The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2022 Outback Bowl.
Penn State Nittany Lions Draft Prospects
Jahan Dotson, WR
Dotson has improved every year he has stepped on the field for the Nittany Lions and is now one of the best receivers in the country. For his career, he has 183 receptions for 2,757 yards and 25 touchdowns. This season, he has caught 91 passes for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He isn’t the biggest receiver at 5-foot-11 and 184 pounds. Dotson has shown good quickness and hands over his college career, which should make him appealing to NFL teams. He has played well enough to get first-round consideration in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
Brisker started his college career off at the Junior College level before playing his last three seasons at Penn State. For his college career at the FBS level, Brisker has 151 total tackles, five interceptions and 14 passes defended. This season, Brisker has tallied 63 total tackles, two touchdowns and five passes defended.
He has solid size for an NFL safety at 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds. Brisker showed a knack for making big plays, which will suit him well at the next level. He hasn’t opted out of this bowl game yet, but it is a possibility. Brisker is projected to be a day two pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
*Linebacker Brandon Smith has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected second to fourth-round pick.
*Linebacker Ellis Burks has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.
Other Draft Prospects:Â Edge Arnold Ebiketie (2nd-3rd), CB Tariq Castro-Fields (3rd-5th), LB Jesse Luketa (6th-UFA), CB Joey Porter Jr. (6th-UFA), P Jordan Stout (6th-UFA), OT Rasheed Walker (6th-UFA), DL P.J. Mustipher (UFA), DL Adisa Isaac (UFA), RB Noah Cain (UFA), OG/C Mike Miranda (UFA)
Arkansas Razorbacks Draft Prospects
Myron Cunningham, OT
Cunningham started his college career off in junior college before transferring to Arkansas for his final three seasons of college football. He played right away for the Razorbacks in 2019, notching 10 starts in 11 games played. Cunningham kept that starting spot for the rest of his Arkansas career.
He is well-built for an NFL offensive tackle at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds. His experience protecting the blindside will be noted, as will his extensive run blocking for Arkansas. He is a projected mid-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
John Ridgeway, DL
Ridgeway started his college career at Illinois State before transferring to Arkansas. The nose tackle created havoc at the FCS level and played well at the FBS level as well. In his one season at Arkansas, he registered 39 total tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.
He has great size for an interior defensive lineman at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds. Ridgeway demands multiple blockers on a lot of plays, which helps out his teammates. The FCS-transfer is projected to be a late-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fifth Round Pick-Seventh Round Pick
*Wide receiver Treylon Burks has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected first-round pick.
*Safety Jalen Catalon has announced his intention to return to school for another season. He is a projected first or second-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects:Â OG/C Ricky Stromberg (5th-7th), LB Bumper Pool (UFA), LB Grant Morgan (UFA), WR Trey Knox (UFA)
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