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 Rose Bowl.
Ohio State Buckeyes Draft Prospects
Garrett Wilson, WR
Wilson has been an impact receiver since his freshman season and has continually improved over the course of his career. In his time as a Buckeye, Wilson has 143 catches for 2,213 yards and 23 touchdowns. This season, Wilson has caught 70 passes for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He has decent size for an NFL wide receiver at 6-foot and 188 pounds. Wilson may need to add some strength, but he has solid route-running skills and he can run after the catch well. He is a projected early pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Top 20 Pick
*Wilson has since opted out of the Rose Bowl.
Chris Olave, WR
Olave could have been selected early in the 2021 NFL Draft, but decided to return for a senior season at Ohio State. He has 175 receptions for 2,702 yards and 35 touchdowns in his illustrious Buckeye career. This season, he has caught 65 passes for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns.
At 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds, he is a solid size for an NFL receiver. He too may need to add some strength, but Olave’s game is built on speed. Olave is a smooth operator who can consistently get open. He is currently projected to be a first or second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
*Olave has since opted out of the Rose Bowl.
*Nicholas Petit-Frere and Haskell Garrett have also opted out of the Rose Bowl.
Other Draft Prospects:Â OT Nicholas Petit-Frere (1st-3rd), OG/C Thayer Munford (2nd-3rd), EDGE Zach Harrison (2nd-4th), DL Haskell Garrett (2nd-4th), TE Jeremy Ruckert (3rd-5th), EDGE Tyreke Smith (3rd-5th), CB Sevyn Banks (6th-UFA), S Marcus Hooker (6th-UFA), K Noah Ruggles (UFA), OG/C Matthew Jones (UFA), DL Taran Vincent (UFA), LB Teradja Mitchell (UFA), OG/C Harry Miller (UFA), S Josh Proctor (UFA), RB Master Teague (UFA), LB Palaie Gaoteote (UFA), CB Tyreke Johnson (UFA)
Utah Utes Draft Prospects
Devin Lloyd, LB
For the last three seasons, Lloyd has made a huge impact on the Utah defense. In his career, Lloyd has 252 total tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks and five interceptions in his career. This season, he has 107 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks and four interceptions.
He has great size for an NFL linebacker at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds. His knack for finding and bringing down the ball carrier will help his draft stock. Lloyd is currently projected to be one of the first linebackers selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, which would land him in the first round.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
Brant Kuithe, TE
Kuithe has been a matchup problem for opposing defenses at Utah for the past four seasons. In his career, he has 123 catches for 1,599 yards and 13 touchdowns. This season, Kuithe has helped the Utah offense with 44 receptions for 534 yards and six touchdowns.
At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Kuithe is undersized for a tight end. He may need to play a little bit of fullback and H-back in order to increase his value to an NFL team. Currently, he is projected to be a late round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fifth Round Pick-Seventh Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects:Â TE Dalton Kincaid (6th-UFA), EDGE Mike Tafua (6th-UFA), LB Nephi Sewell (UFA), OG/C Nick Ford (UFA), TE Cole Fotheringham (UFA), WR Britain Covey (UFA)
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