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 Hawaii Bowl.
Jonah Tavai, DL
Tavai has been a great player for San Diego State over his four seasons on campus. He has 145 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 23.5 sacks in his career. For the 2022 season, he has 56 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
At 6-foot and 295 pounds, Tavai has decent size, but they won’t be the best measurables in the 2023 NFL Draft. His production as a pass rusher from the interior is something NFL scouts will covet. He may be able to work his way into the NFL as a rotational pass rusher on the interior. Tavai could be a late-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fifth Round Pick-Seventh Round Pick
Patrick McMorris, S
While he has been on campus his whole college career, McMorris has made a big impact in the last two seasons. For his career, he has 160 total tackles, five interceptions and 15 passes defended. This season, McMorris has 59 total tackles, one interception and five passes defended.
McMorris has decent size for a safety at 6-foot and 210 pounds. His ability to help out against the run will be noted by NFL evaluators. He needs to improve his ball skills and his coverage to routinely see the field at the next level. McMorris could be a late-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects: WR Tyrell Shavers (6th-UFA), WR Jesse Matthews (UFA), LB Michael Shawcroft (UFA), EDGE Keshawn Banks (UFA)
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Draft Prospects
Jordan Ferguson, EDGE
Although he has been on campus for five seasons, Ferguson has taken giant steps forward over the last two years. He has 207 total tackles, 43.5 tackles for loss and 20 sacks in his career. In 2022, he has 63 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
At 6-foot-2 and 262 pounds, Ferguson has the size, but not the length that is desired for NFL pass rushers. His production can’t go unnoticed, as he has two straight seasons of at least eight sacks. He also has been great at forcing fumbles with five over the course of his career. He will likely be a late round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Jordan Palmer, OG/C
Palmer started his career off at the JUCO level, but transferred to Middle Tennessee for the last three seasons. He has started every game when healthy for the Blue Raiders over the last three seasons. Following the 2021 season, he was a C-USA Honorable Mention. He has missed some time with injury this season, but has returned to the lineup.
He is 6-foot and 297 pounds, so he has the weight, but all eyes will be on how his arms measure in testing. Palmer has proven to be a better run blocker and will need to work on his pass blocking for the next level.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects: P Kyle Ulbrich (UFA)
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