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 7 recap.
Tennessee notched a huge win over Alabama that has them now firmly in the College Football Playoff picture. The game was a shootout and their offense proved they could play with the best of the best. Hendon Hooker has put himself atop the Heisman conversation with an outstanding performance. He finished the game with 385 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception to go with 56 rushing yards.
Hooker has had a dream of a season so far and his NFL Draft stock only rose in this game. He showed some nice placement on some deep balls and was able to extend drives with his legs. His bid to be the third quarterback taken in the 2023 NFL Draft is looking very good right now (behind Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud). He is currently projected to be a first or second round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Alabama played a sloppy game and couldn’t stop Tennessee consistently. Their defense struggled and their offense just couldn’t overcome it. The secondary specifically didn’t play well, and Battle had a tough game too. He finished the game with seven total tackles.
Tennessee specifically burnt Alabama on deep plays with wide receiver Jaylin Hyatt. The safety play wasn’t good enough to help. Battle is better at coming up and stopping the run at the moment. He has plenty of time to rebuild his draft stock, but currently is a day two pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Michigan had a dominant performance against Penn State, winning 41-17. The game extended the Wolverines’ record to 7-0. They were able to rely on their rushing attack offensively and Corum is the main key to that. He rushed 28 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Corum also had three catches for 15 yards.
Corum showed his quickness and big play ability against the Nittany Lions with some long runs and touchdowns. His good performance against a quality team has pushed forward his Heisman Trophy campaign. He currently is projected to be a mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Although Penn State lost to Michigan, it was mostly due to their offense and their inability to stop the run. The pass defense played decently and that includes Porter Jr. He helped keep the Michigan receivers in check, but in the end it wasn’t enough.
Porter Jr. displayed his physicality, which helps him with his man coverage in this game. That same physicality can get him into trouble though, as he had a late-hit penalty at the start of the game. He played well though and is projected to be a first or second round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Utah defended their home turf and defeated USC. Their defense did not play their greatest game, as they allowed 42 points, but they stepped up in key moments. Clark Phillips was a bright spot for the Utes, as he finished the game with four total tackles, one sack and two passes defended.
In this game, Phillips was able to show his great ball skills. While he usually lines up on the outside, he got his sack after lining up in the slot and blitzing, displaying his versatility. He has played well all season and is currently a projected first or second round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Make sure to check out our NFL Draft page for more news and updates like NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in College Football Week 7 Recap.
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