The 6-6 Syracuse Orange will play the 6-6 South Florida Bulls in the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl. How many NFL Draft prospects will play in this game, and what are their projections at the next level?
Boca Raton Prospect Preview
In the past, the Syracuse Orange have been a reliable producer of NFL talent. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Orange had two prospects selected on Day 2: Offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron in Round 2 and cornerback Garrett Williams in Round 3.
This year, there isn’t as much notable 2024 NFL Draft talent on Syracuse’s roster for the bowl game, but injuries have also played a role there.
Oronde Gadsden II, who hasn’t made his draft decision yet, has been out all year, and quarterback Garrett Shrader is also out.
Injuries will open a window of opportunity for South Florida to score a bowl game victory against a Power Five opponent. The Bulls don’t have a head-to-head talent advantage, but they do have impact players who can make the game interesting.
Syracuse NFL Draft Prospects
Caleb Okechukwu, EDGE
With Gadsden and Shrader both out due to injury, the top 2024 NFL Draft prospect on the field for the Boca Raton Bowl might be Syracuse edge rusher Caleb Okechukwu. Okechukwu is most likely a PFA prospect at best, but he has traits worth keeping an eye on.
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In 2022, Okechukwu put up seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss. His production in 2023 wasn’t as stark, but the 6’4″, 265-pound Okechukwu still flashes impressive point-of-attack power as a pass rusher. He’s not an elite speed or bend threat, but his motor runs hot in pursuit.
Jason Simmons Jr., S
Jason Simmons Jr. transferred from New Mexico State to Syracuse in 2021. And since 2022, he’s put up three interceptions and 13 pass breakups for the Orange defense. At 6’0″, 195 pounds, Simmons has decent athleticism, playmaking ability, and spatial management skills.
South Florida NFL Draft Prospects
Daquan Evans, S
The name to watch on South Florida’s roster in the 2024 NFL Draft circuit is nickel defender Daquan Evans. Evans has been a starter for the Bulls for four seasons, and in 2023, he had a career year, amassing 59 tackles, a pick, and seven pass breakups.
Evans’ coverage utility is more than passable, but his ability as a downhill attacker out of the nickel spot is especially appealing. He had 12 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2023, terrorizing runners who overlooked his speed and tenacity out of the slot.
Sean Atkins, WR
The South Florida passing offense performed well in 2023 with sophomore QB Byrum Brown at the helm, but he had help from a target-funnel WR in Sean Atkins. At 5’10”, 165 pounds, Atkins is undersized, but he’s a very reliable separator out of the slot, who put up 86 catches for 961 yards and five scores in 2023.
