The 2024 NFL draft may be nearly a year away, but it's hardly too early to start identifying the top prospects in the class are. These players will be on every team's radar as they head into what will likely be their final collegiate campaigns while trending toward becoming first-round picks next April.

While it's far from guaranteed these players will remain the absolute best draft-eligible talents the college football world has to offer, they've already done enough to warrant a lofty selection. Almost all of them would have been Day 1 picks had they been available this year.

With that in mind, here is a ranked list—based on a player's projectable size, strengths and skills in addition to projected future pro contributions—of the top 10 prospects to keep an eye on for 2024.

10. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson

Pro football fans should be familiar with this name, as Jeremiah Trotter Jr.'s namesake father is a former All-Pro linebacker who played 12 seasons in the league. While Trotter is following in his dad's footsteps as a linebacker, he's already begun making a name of his own at Clemson and could end up being remembered as the better NFL player when all is said and done.

Trotter was a breakout force as a sophomore with the Tigers last year, notching 89 tackles—13.5 for loss—to go with 6.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions. He's shown to be a versatile asset with great athleticism and a high football IQ, qualities that minimize the negative impact that his smaller six-foot, 230-pound stature can have on his game.

While he may not be the biggest player at his position, Trotter is still a capable defender who hits extremely hard. He's able to defend against the run with great effect and can drop into coverage and hold his own there with ease. There's still plenty of room for growth here, but Trotter is ready emerge as the best overall linebacker in the nation during the 2023 season thanks his immense talent, upside and pedigree.

9. Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Before he elected to return to Florida State for another season, Jared Verse was considered one of the better defensive linemen who would potentially be available in the 2023 class. He was rated as the No. 25 overall prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's end-of-season big board and was the fifth-highest edge-defender, only slightly behind a trio of eventual first-round talents (Will Anderson Jr., Myles Murphy and Nolan Smith) and an early Day 2 pick (BJ Ojulari).

Verse revealed to ESPN's Andrea Adelson that he was given feedback from the league that indicated he would have been a top-20 selection had he opted to turn pro, but the 22-year-old believes another year with the Seminoles will make him a better player. He highlighted his decision-making as the main area he wants to improve during his second season in Tallahassee.

While Verse will surely benefit from working on his craft, he has little left to prove after a standout year. He earned all-ACC honors after racking up 48 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks despite missing a game with injury and being limited by that ailment in several other contests. If he can stay healthy, the defensive lineman should have no issue improving upon those figures and boosting his draft stock further.

Verse may be one of the older prospects by the time he enters the 2024 draft, but that shouldn't deter teams from pouncing on a pro-ready edge-defender who can contribute immediately in the NFL. The FSU star is shaping up to be a top-10 pick and a Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite if he continues on his current trajectory.