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 2020 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Draft Prospects
Milton Williams, Edge
Williams started the season off hot, but cooled down. He still finished the season with 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Over his three years as a Bulldog, Williams has registered 19 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Most of that production has been over the last two years.
At 6-foot-4 and 278 pounds, Williams has the size for an NFL pass rusher. As a junior, Williams could return to Louisiana Tech for another year in an effort to improve his draft stock. Right now, he is a projected late round pick or undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Kody Russey, OG/C
Russey has been on Louisiana Tech’s campus for five years and has been a good player for the Bulldogs. He redshirted in his first year on campus, but consistently saw playing time after that point. The center has received a lot of experience, but has also garnered some good recognition as an All-C-USA honorable mention.
At 6-foot-1, 290 pounds Russey falls below the size standards that NFL teams usually look for in an NFL offensive lineman. He will likely go undrafted because of this, but will have a shot to make an NFL roster as a free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects
*Wide Receiver Adrian Hardy has opted out of the rest of the season to prepare for the NFL Draft. He is a projected late round pick.
*Edge rusher Willie Baker has not played this season with an injury. He is a projected late round pick.
*Quarterback Luke Anthony suffered a leg injury and will not play in this game. He is a projected undrafted free agent.
Georgia Southern Eagles Draft Prospects
Shai Werts, QB
Werts operates the triple option for the Eagles and has done so well for the last four seasons. In his career, he has 3,001 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns. This goes along with his 3,652 career passing yards. In 2020, Werts has 937 passing yards, 638 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns.
He is 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, which wouldn’t be good enough size to play quarterback in the NFL, but Werts is a candidate to have a position change. Werts could play running back like other option quarterbacks, Keenan Reynolds and Dennard Robinson, because of his athleticism and quick mental processing. He is a project because of that and a projected undrafted free agent. Werts may not play in this game with an injury.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Rashad Byrd, LB
Ever since he stepped foot on campus, Byrd has been producing for the Eagles. He has 246 career tackles, three sacks, four interceptions, 10 passes defended, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. In 2020, Byrd has 67 total tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, four passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
At 6-foot and 230 pounds, Byrd doesn’t have the prototypical size of an NFL linebacker. He is big enough to play if given the chance. Byrd is a projected undrafted free agent in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Other Draft Prospects
*Running back J.D. King is out for this game with a knee injury. He is a projected undrafted free agent.
LB Randy Wade (UFA), Edge Raymond Johnson (UFA)
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