Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Philadelphia will likely reload in the trenches, while some experts have the Eagles targeting other critical positions in early 2024 NFL mock drafts
The 2023 NFL draft is complete, and as teams add undrafted free agents, the experts are looking ahead to the 2024 selection process.
Next spring will see guaranteed locks like Heisman Trophy Winner Caleb Williams (USC), Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Drake Maye (UNC), Joe Alt (Notre Dame), Brock Bowers (UGA), and Olumuviwa Fashanu (Penn State) all battle to round out the top five.
With teams around the league praying to be on the clock, here’s an early 2024 NFL mock draft roundup.
Dominic Lovett, Rara Thomas are impressing at spring practice…
Georgia football added two of the top transfer wide receivers this offseason: Dominic Lovett (Missouri) and Rara Thomas (Mississippi State).
Both Lovett and Thomas led their respective teams in receiving last year and should add value to the Bulldogs receiving room after the departure of Dominic Blaylock to the transfer portal and Adonai Mitchell to Texas.
Georgia players are impressed with how Lovett and Thomas are practicing so far this spring.
“Bringing them to Georgia, it just increases the intensity at practice,” cornerback Kamari Lassiter said. “You know, the competition level between the receivers and the DBs. That’s some things like the guys like me — ultra-competitive guys, I like that, you know? I want the best guys to be here, and they want to go against the best guys as well. So just those guys being here, it’s really good for us.”
Star tight end Brock Bowers likes what he sees from the pair.
“RaRa’s just been out there making plays. I mean, he’s just an athlete. He’s going to be really good for us, and then Dom, he’s shifty and catching almost everything. So I mean, I think they’re going to be two good additions for our receiver room.”
Defensive back Javon Bullard knew Lovett before the former Missouri Tiger came to Athens.
“Dom’s like my little brother, man. He was one of the first guys that, like, when we came back, we were in the locker room just chopping it up. Very quick, very fast. Like I said, very agile, gets in and out of his breaks really good. Great route runner, knows how to play with his speed a lot, so I’m looking forward to seeing him play. And RaRa, I haven’t really gotten to guard RaRa just because he’s so outside. I know Kamari got to go up against him a lot, and just based off what he was saying he’s very quick off his first step off the release and has great hands, too. So like I said, I’m excited to see both those guys help us.”
You can catch Lovett and Thomas in action at the annual ‘G-Day’ spring game in Sanford Stadium on April 15 at 4 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
ESPN names Georgia’s top newcomers for 2023
Georgia lost 15 players to the NFL draft and more to the transfer portal following its 2021 national championship.
Even with all the losses, Kirby Smart and the Dawgs were inactive in the transfer portal heading into the 2022 season. They were the only Power Five team to not add a single player from the transfer portal.
You’d think the significant loss of contributors to a national championship-winning team would have hurt the Bulldogs, but you’d be wrong. As you know, Georgia went 15-0 and won its second straight national title, relying on recruiting alone to fill its 2022 roster.
This year, Georgia added two highly touted transfers, both at the wide receiver position. Mississippi State’s RaRa Thomas and Missouri’s Dominic Lovett signed with Georgia in December as transfers.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach wrote a story naming the top newcomers for every team in his way-too-early preseason top-25 for 2023.
He identified both Thomas and Lovett as Georgia’s top newcomers for next year.
“As good as the Bulldogs were on offense in 2022, they didn’t have many consistent receivers outside of Ladd McConkey,” Schlabach wrote. “Adonai Mitchell, who transferred to Texas, and Arian Smith were hurt for much of the season.”
He also noted it’s unclear whether Thomas will train this spring with Georgia following his Jan. 23 arrest.
“Kirby Smart added two transfers to help the receiver corps this coming season, although it’s unclear if both will be available when spring practice begins. Mississippi State transfer Rara Thomas, who led his former team in receiving yards last season, was arrested on a felony charge of false imprisonment and misdemeanor battery-family violence following an incident with a woman in a dorm room on Jan. 23.”
Thomas had 44 catches for 626 yards and 7 touchdowns last year at Mississippi State. Lovett caught 56 passes for 846 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022 at Missouri.
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The Eufaula native elected to join Kirby Smart’s squad over playing for the hometown Tigers.
When Mississippi State wide receiver [autotag]RaRa Thomas[/autotag] announced his intention to enter the transfer portal, Auburn felt as if they had a solid chance to bring him into their program.
Despite multiple visits to Auburn, Thomas elected to transfer to a fellow SEC squad. He announced Thursday that he will transfer to Georgia, and will play receiver for Kirby Smart.
Thomas’ announcement was just part of Georgia‘s good news on Thursday, as former Missouri wide receiver Dominic Lovett also announced that he would be transferring to Georgia.
Thomas grew up in Eufaula, which is a 64-mile drive south of Auburn, and was an attractive name in the portal after a successful two-year stint at Mississippi State, where he reeled in 62 catches for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ air raid system. He was Mississippi State’s leading receiver in 2022, catching 44 passes for 626 yards and seven touchdowns.
