Todd McShay reveals his Top-32 NFL prospects in college football
We’re at a point in the college football season where players are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. While there’s still plenty of time remaining in the season, Todd McShay was able to compile his first edition of his Top-32 NFL prospects in college football.
There are some usual suspects on the list, as well as many who shot their way up throughout the season. Still, we have an idea of how the draft board will look come the 2022 NFL Draft.
Todd McShay’s Top-32 NFL Prospects:
1) Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon. Quarterbacks are the most popular selection at No. 1 in the NFL Draft, but pass rushers like Thibodeaux buck the trend. The Oregon defensive end showcased his dominance last Saturday against UCLA — it’ll be hard to knock him off the top spot.
2) Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU. Health has been the issue for Stingley Jr. this season, but he’s still McShay’s top defensive back. After bursting onto the scene as a freshman, the LSU star has shown he has all the tools to be successful.
3) Evan Neal, OT, Alabama. Neal’s intangibles are tremendous — his versatility, size and quickness put him above any other lineman. “His awareness stands out — he can locate blitzes, twists and stunts and seal off the pass rush,” lauded McShay.
4) Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame. Every team needs a playmaker like Hamilton on their defense. Hamilton’s been vital to the Notre Dame defense, but they’ll have to play without him when they take on North Carolina this weekend.
5) Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan. “Hutchinson was in the Day 2 conversation last fall before fracturing his right leg in November and opting for another year at Michigan,” wrote McShay. Perhaps no player improved their draft stock greater than Hutchinson this season, who’s been key in the Wolverines’ resurgence.
6) Malik Willis, QB, Liberty. Willis has shown his ability to make ridiculous throws all season long, as he’s made Liberty must-see TV. According to McShay, Willis has the “wow” factor that team’s look for at quarterback.
7) Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State. Running Mike Leach’s offense, Cross sees a ridiculous amount of pass-blocking snaps. Still, he’s only allowed three pressures and one sack on the season.
8) Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State. Both top wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft are from Ohio State, with Wilson leading the pack. Moreover, McShay mentions his elite speed and acceleration as reasons why Wilson is a fantastic talent.
9) DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M. The Aggies defensive lineman can get it done both inside and on the edge when getting after the quarterback. Additionally, McShay mentions his length and awareness as reasons why he can be just as dangerous at the next level.
10) Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State. “Olave’s ball skills are excellent, and there is plenty of speed in his game. His route running stands out, as he explodes off the line and creates separation vertically,” writes McShay. As you can see, the other Ohio State wide receiver is a tremendous prospect in his own right.
11) Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida. First, McShay mentions Elam’s instinctiveness and aggressiveness as reasons why he’s going to be a top selection. He’s played well against some of the stiffest competition, preparing him for an easier NFL transition.
12) Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State. A bit of an afterthought prior to the season, Dotson needed to shoot up draft boards after his blazing start to the season. Moreover, his suddenness and lightning-quick ability make him dangerous with the ball in his hands.
13) Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia. Davis has been so good this season that Paul Finebaum is putting him in the Heisman race. While that may not be in the cards, Davis is definitely getting the attention of NFL teams.
14) Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia. The top-ranked linebacker as per McShay, Dean has excelled as the leader of the Bulldogs defense.
15) Nichols Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State. The Buckeyes offensive lineman has impressive measurable, but one statistic explains how dominant he’s been — he’s never allowed a sack in four seasons at Ohio State.
16) Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah. McShay mentions that Lloyd was a former safety in high school, explaining his versatility and untapped potential.
17) George Karalaftis, DE, Purdue. “Karalaftis wins with power, holding his own at the point of attack and showing good stopping power,” writes McShay. While Karalaftis was ranked higher throughout the summer, he’s still a premier talent.
18) Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas. McShay recognizes that Burks doesn’t have great speed, but his route running and ball skills put him in his top 20.
19) Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M. A complete tight end, Wydermyer can hurt you with his receiving ability as well as his blocking in the run game.
20) Tyler Lindbaum, C, Iowa. While McShay mentions he’s a little on the small side, Lindbaum might just be the most important player on the Iowa offense.
21) Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss. Prior to the season, many predicted Corral would shoot up draft boards. He’s up the McShay’s 21st ranked prospect, but he’s proving he could keep on climbing.
22) Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson. All hope may be lost for Clemson, but Booth Jr. has been a bright spot. Moreover, McShay mentions his ability to excel in press coverage as something that’ll endear Booth Jr. to NFL teams.
23) Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati. Better know as ‘Sauce’, Gardner is a nightmare for opposing wide receivers. However, there’s one thing holding him back according to McShay — he can be too physical.
24) Drake London, WR, USC. London may be one of the forgotten prospects in the nation, but he put NFL teams back on notice last Saturday against Notre Dame.
25) Brandon Smith, ILB, Penn State. McShay mentions that Smith is a work in progress, but more experience can catapult him to a huge impact player in the NFL.
26) John Metchie III, WR, Alabama. Can Metchie III be the next great Alabama wide receiver to go to the NFL? McShay believes Metchie’s “large toolbox of skills” will help his talent translate.
27) Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh quarterback is making a late, unexpected Heisman run. He’s been tremendous in 2021, and has raised his draft stock by leaps and bounds.
28) Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama. There wasn’t enough targets to go around at Ohio State, so Williams took his talents to Alabama. It seems like a great choice, as his ridiculous speed has turned him into a cant-miss player.
29) Adam Anderson, OLB, Georgia. First, McShay mentions Anderson’s exceptional speed off the edge as a reason why he’s a top 32 prospect. NFL teams need pass rushers, and Anderson could be a great one.
30) Zion Johnson, OT/G, Boston College. McShay makes note of Johnsons versatility, which could prove vital at the next level.
31) Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn. McCreary excels in press-man coverage, and NFL teams can never have too many corners like that. McShay mentions that NFL teams that rely on press coverage will be greatly intrigued by the Auburn defensive back.
32) Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati. Patrick Mahomes changed the way quarterbacks are evaluated, as teams are always looking for the next Mahomes. Ridder could be that guy — he does things no other quarterback in college can.