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 Hawai’i Bowl.
South Florida Bulls Draft Prospects
Nay’Quan Wright, RB
Wright played three seasons at Florida at the start of his college career. He was a rotational back for the Gators, so he transferred to USF for the 2023 season. Wright has had two successful years for the Bulls. In 2024, he rushed for 494 yards and seven touchdowns.
While he is short at 5-foot-9, Wright has a filled-out frame at 209 pounds. His best season was 2023, as his production has taken a hit this season. He has shown some receiving ability throughout his career, which will help his stock.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Decarius Hawthorne, DL
From 2020-2023, Hawthorne played his college football at FAU. He had plenty of experience over his last three seasons with the Owls, but really impressed in his last season there. Hawthorne continued to play well at USF with 10 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
At 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, Hawthorne is undersized for an interior defensive lineman. He’ll have to prove that his athleticism is good enough to make up for his lack of size. His production will give him a chance to make an NFL roster.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects: QB Byrum Brown (UFA), P Andrew Stokes (UFA), WR Sean Atkins (UFA)
San Jose State Spartans Draft Prospects
Jordan Pollard, LB
Pollard is a junior who joined San Jose State in 2022. He has developed every season, continually improving from when he joined the Spartans until now. In 2024, Pollard has racked up 110 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and two sacks.
Pollard is extremely undersized linebacker at 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds. He has more of the size of a safety and might need a position change at the next level. Pollard finds the football well and could get a role on special teams to help make a roster. A return to school to add to his frame could help.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Soane Toia, DL
Toia joined SJSU in 2020 and has been a player that improved. He played a little bit as a freshman, but since 2021 he has been a mainstay on their defense. This season was his most productive, as he made the All-MWC First Team with 55 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
He is also severely undersized for his position at 6-foot and 278 pounds. That will make it hard for him to hold up on the interior. Adding weight could help him, otherwise he may be more of a tweener during his college career.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
*WR Nick Nash has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected late-round pick.
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