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 2024 Citrus Bowl.
Nick Emmanwori, S
Emmanwori joined South Carolina in 2022 and started as a true freshman. He continued starting for the Gamecocks, logging games at safety and corner through the 2024 season. In 2024, Emmanwori has registered 83 total tackles, four interceptions and two passes defended.
At 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, Emmanwori has excellent size for an NFL safety. He has the ability to play in the box and help against the run. Emmanwori isn’t a player who should be left on an island in coverage, but he has done enough to show he can improve.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Fourth Round Pick
TJ Sanders, DL
Sanders joined South Carolina in 2021, but didn’t play much in his first few seasons with the school. His role increased in 2023 and he produced, keeping that momentum through 2024. This season, he has registered 48 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks.
He is only 290 pounds at 6-foot-4, so he could fill out his frame a bit more to match up with interior linemen. Sanders has solid athleticism to make up for his lack of mass. A return to school could help his stock, as he still has eligibility remaining.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
*EDGE Kyle Kennard has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected day-two pick.
Other Draft Prospects: RB Raheim Sanders (4th-6th), DL Tonka Hemingway (4th-6th), CB O’Donnell Fortune (6th-UFA), LB Demetrius Knight (6th-UFA), DL Alex Huntley (UFA), DL DeAndre Jules (UFA), S DQ Smith (UFA), EDGE Bryan Thomas (UFA), WR Jared Brown (UFA), IOL Vershon Lee (UFA)
Xavier Scott, S
Scott joined Illinois in 2022 and provided depth before getting his first start in the bowl game at the end of the season. He jumped into the starting lineup in 2023 and stayed there in 2024. This season, he has 44 total tackles, four interceptions and six passes defended.
At 5-foot-11 and 190, Scott isn’t the biggest safety and can fill out his frame more. He has plenty of ball skills that he has shown over the last two seasons. Scott can improve his chances of making a team by excelling at special teams, but he could also return to school to use his remaining eligibility.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
Gabe Jacas, EDGE
Jacas first suited up for Illinois in 2022 and immediately created an impact. He registered four sacks in 2022 and then again in 2023. Jacas really raised his level of play in 2024. This season, he has 66 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
He stands at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, which is good size for an NFL edge rusher. Jacas could be somewhat of a tweener between an edge and interior lineman, with his best fit possibly being as a 3-4 defensive end. However teams use to deploy him, he has value to get drafted, but may return to school for another season.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
*WR Pat Bryant has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected mid-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: OT JC Davis (5th-7th), WR Zakhari Franklin (6th-UFA), S Miles Scott (UFA), QB Luke Altmeyer (UFA), EDGE Seth Coleman (UFA), DL Dennis Briggs (UFA)
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