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.
Connor Colby, IOL
Colby joined Iowa in 2021 and was immediately impactful. He made the Freshman All-American Team for his play that season. Colby played different positions in 2022, showing his versatility. In 2023, Colby made the All-Big Ten Third Team for his play.
At 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds, Colby has good size for an NFL offensive lineman. He has experience at guard and tackle, which helps his value as a prospect. Colby has eligibility remaining and could opt to return to school to improve his stock.
Projected Draft Range: 4th Round Pick-6th Round Pick
Tory Taylor, P
Taylor joined Iowa in 2020 and has received plenty of experience during his time at Iowa. He was named a Freshman All-American in 2020 then was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist in 2021. Taylor was a First Team All-American in 2022 and 2023.
At 6-foot-4 and 231, Taylor has great size for a punter. He has consistently averaged mid to high 40s for his punting average. Not many punters get selected in the NFL Draft, but Taylor has a chance.
Projected Draft Range: 6th Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
*CB Cooper DeJean is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected First Round Pick.
*TE Luke Lachey is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected late-round pick.
*TE Erick All is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Other Draft Prospects: DL Logan Lee (6th-UFA), S Sebastian Castro (UFA), LB Nick Jackson (UFA), DL Deontae Craig (UFA), OT Mason Richman (UFA), DL Yahya Black (UFA), QB Cade McNamara (UFA)
Joe Milton, QB
Milton started his college career at Michigan. He transferred to Tennessee for the 2021 season. In his collegiate career, he has passed for 5,353 yards, 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 61.5 percent completion. This season, he has 2,813 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions on 64.7 percent completion.
At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, Milton has great size for an NFL quarterback. He has decent athleticism and one of the stronger arms in recent draft memory. Milton needs to work on reading the whole field and his accuracy.
Projected Draft Range: 5th Round Pick-7th Round Pick
Jabari Small, RB
Small joined Tennessee in 2020 and started making an impact in 2021. In his career, he has 2,118 rushing yards, 247 receiving yards and 26 total touchdowns. This season, he has registered 475 rushing yards, 40 receiving yards and two total touchdowns.
He is 5-foot-11 and 206 pounds, which is solid size for an NFL running back. Small has shown good quickness during his college career, but could work on his receiving ability to be a more versatile player. He could return to Tennessee for another season.
Projected Draft Range: 6th Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
*CB Kamal Hadden is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected mid-round pick.
*RB Jaylen Wright has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected mid-round pick.
*WR Bru McCoy is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected late-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: DL Tyler Baron (6th-UFA), OT Gerald Mincey (UFA), WR Donte Thornton (UFA), DL Omari Thomas (UFA), IOL Javontez Spraggins (UFA), S Jayden McCollough (UFA), LB Aaron Beasley (UFA), DL Elijah Simmons (UFA)
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