigan’s defense each of the last two years.
Not only does Moore see the field well but he’s a technically sound, disciplined player. In 1,445 career college snaps, he missed just 13 tackles and was only called for one penalty. He’s projected to be a Day 2 pick.
QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 2: Quarterback Quinn Ewers #3 of the Texas Longhorns looks to throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half of the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Ewers may have more at stake in this playoff, from a draft point of view, than any other player. Reports are mixed on whether he’ll declare for the draft or return to Texas for his redshirt junior year.
Currently Ewers is projected as a second-round pick. If Texas beats Washington he’ll have a chance to show what he can do against an elite defense in either Alabama or Michigan. A good performance in that game could lift him to first-round status, which could pull in towards the NFL instead of returning to Austin to try and raise his draft stock next year.
WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Dec 2, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) runs with the ball against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
Just how deep is this year’s wide receiver class? Worthy is a perfect example. With his speed, route running, and elusiveness in the open field, he would probably have been the first receiver off the board last year (at 6-foot-1, 172 pounds he plays like a taller Zay Flowers). As things stand now for this year’s draft though, he’s not even projected as a first-round pick (although he should go early on Day 2 at least).
Granted, that’s how things stand now. Worthy certainly can play himself into being a first-round lock in the playoff. If Texas is going to win what will likely be a shootout with Washington, he’ll need to have a big game.
WR Adonai ‘AD’ Mitchell, Texas
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 28: Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Texas Longhorns catches a pass for a touchdown in the second quarter while defended by Raider Damuni #33 of the Brigham Young Cougars at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Maybe the Patriots want more muscle than finesse at wide receiver. If so they could look to Worthy’s teammate Mitchell, who is currently projected to go in the same range of the draft.
The 6-foot-4, 196-pound Georgia transfer caught 51 passes for 813 yards and 10 touchdowns this year. His game has drawn some comparisons to prime DeVante Parker.
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 28: Ja’Tavion Sanders #0 of the Texas Longhorns catches a pass in front of Crew Wakley #38 of the Brigham Young Cougars in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
But wait, there’s more! Texas’ wildly-impressive group of skill position players also includes Sanders, who is one of the top tight ends in this year’s class.
At 6-foot-4, 243 pounds Sanders is a well-rounded tight end. This season he caught 39 passes for 607 yards and two touchdowns, and was PFF’s seventh-highest graded run blocking tight end among qualified Power Five players. He’s a dominant athlete and should test well at the Combine, which will help him build on his current second-round projection.
OT Christian Jones, Texas
Oct 21, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Christian Jones (70) in action during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Jones is as experienced a lineman as there is in this draft, with over 3,100 snaps under his belt. He started three years for the Longhorns at right tackle, plus one at left tackle.
This past season was the best of Jones’ career, as he allowed just 10 pressures. Penalties have been an issue for him, with seven against him this season. Overall, he’s much more developed as a run blocker than pass blocker at this point.
At 6-foot-6, 321 pounds Jones is most likely a right tackle at the NFL level, and could be a good project pick for the Patriots early on Day 3. He’ll be at the Senior Bowl, so they’ll get a closer look at him in a few weeks.
QB Michael Penix, Washington
Dec 1, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws the ball against the Oregon Ducks in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
If the Patriots win another game or two and don’t want to trade up, Penix may end up being their guy if they want to go with a quarterback in the first round. The 2023 Maxwell Award winner and consensus All-American has the best pure arm talent in this class, but does have other red flags knocking his draft stock – he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie, and has two torn ACLs and another significant shoulder injury on his resume.
A strong performance against Texas and then potentially against Alabama or Michigan would give teams all the more reason to take on his injury history for the chance of getting an elite passer. These games for him are all about proving he’s worth the risk, and solidifying himself as QB4 in this class.
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
TUCSON, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Rome Odunze #1 of the Washington Huskies during the second half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Odunze is another one of those players in a weird spot for the Patriots stock-wise. In order to land him they’d either have to move back or move way up. In the running for the WR2 spot behind Marvin Harrison Jr., he’s likely going to be a top 20 pick at least, and could end up in the top 10.
