College Football Championship 2023: TCU vs. Georgia NFL Draft Prospects Predictions
The Georgia Bulldogs come into their second straight College Football Playoff National Championship with a defense laden with NFL draft prospects.
Defensive lineman Jalen Carter should be Georgia's second consecutive No. 1 overall pick now that the Chicago Bears occupy that spot.
Carter is one of college football's top enforcers on the interior and he could be a game-changer chasing down TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan on Monday.
Duggan's top target, Quentin Johnston, will make one final case on Monday as to why he should be the first wide receiver off the board in April.
Johnston was fantastic in the Fiesta Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines and TCU will need another top-tier performance out of its star wideout to win the title game.
Kelee Ringo and the Georgia secondary will be tasked with shutting down Johnston inside Sofi Stadium. Ringo could be a top-10 pick in April and he also has a chance to surge up first-round boards.
Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
Jalen Carter is the best NFL prospect participating in the National Championship.
When April rolls around, Carter could be viewed as the best overall prospect in the 2023 draft class.
Carter is in contention to be the first defensive player off the draft board with Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson.
Carter has 42 solo tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles for Georgia this season. His impact goes far beyond the top defensive stats.
The 6'3", 300-pound defensive lineman can open up gaps for teammates by attracting an extra blocker. He may not have a massive stat line on Monday, but he will likely have a major impact on the contest if Georgia wins.
His biggest impact could come in the rushing game, as he tries to limit the impact of TCU running back Kendre Miller. Keeping Duggan in the pocket is also vital for Carter and his teammates.
A strong performance out of Carter will put him squarely in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick. The Chicago Bears would be more inclined to take a defensive player over a quarterback if they remain in that position in April.
Prediction: Two tackles for loss, one sack
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
TCU needs Quentin Johnston to be at his best to dethrone Georgia.
Johnston has been Duggan's go-to target all season.
He leads the Horned Frogs with 59 receptions, 1,006 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Johnston produced 163 yards and a score off six catches in the win over Michigan. He had 139 yards off four catches in the Big 12 Championship Game loss to the Kansas State Wildcats.
Johnston's explosiveness could help him create separation from the UGA secondary and shift the momentum of the contest in TCU's favor.
The junior wide out is firmly in the mix to be a first-round pick in April.
He could surge up draft boards with a strong outing against UGA. He could be the first wide out chosen over USC's Jordan Addison and Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njjgba if he impresses Monday and teams love everything about him in the pre-draft process.
Prediction: 7 catches, 105 yards
Kelee Ringo, DB, Georgia
Kelee Ringo and the UGA secondary have one final tough test on their hands in the form of Johnston.
The Bulldogs' defensive backs could play with a little extra motivation on Monday because Ohio State had two 100-yard receiving performances in the Peach Bowl.
A strong performance against a potential first-round pick would go a long way for Ringo's draft stock.
The draft position was not cratered by the large concessions to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Co., but the last thing Ringo wants is for two average showings to be put on film before the pre-draft process begins.
Ringo comes into Sofi Stadium with seven passes defended, two interceptions and 37 solo tackles. He also forced a fumble in the Peach Bowl.
Like Carter, Ringo's biggest impact could be away from the major stat lines. His main goal is to take away one side of the field in the passing game for TCU.
A strong performance that limits the Horned Frogs' potential could solidify Ringo's spot in the first round and potentially elevate him into the top 10 based on the team needs of the franchises picking in those spots.
Prediction: 3 tackles, 2 passes defended.