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 Boca Raton Bowl.
Nay’Quan Wright, RB
Wright spent four seasons at Florida where he played sparingly. He transferred to USF before the 2023 season and produced. In his career, he has 1,510 rushing yards, 438 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. This season has been his best yet with 757 rushing yards, 23 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns.
He isn’t the tallest running back at 5-foot-9, but has a filled-out frame at 209 pounds. The production wasn’t great for a five-season-college career, but he did play well this season, which could get him some NFL looks. If he can play special teams, that will help his chances.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Donovan Jennings, IOL
Jennings is one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the draft class. He joined USF in 2018, starting in four games that season. In 2019 he started eight games at left tackle. Jennings stayed in the starting lineup the rest of his career. He made the All-AAC team in 2021, but then got injured in 2022. In 2023 he decided to return to the school and helped them get to bowl eligibility.
At 6-foot-5 and 333 pounds, Jennings has good size for an NFL offensive lineman. He may be a candidate to move to the interior where his size could win and where he wouldn’t be responsible for blocking on an island. An appearance in the bowl game will give him the most games played by a USF player ever.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Marlowe Wax, LB
Wax joined Syracuse in 2020 and started contributing right away. He has improved every season he has been with the program and the stats back that up. In his career, he has 284 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. This season he has tallied 101 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.
At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds Wax has decent size for an NFL linebacker. He has shown a nose for the football and good instincts. His stock could be higher if he made more plays on the ball in coverage. He is likely going to be a late round pick or undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: 6th Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Alijah Clark, DB
Clark started his career at Rutgers in 2021. He transferred to Syracuse in 2022 and has played the last two seasons for the Orange. In his career, Clark has 124 total tackles, one interception and five passes defended. This season, he has tallied 65 total tackles and three passes defended.
He stands at 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds. Clark has some decent length, but will need to add strength to hold up at the next level. He has played around the defensive backfield, which will help his case to make a roster. If he can play special teams, it helps his case to make an NFL roster.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
*TE Oronde Gadsen II missed the season with an injury. He is a projected late-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: LB Stefon Thompson (UFA), IOL Christopher Bleich (UFA), EGE Caleb Okechukwu (UFA)
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