College football preview: 12 draft prospects to watch in Week 8

There are a lot of great games you should be checking out this college football weekend. However, none come close to the prestige and intrigue of the SEC showdown between Texas and Georgia happening at 7:30 PM ET on ABC. From a college football standpoint, Georgia basically needs to win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive while a Texas win keeps them in the drivers seat for the SEC. From a draft perspective, it’s even more exciting. Both sides of the ball will have top NFL talent on it all night. Here are the top draft prospects to watch.

The Quarterbacks

Quinn Ewers, Texas: Quinn Ewers has gotten better every year since he got to Texas. While things like decision making and accuracy improved, what remains constant is a big arm and a fearlessness to use it. This game could very well be a shoot out and Ewers will need to outgun Georgia to win.

Carson Beck, Georgia: Carson Beck has steadily been one of the better quarterbacks in college football since taking over the Georgia offense last year. While has no outstanding physical tools, he makes up for it by being very accurate, running the offense well and keeping turnovers low. Beck is a high level game manager with first round hopes. This will be a great game for him to go blow for blow with Texas’ high powered offense.

The offensive skill players

Isaiah Bond, Wide Receiver, Texas: Isaiah Bond made a big leap when he left Alabama to come play in Austin. The small but speedy receiver has been an asset in the Longhorns offense as he’s averaged almost 18 yards a reception through the first six games. Bond is nursing some injuries but is expected to be a full-go in this game. Expect the playmaker to be targeted on big plays in this game.

Trevor Etienne, Running Back, Georgia: Trevor Etienne is the talented younger brother of former Clemson Star and first round pick Travis Etienne. Trevor is gifted running back with a lot of power and a slippery running style. If Georgia wants to set the pace of this game, they will run the ball early and often, getting it into Etienne’s hands.

Arian Smith, Wide Receiver, Georgia: Arian Smith has been with Georgia for five years and is finally breaking out as a major threat in their passing game. Smith is a lean six feet and 185 pounds, but makes up for it with speed and sharp route running. Expect Smith to see the ball a lot in this game.

The Offensive Linemen

Kelvin Banks, Offensive Tackle, Texas: Kelvin Banks is the best player in this game on either team. He could be the first pick in the draft this spring. He is a fantastic pass protector and run blocker with great athletic tools. He will need to hold it down against Georgia’s athletic front seven to keep the Texas offense on schedule.

DJ Campbell, Offensive Guard, Texas: DJ Campbell is not as high profile a prospect as his teammate, but he is still a damn good player. He is a strong, big bodied blocker with powerful hands and a mean streak. That physicality will come in handy against Kirby Smart’s defense.

Tate Ratledge, Offensive Guard, Georgia: Georgia has had some excellent offensive lineman go off to the NFL in the last few years and this draft figures to be no different. Tate Ratledge is as solid a guard prospect as they come with great technique, power, and attitude. If he is healthy, he is one of the best linemen in the country.

Earnest Greene III, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: Earnest Greene III is similarly a very, very impressive offensive tackle prospect with length and strength to match. He is a redshirt sophomore who has started every game since the beginning of the 2023 season. The sky is the limit for him.

Defensive Front 7

Mykel Williams, Edge Defender, Georgia: Injuries have held Mykel Williams back in 2024, but he is one of the more talented defenders in the whole country. Georgia has been easing him back into duty over the last few weeks and they’ll need some big plays from him in this game.

Jalon Walker, Linebacker, Georgia: Jaylon Walker is next up in the long line of great Georgia linebackers to come out in the last few years. Walker is a speedy, physical defender who can fly around against the run, in coverage and as a blitzer. He also has lots of experience dropping onto the line and rushing off the edge. Texas can threaten a defense in a lot of ways, so Walker will need to play great football on all three downs.

Secondary

Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia: The Georgia secondary is arguably more vulnerable this year than it has been in recent seasons, but Malaki Starks is still one of the better safety prospects in the country. He’s well built with great athleticism and the versatility to play all over the field. Texas is going to be challenging Georgia down the field and Starks’ play will have a big impact on the outcome of this game.