By: Cole Mantell (@colemantell)
For the second season, the Three-Star Draft provided every team an opportunity to add talent and finalize late offseason plans. Of course, the livestream as well has become one of the most-watched events on the CFSL calendar, too. It’s been a great success for teams, viewers, and players alike.
Once again, this season, we are going to take a look at each team and what their snapshot grades should be for their picks. Some teams had a lot of picks to make. Some teams only needed one or two players. Three teams, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M, did not have any picks at all. Those three teams won’t be graded here.
These grades are based on the quality of players available when these teams picked, and how the teams attacked those needs with good picks. In other words, a team that picked more players might be graded similarly to a team that picked only two players, but both of whom were great. With that said, let’s get into it!
Auburn Tigers
Players Drafted: 7
Draft Grade: B-
Auburn had a lot of work to do here, with a large set of players departing. To keep the momentum from previous seasons, Auburn AD Justin Duke had to be almost perfect here to fill the remaining roster spots. And there is a lot of good here. On defense, Auburn found some great quality. Picks like MLB Jefferson Miller and SS Edwin McIntyre are going to help keep the Auburn defense one of the best in the SEC.
On offense, however, I think Auburn felt the effects of a smaller recruiting class this season. TE Jaxon Carter should help freshman QB Zacchaeus Mosley, but besides him, there wasn’t much available. It leaves Auburn heading into Season 23 with maybe the smallest amount of scholarship players on offense in 10 seasons. It’s going to be the story of Auburn’s season, and how Duke and his staff adjust in a tough conference schedule should be fascinating to watch.
Clemson Tigers
Players Drafted: 9
Draft Grade: B
Clemson found themselves in a situation where they had to pick a bunch of players. But Clemson AD Logan Wetzel is always savvy when it comes to finding some diamonds in the rough. It started with their first pick, William Owens. There is a shot Owens is the WR1 for this team. While overall, you’d like to see more talent at the position, Owens will be a sneaky good pick for breakout freshmen, given the number of targets he could get.
Going down the list, Clemson found interesting freshmen on both sides of the ball as well. I liked the Benny Johnson and Cooper Young picks in particular. While Clemson needs to start filling more talent so they aren’t in the position of needing 9 players in the draft, for what they needed, I liked a lot of the players they took.
Colorado Buffaloes
Players Drafted: 4
Draft Grade: D
This should be more of an incomplete grade for now. While Colorado picked four interesting players, at the time of writing, none have signed officially. It’s hard to grade a draft where the team missed all four picks, so for now, I can’t give credit.
However, assuming Colorado gets these players active and on the roster before Week 1, my grade will rise quickly. If all four sign, I’d put this grade in the low B or high C range, as Colorado can theoretically fill some depth and complete a roster to compete in the Big XII.
Florida Gators
Players Drafted: 6
Draft Grade: A
Florida proved last season that they were the next up-and-coming team in the SEC. With a draft like this, Florida might just have the depth to compete for their first-ever SEC Conference Title.
At the time of writing, all but one of the Gators’ picks are officially signed. This includes two key safeties in Erron Grant and Kai Jordan. It’s a rejuvenation of the roster and one last chance for QB Jack Schmidt and this team to make their statement in CFSL history. Almost everything went well for AD Adam Smith and his staff, and they deserve some credit for both identifying the talent they needed and, crucially, getting them signed and ready to roll.
Florida State Seminoles
Players Drafted: 1
Draft Grade: B
If I were to grade the entire FSU offseason, I’d give them an A. They filled the roster to the point that this draft was more of a formality. But of course, it is a bit hard to grade one player, no offense to 3-star safety Jaxson Wilson.
Still, FSU had one need, and they got it filled. I can’t give them an A, considering a few 4 stars were still on the board, but no worries, because the last spot in Tom Pence’s puzzle is officially complete. Watch out, CFSL.
Georgia Bulldogs
Players Drafted: 6
Draft Grade: C+
Georgia went into this draft with a few more needs, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have some good picks in store. Going into the draft, they had zero Tight Ends. Afterwards, both Tyler Goldstein and John Lucas could be the guy they need at the position.
