In the Market: Looking at the top QB prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class after Week 12
There was some stellar play from the top quarterback prospects, but unfortunately for Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, his season came to an end due to injury. Check out the latest edition of “In the Market.”
The 2022 college football regular season nears its end, specifically this weekend. From there, fans will watch conference title games and ultimately bowl games.
This past week, while the matchups weren’t exactly strong on paper, there was the drama that fans love. All Top Four teams in Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and TCU all had to battle much harder to pick up their victories to remain undefeated. There was also Tennessee getting knocked out of College Football Playoff contention after their loss to South Carolina. In that game, however, one of the top quarterback prospects in Hendon Hooker suffered a season-ending injury. That is a shame, considering he played at a Heisman-caliber level all campaign.
Let’s take a look at how the top quarterback prospects performed in Week 12 in the latest edition of “In the Market.”
You can view previous editions of “In the Market” in the links below:
Taking Stock: How top 2023 NFL Draft QBs fared in Week 12
Bryce Young, Alabama
Last week, Bryce Young helped the Alabama Crimson Tide defeat the Ole Miss Rebels. With one win, they eliminated Ole Miss from SEC Championship Game contention, and handed the SEC West title to the LSU Tigers. The Crimson Tide had one more game remaining before their Iron Bowl finale against Auburn, and that was against Austin Peay.
The game went as expected, with Alabama dominating and shutting out Austin Peay 34-0. Young threw two touchdowns in the game, both going to wide receiver Jermaine Burton.
Young completed 18-of-24 pass attempts for 221 yards.
Next week will be the final regular season game for the Crimson Tide. Then, they wait and see what bowl game they are selected to play in.
Next Game: vs. Auburn Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Last week, Ohio State broke out of its offensive slump against the Indiana Hoosiers. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw five touchdowns in the 56-14 win. They were one game away from The Game against the Michigan Wolverines, as they faced the Maryland Terrapins. As it turns out, this was a much tougher game than what was anticipated on paper.
On the very first offensive play of the game, Stroud showed off his connection with stud wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., completing an incredible sideline pass that was hauled in with one arm.
Stroud’s lone touchdown of the game occurred on the first drive, where he threw a pass to running back TreVeyon Henderson for a 31-yard score. Other than that, the majority of Ohio State’s touchdowns came from freshman running back Dallan Hayden, who ran into the end zone three times in the game.
Maryland did put up a fight behind a solid performance by quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, but Ohio State held on for a 43-30 victory.
Stroud completed 18-of-30 pass attempts for 241 yards.
Next Game: vs. Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 12:00 p.m. ET
Will Levis, Kentucky
As mentioned in previous editions of “In the Market,” Levis is going to be drafted high due to his traits, not on how he performs on a week-to-week basis in college. But the past three games have not been great, and fans of quarterback-needy NFL teams may not be sold on him.
This week, Levis had the unenviable task of facing Georgia’s ridiculously stout defense. This is the very defense that held Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker without a touchdown a few weeks ago. They’re that good.
All things considered, Levis did have a decent game. He finally threw for over 200 yards for the first time since Oct. 15 against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Levis showed off the arm and accuracy that will entice NFL scouts early in the first quarter. Deep in his own end zone, Levis dropped a 31-yard dime to Barrion Brown across the sideline.
Levis’ lone interception of the game came when attempting a pass into the end zone. Yet, Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo levitated in the air and picked it off.
The Wildcats lost 16-6 to the Bulldogs.
Overall, Levis completed 20-of-31 pass attempts for 207 yards.
It was a much better game for Levis this week.
Next Game: vs. No. 25 Louisville Cardinals on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Hendon Hookerr played at a Heisman-caliber level this season and helped Tennessee push itself all the way to a 9-1 record on the season. With that, he undoubtedly helped raise his NFL Draft stock as a result. Sadly, his season has come to an end due to a serious injury.
