While the 2023 NFL Draft is still far off in the distance, players that will be drafted early are on the field now. Each week presents unique matchups for draft prospects and this week is no different. Here are NFL Draft prospects to watch in college football week 11.
Ole Miss has played good football and enter week 11 with just one loss and with a lot on the table. They have been one of the best rushing teams in the country this season with a few running backs who make an impact. One of those backs is Evans, who has 680 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He also has eight catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Evans is one of many good running backs in this draft class. He has battled injury, but has been effective when on the field. He can make people miss in space and runs hard. If he can run well against Alabama, it will help his draft stock. Evan is projected to be a day-two pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Alabama isn’t having quite the season they imagined, as they already have two losses. They need players to step up and that includes players in the secondary. Ricks didn’t start the season due to off-the-field issues and an injury, but has since worked his way on the field. He has five total tackles and four passes defended this season.
Ricks has to prove he is healthy, but he already has a lot of good tape out there. He has good ball skills and if he intercepts a pass he can take it back for a touchdown. His man coverage is typically pretty good. While Ole Miss runs the ball better than they throw it, Ricks will need to play well this week because of the struggles of the Alabama secondary. He was projected to be a first-round pick before this season, but needs to show it again this season.
Mississippi State is bowl eligible and is now looking for more. They have not played well defensively, but they do have some impact players on that side of the ball. One of those is Forbes. So far this season, he has 24 total tackles, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and six passes defended.
This week, Mississippi State takes on Georgia. The Bulldogs proved that they could go deep against Tennessee, so Forbes will have to make sure that doesn’t happen to help his team. Forbes has good ball skills and has a knack for the big play. Both of those can come in handy as he covers Georgia’s receivers in week 11. He is currently projected to be a first or second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Georgia is the unanimous number-one team in the country and are undefeated. Their defense has been noted, but their offense is playing better than expected. The offensive line is a big part of that, which includes Broderick Jones. After cracking the starting lineup late in 2021, Jones has been a good left tackle all season for the Bulldogs.
If Mississippi State scores some points, Georgia will have to match. Jones is so useful because he is good in space, whether that is protecting the blindside or getting up field blocking on screens. His athleticism is unique and will help him get drafted early. He is currently projected to be a first or second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
TCU is undefeated through nine games and deserve a lot of credit. Their offense gets most of the publicity, but their defense has been opportunistic. One of the defense’s best players is cornerback Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson. Hodges-Tomlinson has 30 total tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended this season.
At 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, Hodges-Tomlinson is a smaller corner that may play in the slot at the NFL level. He’ll have his work cut out for him against Texas, as they have excellent skill position players. Hodges-Tomlinson is a projected day-two pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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