The only big knock is that about half of the picks remain unsigned according to the league register. While the TE spot was replenished, other areas are still in need of talent. The defensive line, in particular, looks weak heading into Week 1 right now. But assuming there is a late signing or two, UGA’s grade here could go up dramatically.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Players Drafted: 8
Draft Grade: A-
As an expansion squad, Iowa was always likely to pick more than a few guys here. But they did well in recruiting, getting more players than rival Nebraska. And of the eight guys they signed, they got a few great finds.
In particular, SS Will Wagner was a 4-star recruit when drafted, and now has already upgraded. These picks will help greatly for the young team, and already, it has vaulted Iowa from a projected also-ran into a sneaky playoff pick. Iowa has a manageable first-season schedule, and with a few wins, these picks will start to get some national attention for their quality. The only downside was that with this many picks, there were a few guys who had yet to sign officially. Otherwise, good work in Iowa’s first season back in the CFSL.
LSU Tigers
Players Drafted: 8
Draft Grade: D
Similar to Colorado, LSU’s grade here is incomplete. At the time of writing, I count only one official signing among the eight drafted players. That is a troublesome sign for LSU’s first season back in the SEC. But if Claydon can get the guys picked on the team, this grade will improve.
For now, I have to grade what I can see. And for a team with as many picks as Iowa, having so many fewer guys sign is not a great start. Still, with a good foundation from last season, I have no doubts in Claydon’s game planning abilities heading into the SEC.
Miami Hurricanes
Players Drafted: 4
Draft Grade: B+
To be honest, I was a little surprised the defending champions had any open spots available. For Miami, the goal was simple. Shore up the few spots open on defense, especially on the defensive line. They did that, shoring up depth both on the DL and in other spots, such as TE, too.
There isn’t too much to write home about here, except that Miami found the few guys they needed to compete in the ACC, and should once again be a powerhouse to fear as the Hurricanes aim to repeat as National Champions.
Michigan Wolverines
Players Drafted: 7
Draft Grade: A-
Michigan did well here. Many of their picks are on the roster and upgraded. I liked the picks of Harry Gills and Zayden Hawthorne, two good pieces for a Defensive Line that needed a talent infusion this offseason. Martavious Jacobs was added as a pure DE as well in this draft. Add in Larry Waters, and you have almost an entire draft class dedicated to improving the Wolverine defense. With most of the guys selected signed, it makes for a good class and smart picks for Michigan AD Aaron Ike.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Players Drafted: 17
Draft Grade: B-
Nebraska was the hardest team to grade, with by far the most players drafted. It was a huge class, and that included, in my opinion, the best player in this draft in Theo Petty. At the time of writing, we are still waiting on their roster to be updated, so I don’t even know how many guys have signed yet. Given that many of their picks were at the back of the draft, I’d be shocked if everyone signed.
It has been a tumultuous first offseason for Noah Johnson as he brings a classic CFSL team back from the dead. For now, I’m grading a bit nicely given how many good picks the team made early. But the Cornhuskers, more than any other team, have to get guys signed. Otherwise, this will be the most talent-deficient team in the CFSL in Season 23. But if the guys sign, the Big XII may yet have another team to join the chaos.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Players Drafted: 4
Draft Grade: A
For a team with only four picks, having two of them upgrade and three sign is a great showing for UNC. Picking near the end of the order, both TE Ethan Schuler and WR Xavier King will complete some depth for the Tar Heels as they try to keep up with the cutthroat ACC.
These players drafted not only will fill spots, but with the upgrades, should be factors early in their careers. Of course, there is still the one unsigned player, but given the cards dealt, it was still a great showing for UNC AD Daniel Gunn and his staff.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Players Drafted: 9
Draft Grade: B+
Notre Dame picked 9 players, tied for the second most in this draft with ACC rival Clemson. There were a few guys we have yet to see sign. But for the guys we know for sure are on the roster, Notre Dame did well. I liked the Cease Miller pick in particular. Already upgraded, Miller will likely be CB1 to open the season in South Bend.
While Notre Dame has been working to fill out roster spots and rebuild in maybe the toughest conference in the CFSL, this was another good step. There are still a ways to go, including getting more guys signed, but overall, Notre Dame is a better team than a week ago. That’s all you can ask for with how many picks the Fighting Irish had here.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Players Drafted: 5
Draft Grade: C+
It’s a similar story to many other teams for Ohio State. The Buckeyes have one great find so far in this draft, headlined by Johnny Taylor. The four-star FS should make an impact on Day 1 in Columbus. But for now, that’s the only official signee.
