2024 CFB Season: Most NFL Ready Prospects

College football players best equipped to make a day one NFL impact

We’re now a little less than two months away from college football season. As we come closer to actual gameplay, we’re also beginning another scouting cycle. One of the more interesting labels placed upon prospects, in my opinion, is the term “pro ready.” As it pertains to prospective NFL athletes, what does that really mean? There’s a lot of debate about what that term actually entails, but for me it’s rather simple. If we were to put a prospect on an NFL roster right this moment, which player would be best equipped to have a positive impact on the team?

Now this is where words like upside, potential, and growth come into play. I for one do not factor in those words when I think about pro ready. Especially towards the top of the draft, we see a lot of teams reach for talent and ability over refined, polished players. In my opinion, for you to be ready to make an impact, you have to display both of the aforementioned qualities consistently at the collegiate level. Typically, you see positions like running back, offensive line, & defensive line have a stranglehold on these conversations.

However, making the transition from offensive & defensive line in college and offensive & defensive line in the NFL can be an arduous transition. You have to be truly special to make that transition seamlessly. While I do believe we’re living in the golden age of line play, those dominant players are still few and far between. Tristan Wirfs and Rashawn Slater types don’t grow on trees. Will Anderson & Aidan Hutchinson talents aren’t at the top of every draft.

That’s why I believe the guys that are the most pro ready at this juncture are truly special and ones we should be laser focused on in the coming months. Once these players take the field, I have no doubt that they’ll be the ones catching our attention every week. From the interior of the offensive line, to cornerback, to feature back, to tight end - here’s the five college football players that are most NFL ready today.

Michigan TE Colston Loveland. 6’5 245.

Coming off a 45 reception season for the National Champion Michigan Wolverines, Loveland also amassed — 649 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 14.4 yards per reception. Zero wasted movement in route running. Rare acceleration & deceleration ability. Space eater & grass finder. Alignment versatility. Plus blocker on the perimeter. Day 1 impact. TE1.

Alabama OG Tyler Booker. 6’5 335.

Going into his third year as a starter at the University of Alabama, Tyler Booker has already etched his name into Crimson Tide folklore. As a dominant, physically imposing run blocker at the point of attack, Booker is known for moving people with great effort. Equally as impressive in pass protection, Booker uses his long arms and surprisingly nimble feet to anchor and mirror. He’d be the offensive lineman to transition quickest for my money. OG1.

Michigan CB Will Johnson. 6’2 204.

The second Wolverine on the list is Will Johnson. After a 4 interception season where he helped lead the blue to a title, he would’ve been a top 15 pick in this past years draft if eligible. Johnson has a rare combination of size, speed, instincts, ball skills and recover ability. While his dominance is well documented, it was his battle with former Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison that really displayed him at his best and highlighted areas of improvement. Barring health, we’re definitively looking at CB1.

Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans. 6’5 260.

Evans is much more of an in-line blocker than Loveland, but he’s easily amongst the players most ready to make an NFL transition. Physical blocker in the run game, strong hands in the passing game, and offers some flex potential. Even in an offense that was hindered vertically, Evans still averaged 14.6 yards per reception. With new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, he’ll get to show his pass catching ability even more. TE2.

Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty. 5’9 210.

In my opinion, Jeanty is the most dynamic player in the country. In the 2023 season, where he actually shared a workload, Jeanty totaled nearly 2000 total yards and 19 total touchdowns for the Mountain West Champion Broncos. With the addition of Malachi Nelson at QB, the Broncos will be tougher to account for offensively and Jeanty could see defenses where he could maintain or improve his ridiculously gaudy 6.1 yards per rush attempt. 45 receptions out of the backfield isn’t too shabby either. In a loaded running back class, Jeanty is the most well rounded today. RB1.

Best Of The Rest:

Travis Hunter

Kelvin Banks Jr

Will Campbell

Malaki Starks

Mason Graham

Carson Beck