Week One Preview- Prospects to Watch

Do you believe college football is here? Draft Nation is ready for Saturday’s games and wants to make sure you are as well. Each week, we will go through the games and the players to watch, on our way to the draft in April 2025.

Here is our preview for - Week 1:

#1 Georgia vs. #14 Clemson (In Atlanta) (12:00 pm ABC) (SATURDAY)

Line- Georgia (-13.5)

Draft Nation Prediction - Georgia 45 Clemson 21

Georgia enters the 2024 season as the No. 1 ranked team in the country and after not making it to the National Title game for the first time in three years, they are fully loaded and ready to get back to the championship. Clemson has a solid defense, but with an offense still trying to find an identity, this could be a long day for the Tigers.

Georgia- Quarterback- Carson Beck

The Bulldogs have been as dominating as any team over the past five seasons, but they enter the 2024 campaign with a chip on their shoulder after losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship game last season. Carson Beck comes back for his second year as a starter in Athens. Last season he threw for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns. Beck has a chance to be the first pick in the 2025 NFL draft and it will be fun to watch what he can do against an above average Tigers defense.

Clemson- Linebacker- Barrett Carter

Clemson’s defense will have to play their “A” game to even stand a chance against the explosive Bulldogs offense. They will look to veteran linebacker Barrett Carter to make plays and try to stop the Georgia running game of Trevor Etienne and Branson Robinson. Carter’s tackling ability and playmaking skills can make him a high day two draft pick with another solid season.

Georgia- Safety- Malaki Starks

Malaki Starks is arguably the best safety in the country and his skills will be showcased against a questionable Clemson offense. Starks is a fluid athlete who plays the game consistently down hill. Georgia gives Starks the ability to play a "free range" in the defensive backfield at times and he makes the most of it with big hits and attacking the ball in the passing game. Starks is a bonafide top 20 pick in 2025.

Clemson- Quarterback- Cade Klubnik

Cade Klubnik had some success as his sophomore season played out last season. As a junior, he has some work to do to improve his late draft projection. This could be a coming out party for Klubnik if he is able to show up against this vaunted Georgia Bulldogs defense. Klubnik will need to get rid of the ball quickly and accurately, two things he struggled with at times in 2023. 

Others to Watch

Georgia- RB- Trevor Etienne

Georgia- G- Tate Ratledge

Georgia- DE- Mykel Williams

Clemson- RB- Phil Mafah

Clemson- OT- Blake Miller

#7 Notre Dame at. #20 Texas A&M (7:30 pm Saturday ABC)

Line- Texas A&M (-3)    

Draft 412 Prediction - Texas A&M 23 Notre Dame 20

Texas A&M will face a Notre Dame offense that has been totally dismantled and rebuilt. The Irish will feature Duke transfer Riley Leonard at quarterback and they will be starting two freshmen on their offensive line. The Aggies on the other hand will have a veteran defensive line led by Shemar Turner and Connor Weigman at quarterback, who started off hot in 2023 before suffering an injury to his foot. Draft Nation thinks the Aggies win late on a field goal.

Texas A&M- Quarterback- Conner Weigman

Connor Weigman looked dominant in the first four games of 2023, before an injury knocked him out for the season. He threw for 979 yards and eight touchdowns in those four games, and has scouts looking for bigger things in 2024. Weigman is on a short list of potential first round quarterbacks and it will be fun to see what he can do against a veteran Notre Dame defense.

Notre Dame- Quarterback- Riley Leonard

After three seasons at Duke, Leonard transferred to replace Sam Hartman as the Fighting Irish’s starting quarterback. Leonard, much like Weigman, missed much of the 2023 season due to an injury. Leonard is more of a dual threat quarterback that won't "wow" you with his passing prowess. He is a heady player that will likely be a later round prospect if he continues to use his playmaking skills to his advantage. 

Texas A&M- Defensive Tackle- Shemar Turner

With Notre Dame starting two freshmen on the offensive line, Draft Nation expects to see Shemar Turner causing havoc on the defensive side of the ball for the Aggies.The 6-foot-4 290 lbs lineman has a quick burst and is always making plays in the backfield. If Turner can dominate the line of scrimmage it is going to be a long day for the Notre Dame offense.

Notre Dame- Safety- Xavier Watts

Watts led the nation in interceptions last season with seven and has a knack for making the big play at the right time. He will be counted on to try and slow down Conner Weigman and the passing attack of the Aggies. Watts right now is projected as a late second day pick, with the potential to become one of the class's first safeties to come off the board.

Others to Watch

Texas A&M- TE- Tre Watson

Texas A&M- C- Bryce Foster

Texas A&M- DE-Nic Scourton

Notre Dame-TE- Mitchell Evans

Notre Dame- CB- Benjamin Morrison

#13 LSU vs. #23 USC (in Vegas) (SUNDAY, 7:30 pm, ABC)

Line- LSU (-4.5)   

Draft 412 Prediction - LSU 44 USC 35

This game would have featured Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels last year, but this season the script flips to Miller Moss vs. Garrett Nussmeier. Both teams are searching for an identity from their signal caller and are loaded with an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball. The game should be a barn burner from beginning to end featuring many future NFL stars.

USC- Quarterback- Miller Moss

Miller Moss has spent most of his career playing in mop up duty behind superstar Caleb Williams. However, Williams decided not to play in USC’s bowl game last season, and Moss took advantage of the opportunity. In the 2023 Holiday Bowl, Moss set a bowl record by throwing for six touchdowns, helping USC to beat Louisville 42-28. He has opened the eyes of the scouting community and a big game against LSU can start his march towards a higher draft stock.

LSU- Tight End- Mason Taylor

Mason Taylor is a do-it-all tight end who can line up all around the offense to exploit mismatches. He should become a favorite of quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Draft Nation believes that Taylor with his size (6-foot-5) and athleticism can climb up draft boards with a strong season. 

USC- Running Back- Jo’Quavious Marks

Marks spent four seasons at Mississippi State before transferring to USC for the 2024 season. He offers the Trojans a running back who can help bring balance to an offense led by a young quarterback. Marks has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over his career that has been slowed down by injuries. Draft Nation thinks Marks is a late round prospect with the tools to move up if he stays healthy.

LSU- Linebacker- Harold Perkins Jr.

Perkins is not only one of the best linebackers in the country, but he is a game changer who can take over games. Perkins is explosive and has a drawer full of pass rushing moves which will keep Moss on the run all day. If you have a chance to watch one player this weekend, watch Harold Perkins Jr.

Others to Watch 

USC- DT- Bear Alexander

USC- C- Jonah Monheim

USC- S- Kamari Ramsey

LSU- T- Will Campbell

LSU- T- Emery Jones Jr.

LSU- DE- Sai’vion Jones