Between his ability to read a defense, expansive catch radius, body control, and reliable hands, Odunze is a quarterback-friendly pass catcher. He’s always a threat to stretch the field, but can win underneath as well. His 1,428 receiving yards this season ranked second in the nation, as did his 13 touchdown catches.
WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 04: Ja’Lynn Polk #2 of the Washington Huskies carries the ball against the Oregon State Beavers at Husky Stadium on November 04, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Moving to Day 2, Polk projects more as a prototypical Patriots wide receiver. He’s got good size (6-foot-2, 204), his hands are a major plus, and he wins physically at the top of the route, and he can play both outside and in the slot. In the NFL he’ll probably be more of a chain-mover than a big-play threat.
RB Dillon Johnson, Washington
CORVALLIS, OREGON – NOVEMBER 18: Running back Dillon Johnson #7 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball against the Oregon State Beavers sat Reser Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
Fans that like watching old-school, downhill running backs will have a blast with Johnson. At 6-foot, 218 he takes every carry to the whistle, forcing 39 missed tackles on 201 attempts this season. The Huskies leaned on him in big games and he delivered multiple times – rushing for 256 yards against USC and 152 against Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship.
If the Patriots want to find their next lead early-down back, Johnson looks like he has the profile. He’s currently projected to be a Day 3 pick but his stock should go up significantly with a strong performance in the playoff. If it doesn’t, he could go back to school for his senior year in the hopes of cracking the top 100 in 2025.
OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 23: Troy Fautanu #55 of the Washington Huskies in action against the California Golden Bears at Husky Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Fautanu is one of a handful of tackles in a crowded group projected to go between the late first and early second rounds. Teams will like his experience as a two-year starter at left tackle for the Huskies, as well as his natural athleticism. At 6-foot-4, 317 pounds his size isn’t a plus or minus, but he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie and is likely maxed-out physically.
Fautanu, another Senior Bowl participant, is certainly in play for the Patriots. Whether it be trading up into the back end of the first for making the pick early in the second, he’s right in their range.
CB Jabbar Muhammad, Washington
Dec 1, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Huskies cornerback Jabbar Muhammad (1) celebrates after making a play against the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
We end with the most depth prospect on the list. Muhammad jumped on the radar with a strong stretch to close the season, recording two interceptions and six pass breakups over the final three games.
Muhammad has three years of starting boundary corner experience, with the first two coming at Oklahoma State before he transferred to Washington this season. He was lock down in coverage this year – he allowed a 52.6 precent completion percentage on 76 targets, with opponents scoring two touchdowns to three interceptions and 10 more pass breakups. Opposing quarterbacks had a 61.0 rating when targeting him. That dropped to 52.3 when he was in man coverage.
At 5-foot-10 some teams will likely see Muhammad as a slot cornerback in the pros, but the Patriots haven’t had a problem playing shorter corners on the boundary in recent years. Add in his experience and special teams upside, and he could be a ‘hidden gem’ kind of pick late on Day 3 or even as a UDFA. In some ways, his makeup is similar to another undersized Washington corner the Patriots took a chance on – Myles Bryant.
Other players to watch: Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 23: Dallas Turner #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Jordan Watkins #11 of the Mississippi Rebels during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
–DE Dallas Turner
–EDGE Chris Braswell
–CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
–CB Terrion Arnold
–K Will ReichardOther players to watch: Michigan
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 29: Kris Jenkins #94 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
–DT Kris Jenkins
–LB Junior ColsonOther players to watch: Texas
Oct 7, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat (93) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
–WR Jordan Whittington
–DT T’Vondre Sweat
–DL Byron Murphy
–LB Jaylan FordOther players to watch: Washington
Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Bralen Trice (8) celebrates a safety against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
–WR Jalen McMillan
–LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
–LB Zion Tupuola-Fetui
–DE Bralen Trice
