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 2022 Bahamas Bowl.
UAB Blazers Draft Prospects
DeWayne McBride, RB
McBride has been a great running back for the Blazers over the last three seasons. In his career, he has 3,523 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns in his career. McBride has been the nation’s leading rusher this season with 1,713 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, McBride is a bruising running back. He shows great contact balance and runs through arm tackles. He will likely be a two-down back, which will limit his value. McBride’s future is up in the air, as he may enter the draft or transfer with UAB getting a new head coach next season.
Projected Draft Range: Fifth Round Pick-Seventh Round Pick
Noah Wilder, LB
Wilder has been playing for UAB for four seasons, but has made a big impact over the last two seasons. In his career, he has 330 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. This season, Wilder has 102 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two passes defended and two fumble recoveries.
Wilder is 6-foot and 230 pounds and has shown the ability to track ball carriers down when playing against the run. He will need to show improvements in defending the pass, but will most likely have a chance to battle for a job on special teams in the NFL.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects: OT Kadeem Telfort (UFA), Starling Thomas V (UFA)
Miami RedHawks Draft Prospects
Matthew Salopek, S
After not playing much in his first two seasons on campus, Salopek has been all over the field for the RedHawks over the last two seasons. He has 236 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and seven passes defended in his career. For the 2022 season, Salopek had 109 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
At 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds, Salopek has solid size for a safety. He has shown to be able to play near the line of scrimmage and help out against the run. Salopek is one of the best tacklers in college football. He will likely be a late-round pick if he declares.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Mac Hippenhammer, WR
Hippenhammer started his career at Penn State before transferring to Miami for the last three seasons. He has 112 career receptions for 1,707 yards and 14 touchdowns. For this season, Hippenhammer has registered 52 catches for 726 yards and eight touchdowns, which is impressive given that Miami hasn’t been efficient throwing the ball this season.
He stands at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, which will make him a smaller receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft. He’ll have to add to his frame, but he can fit in as a slot receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft. Hippenhammer has good quickness and agility, which could give him a shot to make an NFL roster.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects: LB Ryan McWood (UFA), EDGE Brian Ugwu (UFA)
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