NEWSLETTER
The college football national championship game always has my full attention when it pops up on the calendar. But this year, it carries a little more significance. Firstly, because the Chicago Bears have the No. 1 overall pick. Secondly, this game could be a showcase for potential Bears draft target — Georgia stud Jalen Carter. And thirdly, there are seven top 100 prospects who will suit up for today’s game.
Let’s get to know some of them ahead of game time.
Prospects to Watch (PFF Big Board Ranking)
(4) Jalen Carter, Georgia defensive tackle — Carter officially shot to the top of our watchlist at the start of December. But the Georgia standout has been on our radar for a hot minute. Carter earned unanimous All-American honors and a first-team All-SEC nod for his efforts this season. Last year, Carter was a second-team All-SEC player on Georgia’s CFP national title-winner. Carter has the look of a potential game-wrecking 3-technique defensive tackle. This is the type of game where it would be nice to see him show out.
(8) Quentin Johnston, TCU wide receiver — Johnston’s meteoric rise was fun to follow from afar. And then his performance in the semifinal against Michigan firmly established him as the WR1 of this upcoming NFL Draft class. A two-time first-team All-Big 12 performer, Johnston put up a 6-163-1 line against a Big Ten defense.
(14) Kelee Ringo, Georgia cornerback — Ringo is PFF’s second-highest-ranking cornerback in this draft class. At 6-2 and 210 pounds, he seems to fit the type of player Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus and Defensive Coordinator Alan Williams would love to add. Ringo was a second-team All-SEC player during the 2022 season. This, too, could be a showcase game for him.
(23) Broderick Jones, Georgia offensive tackle — The arrow is pointing up for one of college football’s top offensive line prospects:
(46) Darnell Washington, Georgia tight end — It’s not like the Bears should have eyes for a tight end. Cole Kmet had a perfectly cromulent season. But Washington is a different type of tight end compared to Kmet, which makes him interesting. Washington earned second-team All-SEC honors this past season.
(76) Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU cornerback — Hodges-Tomlinson has one of the most decorated résumés of any prospect in this game. The 2022 season saw him win the Jim Thorpe Award, earn first-team All-American honors, and get his third first-team All-Big 12 nod.
(89) Steve Avila, TCU guard — A two-time first-team All-Big 12 guard, Avila was a consensus All-American in 2022. There is no denying the Bears’ need to beef up their interior offensive line.
Game Info and TV Coverage
No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (14-0) vs. No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs (13-1) – ESPN (Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Molly McGrath, Holly Rowe)
Kickoff Time: 6:30 CT
Site: SoFi Stadium; Los Angeles
Odds: Georgia -13.5, O/U 62.5 (via BetMGM)