Thomas was not highly recruited out of high school, receiving only two power five offers from Mississippi State and South Carolina as a three-star receiver from the 2021 recruiting cycle. His success in Starkville will almost certainly be replicated in Athens.
Auburn has signed two players out of the transfer portal since the window opened on Dec. 5, former Vanderbilt EDGE rusher [autotag]Elijah McAllister[/autotag] and former FIU tight end [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag].
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UGA football adds a commitment from Rara Thomas
Former Mississippi State wide receiver Rara Thomas is transferring to the Georgia Bulldogs. Thomas is 247Sports’ No. 16 player in the transfer portal.
Rara Thomas should be an instant impact player at Georgia.
Thomas, who was Mississippi State’s leading receiver this season, recently entered the NCAA transfer portal. In 2022, Thomas caught 44 passes for 626 yards and seven touchdowns. Rara Thomas was a three-star recruit in the class of 2021.
Rara Thomas has interest from Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Auburn, and Ole Miss among others. Rara Thomas has two years of eligibility remaining.
Thomas had a solid freshman season for Mississippi State. In 2021, Thomas caught 18 passes for 252 yards and five touchdowns. Thomas will have a bit of an adjustment coming into Georgia’s system. Mississippi State passes the most of any team in the SEC. Thomas will have to run block more in Athens.
This year, Rara Thomas had an outstanding touchdown reception against Texas A&M:
𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳-𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 ✅
𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳-𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 ✅
𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 ✅Have a day, @Wrogers__2 & @rodarius_thomas 😤#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/f7xtOlM4V6
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 1, 2022
Thomas finished with five catches for 134 yards and a touchdown in Mississippi State’s win over Texas A&M.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver announced his commitment to the University of Georgia via Twitter:
Let’s goo!!!🐶@KirbySmartUGA @CoachBmac_ pic.twitter.com/fps48leyOl
— Rara thomas (@Rarathomas_) December 22, 2022
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The former Mississippi State wide receiver will return to Auburn for a second visit this weekend and is expected to bring a guest.
Auburn football has found much-needed success in recruiting since Hugh Freeze took over the program on Nov. 28.
Over a three-day span, Freeze and his staff have flipped three players from other programs to Auburn, and they are looking to add more prospects from the transfer portal before spring practice.
One of the top targets for Auburn is former Mississippi State receiver, and Eufaula native, [autotag]Rara Thomas[/autotag]. Thomas took an unofficial visit last week after receiving an offer from Auburn.
According to a report from Christian Clemente of 247Sports, Thomas enjoyed his visit so much, that he is set to return this weekend for an official visit. Not only will Thomas be in town, but he is bringing former Bulldog teammate [autotag]Dillon Johnson[/autotag] with him.
The former Mississippi State running back entered the transfer portal on Dec. 7, two days after the window for non-graduate transfers opened. He announced on Sunday that he had joined Thomas in receiving an offer from Auburn.
Thomas was the team’s leading receiver, reeling in 44 catches for 626 yards and seven touchdowns in Mississippi State’s air raid system. Johnson, as a running back, did not produce the numbers Thomas did, but he rushed for 488 yards and three touchdowns. He added 285 receiving yards to his yearly total.
Thomas and Johnson are two prospects set to take visits to campus this week. Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall is also expected to visit on Saturday.
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Two of Mississippi State’s top playmakers have received offers from Auburn since the transfer portal market opened on Dec. 5.
Auburn Football is shopping for top talent who currently reside in the transfer portal and did not have to go far to extend its’ most recent offer.
[autotag]Dillon Johnson[/autotag], who rushed for 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons at Mississippi State, announced Saturday that he has received an offer from Auburn.
Johnson is back on the market after splitting carries with Jo’quavious Marks in the Bulldogs backfield. Neither back has come close to rushing for 1,000 yards in a season over their careers due to Mississippi State’s air raid system, but Johnson has proved to be a great pass catcher, as he racked up 864 receiving yards during his time in Starkville.
Johnson becomes the second offensive playmaker from Mississippi State that Auburn has offered since December 5. The Bulldogs’ second-leading receiver from this season, [autotag]RaRa Thomas[/autotag], received an Auburn offer last week and took a visit to campus last Thursday.
Johnson infamously entered the portal on Dec. 7. In his announcement, he took time to air what is believed to be Mississippi State’s dirty laundry.
“Since I am not very tough, and (Coach Mike) Leach is glad I am leaving, I will be entering my name into the transfer portal with the hopes of finding a more fit playing environment for me,” Johnson said in a tweet.
Johnson has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Thank you🤍🐶 #HailStateForever pic.twitter.com/eZgbRuci91
— Dillon Johnson (@Dill_7k) December 8, 2022
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The transfer window is in its early stages, and Auburn is off to a hot start in its pursuit of reeling in portal talent.
The transfer window is in its early stages, and Auburn is off to a hot start in its pursuit of reeling in portal talent.
