2024 NFL Draft Risers & Sliders after CFB Week 8: Marvin Harrison Jr. affirms his greatness while Penn State TE Theo Johnson disappoints

Week 8 on the college schedule saw two previously undefeated teams, Penn State and North Carolina, go down in defeat. It was another weekend and another loss for USC and quarterback Caleb Williams. Ohio State was lifted to victory by its outstanding receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr., a projected top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Risers and sliders from Week 8 of college football

#1 Risers: Marvin Harrison Jr./WR/Ohio State

It’s kind of obscene to list the No. 2 player on my big board as a riser. Yet at the same time, it would be criminal not to mention Harrison after his performance against Penn State. His numbers, which included 11 receptions for 162 yards with one TD, tell a fraction of the story.

The Nittany Lions have two draftable cornerbacks, including highly rated Kalen King, yet Harrison dominates both.

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The Penn State defense knew the ball was going to Harrison, yet they couldn’t slow him down. In one instance, King was called for pass interference while attempting to defend Harrison, yet the Buckeyes junior still came away with the reception.

As I reported last week, it’s a foregone conclusion that Harrison will enter the 2024 NFL Draft and end up a top-four selection.

#2 Risers: Luke McCaffrey/WR/Rice

McCaffrey, son of Pro Bowl receiver Ed McCaffrey and brother to All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, has been upholding the family honor. In the midst of a career season, the senior has 36 receptions for 617 yards with seven TDs in seven games this season.

Four times this year, he’s totaled 100 yards or more receiving with at least six catches in those games. Like his brother, Luke is a natural with a great head for the game. Like his dad, he’s a reliable pass catcher who is best at running underneath routes.

I don’t expect McCaffrey to stand out during predraft testing; rather, he’ll be a Day 3 pick in next April’s draft and a productive receiver in the NFL for 10 years.

#3 Risers: Kyle Monangai/RB/Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights are bowl-eligible and just one victory away from securing their first winning season since 2014. The offense is run-heavy, and Monangai is carrying the unit.

He has had some incredible performances this season, including 148 yards against Michigan State when he almost singlehandedly carried RU to victory. Monangai is a tough interior runner who picks up a lot of yardage off contact while also possessing terrific foot quickness and the ability to make defenders miss.

Monangai is also an exceptional pass blocker, which will be very attractive at the next level. He’s played four seasons at Rutgers and has an additional year of eligibility if he decides to return to the Scarlet Knights. If he enters the draft, I project Monangai as a mid-fifth-round prospect.

#4 Risers - Danny Stutsman/LB/Oklahoma

The Sooners won a squeaker over Central Florida to remain undefeated and in the national title hunt. And it was another terrific game for Stutsman, who led the contest with 12 tackles, including one for loss.

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It’s the third time Stutsman has recorded double-digit tackles in a game, and in two additional contests, he posted nine tackles.

The junior is a nice-sized, instinctive linebacker who does a great job stuffing the run. Though he’s more of a two-down defender, Stutsman shows ability in zone coverage.

I mentioned during a preview of the Red River Rivalry that the belief is Stutsman will enter the draft. If he does, I project him to land in the fourth round.

Sleeper Prospect - Quinyon Mitchell/CB/Toledo

It was a huge game in the Mid-American Conference between a pair of 6-1 teams who could ultimately face each other again for the league championship. In the end, Toledo squeaked past Miami by a score of 21-17, and Mitchell played his best game to date.

He finished with five tackles and broke up three passes, one late in the game as the RedHawks were driving. In eight games this year, Mitchell has 10 PBUs to his credit.

The senior could well be the best cornerback prospect rarely mentioned outside the scouting community. He’s been a terrific player at Toledo the past three years and combines size (over six feet tall) with next-level ball skills. And while Mitchell needs to polish his game, he comes with terrific upside.

I fully expect to see him receive an invitation to a postseason All-Star game and the combine and end up as no worse than a fourth-round pick in the draft.

Small-school Prospect - Daylan Dotson/LB/Tennessee-Martin

Dotson, an undersized college defensive end, has been a nuisance for opponents the past two seasons. In seven games this year, he has totaled 32 tackles, 10.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks.

On top of that, he has been credited with five PBUs and 12 QBHs. Dotson is quick and explosive, and he plays with excellent fundamentals. He uses his hands exceptionally well and displays a lot of athleticism in his game.

Dotson lacks bulk for defensive end and tips the scales at around 250 pounds. Yet he has the movement skills and pass-rushing skills to stand over tackle as a linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.

#1 Sliders - Theo Johnson/TE/Penn State

Johnson entered the season graded as a top-45 prospect by several scouts, based largely on potential. Measuring 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds with 40 speed under 4.7 seconds, Johnson has all the physical tools to be a starting tight end in the NFL.

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Unfortunately for the senior, his football ability lags far behind. He’s caught just 18 passes during Penn State’s six games this season, after just 20 receptions during all of 2022.

Scouts keep waiting for Johnson to arrive, yet he keeps them waiting. It is fair to say Johnson is more of an athlete than a football player at this point.