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Week one of the 2023 college football season is over, and we now have some 2023 film and data to examine for 2024 NFL draft-eligible prospects.
Throughout the 2023 season, I will examine the weekly top risers in our 2024 NFL Draft top 50 rankings. The list will include our player of the week and the top players we graded for the week whose stock is on the rise.
Player of The Week
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
Week One CFB 2024 NFL Draft Risers
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy vs. ECU
Wk1 Grade: Elite
Summary: J.J. McCarthy put in the work in his first full offseason with the Michigan football program. Last season, he did not have the luxury of a full offseason due to injury, but you could tell against ECU that he is a different player. In the offseason, he reportedly worked with QB guru Tom House to improve his mechanics. He was accurate and made several NFL throws on Saturday, and it is safe to say that when you key on Michigan's run game, J.J. will make you pay. Harbaugh compared him to Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen stylistically; he is off to a good start, proving his coach right.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders vs. TCU
Wk1 Grade: Elite
Summary: Sanders is an absolute gamer. He set single-season Colorado passing records, throwing for 510 yards and 4 TD's. He is a confident, poised player who did not flinch in the face of adversity when it was presented to him.
Florida State WR Keon Coleman vs. LSU
Wk1 Grade: Elite
Summary: The Michigan State transfer in his FSU debut was elite. He caught 9 of 11 targets for 122 yards and 3 TD's. He was 2 for 2 in contested situations. At 6'4", 215 lbs, Coleman is a physical receiver with good speed who thrives in contested catch situations.
UNC Edge Kaimon Rucker vs. South Carolina
Wk1 Grade: Elite
Summary: Rucker was phenomenal on Saturday. He racked up 6 tackles, 1 sack, and 8 total pressures in a winning effort vs. South Carolina.
Duke QB Riley Leonard vs. Clemson
Wk1 Grade: Elite
Summary: Leonard did his best Daniel Jones impression in a winning effort vs. Clemson. According to PFF, he was average as a passer, but he took care of the football and recorded zero turnover-worthy plays. He did the most damage as a runner, picking up 93 yards on 7 attempts and 1 TD.
Other Notable Players
Texas IDL T'Vondre Sweat (6'4" 362lbs) vs. Rice
Wk1 Grade: Elite
Summary: 3 pressures, 3 run stops
UCLA Edge Laiatu Latu (6'5" 265lbs) vs. Coastal Carolina
Wk1 Grade: Elite
Summary: 10 Pressures, 3 Sacks
Minnesota S Tyler Nubin (6'2" 210lbs) vs, Nebraska
Wk1 Grade: Elite
Summary: He played 19 snaps in the box 37 at FS. He recorded 2 INT's.