For many of college football's greatest players, the NFL Draft is a symbolic moment in their transition to the pros. However, some face a harsh fate during the three-day event and wait it out.
This Thursday's first round will feature several potential players, including Caleb Williams of the University of Southern California, Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State University and JJ McCarthy of the University of Michigan. However, there are many other All-Conference and even All-American selections who end up being late draft picks or undrafted free agents.
As the 2024 NFL Draft begins this week, keep an eye out for these seven notable players who could be waiting a long time to be drafted.
Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
Travis, who will be a sixth-grader in 2023, went 11-0 with the Seminoles and made the most of extra time before being sidelined with a broken foot in November. There's no doubt that injury complicated his professional prospects, but he probably already faced an uphill battle to stay in the NFL long-term.
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Travis doesn't have much starter quality to develop, standing 6-1 and weighing 200 pounds with decent arm strength at best. But he also lacks the pocket poise and predictive ability you look for in a reliable backup. For that reason, a 24-year-old rookie will be in a difficult position in the draft. Travis has shown he's good enough to hear his name called someday, but it seems like a long shot for that to happen by his last few rounds.
Sam Hartman, QB, University of Notre Dame
The highlight of Hartman's pre-draft process was the visual of his hair flying in the air while rushing 40 yards at the NFL scouting combine. That's not a great sign when that's the biggest buzz a quarterback prospect generates. Despite finishing his six-year career as one of the most prolific passers in college football history, it doesn't seem like Hartman can count on much more than a late-round flyer.
When he gets into a rhythm, Hartman has a great ability to put the ball in prime position for his receivers. But his talent will be mitigated by pedestrian arm strength at the next level, leaving little room for error. With a track record of spotty decision-making and inconsistent turnover-prone play, Hartman is difficult to trust as a No. 2 option. But if he can find some level of consistency, his quick trigger, smarts, and toughness will keep him hanging around.
Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri
That the former walk-on is now on the pros' radar should be considered a victory. After transferring from Truman State University, Schrader rushed for 1,627 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023, earning first-team All-American honors.
Still, it's tough to sell a 5-9, 214-pound back to an NFL team who lacks the long speed or agility to consistently break up big plays. Schröder's determined approach should help him establish himself on the roster early in his career as a physical runner who can be a valuable asset on special teams. But he'll likely play a long-shot role again, likely as a late Day 3 pick.
T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
The 6-4, 366-pound middle man from Texas has become college football's newest superpower, winning the Outland Trophy and being a unanimous All-American selection last fall. Sweat has real power and requires the offense to have the ability to move blockers backwards and hold his ground. While his defensive tackle is far from the current prototype, it's easy to see the appeal of adding a unique defensive presence up front.
Still, Sweat's outlier build also has significant drawbacks. Conditioning is an ongoing concern, and his effectiveness may depend on coaches keeping him fresh. His limited initial explosiveness suggests that his impact on the pass will culminate in pushing the pocket, especially given his untapped arsenal of movement. Additionally, an arrest on suspicion of drunk driving in early April could raise red flags for some teams. After all, it may be difficult for Sweat to make it to the first three rounds.
Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State University
A two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, Eichenberg set the tone for the Buckeyes' defense as a starter and team captain for two years, recording 200 tackles during that time. He is at his best when diagnosing run plays and meeting the ball carrier in the hole, and is a reliable tackler whenever he is in position to make a play.
But coverage is another issue for the 6-2, 233-pounder, who gets weird when asked to step down. Eichenberg may be able to better understand the nuances of operating in the zone with some extra work, but it will never be one of his strengths. These overall liquidity issues likely point to a mid-round landing spot.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
It didn't take long for the four-time Pro Bowl linebacker and son of former Philadelphia Eagles standout Jeremiah Trotter to step out of his father's shadow. The 6-0, 228-pounder emerged as a consistent downhill playmaker at Clemson, collecting nearly 180 tackles in his two years as a starter, including 28-and-a-half tackles for loss. Recorded 12 sacks.
But translating his game to the NFL may be difficult. Finishing plays against the run could be more difficult at the next level as his defense isn't wide and can easily get jolted in space. And while his instincts may help him become a solid contributor in zone coverage, his talents could be exposed in man-to-man matchups. The middle rounds seem like a smart starting point for his pro career.
Karen King, CB, Penn State
At this point last year, King was at a point where he could be a top-50 pick thanks to his ultra-competitive style and impressive ball production (he defended 21 passes in 2022). It gained attention prematurely. Since then, the 5-11, 190-pound cornerback has had some flak, including a showcase matchup against Ohio State wide receiver and projected top-five pick Marvin Harrison Jr. Things started to fall apart as he struggled through difficult matches.
The disappointing season raised concerns that King lacked the recovery speed to replicate his playmaking talent at the next level. His struggles at the Senior Bowl and his 4.61-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine further lowered his stock. Dropping him into a zone-heavy scheme or moving him to a safe spot may be able to mask some of his shortcomings, but downhill practice, especially playing as a tackler, will make him even more I need to be a calm player. Around the middle of the third day seems to be a reasonable range.
