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 Gator Bowl.
Tyler Davis, DL
Davis joined Clemson in 2019 and has been a part of some great defensive line rotations during his tenure. In his career, he has registered 142 total tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. This season, he has tallied 31 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.
At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Davis has solid size and length for an interior defensive lineman. He probably fits in best as a 4-3 defensive tackle. There have been a couple of years when he has posted good sack totals, which will help his stock.
Projected Draft Range: 2nd Round Pick-4th Round Pick
Will Shipley, RB
Shipley signed with Clemson in 2021 and was immediately impactful. In his career, Shipley has 2,719 rushing yards, 593 receiving yards and 33 total touchdowns. This season, Shipley has 798 rushing yards, 235 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
He stands at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, which is solid size for a running back. Shipley has solid quickness and power. His experience as a receiver out of the backfield will also help his stock. Shipley has eligibility left an may return to school.
Projected Draft Range: 3rd Round Pick-5th Round Pick
*CB Nate Wiggins has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected first-round pick.
* LB Jeremiah Trotter has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected second to third-round pick.
*DL Ruke Orhorhoro has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected second to fourth-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: CB Sheridan Jones (4th-6th), EDGE Xavier Thomas (4th-6th), TE Jake Briningstool (5th-7th), IOL Will Putnam (6th-UFA), S RJ Mickens (UFA), OT Tristan Leigh (UFA), OT Marcus Tate (UFA), DL Payton Page (UFA)
Ray Davis, RB
Davis started his career at Temple. He then transferred to Vanderbilt before finishing his career at Kentucky for the 2023 season. For his collegiate career, he has 3,563 rushing yards, 756 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns. This season, he totaled 1,066 rushing yards, 317 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.
At 5-foot-10 and 216 pounds, Davis is well-built for the NFL at the running back position. He has good vision and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is solid. There has been plenty of wear and tear on his body throughout his college career, but if he is healthy, he has value as a mid-round running back.
Projected Draft Range: 4th Round Pick-6th Round Pick
Andru Phillips, CB
Phillips joined Kentucky in 2020, but really started contributing in 2022. In his career, he has 79 total tackles and nine passes defended. This season has been his best yet with 44 total tackles and four passes defended.
At 6-foot and 187 pounds, Phillips will likely have to add weight to his frame in order to be stronger. This will help him be a more well-rounded safety. He has eligibility remaining and likely will return to school in order to improve his draft stock.
Projected Draft Range: 5th Round Pick-7th Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: CB Maxwell Hairston (5th-7th), LB J.J. Weaver (5th-7th), OT Marques Cox (6th-UFA), LB Tevin Wallace (6th-UFA), QB Devin Leary (UFA), DL Keesawn Silver (UFA), IOL Jager BUrton (UFA), IOL Eli Cox (UFA), IOL Kenneth Horsey (UFA)
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