Forget singing along with an alma mater’s fight song or rooting to capture a rivalry trophy.
Some football fans watch college games just to get familiar with the names for NFL mock draft season.
The Post checked in with a couple of NFL scouts for 10 names to know from a 2024 NFL Draft perspective:
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
6-1, 215 pounds
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner hasn’t reached Trevor Lawrence “lock for No. 1 pick” status yet, but his quick release, accuracy, and mobility give him a chance to get there.
When the former No. 1-ranked high school quarterback escapes the pocket, he can run (10 touchdowns on 113 carries) or fire a fastball from different arm angles.
Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
6-4, 230 pounds
A dual-threat who amassed 5,019 yards of total offense last season, Maye is a sturdily built prototype.
The could-be-better version of Giants QB Daniel Jones shares his elusiveness as a runner.
He moves defenders with his eyes and seems unflappable in the face of pocket pressure.
“Some teams might like Maye best because they will trust his [decision-making] more,” one scout said.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
6-2, 195 pounds
Ewers could elevate into a top-10 pick or he could lose his starting job.
How he handles whiz kid Arch Manning’s presence will be telling.
The former No. 1 overall recruit throws a tight ball to the sidelines, but can trust his rocket arm too much and be at risk for giveaways.
He hurried back from a shoulder injury that affected his completion percentage (58.1) last season.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
6-4, 205 pounds
Imagine many of the great skills of his Hall of Famer father in a bigger, more powerful, faster body coming off a 14-touchdown season.
Sticky hands, an ability to make over-the-shoulder catches and drag his feet, and an ability to gain separation appear to be hereditary.
Harrison Jr. didn’t fully inherit the superpower for smooth routes, but he breaks tackles and wins in the air.
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
6-4, 230 pounds
Not just a big slot receiver, Bowers is a competitive run-blocker.
But make no mistake: Bowers’ value is in averaging 15.3 yards on 119 career catches.
He will high-point a 50/50 ball or turn on the jets if hit in stride (479 yards after the catch last season).
Scouts want to see a more refined route tree because he is “not as freaky as [Falcons tight end] Kyle Pitts.”
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
6-6, 319 pounds
It could be the third time in five years that four offensive tackles are top-14 picks. Fashanu’s size and basketball-like wingspan belies his uncanny athleticism, especially his nimble feet as a pass protector (zero sacks allowed last season).
He rarely looks off balance and as he knocks back pass-rushers.
He needs development as a run-blocker getting to the second level. Scariest of all, he is just scratching the surface.
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
6-6, 335 pounds
From guard in 2021 to right tackle in 2022 to left tackle in 2023, Latham offers positional versatility.
He is an explosive run-blocker and successfully mirrored some of the SEC’s best pass-rushers last season, allowing zero sacks.
Diagnosing is something that stood out to one scout.
Eleven penalties stood out to another who prefers Notre Dame OT Joe Alt and Georgia OT Amaris Mims.
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
6-4, 242 pounds
Turner has the turbo button jammed.
NFL teams are anticipating a breakout after he totaled just four sacks — a drop-off from 8.5 in 2021 — last season.
Whether standing up or playing with a hand in the dirt, Turner’s quick two steps and ability to bend the edge leaves tackles vulnerable and is mostly responsible for 62 career quarterback pressures.
He also chases down running backs from behind or sideline-to-sideline.
Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
6-4, 253 pounds
A former tight end who transformed his body lifting weights and changed positions at Albany, Verse explodes out of his stance as a pass-rusher.
“His hands are powerful and can shock blockers,” one scout said.
And Verse still plays with the motor of an unheralded recruit with something to prove.
He had 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks but opted against entering the 2023 draft.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
6-1, 195 pounds
After tying for the SEC lead with 16 passes defended, the rangy press-man-coverage cornerback is just missing the turnover-generating plays recent top-five picks Derek Stingley Jr. and Sauce Gardner collected.
He makes up for it as an electric punt returner (15.8-yard average on 21 career returns), which should answer speed questions.
“He can fill a lot of roles for a team,” one scout said.
