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 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.
Daiyan Henley, OLB
Henley started his career at Nevada, where he played for five seasons. He played well for the Wolf Pack in 2021 and transferred to Washington State for the 2022 season. In his career, Henley has 256 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. This season, Henley has totaled 106 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks.
At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Henley is undersized for an NFL linebacker. He is a former high school quarterback who has has a solid football IQ and some speed to go with it. His ability to pursue ball carriers will get him noticed by scouts. He is currently projected to be a mid to late round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
Cam Ward, QB
Ward started his career at Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State. He won the Jerry Rice award, given to the best freshman in the FCS in 2020 and was a Second Team All-American at the FCS level in 2021. At Washington State, Ward has passed for 3,094 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 64.1 percent completion. He also has 62 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
His size, at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, is good enough for the NFL level. He has an NFL-level arm and can keep plays alive with his legs. Another year at the college level would allow him to improve his accuracy and ability to read the whole field. If he does go pro, he is a projected late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects: CB Armani Marsh (UFA), OG/C Jarrett Kingston (UFA)
Jalen Moreno-Cropper, WR
Cropper-Moreno is one of the many players who showed natural progression throughout his four seasons in College. He has 216 catches for 2,659 yards and 21 touchdowns in his career. For the 2022 season, Cropper-Moreno has caught 79 passes for 1,044 yards and five touchdowns.
At 6-foot and 173 pounds, Moreno-Cropper has to add weight to his frame to hold up against physical coverage. He has shown the ability to make big plays for Fresno State and that should translate to the next level. Moreno-Cropper is a projected mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
Jake Haener, QB
Haener started his career at Washington and even considered transferring back there for the 2022 season, but ultimately decided to finish his career with the Bulldogs. He has 8,840 passing yards, 66 touchdowns and 18 interceptions on 68.3 percent completion in his career. This season, Haener has passed for 2,616 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions on 72.6 percent completion. He missed some time due to injury, which limited his stats on the year.
He won’t be the biggest quarterback in the NFL at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, but Haener has been a tough player for the Bulldogs. Haener is accurate, but isn’t afraid to take chances with his gunslinging mentality. He is currently projected to be a late round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fifth Round Pick-Seventh Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: EDGE David Perales (6th-UFA), S Evan Williams (6th-UFA), RB Jordan Mims (6th-UFA), OT Dontae Bull (UFA)
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