Hugh Freeze and staff have already welcomed former Mississippi State wide receiver, [autotag]RaRa Thomas[/autotag], to campus. Thomas was expected to visit Auburn this weekend but stopped by a day early. He is also set to visit Alabama and Georgia according to Jason Caldwell of Auburn Undercover.
Christian Clemente, also of Auburn Undercover, is reporting that two other members of the transfer portal are planning to visit campus this weekend. One of those is a receiver who saw significant action for the Oregon Ducks this season.
Wide receiver [autotag]Dont’e Thornton[/autotag] is among those visiting Auburn this weekend. Thornton reeled in 17 catches for 366 yards and a touchdown for the Ducks in 2022. He played in 11 games this season, catching 70.8% of passes thrown in his direction according to Pro Football Focus.
The Tigers are also set to host offensive lineman [autotag]Jordan Brown[/autotag] this weekend. Brown played for Charlotte last season, appearing in five games at left tackle for the 49ers. He played a total of 62 snaps in 2022 and received a PFF grade of 60.6.
The final known visitor of the weekend will be four-star quarterback [autotag]Marcel Reed[/autotag]. Reed is committed to Ole Miss, but Freeze has made a late push in hopes to change his mind. He visited Reed in Nashville on Wednesday and succeeded in his attempt to get him to visit campus.
The December early signing period begins on Dec. 21, and the current transfer portal window closes on Jan. 11.
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UGA football has offered a scholarship to Mississippi State’s leading receiver Rara Thomas
The Georgia Bulldogs have offered a scholarship to Mississippi State wide receiver Rara Thomas. Thomas, who was Mississippi State’s leading receiver this season, has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
In 2022, Thomas caught 44 passes for 626 yards and seven touchdowns. Rara Thomas was a three-star recruit in the class of 2021.
Rara Thomas has received offers from Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Auburn, and Ole Miss among others. Rara Thomas has two years of eligibility remaining.
Thomas had a solid freshman season for Mississippi State. In 2021, Thomas caught 18 passes for 252 yards and five touchdowns. Thomas will have a bit of an adjustment coming into a new system. Mississippi State passes the most of any team in the SEC. Thomas will have to run block more wherever he plays.
This year, Rara Thomas had an excellent touchdown reception against Texas A&M:
𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳-𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 ✅
𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳-𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 ✅
𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 ✅Have a day, @Wrogers__2 & @rodarius_thomas 😤#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/f7xtOlM4V6
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 1, 2022
Thomas finished with five catches for 134 yards and a touchdown in Mississippi State’s win over Texas A&M.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver announced his scholarship offer from the University of Georgia via Twitter:
Offered🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/aIoknWdtCd
— Rara thomas (@rodarius_thomas) December 5, 2022
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Oklahoma is looking to add to their wide receiver ranks with offers to a couple of transfer portal wideouts, RaRa Thomas and Dante Cephas. From @john9williams
As the transfer portal officially opened on Monday, the Oklahoma Sooners saw some depth walk out the door. Mostly, it’s been players that saw little to no playing time for Oklahoma in 2022, but at wide receiver, they’ve seen a bit more attrition.
[autotag]Theo Wease[/autotag] made it known last week he’d be entering the portal, and on Monday, [autotag]Brian Darby[/autotag] and [autotag]Trevon West[/autotag] also put their names in the transfer portal.
With the college football world doing some portal shopping, it looks like the Sooners are targeting a couple of wide receivers early in the process. Oklahoma offered Mississippi State transfer wide receiver [autotag]RaRa Thomas[/autotag] and Kent State wideout [autotag]Dante Cephas[/autotag].
Thomas was a three-star prospect in the 2021 cycle and put up 44 receptions for 626 yards and seven touchdowns for the Bulldogs in 2022. Cephas was also a three-star player in the 2019 class and recorded 48 receptions for 744 yards and three touchdowns.
Cephas had four receptions for 50 yards against Oklahoma in week two of the season, but his high moment came against Ohio, where he posted 13 receptions for 246 yards and a touchdown.
Thomas posted 5 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown in a win against Texas A&M, went for 8 and 73 against Alabama, and recorded six catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns against Auburn.
Though [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] is playing in the bowl game, there’s a strong possibility that’s his last for the Sooners with an NFL draft decision looming. If Mims were to declare for the draft, that would leave Oklahoma with [autotag]Jalil Faroo[/autotag]q and [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag] as the only Sooners wide receivers to play significant snaps in Norman.
The Sooners added [autotag]J.J. Hester[/autotag] and [autotag]L.V. Bunkley-Shelton[/autotag] in the portal late last spring, but they didn’t see the field much, so it’s difficult to know where they stand with the coaching staff. Both have experience from their previous stops and have playmaking ability, but Oklahoma would be wise to add some more depth.
Oklahoma will have quite a few young guys competing for snaps, like [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag], and Freeman, along with incoming freshmen [autotag]Keyon Brown[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag] (assuming they sign).
We’ll see if Oklahoma’s able to close on either Cephas or Thomas, but it’s clear they believe they need to add some wide receiver depth in the portal this offseason to put them in a better position to contend in 2023.
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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.
