A college football season that has been nothing short of incredible is set to culminate on Monday night with the CFP National Championship. This year’s title game matchup is one for the ages as the TCU Horned Frogs will look to cap off their fairy tale season by dethroning the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs. Several participants in Monday’s CFP National Championship are bound to hear their names called in the 2023 NFL Draft that will take place later this spring.
Whether you play dynasty fantasy football, are an NFL Draft enthusiast, or are simply a football fan looking for compelling talent to watch, the five 2023 NFL Draft prospects below are worth keeping an eye on in the TCU vs Georgia CFP National Championship Game.
2023 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in CFP National Championship
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
NFL teams in need of a wide receiver will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on Quentin Johnston in the CFP National Championship. Of course, it will be hard to top the 163-yard performance he delivered in TCU’s Fiesta Bowl win over Michigan on New Year’s Eve. Another strong effort against the highly-respected Georgia defense would certainly bolster Johnston’s chances of being the first receiver taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Johnston has steadily improved in each of his three seasons at TCU. The 2022 campaign has seen him take his game to another level as the top weapon in a talented Horned Frogs WR room. Including his massive effort in last weekend’s Playoff Semifinal, Johnston now has 1,066 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 59 receptions for the season. At 6’4″ and weighing 215 lbs, he currently sits as the top wideout in ESPN’s NFL Draft prospects rankings.
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
The 2023 NFL Draft class is chock full of talented defensive backs. Many draft pundits believe that at 5’9″ and 180 lbs, Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson lacks the size needed to be an elite corner at the next level. However, there’s no denying his talent or his intangibles. The Waco native is widely expected to turn pro following a stellar senior season in which he won the Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in all of college football.
On the season, Hodges-Tomlinson has compiled a stat line that includes 45 total tackles (38 solo), 14 passes defended, three interceptions and one forced fumble. Like so many other top-tier corners, Hodges-Tomlinson’s presence alone deterred many opponents from even throwing the ball to his side of the field. Some of the doubts that stem from his lack of size could be put to bed in the CFP National Championship if he rises to the occasion against a potent Georgia passing attack.
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
After producing the first overall selection in last year’s NFL Draft, the Georgia defensive line is on track to deliver another top-three pick in 2023. At 6’3″ and 300 lbs, Jalen Carter has the size to step in and be an immediate contributor at the next level. He has been an integral part of a Bulldogs run defense that allowed the fewest yards per game (84.7) of any team in the country. In addition to clogging up running lanes, Carter does a fine job of shedding blocks to help clean up tackles.
Despite lining up along the interior of the defensive front, Carter also managed to record a trio of sacks this season to go along with his 30 total tackles (14 solo). Carter was particularly dominant in Georgia’s high-profile showdown against Tennessee, finishing the game with four tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles. He is currently ranked third overall in ESPN’s NFL Draft prospects rankings.
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Georgia will counter the Jim Thorpe Award winner in TCU’s defensive secondary with a standout prospect of its own in Kelee Ringo. The Tacoma, Washington, native has improved his skills immensely from the start of last year to now. At 6’2″ and 210 lbs, the sophomore certainly has the physical attributes and size needed to be a factor at the next level. On the season, Ringo has compiled a stat line of 41 total tackles (37 solo), seven passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
In the Peach Bowl Playoff Semifinal against Ohio State, Ringo was beaten on a couple of throws early but managed to regroup nicely against arguably the best wide receiver corps in the country. One of the biggest knocks against him is his tendency to take too many risks in coverage. The pros far outweigh the cons and result in Ringo being listed 19th overall in ESPN’s NFL Draft prospect rankings.
Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia
As the leader of Georgia’s three-man backfield this season, Kenny McIntosh has put together a very impressive senior campaign. On the ground, the Fort Lauderdale native has rushed for 779 yards on 142 attempts (5.5 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. Although he doesn’t possess the same kind of bruising power as other recent Bulldogs RBs like Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, McIntosh certainly has the build (6’1″, 210 lbs) to perhaps become a more physical back at the next level.
Another reason for dynasty fantasy football managers to be excited about McIntosh as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect is his ability to contribute in the passing game. This is where he made his greatest impact in Georgia’s Peach Bowl victory over Ohio State. McIntosh served as a top target for Stetson Bennett out of the backfield, finishing with 56 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. He now has 505 yards receiving on the season heading into the CFP National Championship.
Other TCU NFL Draft Prospects Playing in CFP National Championship
- Dee Winters, LB
- Dylan Horton, LB
- Kendre Miller, RB
- Max Duggan, QB
- Steve Avila, C
Other Georgia NFL Draft Prospects Playing in CFP National Championship
- Broderick Jones, OT
- Christopher Smith, S
- Darnell Washington, TE
- Sedrick Van Pran, C
- Stetson Bennett, QB
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