My favorite QB to watch in College Football and my bet to be the #1 pick in the 2022 draft. In his first year as a starter last year, he posted a 4:1 TD to INT ratio and earned over a 90+ PFF grade. I expect him to have a breakout year in 2021 and do as most top QBs do under Lincoln Riley, win the Heisman Trophy. Not the biggest QB at only 6’1 but an excellent athlete who can make every throw.
Sam Howell, QB North Carolina
I don’t expect Sam Howell to be waiting long for his name to be called as he should be the #2 pick in the 2022 draft. His arm is good, not great but very accurate, and has been a star at UNC since his freshman year.
Malik Willis, QB Liberty
Willis may be the most physically gifted quarterback in the 2022 draft class. Not a household name but I think will be after this season and it will earn him a spot as a top 10 selection. Willis has a massive arm and should have an incredible highlight tape this year. Not to mention, he is an explosive runner with running back like elusiveness. Willis may be a boom or bust type of prospect but either way, he will put fans in the seats with his exciting play style.
Kedon Slovis, QB USC
Slovis should be a top 10 pick but doesn’t have the flair or excitement to his game that Rattler and Willis bring. Not necessarily a bad thing as he has better size them both of them at 6’3 and has been one of the more accurate college football throwers the past two years. A 3-year starter at USC will fill the role of prototypical style QB at the next level.
Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
There is a great debate going into this season of who will be the #1 WR prospect for the 2022 draft but my pick is Justyn Ross. He seemed like a lock to be a top 10 pick after his 2019 season at Clemson, but a terrifying spinal condition forced him to miss the 2020 campaign and nearly retire from football altogether. But he is back and ready to play in 2021 and should continue right where he left off in 2019. At 6’4 with solid speed and phenomenal hands, he is a matchup nightmare for any DB. Regardless of where he gets picked, he is a guy we will all be rooting for.
Chris Olave, WR Ohio State
It was a shock to see Olave return to school this year as he was a projected first-round pick in the 2021 Draft. Olave may just love his education…or… figured he has a better chance to be the top WR taken off the board in 2022. The best route runner in the class with adequate size at 6’1 and should run in the low 4.4s. He will be a great addition to any WR needy team next year.
Bonus WRs: Simply because I love WRs here are 3 more players to keep an eye on as future first round picks for the 2022 draft. George Pickens, WR, Georgia, Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State, and WR John Metchie III, Alabama should all have huge years for their teams.
Now back to the top 10...
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
If you like giant O-lineman, Evan Neal is the man for you. Standing in at a monstrous 6’7 360 pounds he was built to move men backward. Neal played both guard and tackle at Alabama in his first two years and should be the first offensive lineman off the board.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE Oregon
The best Edge rusher in this class and it shouldn’t be close. Thibodeaux has drawn comparisons to Myles Garret and while I won’t go that far on the hype train, he will be a top 5 pick. He has the prototypical size at 6’5 250 pounds and is quick off the edge which should give offensive coordinators nightmares for years to come.
Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU
Stingley Jr. has to be the most hyped CB coming out of college since Patrick Peterson. Stingley blew onto the scene two years ago as a true freshman posting a 90+ PFF grade, the highest-graded freshman ever. At 6’1 with 4.3 speed, he has the look of an elite shutdown corner in the NFL. Coming off a down sophomore year I expect him to return to his freshman form and solidify himself as a top 5 pick.
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Safeties don’t typically go in the top 10 but Kyle Hamilton has a real shot to go that high. A huge safety at 6’4 has great speed and is the best cover safety in the nation. His rare athleticism and versatility on the field will have a defensive minded coach grabbing him very early in round 1.
