Gridiron Heroics partners with Draft Scout to give each school’s Top 5 NFL Draft prospects in the SEC. Now, we rank them all.
Welcome to a list of the SEC Top 25 NFL Draft prospects for the 2023 class (underclassmen will come in when they actually declare), as seen by Draft Scout.
Each week brings us closer and closer to one of the most anticipated days on the sports calendar — the NFL Draft. This year’s draft will be held in Kansas City, Mo. from April 27-29.
Please check the team links below frequently so you can check out the other schools’ top prospects as the week progresses.
SEC TOP 25 NFL PROSPECTS FOR 2023: Overall SEC Top Prospect List
SEC EAST PROSPECTS FOR 2023: Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Mizzou | South Carolina | Tennessee | Vanderbilt
SEC WEST PROSPECTS FOR 2023: Alabama | Arkansas | Auburn | LSU | Mississippi State | Ole Miss | Texas A&M
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Below is a look at SEC Top 25 NFL Draft Prospects for 2023, and how they project in the eyes of Draft Scout. For now, we’ll go strictly with seniors, as no underclassmen have been allowed to declare early yet, though when they do? We’ll update the lists below. Enjoy:
SEC TOP 25 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS OF 2023 CLASS
NO. 1 PROSPECT
ALABAMA
NAME: Jordan Battle (SS)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 1st round
CAREER STATISTICS: 219 total tackles, 125 solo, 156 yards
THE TRUTH: DraftScout put Battle as the No. 1 rated senior safety in the 2023 class for all 32 NFL teams. In 2021, he had 73 total tackles and three interceptions. This selection shouldn’t come as a surprise to most. Battle’s fast thinking and optimal build make him a great prospect.
NO. 2 PROSPECT
TENNESSEE
NAME: Hendon Hooker– : (Quarterback)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 1st round
CAREER STATISTICS: In his second season at Tennessee, Hooker has piled up 2,338 yards along with 21 TDs and just 1 int. Many people don’t know this, but in addition to playing football in high school, he was actually a solid basketball player too.
THE TRUTH: Hooker has been nothing short of spectacular. He will be picked based on his skill sets. He is a true dual-threat quarterback with a very strong arm and football I.Q. He runs a 4.52 forty-time, and has fit nicely in Josh Heupel’s offense since transferring from Virginia Tech in 2021. Look for him to be drafted by a team with a spread offense that uses 4-5 wide sets.
NO. 3 PROSPECT
GEORGIA
NO. 1 PROSPECT
NAME: Christopher Smith (FS)
DRAFT SCOUT PROJECTION: 1st round
CAREER STATISTICS: 98 tackles, 1 sack, 5 INTs
THE TRUTH: Christopher Smith is a defensive back in his senior year at Georgia. This season so far he has 27 tkl, 1 sck, and two int. Being another veteran defensive player with a young squad he was looked at as a leader for the DBs. He’s projected to go in the first round.
NO. 4 PROSPECT
KENTUCKY
NAME: Will Levis (QB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 1st to 2nd Round
CAREER STATISTICS: Passing: (424 CMP, 646 ATT, 5,203 YDS) Rushing: (289 ATT, 778 YDS)
THE TRUTH: Draft Scouts say that Levis is a top 50, verified #1 rated senior QB by over twenty-six NFL teams. They also make positive notes about his “strong arm” and call him a “bulldog runner,” along with mentioning he is faster than last season. I think that Levis is obviously a great number one spot on the Kentucky Top 5 NFL Draft Prospects, especially with his constant improvement.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
GEORGIA
NAME: Nolan Smith (OLB)
DRAFT SCOUT PROJECTION: 1st to 2nd Round
CAREER STATISTICS: 113 tackles (tkl), 11.5 sacks (sck), three force fumbles (ff), one interception (int)
THE TRUTH: Nolan Smith is a 6’3″ 235lb veteran outside linebacker on the Bulldogs’ defense. Smith was one of the few players to return after winning the national championship last year. With Georgia’s defense being so young they needed Smith to be a leader on the field. This season he already has 3 sacks so far compared to his 3.5 sacks total for all of last season.
NO. 6 PROSPECT
AUBURN
NAME: Derick Hall (OLB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 2nd round
CAREER STATISTICS: 132 TOT, 87 solo, 45 AST
THE TRUTH: DraftDraft says that Hall is the number one rated senior OLB by over twenty teams. They also make note of his “breakout” in 2021, his thirteen-pound weight gain, and his “only one QBH.” Additionally, at 6’2″ and 256 pounds, Hall seems like a solid choice. Draft Scouts also put him as 41/350. He could go in rounds 1-3.
