Week 0 College Football action features surprising set of intriguing NFL Draft prospects

The 2024 College Football season is here! Week 0 action is set to kick off with four games involving FBS football teams. And despite that short list of games there's a surprising set of intriguing NFL Draft prospects who will be playing in this opening weekend. Let's dive in to some of the top players who could blow us away with their next level talents as college football kicks off.

Top Week 0 NFL Draft Prospects

Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr., EDGE Florida State

Jared Verse and Braden Fiske might be gone to the NFL, but Florida State's defensive front should still be strong thanks to Patrick Payton and Georgia transfer Marvin Jones Jr. this season.

Payton logged over 600 snaps for the Seminoles last season, racked up over a half dozen sacks, and tallied a 13% pass rush pressure rate. He will be leaned on heavily this season as the team's primary source of pressure off the edge. At 6'4", 250+ pounds he has strong next level traits that could translate to an early draft selection next spring.

Marvin Jones Jr. doesn't have as much experience because he was fighting for snaps with Georgia's deep rotation of pass rushers last season, but this former five star talent will finally have his shot at full-time snaps off the edge. There's a chance he ends up being the most special defender on the team.

Eric Singleton Jr., WR Georgia Tech

As a true freshman, Eric Singleton Jr. instantly became Georgia Tech's top receiving target, finishing 2023 with over 700 receiving yards and a half dozen scores as he accounted for about 25% of the Yellow Jackets' production through the air. That type of offensive market share and early career production is rare, generally indicating a floor of future day two NFL Draft capital.

If Singleton starts off with a bang against a Florida State secondary who finished ranked 11th in passing yards allowed and 7th in passing yards per attempt last season that could be a huge "prove-it" game for him. He'll be the central focal point of the receiving game plan all season long for Georgia Tech. You can see why based on this post below featuring his 6th touchdown of the year last season.

RJ Maryland, TE SMU

When RJ Maryland arrive to SMU he was listed barely over 200 pounds as an explosive receiving tight end option. As a true freshman he broke out with nearly 300 receiving yards and six scores, but took a huge next step forward in 2023 looking more like an NFL tight end.

Maryland added weight to get up near 240 pounds while maintaining his explosiveness last season as he averaged more than 15 yards per reception on his way to over 500 total yards. He should be a matchup nightmare all season long, but especially against Nevada this weekend.

Elijah Roberts, EDGE SMU

Roberts is one of the most proven productive returning edge defenders in the entire country. He's coming off a season with double digit sacks and a pass rush pressure rate over 18%, which is typical for a floor of mid-round NFL Draft capital.

Roberts began his career with the Miami Hurricanes but left to pursue an every-down role on the edge for SMU and was hugely successful in 2023. There's a great chance he goes off for multiple sacks in Week 0.

Breakout Future NFL Draft Prospects

Jalen Brown, WR Florida State

Not many Top 60 overall recruits used to immediately transfer following their freshman year, but it's a different era of college football these days. Jalen Brown joined LSU last season, but struggled to break through in a room filled with Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr. and more as a true freshman.

He could have fought his way up to a starting position this spring in Baton Rouge, but opted to fight for the WR1 role in Mike Norvell's offense. He's been flashing all off-season long, syncing up with new starting Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei on a special trip out west, and looks like the best bet to break out for the Seminoles this season. A dominant performance against Georgia Tech could shock many, but he's a special talent with elite track speed.

Malik Benson, WR Florida State

Benson largely disappointed with Alabama last season as he entered a wide receiver room where many felt he could excel. However, it's stilly very much true that his two junior college seasons were phenomenal, averaging almost 22 yards per receptions and 96 yards per game.

The traits are there with Benson. He just perhaps needed an opportunity where he could find his rhythm staying on the field for the vast majority of snaps. It looks like that's going to be the case at Florida State. There's still a real chance he emerges and gets drafted next spring.

Related: Former Alabama and LSU wide receivers set to star for Florida State Seminoles as explosive playmakers for Mike Norvell

Be looking for more College Football and NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

And if you want to check out some of the plays that made Eric Singleton Jr. one of the best true freshman in the nation a year ago his 2023 regular season highlights can be found in the video below.