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 Dollar General Bowl.
Buffalo Bulls Prospects
Anthony Johnson, WR
Johnson has had a great two-year stint with Buffalo. He has 2,300 yards and 25 touchdowns in those two seasons. This year he has 52 receptions for 944 yards and 11 touchdowns. Johnson has become a big-play threat, as he’s averaging 18 yards per catch.
He has good size at 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, which helps him win a lot of outside matchups. He will likely be selected in the middle rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Projected draft range: Fourth round-sixth round
Khalil Hodge, LB
There is another Khalil that is playing at Buffalo now. Khalil Hodge has been a great tackler for the Bulls for three seasons. He has 414 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in his career. This season he has 138 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He specializes at stopping the run, but could be better in coverage.
He has subpar height at 6-foot-1, but has a good frame at 235 pounds. Hodge is a tackle machine that will get selected in the middle rounds and will have to prove himself on special teams.
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
Tyree Jackson, QB
Jackson is most notable for being one of the biggest quarterbacks in the class and for leading a good Buffalo offense. At Buffalo, he has 6,725 passing yards, 48 touchdowns and 25 interceptions on 55.8% completion. This season he has thrown for 2,857 yards, 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 55.1% completion. His completion percentage is a knock on him, but Josh Allen got drafted in the first round last year with a similar percentage.
At 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, Jackson has tremendous size for a quarterback. It has helped him shake off pass rushers and produce big plays.
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
Troy Trojans Prospects
Blace Brown, CB
Brown could’ve gone pro after last season and probably would have been drafted. He returned to school and his draft stock improved. In his career, he has 12 interceptions and 15 passes defended. This season he has one interception and five passes defended. Brown has been so good this season that opposing quarterbacks rarely test his coverage.
He has decent size at 6-foot and 186 pounds, but will need to add strength in order to win battles at the line of scrimmage. Brown should be considered on day two of the NFL Draft.
Projected draft range: Second round-fourth round
Cedarius Rookard, S
Rookard has four years of playing experience at Troy. He has 230 total tackles, four tackles for loss, nine interceptions, 10 passes defended, one fumble recovery and five fumbles forced at Troy. This season he has 64 total tackles, one tackle for loss, four interceptions, two passes defended and two fumbles forced.
The senior stands 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, meaning he’ll look at home as an NFL safety.
Projected draft range: Seventh round-undrafted free agent
Damion Willis, WR
Willis’ status for this game is unkown, as he missed Troy’s last game for an undisclosed reason. He will still have a chance to make the NFL regardless. In his career, he has 85 receptions for 1,395 yards and 11 touchdowns. This season he has hauled in 43 receptions for 775 yards and eight touchdowns.
He has great height at 6-foot-4, but needs to add weight to his 199-pound frame.
Projected draft range: Seventh round-undrafted free agent
Make sure to check out our college football page for more updates and rankings.
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