NO. 7 PROSPECT
TENNESSEE
NAME: Cedric Tillman (Wide Receiver)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 2nd round
CAREER STATISTICS: In his graduate year at Tennessee, Tillman has piled up 268 yards on 21 catches and 1 TD. Fun fact for all you 90’s NFL fans, Tillman’s father (also named Cedric) played 4 years in the NFL with the Denver Broncos (1992-1994) and Jacksonville Jaguars (1995). To say football runs deep in their Tillman household would be an understatement.
THE TRUTH: Tillman is a vertical, down-the-field type of receiver with the ability to play the perimeter and catch the ball inside. His lone touchdown this year came on a 60-yard pass from Hendon Hooker who is the #1 top NFL draft prospect for the VOLS. Besides playing football, Tillman graduated in 2021 with an undergraduate degree in communications. Perhaps after his football career, he may become the next great NFL broadcaster.
NO. 8 PROSPECT
FLORIDA
NAME: O’Cyrus Torrence (OG)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 2nd round
CAREER STATISTICS: Transferred to Florida this year after three years at Louisiana-Lafayette. Has started in seven games in 2022.
THE TRUTH: The NFL scouts love this guy. Could he use the “CoVid rule” for another year, since he never took a redshirt? Yeah, he could — but why? He’s already good enough. Torrence is already being looked at by many NFL teams as one of the best — if not the best — offensive guards coming out of the 2023 draft class. Yes, we don’t know who is coming out early yet, but we know Torrence is. Don’t be surprised if he drifts up the draft charts when we hit the spring.
NO. 9 PROSPECT
OLE MISS
NAME: Nick Broeker (OG)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 2nd round
CAREER STATISTICS: 2022 Midseason All-American (ESPN, Sporting News)
2022 Midseason All-American Second Team (The Athletic)
2022 Outland Trophy Watch List
2022 Rotary Lombardi Award
2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
2022 Preseason All-American Second Team (Athlon)
THE TRUTH: Most scouts have him as an early-round pick that will be starting guard in the league and could be pushed out to tackle if needed. He needs to get stronger, not only in the passing game where he tends to get overwhelmed with a bull rush but also in the run game where defenders get off his blocks too quickly. The best part of his game is his feet. Broeker has very quick feet that help him get out of his stance to pass, block, and beat defenders to the gaps for run blocking.
NO. 10 PROSPECT
GEORGIA
NAME: Kenny McIntosh (RB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 2nd to 3rd round
CAREER STATISTICS: 199 attempts, 1085 yards, 5.5 yards/rush, and 12 TDs
THE TRUTH: Georgia has always had great running backs. So it’s no surprise that a running back would make Georgia’s Top 5 NFL draft prospects. McIntosh is one of many great RBs that they have had. Alo the Bulldogs are known for rushing by committee. This has great upside for the team but not as much as individual rushers. Mainly by cutting their attempts which hinders your stats.
McIntosh has managed to stand out among a team full of elite running backs. If this was a few years back he probably would’ve been a first-round pick, but the running back position in the NFL has lost its leverage lately. Mainly because of disappointing career lengths and production on the field.
Photo by Kiana Dale/Ole Miss Athletics
NO. 11 THROUGH NO. 25 SEC NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS OF 2023 CLASS
| PROJ RD | NAME | SEC TEAM | POS | HGT | WGT |
| 3rd | Henry Too Too | Alabama | ILB | 6-1 | 228 |
| 3rd | Ali Gaye | LSU | DE | 6-6 | 265 |
| 3rd | Jeremy Banks | Tennessee | OLB | 6-1 | 224 |
| 3rd | Owen Pappoe | Auburn | ILB | 6-0 | 225 |
| 3-4 | Cameron Latu | Alabama | TE | 6-4 | 244 |
| 3-4 | Jonathan Mingo | Ole Miss | WR | 6-2 | 225 |
| 3-4 | Ricky Stromberg | Arkansas | C | 6-3 | 313 |
| 3-4 | Trajan Jeffcoat | Missouri | DE | 6-3 | 269 |
| 3-4 | Keidron Smith | Kentucky | CB | 6-2 | 204 |
| 4th | Emil Ekiyor Jr. | Alabama | OG | 6-2 | 307 |
| 4th | Brenton Cox Jr. | Florida | OLB | 6-3 | 252 |
| 4th | Zacch Pickens | South Carolina | DT | 6-4 | 305 |
| 4th | DJ Dale | Alabama | DT | 6-2 | 300 |
| 4th | Tyler Steen | Alabama | OT | 6-5 | 315 |
| 4-5 | Deantre Prince | Ole Miss | CB | 6-0 | 185 |
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