The 2022-23 college football season has begun and the NFL is not far behind. In preparation for this weekend's slate of college football games, Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso and myself compiled an early list of the best prospects expected to be available in the 2023 NFL Draft. Show 1. Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama NFL Draft fans should be familiar with a few of the names at the top of this list. Anderson and Carter have been discussed as two of the best defensive prospects to enter the draft in recent years. The quarterback position is projected to feature elite talent (Stroud, Young and Levis) that was not present a year ago. Levis is the first transfer on the list after leaving Penn State in 2021. Clemson has a loaded front seven on defense this season and two found their way into the top 10 overall. Despite producing the most prospects ever taken in the first three rounds, Georgia had two representatives in the top 10 overall. 11. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State Smith-Njigba would be the third (fourth if Jameson Williams included) Ohio State wide receiver drafted in the first round over a two-year period. The stage is set for him to be the primary outlet for Stroud this season. Mayer is a well-rounded prospect who will not test as well athletically as Gilbert and some of the other talented tight ends. The early rankings are a prediction of what players could be at the next level and this range is the perfect example. Gilbert did not play for UGA last season but possesses the physical traits that helped Kyle Pitts become the No. 4 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. Gilbert initially transferred from LSU. Robinson is the best running back prospect in recent years and should challenge the notion that running backs do not belong in the first round. 21. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State Ricks is the second LSU transfer to make the list. He will play an important role in a loaded Alabama secondary. Johnson played guard for Ohio State last season but is now making the transition to the boundary. Smith and Carter are about as raw as edge rushers can be but they have noteworthy athletic traits. Downs is a personal favorite. If able to overlook his lack of traditionally accepted size, talent evaluators will find a natural route runner who is elusive post-catch. 31. Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse Williams, Dexter, Harrison and Nelson are faces of potential. Each possesses great size and natural athletic ability. Phillips is smaller in stature but feisty. Following a brief hiatus, a fourth quarterback (Van Dyke) makes the cut. Addison and Gibbs transferred from Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech, respectively. Gibbs is not a prototypical Crimson Tide running back but he excels in three phases of the game. Ika is the third LSU transfer to reside in the top-40. 41. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State The final portion of the list begins with the son of former NFL linebacker great Joey Porter. Catalon is probably the most athletically gifted safety in the class but tackling has been an issue for him in the past. Johnston is a big-bodied wide receiver who will be relied upon to make plays down the field. Jarrett has significant upside and should build on an impressive 2021 campaign.  Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is one of the top prospects, regardless of position, as the college football season progresses and we look ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner exploded onto the college football scene in 2021, leading the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff national championship game. He did so by completing more than two-thirds of his passes for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns (compared to just seven interceptions). Young can certainly beat defenses with his legs -- and he did so at times throughout last season -- but he does a tremendous job keeping his eyes downfield when the pocket collapses and looking for the big play instead of trying to run for the first down. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Young, including his high school and college accolades, scouting report and prospect outlook for one of the best players in college football. Note: This profile will be updated as more information becomes available. Background
CBS prospect rankingPosition: No. 1 QB | Overall: No. 2 247Sports profileHigh school: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California)
High school accolades: Co-National Player of the Year (MaxPreps), Junior Co-National Player of the Year (MaxPreps), All-American Bowl Player of the Year, two-time first-team All-American (MaxPreps), Gatorade Player of the Year in California, High School Quarterback of the Year by the National Quarterback Club, Maxwell Offensive Player of the Year, first-team sophomore All-American (MaxPreps), first-team All-State (MaxPreps) Check out Bryce Young's full 247Sports profile, here. For his MaxPreps profile, click here. College statsPassing
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Initial scouting report"Young can drive the ball and throws with touch. There is some mobility to his game but it is not his first instinct when the play breaks down. The California native has below average height and a slim build. He fades away in the pocket throwing too much off his back foot unnecessarily. Young throws with anticipation and shows good ball placement." - CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Josh Edwards (Aug. 29) Who will be Alabama's QB in 2023?Alabama now has four quarterbacks set for its 2023 roster after Bryce Young's presumed entry to the NFL Draft: Current redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe, 2022 5-star Ty Simpson, Holstein and now Lonergan.
Who is Alabama's next quarterback?Alabama Announces Bryce Young As Starting QB, Then Starts Jalen Milroe - Sports Illustrated.
Who is the best QB out of Alabama?Our guy, Bryce Young is the best. He was the best in college football last season. He is the best in college football this season. Although there is some small space for debate, a legitimate claim is Bryce Young is the best Alabama Crimson Tide QB of all-time.
What quarterback committed to Alabama?QB Julian Sayin, No. 34 in 2024 ESPN 300, commits to Alabama.
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