In 2023, 34 Group of Five prospects were selected in the NFL Draft. The American Athletic Conference led the way among the G5 leagues with 10 players being picked.
Now looking forward to next year, here are the top G5 prospects who could be chosen in the 2024 NFL Draft, which begins on April 25 and goes on until April 27 in Detroit.
NFL Draft Group of Five Big Board
Rank | Player | Position | School |
1 | Quinyon Mitchell | DB | Toledo |
2 | Marshawn Kneeland | DL | WMU |
3 | Malachi Corley | WR | WKU |
4 | Christian Haynes | OL | UConn |
5 | Mohamed Kamara | EDGE | Colo. State |
6 | Michael Pratt | QB | Tulane |
7 | Dallin Holker | TE | Colo. State |
8 | Nathan Thomas | OL | Louisiana |
9 | Tyrice Knight | LB | UTEP |
10 | Jordan Magee | LB | Temple |
11 | Frank Gore Jr. | RB | S. Miss |
12 | Javon Solomon | DL | Troy |
13 | Eric Watts | EDGE | UConn |
14 | Jha’Quan Jackson | WR | Tulane |
15 | Luke McCaffrey | WR | Rice |
16 | Rasheen Ali | RB | Marshall |
17 | Trey Taylor | DB | Air Force |
18 | Ethan Driskell | OL | Marshall |
19 | Kimani Vidal | RB | Troy |
20 | Travis Glover | OL | Georgia State |
Top MAC Prospects
Quinyon Mitchell, DB, Toledo
Mitchell is widely regarded as the best Group of Five prospect this year.
The Rockets cornerback was first in Pro Football Focus’ grades of FBS cornerbacks in 2022 and 2023. The NFL passer rating on throws his way was 34.8, which was the eighth-best among those who played at least 200 snaps in 2022, and this past year that passer rating was 51.1.
The 6-foot, 196-pound junior also led the country with 25 passes defended in 2022. He was second in the FBS with 18 pass breakups this last season.
Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
NFL Draft experts believe Kneeland has the potential to be picked in the first round of this year’s draft.
At 6-foot-3, 267 pounds, Kneeland racked up 37 total pressures, six sacks, and 28 hurries to go with 38 total tackles last season. Kneeland tied for ninth among all EDGE players in Pro Football Focus’ grades at the position.
Kneeland also impressed with his athleticism at the NFL Combine. He was first in his position group in the three-cone drill (7.02 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.18 seconds) while also ranking in the top 10 in the vertical (35.5 inches) and bench press (21 reps).
Top Sun Belt Prospects
Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Miss
Gore obviously has the pedigree with his father being an NFL legend.
But the 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back has been successful himself and is among the best Sun Belt running backs after ranking second in the conference with 1,382 rushing yards while adding nine touchdowns on the ground in 2022. He added 1,131 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground this past season.
Gore should be able to find his own way in the NFL.
Nathan Thomas, OL, Louisiana
Thomas has been rising up draft boards, and his resume shows he’s worthy of that.
At 6-foot-5, 332 pounds, Thomas gave up just 12 pressures in 2023. That put him among the top 30 tackles in the FBS who played at least 1,000 snaps.
He was also 17th in Pro Football Focus’ grades for run blocking. He gave up five QB hurries, two QB hits, and five sacks in 2023 while playing primarily left tackle.
Top AAC Prospects
Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
Pratt is this high because of his talent, but he could also be moved down lower due to injury concerns after missing two games this season. Still, he’s one of the best AAC quarterbacks.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior recorded 3,010 yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 64% of his passes in 2022. In 2023, the HERO Sports G5 College Football All-American threw for 2,406 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions and ran for 286 yards and five touchdowns en route to AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Jordan Magee, LB, Temple
Magee, a second-team G5 All-American, was one of the best defenders in the AAC in 2023. He ranked third in the league with 7.89 tackles per game and second with 1.27 tackles per loss per game. He totaled 80 tackles, 14 for loss, and 3.5 sacks for the year.
Then he also shined at the NFL Combine. At 6-foot-1, 228 pounds, Magee was fifth among linebackers with a 4.55-second 40. He also tied for third with a broad jump of 10 feet, 4 inches and tied for fourth with a 35.5-inch vertical.
It’s clear Magee could be a contributor as a pro.
Top Conference USA Prospects
Malachi Corley, WR, WKU
Corley, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior, was one of the best G5 wide receivers heading into the 2023 season. He was an All-CUSA first-team selection as he led the league and was fourth in the FBS with 1,293 yards on 101 receptions and scored 11 touchdowns. He also led all Group of Five wide receivers with 975 yards after catch.
In 2023, he was a HERO Sports G5 College Football All-American after recording 984 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions.
Austin Reed, QB, Western Kentucky
Reed was the leading passer in the FBS in 2022 with 4,744 yards. As an All-CUSA second-teamer, he threw for 40 touchdowns and 11 interceptions that season.
In 2023, he recorded 3,340 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 11 picks. He completed 63% of his throws in two years at WKU.
Reed was a productive passer in college, so NFL teams may think he could continue to play at a high level in the pros.
Top Mountain West Prospects
Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State
Kamara, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound defensive lineman, was a HERO Sports G5 Preseason All-American after totaling 8.5 sacks and 44 tackles in 2022.
He earned 2023 HERO Sports G5 College Football All-American honors after recording 13 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 56 tackles this past season.
Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado State
After transferring from BYU to Colorado State, Holker led all FBS tight ends during 2023’s regular season with 767 yards and 64 catches to go with six touchdowns. His yardage total was the second-most by a Rams tight end ever, and he was third in CSU history in receptions.
That led to him earning second-team All-American accolades, as he was a HERO Sports Group of Five All-American first-teamer.Holker proved how great he could be once he was given an opportunity. He might be one of the first five tight ends off the board in the NFL Draft.