The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. The bowl season schedule allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2018 Belk Bowl.
South Carolina Gamecocks Prospects
*Wide receiver Deebo Samuel will sit out of this game to prepare for the NFL Draft. His projected draft range is second round-third round.
Dennis Daley, OT
Daley is a JUCO transfer who has played well for the Gamecocks for the last two seasons. He has played left tackle for South Carolina and has held up well against SEC pass rushers. He has not been honored by making the AP All-SEC team, but is still a solid prospect.
He is 6-foot-6 and 323 pounds, which is solid for an NFL offensive tackle. Daley will likely be selected in the middle rounds of the 2019Â NFL Draft.
Projected draft range: Third round-fifth round
Bryan Edwards, WR
Edwards has been a nice partner with Samuel over the last few seasons. The junior has 160 catches for 2,192 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career. This season he has 52 catches for 809 yards and seven touchdowns. He has produced ever since he stepped on campus and has drawn the eyes of NFL evaluators.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Edwards has great size for a receiver. As a junior, it is probably best that he go back to school for another season to improve his stock.
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
Zack Bailey, OG/C
Bailey was in the starting lineup for five games as a freshman and hasn’t looked back. This season he was fortunate enough to make the AP All-SECÂ second team for his play. He has especially proven himself as a pass blocker this season for the Gamecocks.
For a guard, Bailey has great size at 6-foot-6 and 314 pounds. He has experience at guard and center, which makes him more valuable.
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
Jake Bentley, QB
Bentley is a junior that is likely headed back to South Carolina for his senior season. He has thrown for 7,167 yards, 54 touchdowns and 28 interceptions on 63.6% completion. In 2018, he has 2,853 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 63.9% completion.
He has good size for a quarterback, at 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds. Bentley has played well so far in his career, but his stock could rise with another year of polishing.
Projected draft range: Seventh round-undrafted free agent
Virginia Cavaliers Prospects
Juan Thornhill, CB/S
Thornhill has been a great player on Virginia’s defense for three seasons now. At Virginia, he has accumulated 202 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 12 interceptions, 25 passes defended and one forced fumble. His senior season, he has totaled 92 tackles, 3.5 tackles, five interceptions and six passes defended.
He has solid size for a defensive back at 6-foot and 210 pounds. Thornhill could play corner or free safety at the NFL level.
Projected draft range: Fourth round-sixth round
Olamide Zaccheaus, WR
Zaccheaus is an all-purpose player for Virginia that can be dynamic when the ball is in his hands. In his career, he has 239 receptions, 2,688 yards and 19 touchdowns. This season for Virginia, Zaccheaus has 82 receptions for 973 yards and six touchdowns. He also has experience as a runner with 317 rushing yards in his career.
At 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, he is undersized, but could play slot receiver Zaccheaus has added value as a kick returner as well.
Projected draft range: Sixth round-undrafted free agent
Make sure to check out our college football page for more updates and rankings.
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