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 2021 Bahamas Bowl.
Blankenship has been making plays for Middle Tennessee for five seasons. He has 415 total tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, nine interceptions and 19 passes defended. Over his career, Blankenship has improved and possibly had his best season in 2021. He finished the regular season with 106 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, eight passes defended and one interception.
At 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds, Blankenship has solid size for a safety. He could’ve gone pro after the 2020 season and been drafted, but elected to return to school. Blankenship has overcome injury in his career and now could be drafted in the later rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Jimmy Marshall, WR
Marshall is another fifth-year season who has really helped Middle Tennessee. In his five seasons, Marshall has 101 catches for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns. For the 2021 season, Marshall has totaled 45 receptions for 510 yards and six touchdowns. It was one of his two decently-productive years in college along with 2019.
The measurables of Marshall will give him some extra looks by the NFL. He stands 6-foot-5 and 229 pounds, which is very rare for a wide receiver. If Marshall is able to test well, some NFL teams will be interested in drafting him. He is currently projected to be an undrafted free agent in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Other Draft Prospects: RB Martell Pettaway (UFA), LB DQ Thomas (UFA)
Jamal Hines, Edge
Hines has been a role player for a few seasons at Toledo, but he really broke out this season. In his career, he has 36.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. In 2021, Hines has recorded 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, showing his improvement in the process.
He won’t be the biggest edge rusher in the 2022 NFL Draft class at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, but it is big enough. Hines does have some eligibility left, so he may be able to return to school to prove that 2021 wasn’t a fluke. His sack production has him currently slated as a late-round 2022 NFL Draft pick.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Desjuan Johnson, Edge
There could be two edge rushers from Toledo who could get some attention from the NFL. Johnson steadily improved throughout his career as a Rocket. He has 28.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks in his career. For the 2021 season, Johnson has tallied 12 tackle for loss and 4.5 sacks, which makes it his best season of his career.
Johnson is a little bit bigger than Hines at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds. He currently plays outside linebacker, but may be able to put his hand on the ground and be a defensive end in the NFL. Johnson is expected to be an undrafted free agent or a very late draft pick.
Projected Draft Range: Seventh Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects: CB Sam Womack (6th-UFA), OT Vitaliy Gurman (6th-UFA), DB Tycen Anderson (UFA)
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