The 11-1 James Madison Dukes will play the 8-4 Air Force Falcons in the 2023 Armed Forces Bowl. How many NFL Draft prospects will be present in this matchup, and are there any high-upside sleepers to make note of?
Armed Forces Bowl Prospect Preview
James Madison’s head coach Curt Cignetti left to become head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, and the Dukes have already lost several impact players to the transfer portal as a result. But that doesn’t mean the cupboard will be bare for the team’s bowl contest against Air Force.
On the other sideline, the Falcons may still be outmatched from a team talent perspective, but they have a player on the defensive side of the ball who can turn the tides while also potentially boosting his 2024 NFL Draft stock.
James Madison NFL Draft Prospects
Jamree Kromah, DL
The Dukes may have lost Jalen Green to a knee injury, and Mikhail Kamara also left via the transfer portal. But James Madison still has a very intriguing 2024 NFL Draft prospect on the defensive line in former Rutgers commit Jamree Kromah.
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Kromah, at 6’4″, 275 pounds, is a powerful and alignment-versatile lineman who amassed 10 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 12 games this year. Kromah has the raw physical tools to earn interest as a developmental player at the next level.
Reggie Brown, WR
James Madison’s starting quarterback, Jordan McCloud, entered the transfer portal, but that doesn’t mean their passing attack will be completely devoid of utility in the Armed Forces Bowl. The Dukes still have veteran WR Reggie Brown.
Brown caught 51 passes for 1,010 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023. A vertical threat with good speed and coordination, he specializes at winning on the boundary and on back-shoulder balls.
Air Force NFL Draft Prospects
Trey Taylor, S
Without McCloud, the Air Force defense might not be tested quite as much down the field. But Brown’s vertical presence still bears noting, and the Falcons will rely on Jim Thorpe Award winner Trey Taylor to help limit his impact.
Taylor, who stands around 6’0″, 205 pounds, had a career year in 2023, putting up 71 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a half-sack, three interceptions, and four pass deflections. Not only did he win the Thorpe Award, but he also earned an invite to the Shrine Bowl.
Being a former running back convert, Taylor knows how to play angles in support and approach runners at contact, but he’s just as potent in coverage, where he has the range and playmaking ability to make offenses pay for testing him.