That’s four other players Ohio State needs to get on board, quickly. But for now, Taylor is the leader of a nice class. I just can’t grade any higher until we know for sure how many of the five taken will suit up for Ohio State Week 1.
Oregon Ducks
Players Drafted: 7
Draft Grade: B-
Similar to conference foes Ohio State, Oregon got a few guys signed who will make an impact. I liked some of their later picks at safety, including AJ Zackary and Cash Allen. But so far, 1st round pick Lance Romanowski is not on the roster.
I can’t give a good grade on this class if he and others don’t play. Still, so far, this roster has improved from a week ago. And I think in the end, some of these players who were well thought of to go earlier in the draft will indeed sign. But for now, this grade remains. If the higher drafted guys don’t sign, I’d drop this grade dramatically in Week 1.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Players Drafted: 5
Draft Grade: A-
What a showing for a small class for Penn State. This team is much improved and has a case for maybe the best offseason overall of any team in the CFSL. So far, this class is headlined by Otis Boudreaux and DJ Mayo. Both WRs are on the team and have already upgraded in star level. That’s a great sign of support for freshman QB Colter Thomas.
Talk about a team ready to roll after a disappointing Season 22. Still, two guys remain unsigned, which holds this back from a true A grade. But overall, Penn State has to be ecstatic with their offseason as a whole. With conference realignment, this could be a sneaky playoff team.
Tennessee Volunteers
Players Drafted: 6
Draft Grade: B+
With a good portion of the SEC in transition, is this the season Tennessee finally gets over the hump? The Volunteers finished the offseason with a good haul, reloading depth especially on the defense. There are still three guys unsigned, which does drop this grade here a bit. But led by 4-star OLB Lamar Jones, the guys we know for sure on the team are going to make this team better.
Tennessee still has a tall hill to climb in the SEC pecking order. But after so long in the proverbial wilderness, there is reason for excitement in Knoxville after a great offseason and revamped roster. QB Sterling Verdugo has one more season as the starting QB for Tennessee. Can this be the season he finally sees playoff action?
Texas Longhorns
Players Drafted: 7
Draft Grade: B-
Texas had one goal after some significant departures. Rebuild the Defensive Line, and in turn, the defense as a whole unit. This draft saw Texas go after the position group maybe more than any other team. So far, there are some partial successes. Both Bernie Cole and Dustin Floyd should start immediately, and Bernie Cole is a flex DE/DT who has already upgraded.
Texas needed to replace depth quickly here to compete in the Big XII. So far, they have got some of those guys to do so. But there is still a lot of work to do, especially in getting some of these players signed. Texas has almost every other piece on the roster filled, so this weakness is an easy late offseason target for the Texas gameplanners under AD Ryan Moreland.
USC Trojans
Players Drafted: 3
Draft Grade: B-
It was a very small class for USC. The Trojans only picked three guys, and two of them are already signed. Both are just three stars who will be depth on defense, but that still is important. The Big 10 will be a tough conference to win again for USC, but that makes every piece of depth so important.
Both DT/DE Frank Johnson and SS Tavii Wallace can be big pieces playing a small role, and for USC to get back to the National Championship, that’s exactly what the team needs under AD Jacob Cobb.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Players Drafted: 1
Draft Grade: A-
This is our final instance of a very small draft class for this article. Congrats to 3-star FS Jensen Mitchell for being the only VT pick in this class. At the time of writing, Mitchell has signed but not upgraded. As a depth pick on a championship contender, it’s hard to fault this pick.
But for now, without upgrades and considering who else was picked after Mitchell, I will ding the grade just a little. However, the only difference between Virginia Tech and, say, Alabama, is that they even needed to be written about at all. Overall, it was another great offseason for the defending ACC champions.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Players Drafted: 8
Draft Grade: D+
As with many of our other teams covered with lower grades, this issue remains on the fact that many of the top picks in this larger class for WVU remain unsigned. Having two of your top three picks not on the roster (as of time of writing) is a big issue for this class. Considering how many players WVU needed, it is a double setback.
But WVU AD Nate Murphy is a well-regarded AD. I don’t think this setback will hurt too much, especially if the Mountaineers get some of these guys on the roster by Week 1. But as of now, there are some painful misses when other Big XII rivals got their guys signed and ready to play. WVU will have its hands full before Week 1 to get guys on the roster and ready.
