The 7-5 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers will play the 7-5 San Jose State Spartans in the 2023 Hawaii Bowl. How many NFL Draft prospects will play in this game, and what are their projections at the next level?
Hawaii Bowl Prospect Preview
Two of the biggest names from either team in this bowl game have already left through the transfer portal. Grayson McCall, one of the most productive Sun Belt passers in recent memory, transferred to NC State, while wide receiver Jared Brown transferred to South Carolina.
Brown is a sleeper to be an early-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, but in the meantime, there’s still talent to note on both the Coastal Carolina and San Jose State rosters.
Coastal Carolina NFL Draft Prospects
Sam Pinckney, WR
Sam Pinckney first broke out as a redshirt sophomore in 2020 when he was playing for the Georgia State Panthers. But after a down 2021, he transferred to Coastal Carolina in 2022 and immediately became a top target for McCall.
MORE: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
In two full seasons at Coastal, Pinckney has amassed 135 catches for 1,900 yards and 10 touchdowns. At 6’4″, 210 pounds, he’s a chain-moving asset and a deep threat with his targeted physicality, easy acceleration, and snaring ability at the catch point.
There isn’t much space to go around on the draft board, but Pinckney could be a Day 3 selection if he tests well in the offseason. If not, he should still be a coveted PFA.
Keonte Lusk, CB
Pinckney is the Chanticleers’ top 2024 NFL Draft prospect in this game, but Keonte Lusk is also worth watching, especially against the Spartans’ passing attack.
Lusk had three picks and five pass breakups in 2023 after transferring from East Central. He lacks elite speed and support ability at 5’11”, 195 pounds, but he’s a twitched-up CB with good ball skills.
San Jose State NFL Draft Prospects
Chevan Cordeiro, QB
Making his return to Hawaii, Chevan Cordeiro will aim to lead San Jose State to victory. He played high school ball at Saint Louis High School in Honolulu and his first four years of college football with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
Cordeiro saved his best play, however, for his Spartans career. At 6’1″, 190 pounds, he may not pass every team’s size threshold, but he’s an able creator, a tough and aggressive competitor, and a multi-level thrower with surprising arm strength for his size.
Cordeiro could feasibly stick in an NFL rotation as a depth passer and could be a steal as a PFA.
Nick Nash, WR
Nick Nash began his San Jose State career as a quarterback and logged a decent amount of playing time under center as recently as 2021. But when Cordeiro transferred from Hawaii, Nash transitioned to WR, and it ended up being a very fruitful move.
In 2023, Nash emerged as a true go-to threat despite being only in his second year at WR. The 6’1″, 184-pound pass catcher hauled in 47 catches for 704 yards and eight touchdowns this season, using his great speed, ball-tracking ability, and body control to provide a spark.
Kairee Robinson, RB
In his fifth year at San Jose State, Kairee Robinson is knocking on the door for 20 touchdowns, and he already has 1,127 yards and 18 scores on 158 carries. He’s added 16 catches for 197 yards and two scores through the air, too.
At 5’8″, 185 pounds, Robinson is undersized, but he’s a high-energy runner with size-defying physicality, and he could be a PFA gem.