We’re two weeks down in college football, and already, some major upsets have taken place. Last week, Appalachian State walked into College Station and beat Texas A&M at home. Just before that, Marshall embarrassed the Fighting Irish in South Bend. Sun Belt? More like the Fun Belt. I’m not sure this has affected the No. 1 pick power rankings at all, but there was major shuffling elsewhere. Let’s get down to brass tacks and talk about who’s going to be the top pick in April, judging only from what we’ve seen these past two weeks.
These are my week two No. 1 Pick Power Rankings for the 2023 NFL Draft.
1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Bryce Young is still at the top of this list, but not for lack of trying. I found a lot of Alabama’s overall performance against the Longhorns this week to be… uninspired. We’ll talk a bit more about that later. Texas was able to jump out to a big lead against the No. 1 team in America, which would eventually cost them the No. 1 spot to Georgia in the latest AP rankings. But, as they so often have done under Nick Saban, Alabama found a way to pull it out in the end.
The thing keeping the Tide signal-caller at the top of this list is that final drive against Texas. If you haven’t watched it, I urge you to seek it out. This particular drive may not have ended in an emphatic touchdown to seal the game in Austin, but Young carried himself with the poise and calmness of a No. 1 overall draft pick. He was cool and collected all the way through. Every decision was the right one, every pass was perfect. Alabama escaped with their lives and their undefeated record, but Young’s spot on this list is absolutely in jeopardy.
2. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Just looking at the numbers, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud absolutely out-dueled Young this past week. That being said, it must be noted that the Buckeyes were playing Arkansas State. OSU was dominant on offense during their 45-12 win over the Red Wolves, a much needed strong performance after their shaky, yet victorious, performance against Notre Dame in week one. Stroud looked like the real deal, even if it was coming against defenders who will be accountants and marketing managers come next year. No offense, I couldn’t even make the bottom of Arkansas State’s roster in a million years, but still.
Stroud has all the makings of a top pick in body type and whatnot, as we’ve discussed before. His accuracy on big-time throws is second to only Young, but his ability to learn concepts quickly and lead his team down the field almost gives him a leg up. Stroud needs to face some true competition top wrestle the top spot from Young’s grasp, but it is within reach for him.
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