Late in the fourth quarter, Hooker went down with a non-contact left knee injury. He was helped off the field and didn’t return. Sadly, a day after the game, the program announced that Hooker had suffered a torn ACL, effectively ending his season.
As for the game against South Carolina, Hooker did all he could to keep Tennesse in the game. The issue was that the defense couldn’t prevent South Carolina from continually putting points on the board.
Hooker completed 25-of-42 attempts for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Tennessee lost 63-38.
We wish Hendon Hooker a speedy recovery, as he had a truly incredible season that brought Tennessee fans joy.
Anthony Richardson, Florida
It has truly been an up-and-downs season for the Florida Gators. The same can also be said for quarterback Anthony Richardson, who showed flashes of being a true difference maker at the position at the NFL level, but lacked consistency.
This past weekend, Richardson faced off against the Vanderbilt Commodores, who have been on a roll in recent weeks. Richardson showed off some of his amazing skills on Saturday, including the speed in which he can get rid of the football while facing fierce defensive pressure. Just look at his touchdown pass to Montrell Johnson Jr.
Richardson also showed off his deep pass accuracy when hitting a wide open Daejon Reynolds for a 74-yard touchdown. It would seriously be an issue if he didn’t connect with Reynolds, but it was truly a great throw.
Even though Richardson threw for 400 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception while completing 25-of-42 attempts, the Gators lost 31-24.
Games like this one are why Richardson had so much NFL Draft hype entering this season.
Next Game: at Florida State Seminoles on Friday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET
One 2023 NFL Draft QB sleeper who turned heads in Week 12
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Once upon a time, Spencer Rattler was considered to be the top quarterback prospect in the 2023 class. That all changed after a bad 2021 season with the Oklahoma Sooners, leading to his benching in favor of Caleb Williams. This week, Rattler may have skyrocketed his draft stock. He won’t be a first-rounder, but he could be a late Day 2, early Day 3 pick for teams looking for quarterbacks.
Rattler and the Gamecocks took on the Tennessee Volunteers, and handily defeated them 63-38. He threw for 487 yards and six touchdowns against the Vols defense while completing 30-of-37 passes. South Carolina actually ran up the score in the fourth quarter despite the game being decided.
In one game, Rattler has draft experts considering jump back on the bandwagon.
One 2023 NFL Draft QB who needs to show teams more after Week 12
Tyler Van Dyke, Miami (if he plays)
Tyler Van Dyke was considered one of the top five quarterback prospects entering the season. He showed flashes at points this season, but he dealt with a benching early in the campaign and suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the past couple of weeks.
Head coach Mario Cristobal says that there’s “a great chance” that Van Dyke plays in the regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Panthers.
If Van Dyke does play, best believe that his performance will be watched extensively.
Who’s buying in the NFL?
- Houston Texans (1-8-1)
- Carolina Panthers (3-8)
- Chicago Bears (3-8)
- Las Vegas Raiders (3-7)
- Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos (3-7))
- Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams (3-7))
- Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns (3-7))
- Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)
- Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints (4-7))
The Houston Texans have moved on from Davis Mills as starting quarterback. He certainly didn’t help matters when he threw a pick-six in Houston’s opening drive against the Washington Commanders. Now, Kyle Allen will start in place of Mills. Yeah, the Texans are drafting a quarterback after this season.
Baker Mayfield didn’t help his case to be the Carolina Panthers’ starter for the foreseeable future after a dud performance against the Baltimore Ravens. With their 13-3 loss, the Panthers are in position to take a quarterback prospect of their choosing. Well, of the ones that are available. But, they are going to take another look at Sam Darnold, who will start against the Denver Broncos.
The Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions are in position to potentially draft a quarterback if they so choose, thanks in part to the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, respectively, underperforming.
Teams such as the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Philadelphia Eagles will draft for positions that aren’t quarterback. There may be a possibility the Las Vegas Raiders look for a quarterback if they plan to move on from Derek Carr after the season.
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