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 Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl.
UAB Blazers Prospects
A.J. Erdely, QB
Figuring out UAB draft prospcects is tough given that they did not have a football program two years ago. Erdely has been the starting quarterback for the team over the past two seasons, but is questionable for this game with a shoulder injury. He has 3,870 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 58.8% completion at UAB. This season he has totaled 1,539 passing yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions on 56.1% completion in nine games.
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Erdely is well-built for an NFL quarterback. He likely won’t be drafted, but may get a chance to make a roster.
Projected draft range: Undrafted free agent
Andre Wilson, WR
Wilson has been productive for the Blazers over the last two seasons. He has 84 receptions for 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns at UAB. In 2018, he has 30 catches for 486 yards and five touchdowns. He has added value as a runner with 104 yards and a touchdown. He also is a returner who averages 20.7 yards per kickoff return and 9.1 yards per punt return.
He is undersized at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, but if he can prove to win on the outside or in the slot, he could find himself an NFL home.
Projected draft range: Undrafted free agent
Northern Illinois Huskies Prospects
Max Scharping, OT
Scharping has played in every game of his career. He has experience and has played guard, right tackle and left tackle in his career. He gave up his first sack since 2015 this season, demonstrating his great pass blocking.
He is 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, which is good size for a tackle and great size for a guard. Scharping could hear his name called as early as Day 2 of the NFL draft.
Projected draft range: Third round-fifth round
Sutton Smith, DE
Two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year Sutton Smith is definitely on the radar of NFL teams. He has 134 total tackles, 56.5 tackles for loss and 30 sacks at Northern Illinois. This season he has 56 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. He is an ace at causing turnovers with seven forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in his career.
At 6-foot-1 and 237 pounds, he doesn’t fit the prototypical mold of an NFL pass rusher. Players his size have been effective in the NFL, including Dwight Freeney, but their draft stock usually isn’t as high. He is just a junior and may return to school for his senior season
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
*Albert Smalls is out for this game with an undisclosed injury. His draft range is an undrafted free agent.
Make sure to check out our college football page for more updates and rankings.
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