The college football bowl season is well underway. Saturday at noon ET, the Arkansas State Red Wolves take on the Northern Illinois Huskies on ESPN.
The 2024 NFL Draft is coming into focus as the bowl games begin. We’re looking at the top NFL prospects in the Camellia Bowl. Will we see anyone drafted from this contest?
Top NFL Draft Prospects in Camellia Bowl
The Camellia Bowl has a few prospects to watch, but the transfer portal has impacted this game in a big way. According to College Football Network’s bowl game opt-out tracker, 18 players are slated to miss this game.
Arkansas State Red Wolves Prospects
Courtney Jackson, WR
After playing sparingly across four years for Syracuse, fifth-year junior receiver Courtney Jackson has come into his own for the Red Wolves this season. The 5’11”, 185-pounder is averaging 17.3 yards per catch, totaling 38 receptions for 658 yards and seven scores. He plays fast, can get over the top of defenders, and runs to green space.
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His game is more based on finesse movements that get him clear of defenders than strength or precise routes. Still, a movement-based offense like Miami or San Francisco should like Jackson’s speed and ability to win from the slot. He still has a year of eligibility, though, so Jackson might end up in the 2025 class.
Northern Illinois Huskies Prospects
Antario Brown, RB
The best NFL prospect in this matchup is easily Antario Brown. The 5’10”, 214-pound junior has been productive since earning playing time as a true freshman in 2021. He exploded in 2023, carrying the ball for 1,164 yards and 10 touchdowns.
His low center of gravity makes him difficult to bring down, but he’s still quick enough to force advantageous tackling angles at the second level of the defense.
Brown should strongly consider entering the NFL Draft, considering the lack of clear Day 3 options in the class.
Although he has only 13 career receptions, Brown’s workload and efficiency bode well for his projection as a backup. He should turn heads at the NFL combine with his explosion scores.
Devonte O’Malley, DL
An undersized defensive lineman at 6’2″ and 265 pounds, Devonte O’Malley is finishing out a collegiate career that was consistently solid. Although he won’t project as a full-time player at the next level, he can rotate into 3-4 fronts as an end and provide some penetration skill. His lack of length will be a bigger deal than his weight.
His stats aren’t super impressive, producing 18.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks over four seasons. He’s not someone who has excelled as a chase-down tackler on the weak of plays. But he was also double-teamed often and was the initial disruptor more often than not, so his stats don’t tell the full story.
O’Malley is in the undrafted grade range right now, but his drills at his pro day and possibly the all-star circuit could prove to be impactful.