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 Jared Birmingham Bowl.
Memphis Tigers Prospects
Darrell Henderson, RB
Henderson has already said he is declaring for the NFL Draft, but there are conflicting reports on whether he will play in the bowl game. He is likely out though. In his career, Henderson has 3,545 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. This season he is second in the nation for rushing yards with 1,909 and has the most rushing touchdowns in the country with 22. Henderson has also shown a proficiency for catching passes with 63 receptions for 758 yards and eight touchdowns in his three seasons at Memphis.
He is a little short at 5-foot-9, but has a solid build at 200 pounds. Henderson has done enough to prove he is one of the best running backs in the draft class, so not playing in the game won’t change his draft status.
Projected draft range: Second round-Fourth round
*Henderson has since said that he is sitting out this bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Trevon Tate, OG/OT
Tate has been starting since his freshman season and has experience at both tackle spots. He has helped skill position players in wide receiver Anthony Miller and Henderson improve their draft stock. This season he made the American Athletic Conference second team for his play.
His size will likely mean he needs to shift inside to guard in the pros, as he is 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds. Either way, he will have added value due to his ability to play multiple positions.
Projected draft range: Sixth round-undrafted free agent
Drew Kyser, C
At center, Kyser has anchored the line for Memphis for the last few seasons. He was named to the Rimington watch list for three straight seasons, the award given to the nation’s best center. Kyser has shown ability in both pass blocking and run blocking.
He has great size for a center at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds. His experience will give him a shot to make an NFL roster.
Projected draft range: Seventh round-undrafted free agent
Curtis Akins, LB
Akins has been an impact player for three straight seasons as a Tiger. At Memphis, he has 267 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, four passes defended, two fumbles recovered and three forced fumbles. This season he has 91 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one pass defended, one fumble recovered and one forced fumble.
He has decent size at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds.
Projected draft range: Undrafted free agent
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prospects
Ryan Anderson, C
Anderson has experience at both center and right tackle in his time at Wake Forest, but looked his best at center. In 2017, Anderson made the All-ACC second team and finished out his senior season well, even though he did not get named to an All-ACC team.
At 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds, Anderson has tremendous size for a center. He’ll fit best as a center in the NFL.
Projected draft range: Sixth round-undrafted free agent
Cameron Glenn, S
It is possible that Wake Forest could have a safety drafed in back to back years after Jesse Bates was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals last year. Glenn has 262 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions, 11 passes defended, four fumbles recovered, four fumbles forced and a touchdown in his career. In 2018 he has tallied 91 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four passes defended and two passes defended.
Glenn stands 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, which is solid given that he will most likely play free safety in the NFL.
Projected draft range: Sixth round-undrafted free agent
Justin Herron, OT
Herron has incredibly started at left tackle for four seasons at Wake Forest. He was rewarded for his play in 2017 by being named to the All-ACC third team. He has finished out a strong career at Wake Forest that should get him some NFL Draft consideration.
He has solid height for a tackle at 6-foot-6, but needs to add on to his 290-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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