All-American Team Members with First Round Potential

The 2023 college football season kicks off on Saturday and in the leadup to it the Associated Press has dropped their pre-season All-American team. Lots of these players are names you know, some may not be. The point of these articles is simple, These are players you need to know and follow during the 2023 season.

In terms of the 2024 NFL Draft, there are several players on here who could find themselves hearing their name in April. Just as we did with the Associated Press’s initial team rankings, we can make this a source of knowledge for the draft.

These are the players we thought had the best chance to be first-round picks after the 2023 college football season from the All-American team.

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The second-ranked quarterback on our Summer scouting rankings, Caleb Williams has all the tools you could want to be an NFL quarterback. He and USC kick off their 2023 season against a tough San Jose State defense, it will also be when Williams kicks off a campaign where he looks to win a second Heisman Trophy.

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

A physically gifted offensive lineman, Joe Alt looks to add his name to the strong group of NFL alumni from Notre Dame. He projects as not only a first-round pick but potentially a top-ten pick.

Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The centerpiece to the Penn State turnaround, Olu Fashanu is primed to be the key to their success in 2023. Fashanu had a chance to come out of college football last year but returned to Pen State to be a part of a potentially special season. Not to worry though, a top-five selection will be waiting for him come April.

Cooper Beebe, iOL, Kansas State

Potentially a fringe first-round choice, Cooper Beebe and his bulldozer play style is going to be a lot of fun in 2023. Kansas State returns a lot of starters from their Cinderella season with one of the biggest being Beebe.

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

https://twitter.com/AHarbaugh_/status/1693024285772709965

The best player in the country is a tight end, it just so happens that he is a part of the two-time defending national champions. Bowers is the complete package and the closest thing we have seen to a sure thing in recent memory regardless of position.

Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka , WR, Ohio State

One offense having two first-team All-Americans seems unfair but for Ohio State, it is almost normal at this point. After losing Garett Wilson and Chris Olave to the NFL, they retooled very quickly and now these two Buckeyes are set to make Kyle McCord’s life much easier as he takes over the starting job at quarterback.

Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

Like Olu Fashanu, Jared Verse surprised folks by returning to Florida State this year. He has the physical tools and pass-rush moves that would’ve made him a top-ten pick last year, that stock may see a rise if Florida State can achieve what so many expect this year.

Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington

Washington has long been a factory for talented defenders heading into the NFL, and Bralen Trice is no different. A top-ten Husky team has a lot of expectations and for top-five edge rusher Trice, he could see himself climbing the first-round ladder by leading them to success in 2023.

Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

A controlled chaos, Jer’Zhan Newton leads an undervalued Illinois defense. Newton plays with a controlled anger, his strength and ability to defend both the pass and run make him a serious threat to any offense he lines up against.

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

https://twitter.com/DiehardsAlabama/status/1594030947825057795

After Patrick Surtain Jr., Kool-Aid McKinstry is set to be the next great Alabama defensive back. He is as talented as Surtain or Minkah Fitzpatrick before him, now he needs to show he can lead the Alabama defense after Will Anderon’s departure for the NFL.

Kalen King, CB, Penn State

Out goes Joey Porter Jr., in comes Kalen King to be the face of the Penn State defense. King has the traits to be successful but he also has a Penn State defense coached by Manny Diaz that allows him to showcase his skill set the best of anyone on this list.