Shane P Hallam, has been on top of these 2023 prospects for a while. I tend to not focus on a player until he is draft eligible. That doesn’t mean a player can’t stand out to me. That is most certainly the case with the prospects you will read about today. I am just not overly familiar with them. That is what the summer is for. I will start getting a hard look at these and more of the eligible prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Today, I am going to give you the five names on defense that I am anxious to get a look at for the first time.
You can look at the prospects on offense HERE
Five 2023 Prospects on Defense – 1st Time Look
Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
Will Anderson may have been the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft if he were eligible. The Crimson Tide star had a historic season last year. Anderson recorded 101 tackles (56 solos), 31 TFL, and 17.5 sacks. He was an absolute monster off of the edge. I can’t wait to fully take a deep dive into his tape.
Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
I know what you are thinking. Didn’t Georgia just have like 35 defensive linemen drafted in 2022? Pretty close. There are some who think Nolan Smith can be (or is already) better than the ones selected in round one.
Was asked this in recent interview: “When watching tape of the loaded Georgia defense for @seniorbowl did Travon Walker standout even though you weren’t watching him?”. The answer is, not as much as you’d expect from a No. 1 overall pick. But the prospect who did was Nolan Smith. pic.twitter.com/hZv4wlffuf
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) April 26, 2022
Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Noah is the brother of Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell and 2022 prospect Nephi Sewell. While I don’t think he will be the prospect that Penei was (my #1 overall prospect in 2021), I believe Noah Sewell has the skillset to be a first round selection.
Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
During our live stream of the 2022 NFL Draft, I was caught off guard with not knowing who Myles Murphy was. Murphy has great size and had good production a year ago for Clemson. I will be happy to get to know him better over the summer.
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The name Joey Porter is a bad name in my household. Junior is the son of former Pittsburgh Steeler (and Cincinnati Bengals antagonizer). Shane raved about him on various Draft Countdown podcasts last year. I look forward to seeing him play despite how bad I loathe his dad.