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 Texas Bowl.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Draft Prospects
Jaylon Hutchings, DL
Hutchings has been at Texas Tech for five seasons and has really stepped his game up over the last two seasons. In his time as a Red Raider, he has 140 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. This season, he has 44 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
He has solid size at 6-foot and 305 pounds and can fit in on an NFL defensive line. He doesn’t have much sack production, but he can really help a defense stop the run. Currently, he is a projected late-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fifth Round Pick-Seventh Round Pick
SaRodorick Thompson, RB
Thompson has been with the Red Raiders for five seasons and has been decently productive for the last four. In his career, Thompson has 2,650 rushing yards, 532 receiving yards and 40 total touchdowns. This season he has 670 rushing yards, 131 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns.
At 6-foot and 215 pounds, Thompson has good size for an NFL running back. He played in a pass-happy offense at Texas Tech, so his rushing yards were limited, but he should likely have more receiving yards as a back who played a lot over his career.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
*EDGE Tyree Wilson is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected first-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: QB Tyler Shough (UFA), LB Krishon Merriweather (UFA)
Zach Evans, RB
Evans originally played for TCU before transferring to Ole Miss for this season. In his collegiate career, he has 1,962 rushing yards, 299 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns. For the Rebels this season, he has 899 rushing yards, 93 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns.
He has ok size for an NFL running back at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. While Ole Miss has a more productive running back, Evans was still able to display his talent this season. He has solid vision, can run through arm tackles and has a nice jump cut.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Nick Broeker, OG/C
Broeker has been a key part of Ole Miss since his freshman season in 2019. He started at left tackle as a freshman and was named a Freshman All-American by a few outlets. He continued starting at left tackle for the next two seasons. This season, he made the move to guard for the Rebels. He was named Second-Team All-SEC for his play this season.
At 6-foot-5 and 315, Broeker has good enough size for the NFL and the move to the interior will likely pay off long-term, as that is likely where he will play at the next level. He is still learning how to play on the interior, but the 2022 season was a success for him.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: WR Jonathan Mingo (4th-6th), LB Troy Brown (4th-6th), S Isheem Young (5th-7th), CB Ladarius Tennison (6th-UFA), EDGE Cedric Johnson (UFA), LB Khari Coleman (UFA), OG/C Jeremy James (UFA), S A.J. Finley (UFA), EDGE Jared Ivey (UFA)
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