CFB Championship 2024: Predictions for NFL Draft Prospects in Washington vs. Michigan

Michael Penix Jr's sole focus on Monday night is to win the College Football Playoff National Championship for the Washington Huskies.

Plenty of NFL scouts and personnel will have Penix's future in mind when watching the left-handed quarterback in Houston against the Michigan Wolverines.

Penix received increased NFL draft attention after his 400-yard Sugar Bowl performance against the Texas Longhorns.

Penix and his top pass-catcher, Rome Odunze, could be one of two quarterback-wide receiver pairs to go in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL draft.

Odunze is likely more of a lock to land in the top 10 than Penix because is widely viewed as one of the top three wide outs in the draft class. Penix will compete with LSU's Jayden Daniels for the No. 3 quarterback spot behind Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.

Michigan's roster does not have any surefire first-round prospects at the moment, but running back Blake Corum has the potential to turn heads and improve his stock at the start of the pre-draft process for most NFL teams.

Michael Penix Jr.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies warms up prior to a game against the Texas Longhorns during the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Penix possesses a fascinating draft profile.

The Washington quarterback has the most to gain from Monday's title game, but he will have his draft detractors because he is 23 and has had multiple leg injuries in the past.

However, Penix proved when healthy he can be one of the best quarterbacks in a big game that college football has to offer.

Penix threw for 430 yards in the Sugar Bowl and he could hit the 5,000-yard mark for the season with 352 yards versus Michigan.

Penix tore apart the Texas defense with his precision and impeccable timing with a quartet of four impressive pass-catchers, led by Odunze.

If Washington properly deals with Michigan's interior pressure, Penix should have all sorts of time to work in the pocket on Monday.

A title-winning performance could boost Penix's stock ahead of the dissection that is ahead in the next three months.

The left-hander is the No. 3 quarterback at best in the draft class, but that could be good enough for the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings or Denver Broncos who will not be able to land Caleb Williams or Drake Maye without a significant trade.

Prediction: 25-for-38, 315 yards, 2 passing touchdowns

Rome Odunze

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) signals a first down after a completed catch during the Allstate Sugar Bowl playoff game between the Texas Longhorns and the Washington Huskies on Monday, January 1, 2024 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Odunze is in contention to be the second wide receiver chosen in April along with LSU's Malik Nabers.

The assumption is that Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. will be a top five selection and the first wide out off the board.

Odunze has the potential to leap over Nabers on some draft boards with a standout showing in the National Championship.

Odunze has been remarkably consistent for the Huskies in the second half of the season. He comes into Monday with five straight 100-yard outings.

The 6'3", 215-pound wide receiver is the perfect type of physical receiver that many NFL offenses are in need of. He could showcase that body in a battle with Michigan's cornerbacks on Monday.

The New York Giants, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans should be among the teams with close eyes on Odunze. All three teams confirmed top 10 picks on Sunday and could use some help at wide receiver.

Prediction: Six catches, 105 yards, TD

Blake Corum

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PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball for yardage away from Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during second half of the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2024 in Pasadena, California. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 27-20 in overtime. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Michigan's roster is not littered with five-star talent and potential first-round NFL draft picks.

That makes the Wolverines unique compared to the previous national champions of the playoff era that came out of the SEC.

Blake Corum and a few Wolverines will be drafted, but they will likely have to wait until Day 2 or 3 to hear their names called.

Corum enters Monday with 1,111 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns and at least 80 rushing yards in four of his last five games.

A strong performance behind Michigan's powerful offensive line could help Corum impress a few NFL teams and confirm his Day 2 status.

Corum will not do enough to be a first-round selection, but few running backs are able to do that with the value of the position in the NFL.

Michigan's path to victory involves a heavy dose of Corum and dominance at the line of scrimmage. We should see a lot of the Michigan running back, who has at least 15 carries in his last seven appearances.

Prediction: 16 carries, 75 yards, TD