Michigan and Washington compete for the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday in what will be the final chance for some prospects to make a lasting impression on NFL scouts.
One of those prospects is Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whose medical analysis — a file that includes four season-ending injuries — is a vital piece of the puzzle for pro evaluators.
Here’s a look at the top five prospects for both teams eligible for the 2024 draft:
Michigan
DT Kris Jenkins
Possibly the most athletic defensive tackle in this year’s class, Jenkins hasn’t had huge production this season, but scouts love his quickness and slippery style as a pass rusher. His upside should land him comfortably in the first round even though his game is still a work in progress.
Draft Range: 1st Round
QB J.J. McCarthy
An efficient short and intermediate passer who makes up for an average arm with his quick release and reliable ball placement, McCarthy isn’t flashy, but his steady play could help he sneak into the second round if he decides to declare.
Draft Range: 2nd Round
DE Braiden McGregor
An efficient hand fighter and prototypically built defensive end, McGregor had a slow start to the season but has come on strong with three sacks in the last two games. He projects as a second- or third-rounder, but a big national championship performance could push him up firmly into the second round.
Draft Range: 2nd-3rd Round
RB Blake Corum
Corum is an easy accelerator with great top-end speed and a low center of gravity that makes him hard to chop down. While he wasn’t quite as impressive as his 2022 campaign, he should be one of the top backs off the board by the end of the third round.
Draft Range: 3rd Round
WR Roman Wilson
One of the most underrated receivers in the class, Wilson is an explosive athlete and a winner at the catch point despite being on the shorter side. The top target for McCarthy projects as a likely third- or fourth-rounder despite the depth of the receiver class.
Draft Range: 3rd-4th Round
Washington
WR Rome Odunze
One of the best athletes in this receiver class, Odunze is an impressive run-after-catch player with ball skills to win in traffic. He has gone from a likely second- or third-rounder to a near surefire first-rounder, and he could even challenge Marvin Harrison Jr. at the top of the position when all is said and done.
Draft Range: 1st Round
DE Bralen Trice
Naturally imposing as a run defender, Trice has the size and strength to set the edge effectively. While not a high-end athlete, he is an active hand fighter with good variety to his rush package. If he tests as expected he should be a late first- or early second-rounder, although he isn’t the type of player who usually excels at the Combine.
Draft Range: 1st-2nd Round
OT/OG Troy Fautanu
A short offensive tackle with offsetting length and pass blocking acumen, Fautanu will be projected by many teams as a guard, but he has starting level ability at either position. The technically sound blocker is projected as a second or third rounder, although a good pre-draft process could sneak him into the back of the first round.
Draft Range: 2nd-3rd Round
WR Ja’Lynn Polk
The other top target in the high flying Washington offense, Polk isn’t quite as nimble as his fellow receivers in Odunze or Jalen McMillan, but his catch radius and ability to win above the rim should keep him from getting out of the third round if he decides to turn pro after the national championship.
Draft Range: 2nd-3rd Round
QB Michael Penix Jr.
While Penix winning a national championship would be a great feather for his cap, teams are more reserved on the lefty than most media speculation at this point. The strong-armed passer suffered four straight season-ending injuries in his four years at Indiana and may go anywhere from the second round to the sixth round depending on how team doctors feel about him.
Draft Range: 2nd-6th Round
–By Mark Jarvis, Field Level Media
