2023 NFL Draft Prospects Rising After Week 12

Here are five of the top players in college football, including a playmaking safety and wide receiver. Plus, this offensive tackle could be the next great one out of Northwestern.

It’s never too early to look to the future. With that in mind, we at Sports Illustrated have our eyes on who’s up next and who you should keep in mind for the 2023 NFL draft with five players each week who stood out in college football.

Skinner makes an interception in the fourth quarter against Wyoming :: Troy Babbitt/USA TODAY Sports

JL Skinner, safety, Boise State

Skinner is 6'4", and, in an increasingly hybrid football world, he has a future as a box safety at the next level—and he certainly can bring the boom when it comes to tackling. But his game-winning interception—his second against Wyoming—showed why his ball skills translate to the NFL.

Boise State S JL Skinner is a prospect in high on in the 2023 NFL Draft. Feel confident he’ll get picked in the top 100, could sneak into the first two rounds.

6’4, 220 pounds and has 57 tackles and four interceptions on the season.
pic.twitter.com/lbKfiWGh8w

— Tim Verghese (@TimVerghese) November 21, 2022

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Brock Martin, edge, Oklahoma State

Martin has been a steady force on Oklahoma State’s defensive front, and at the next level may end up being more of an outside linebacker. He’s not exactly going to overpower bigger linemen, but here he shows great hands and quickness to make the tackle.

Look at Brock Martin (#9) setting the edge and pushing the back to the perimeter for the safety pic.twitter.com/vYH81jB1T6

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 1, 2022

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Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

Skoronski may be the most complete tackle prospect in this year’s draft class, delivering consistent performances week in and week out. He’s played since he was a true freshman, and the Wildcats’ coaching staff hasn’t been afraid to get him on the move from his tackle spot. There will be debates about whether he should kick inside to play guard, but there won’t be any about his overall ability as a player.

Peter Skoronski is just one of those guys that feels destined to be a Chicago Bear.

He’s the best pass blocking tackle prospect in the past nine years and is exactly the piece this team needs to take the next step.

If he’s available when they pick, the choice should be obvious. pic.twitter.com/ixTk0Wgo3z

— Ryan Burke (@RyanDBNB) November 14, 2022

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Tank Dell, WR, Houston

If top-end speed is what you need, look no further than Dell, who is an absolute burner as a smaller slot target. But he’s shown the ability to track the deep ball with the best of them, as he’s shown all season catching passes from Cougars QB Clayton Tune in Houston’s electric offense.

UNBELIEVABLE over the shoulder catch from Tank Dell! pic.twitter.com/QWwP096WzT

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 6, 2022

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Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

Spears has been the engine on one of the best Green Wave teams in history. Some backs are one-cut and go, while others are power runners who are more apt to run through your face. Spears is a burner in a way where it just doesn’t take him long to get to full speed. He also can catch out of the backfield and showcases the receiving skills that could make him a three-down back at the NFL level.

Tyjae Spears is one of my favorite college backs to watch only 5’10 195 but dudes got gas clocked at 21.4 MPH this season 💨

Locked up a Senior Bowl invite already Spears has satellite back potential in the NFL https://t.co/hFhPM6whWQ

— Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) November 18, 2022

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