Just because the 2023 college football season hasn’t started yet doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft!

While the SEC doesn’t have the sheer number of first-round draft prospects it usually boasts, there’s still plenty of time for unheralded guys to make names for themselves this fall. NFL teams will be watching closely and adjusting their big boards accordingly.

So which 25 players from the SEC are the best NFL Draft prospects? Let’s start at No. 25 and work our way all the way down to No. 1, shall we?

25. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

We start this list off with the first of several SEC quarterbacks to make the cut. Rattler is tough to predict when it comes to NFL Draft stock. If he plays the way he played at the end of the 2022 season for the entire 2023 campaign, he might sneak into the first round. If he struggles like he did for much of 2022, he could fall to Day 3.

24. Nehemiah Pritchett, DB, Auburn

Pritchett has been a key piece of Auburn’s secondary for the past 3 years. He has the size and speed needed to develop into an NFL defensive back. If Auburn is able to put together a better 2023 campaign under Hugh Freeze, Pritchett should start to get the attention he deserves.

23. Princely Umanmielen, DL, Florida

Umanmielen burst onto the scene last year, recording 39 tackles (9.5 for a loss), 4.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. He was a major bright spot for the Florida defense, and you’d better believe scouts took notice. He’ll rise up draft boards if he stays healthy in 2023.

22. Antwane Wells Jr., WR, South Carolina

Juice Wells showed he could step in and compete right away at an SEC level in 2022, recording 68 catches for 928 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also had 3 carries for 10 yards and a score. If Rattler plays consistently good football this fall, it’ll only help Wells’ draft stock, too.

21. Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia

Mondon led the Bulldogs’ vaunted defense with 76 tackles last year. He also held up in pass coverage, recording an interception and a pass breakup. He’s earned a leadership role for this defense in 2023, so expect him to come off the board before the end of Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

20. Terrion Arnold, DB, Alabama

Arnold is only a redshirt sophomore in 2023, but he’ll still be eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft. After redshirting in 2021, Arnold held his own opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry in Alabama’s secondary. He recorded 45 tackles (1 for a loss), 1 interception and 8 pass breakups. He also recovered a fumble. His consistency needs to improve, but he has NFL-level talent. If he comes out for the draft in 2024, he’ll hear his name called at some point.

19. Raheim Sanders, RB, Arkansas

Sanders would be higher on this list, but the NFL has made it clear this offseason that running backs are not nearly as important as they once were. Still, Sanders will be playing on Sundays next fall and will almost certainly be off the board by the end of Round 2. He’s one of the best all-around running backs in college football this year and should challenge Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss for the SEC rushing title once again.

18. Mekhi Wingo, DL, LSU

Wingo was a rock in the middle of LSU’s defensive line last year. He posted 46 tackles (6 for a loss), 3 sacks, 4 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble. He’s a versatile defensive tackle who could find even more room to make an impact if Maason Smith is healthy and lined up next to him.

17. Sedrick Van Pran, OL, Georgia
16. Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia

Van Pran is one of the smartest linemen in this year’s class, having manned the center position for Georgia in all 30 games the past 2 title-winning seasons. Mims has the 5-star pedigree and the size that will have NFL teams eager to see what he can do. Mims moves into a starting role at right tackle this season. While these 2 Bulldogs might have different levels of experience, they’ll both draw plenty of NFL attention.

15. KJ Jefferson, QB, Arkansas

Jefferson has been compared by some to Cam Newton. He fits the profile, albeit not at the same elite level that the former Auburn Heisman winner played. Jefferson is a bruising, physical runner and has shown improvement as a passer. NFL teams will be more concerned with his development in the passing game this year, so we’ll see if new Arkansas OC Dan Enos can unlock Jefferson’s full potential.

14. Jason Marshall Jr., DB, Florida

Marshall does everything NFL scouts want to see a potential Round 1 cornerback do except snag interceptions. He has 2 picks over the past 2 seasons. This year, he needs to show an ability to record multiple interceptions and he’ll see his stock skyrocket.

13. Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky

Now we start a run on SEC QBs. Yes, we’ve already discussed Spencer Rattler and KJ Jefferson, but these 3 quarterbacks can all be Round 1 picks if things go their way in 2023. Leary was voted the ACC’s Preseason Player of the Year in 2022 at NC State and posted a solid season before his year was cut short by injury. Now at Kentucky, he’s eager to prove that he is still the quarterback who threw for 35 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 2021.

12. Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee

When it comes to QBs in the 2024 NFL Draft class, Milton has the strongest arm. That’s not even up for debate at this point, as Milton has a cannon hanging from his right shoulder. If he shows touch on some of his passes and an ability to command the fast-paced Tennessee offense, he’ll quickly rise up draft boards.

11. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Though Daniels didn’t look good throwing the ball at the start of last season, he had rounded into a complete quarterback by the end of the year. Now he has a familiarity with his teammates, coaches and offense, so a big year could be on the way for him in 2023. He won’t be drafted ahead of guys like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, but could he be the third QB taken in April? It’s definitely possible!

10. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Our second LSU Tiger in a row is Malik Nabers, who had a breakout season in 2022. While all the preseason buzz was around Kayshon Boutte, Nabers stepped up and led LSU with 72 catches for 1,017 yards. He also had 3 touchdown grabs. Another season like that will have Nabers among the receivers likely to go in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

9. Bryce Foster, OL, Texas A&M

A 6-5, 325-pound center would certainly be intriguing for NFL teams. The Aggies have produced a few NFL offensive linemen in recent years, and Foster seems like a lock to keep that trend going.

8. Kamari Lassiter, DB, Georgia
7. Javon Bullard, DB, Georgia

Lassiter is more of a traditional lockdown corner, while Bullard is a safety with a nose for the ball, but these 2 Georgia defensive backs have Day 1 potential. Georgia figures to have another elite defense in 2023, which will allow both players to showcase their skills for NFL teams.

6. Kris Abrams-Draine, DB, Mizzou

Abrams-Draine could have been a Day 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but opted to return to Mizzou for 1 more season. He had an impressive 14 pass breakups in 2022, but didn’t record an interception. He’ll look to snag a few in 2023 to show he’s worthy of an early round pick.

5. JC Latham, OL, Alabama

Latham started all 13 games for Alabama at right tackle in 2022 and was dominant at times. At 6-6 and 335 pounds, he fits the profile of a top offensive tackle at the NFL level. Whoever wins the Alabama QB job will love having Latham blocking for him on the right side of the line.

4. Maason Smith, DL, LSU

Smith is coming off a knee injury suffered in Week 1 against Florida State last year. If he’s fully recovered, he’s a beast in the middle of the LSU defensive line. We’ve seen guys like Georgia’s Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis drafted in the first round in recent years. Smith has the talent to follow in their footsteps in 2024 if he stays healthy.

3. Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB, Alabama

Cornerbacks are increasingly important in today’s NFL as passing games continue to develop. With so many elite receivers entering the league, building a strong secondary is a major key to success. McKinstry has all the skills necessary to be an elite NFL corner. If he can take a step forward at Alabama this fall, he’s a lock to go in Round 1.

2. Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Turner was overshadowed a bit by Will Anderson Jr. the past couple of years, but now it is truly his time to shine. If he can reach double-digit sacks in 2023, he could get some serious buzz as a potential top-10 pick.

1. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Bowers would have been a first-round draft pick if he was eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft. Heck, he might have even gone in Round 1 if he was eligible to come out for the 2022 NFL Draft after his freshman year in Athens! He’s the best tight end in this class and should be a lock to be a top pick this coming April. He can run, he can catch and he can block. He’s everything NFL teams could possibly want in a tight end.