The deadline for freshmen to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft is over, and several stars have chosen to move on instead of going back to school. Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud, Texas running back Bijan Robinson and Georgia’s Jalen Carter are just a few of the standout players playing on Sundays next year.
However, many opted to pass on their NFL paycheck. Unlike previous years, the rise of NIL collectives encouraged draft-eligible players to stay in college. Additionally, the free year of eligibility given to players during the 2020 season also gave players the option to increase their draft stock by playing another season.
Who are the best college football players who decided to come back? Let’s take them down.
1. Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington: The nation’s leading passer in yards per game will enter the 2023 season near the top of the Heisman Trophy odds after throwing for 4,641 yards and 31 touchdowns for a record-breaking Huskies team. from 11-2. Not only will he go into the season with a lot of buzz, but he will also be playing for a team that will be in the midst of the College Football Playoff race.
2. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan: The consensus All-American lost the final two games of the season, but still threw for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns. He is expected to be the centerpiece of the two-time Big Ten champion’s offense, provided he recovers from a meniscus injury.
3. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: Nix was in the running for the Heisman Trophy before suffering an ankle injury that hampered him down the stretch. Despite this, he still threw for 3,593 yards, rushed for 510 yards, and totaled 44 touchdowns. The Pac-12 will be loaded with star quarterbacks, and Nix will be near the top of every list.
4. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State: Travis was the biggest reason the Seminoles went strong late in the season. He threw for 3,214 yards, rushed for 417 yards and totaled 32 touchdowns. He is one of several seasoned Seminoles returning, which is a big reason they will be considered CFP candidates in 2023.
5. Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State: Eichenberg finished the season with 120 tackles and was a big part of the Buckeyes’ defensive turnaround in their run to the CFP. The first-team All-Big Ten performer and Chuck Bednarik Award semifinalist was the leader of a linebacking corps expected to be one of the best in the Big Ten in 2023.
6. Jared Verse, DL, Florida State: The Albany transfer turned into a first-round talent after recording 16.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 12 games for the Seminoles. He was projected as the No. 11 player overall in the CBS Sports NFL Draft Prospects ranking before announcing his decision to return to Tallahassee.
7. Bralen Trice, DL, Washington: The Huskies’ defensive front will be stacked in 2023, and Trice’s presence will be a big reason why. He had 13 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 13 games, earning him All-Pac-12 honors. His off-the-rim speed and ability to win one-on-one battles against offensive tackles should have him as a potential first-round pick in 2024.
8. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL, Penn State: Fashanu would have been a first-round pick had he decided to declare for the draft, but has opted to return to a Penn State team that will be loaded with experience on both sides of the ball. He will be tasked with protecting quarterback Drew Allar’s blind side and opening holes for the Nittany Lions’ talented group of running backs.
9. Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame: Hartman had options to return to Wake Forest, go to the NFL or transfer to college football in 2023 and found a great home in Notre Dame. The centerpiece of the Demon Deacons’ slow-knit offense threw for 12,967 yards and 110 touchdowns during his five-year college career, and there’s no doubt he’s considered a Heisman contender for the 2023 season.
10. Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois: Newton was one of the main reasons Illinois returned to prominence during the 2022 season. He had 60 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and 11 rushing quarterbacks in the last season. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound was a second-team All-American from several outlets, including CBS Sports.
11. Tyler Davis, DL, Clemson: Davis is one of the most experienced defensive linemen in the country and has chosen to return to the Tigers for his “super senior” season. He has 26.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks during his tenure with Clemson, despite battling numerous injuries. He will anchor a veteran defensive line that has to be one of the best in the country.
12. Cameron Rising, QB, Utah: Rising surprised a lot of people when he decided to step back after back-to-back Pac-12 championships. He threw for 3,034 yards, rushed for 465 yards and scored 32 touchdowns last season. He suffered a lower body injury in the Rose Bowl, which may have influenced his decision to return to Salt Lake City.
13. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma: Gabriel was named the Big 12 Rookie of the Year after throwing for 3,168 yards, rushing for 315 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2022. The Sooners desperately need stability after a disappointing 6- 7, and Gabriel’s presence should go a long way toward bringing them back into Big 12 contention.
14. Keith Randolph Jr, DL, Illinois: The other half of the “Law Firm” defensive line (along with Newton), Randolph returns after recording 53 tackles last season – 13 of which were for a loss. The 6-foot-1, 305-pound player was a Pro Football Focus All-Big Ten player and is expected to keep the Fighting Illini in contention for the division title in 2023.
15. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina: Rattler’s 2022 stats show a lot of inconsistency, what happened when he was at Oklahoma. However, he did throw 10 touchdowns in his last three games, which included a 63-38 victory over a Tennessee team that was in contention to make the CFP. He developed a great connection with Antwane Wells Jr. over the course of the season, and he could move back into Heisman contention if he leads the Gamecocks to SEC East contention.
16. Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State: Wilson capped off a great season with an incredible eight receptions, 202 yards in the Cheez-It Bowl victory over Oklahoma. The 6-foot-1 star led the Seminoles with 897 yards and five touchdowns and is a nightmare for virtually every defensive back in the country.
17. KJ Jefferson, QB, Arkansas: Speaking of matchup nightmares, there isn’t a quarterback in the country quite like Jefferson. He had 2,648 passing yards and 24 touchdowns last year and added 640 yards on the ground. The 6-foot-3, 242-pound is a force that runs between tackles, which makes the Razorbacks’ fast-paced offense with Raheim Sanders even more dangerous. If you’re looking for an underdog Heisman contender, Jefferson might fit the bill.
18. Trey Benson, RB, Florida State: Benson rushed for 990 yards and nine touchdowns last year, and he’ll be the other half of the dangerous double-hit on the ground along with Travis. At six feet tall and 215 pounds, Benson has the size to take the punishment between tackles and the speed to be a home run threat.
19. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: The dual-threat catalyst for the SEC West champions struggled with injuries down the stretch, but he’s evolved into a star nonetheless. He had 2,913 passing yards, 885 rushing yards, and totaled 29 touchdowns after the transfer from Arizona State. He’ll have another year in the system with plenty of experienced parts around him in 2023.
20. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington: Odunze is one of two 1,000-yard receivers chosen to return to the Huskies, along with Jalen McMillan, and should rise to national prominence alongside Penix. The All-Pac-12 player had 75 receptions for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns last year as one of the top deep threats in the country. He is a big reason why the Huskies offense is so dangerous.
Who is the best quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft?
Top 10 Quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft: Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson Have Big Lead This may interest you : Tom Brady sounded less like he took the last snap and more like he wasn’t sure where to go next..
- 10) Clayton Tune, Houston.
- 9) Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA.
- 8) Cameron Ward, Washington state.
- 7) Jaren Hall, BYU.
- 6) Bo Nix, Oregon.
- 5) Hendon Hooker, Tennessee.
- 4) Will Levis, Kentucky.
- 3) Anthony Richardson, Florida.
Who will be the best QB in the 2023 draft? 1. Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington: The nation’s leading passer in yards per game will enter the 2023 season near the top of the Heisman Trophy odds after throwing for 4,641 yards and 31 touchdowns for a record-breaking Huskies team. from 11-2.
Who is the number 1 QB in class of 2023?
Everyone has an order, but the consensus is that Arch Manning is not only the best in his position, but also the best player in any position in the class.
Who will be in the 2023 draft?
| Name | Faculty | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Young | alabama | QB |
| CJ Stroud | ohio state | QB |
| Will Anderson | alabama | BORDER |
| jalen carter | Georgia | DL |
Who has the most picks in the 2023 draft? Who will have the most draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft? Houston will have the most picks in the 2023 NFL draft with 12, including two in the first round. This may interest you : How Futurama Tried to Save Science’s Pop Culture Reputation.
How many first round picks do the Eagles have in 2023?
Because of an overnight draft trade, Philadelphia owns the Saints’ 2023 first-round pick, and as of Tuesday morning, the Eagles would pick the 5th overall pick. The best team in the NFL at 12-1, Philadelphia’s own pick would be ranked 32nd overall or the final first round pick.
How many first-round picks do the Eagles have? With four picks in the first 83 selections, Philadelphia has plenty of options. Here are the Eagles’ picks, selections and ratings for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Who has the first round pick in 2023?
Round 1. Cleveland â Houston (PD). Cleveland traded first- and third-round selections to Houston alongside 2022 and 2024 first- and fourth-round selections in exchange for quarterback Deshaun Watson and a 2024 sixth-round selection. Denver – Seattle (PD).
How did Eagles get Saints 2023 first round pick?
The Eagles traded two of their three first-round picks to the Saints on Monday and will now have two first-round picks in the 2022 and 2023 drafts. In the trade, the Saints received two 2022 first-round picks (No.
