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 2023 68 Ventures Bowl.
Yam Banks, S
Yam Banks joined South Alabama in 2020 and started playing more full-time in the 2021 season. He was named First Team All-Sun Belt in 2022 and Third Team All-Sun Belt in 2023. In his career, he has registered 145 total tackles, seven interceptions and 14 passes defended. This season, he tallied 44 total tackles, one interception and two passes defended.
At 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds he has decent size for an NFL defensive back. While he showed good ball skills in 2022, he didn’t display them in 2023. His body of work for his career could be good enough to get him selected. He still has eligibility remaining, so he may elect to return to school.
Projected Draft Range: 6th Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
La’Damian Webb, RB
Webb started his college career at community college and transferred to Florida State. He then moved to South Alabama before the 2022 season. In his career, he has 2,443 rushing yards, 425 receiving yards and 35 total touchdowns. This season, he has 1,007 rushing yards, 144 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns.
He stands 5-foot-7 and 210 pounds, which makes him shorter, but well-built for an NFL running back. Webb two great years of good rushing production, but also was able to show decent skills as a receiver. He is unlikely to be drafted and will likely have to play special teams to make a roster.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Tanner Knue, WR
Knue joined Eastern Michigan way back in 2018. He started producing in a major way in 2020 and hasn’t looked back. In his career, he has caught 154 passes for 1,866 yards and 17 touchdowns. This season, he has 50 receptions for 479 yards and three touchdowns.
He is 5-foot-11 an 174 pounds, which is undersized for an NFL receiver. Knue will likely have to play in the slot at the NFL level and may have to play special teams to get a shot to make a roster. He currently is projected to be an undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Joe Sparacio, LB
Sparacio spent four seasons at Boston College before transferring to Eastern Michigan for the last two seasons. In his collegiate career, he has racked up 282 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and six sacks. This season was his best yet with 132 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
He is undersized for an NFL linebacker at 5-foot-11 and 226 pounds. Sparacio has shown great ability as a run defender and as a pass rusher, but needs to work on his coverage skills. He will also likely have to make special teams to make an NFL roster.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
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