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 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl.
Shane Buechele, QB
Buechele has done well at SMU after transferring in from Texas. He has helped SMU become successful over the last few seasons. In his career, he has passed for 11,660 yards, 87 touchdowns and 32 interceptions on 63.2 percent completion. This season, Buechele has 3,095 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions on 65.6 percent completion.
At 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds, Buechele doesn’t fit the prototypical size for an NFL quarterback. With his experience and good stats in college Buechele is a candidate to be selected in late rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, which should give him a chance to make a roster.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Kylen Granson, TE
Kyle Granson (Photo via 247sports.com)
One of Buechele’s favorite targets is tight end Kylen Granson. He started out his career at Rice as a wide receiver and transitioned to tight end at SMU. He has 129 catches for 1,879 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career. In 2020, He has played solidly with 35 receptions for 536 yards and five touchdowns.
He doesn’t have the size of most NFL tight ends at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, so Granson may be moved to more of an H-back role. His production and versatility warrants him being a late round draft pick or an undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects
*Wide receiver Reggie Roberson was lost for the 2020 season with an injury and will not play in this game. He is a projected middle round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
LB Richard McBryde (UFA), DB Brandon Stephens (UFA)
Jaylon Haynes, DT
Jaylon Haynes (Photo via twitter.com)
Jaylon Haynes is a senior who really started making an impact in 2019. In his four seasons at UTSA, Haynes has 80 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. This season, Haynes has 19 total tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.
At 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, Haynes has the size to play defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense at the NFL level. His 2019 season put him on the radar and with his size, he has a chance to be drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Duplessis is a senior who has had the kicking job at UTSA for the last two seasons. He has made 62/63 extra points and 25/29 field goals in his career In 2020, Duplessis has made 37/38 extra points and 16/18 field goals.
His longest field goal is 50 yards, which is solid for a college kicker. His accuracy is his main calling card though, with just one missed extra point and one missed field goal from within 40 yards in his career. Kickers don’t usually get drafted, but Duplessis will likely get some camp invites with a shot to make a roster next season.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects
TE Leroy Watson (UFA), S Savion Harris (UFA)
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