The college football bowl season is well underway. Today at 6:30 p.m. ET, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on the UCF Knights 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 Gasparilla Bowl. Will we see anyone drafted from this contest?
Top NFL Draft Prospects in Gasparilla Bowl
The Gasparilla 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, 27 players are slated to miss this game.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Prospects
Kyle Kennard, EDGE
Georgia Tech has built a pipeline of NFL-caliber pass-rushers in recent history, and Kyle Kennard is next in line. A fourth-year junior, Kennard has NFL length at 6’5″ but is a little light at 235 pounds. He has to bulk up and have more functional strength to hold up in the run game.
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However, he has some pass-rushing chops. With six sacks on the year and 11 tackles for loss, Kennard has enough quickness of the snap and the agility to change directions to confuse blockers. He’s not ready for the NFL, but he’s not too far from being a Day 3 prospect.
Jaylon King, DB
In his sixth season at Georgia Tech, Jaylon King took until 2023 to break out in a full-time role. King has good size at 6’1″ and 188 pounds, and he fits better as a roaming safety than his previous usage. He exploded with 65 tackles, four interceptions, and eight pass deflections this season.
Evaluators are lagging behind King a bit, possibly due to his age and late development. But he’s a good tackler, tough in traffic, and has enough speed to hold up in coverage. He’d be a possible riser if he can get into an all-star game this offseason.
UCF Knights Prospects
John Rhys Plumlee, QB
A bit of an unassuming quarterback prospect because of his 6-foot, 200-pound frame and long windup before his release, Plumlee checks several other boxes that have evaluators intrigued.
Even though he missed a month with an injury, Plumlee has a cleaner release and has been more efficient. Plumlee had a Tim Tebow-esque windup previously, dropping the ball to his quad before unloading passes.
This created accuracy and consistency issues. With a bit quicker and tighter motion, Plumlee has the physical tools to be a quality backup QB prospect. He’s a strong runner who doesn’t force rushing attempts, which also translates to being an effective passer while on the move.
Plumlee can pepper accurate passes on short throws, in particular. He’s still not likely to be drafted, but he could compete for a third QB roster spot as teams look for a dual-threat who can make some plays if he has to play.
RJ Harvey, RB
RJ Harvey’s 5’8″, 195-pound frame suggests he’s more of a scatback than someone capable of handling a significant number of touches. He was third on UCF in rushing last year but was the most efficient of the ball carriers. However, Harvey was awesome in 2023 as he took on a bigger role with Plumlee out.
Harvey’s game is far less reliant on being shifty and schemed into space.
Instead, Harvey has a wise man’s game. He effectively presses the line of scrimmage to draw in defenders before showing off good acceleration to the next level. He’s not super fast or quick, but he keeps his legs moving, and his shorter gait helps him escape contact.
Harvey is also comfortable as a receiver, giving him third-down potential in the NFL. He may not be more than a Day 3 pick, but Harvey can add real value to an offense.
Javon Baker, WR
The standout star on UCF’s offense is Javon Baker. One of my favorite players in the class to watch, Baker has a solid build at 6’1″ and 197 pounds. He’s not someone who will create a lot of separation, but his competitiveness, ball skills, and ability to create after the catch are superb.
There’s a ceiling on where players like Baker get drafted, and it’s usually on Day 3. However, Baker’s large catch radius and attention to detail on routes can help him outproduce his draft slot to become a good role player.
Kobe Hudson, WR
Both UCF receivers are averaging over 20 yards a catch, which is insane to think about. Kobe Hudson is the faster of the two playmakers, creating separation on intermediate and deeper routes a little easier than Baker. But Hudson isn’t the refined route-runner that Baker is because he’s not as fluid through breaks or as twitchy when changing direction.
Hudson is a borderline draftable talent. The 6’1″, 199-pounder would need to help on special teams and be a rotational fourth receiver on a roster.
Lokahi Pauole, G
An accomplished right guard over his career, Pauole is one of the best blockers in the conference. He’s a solid athlete who works well in space as he climbs to the second level of defense with ease. His strength allows him to help on two defenders at once as well.
Pauole isn’t a dominant athlete, though, and this can show in pass protection against the quicker defensive tackles. He survives well on his own but can be prone to losing the leverage battle. Still, he can work his way closer to the top 100 with another strong season against better competition.
Ricky Barber, DT
A smaller defender, considering he was often used as a nose tackle, Barber is flat-out fun to watch. He has great quickness off the snap, as expected for someone 6’1″ and 292 pounds. Barber’s naturally low pad level is used as a strength to get into the body of blockers, where he’ll then work past their hip with his speed.
Barber sheds blocks well with a notably good rip move and holds his own in the run game. His size may limit his draft stock, and his production hasn’t yet caught up to his film, as he’s produced only 12 sacks over four seasons. His senior season ended up more disappointing than we’d hoped, as his tackle total plummeted from 49 to 14.
Barber is now a late-round prospect at best, but his traits should allow him to earn a camp invite.
Malachi Lawrence, DL
A massive presence at 6’4″ and 270 pounds, Malachi Lawrence’s ascension seemed to coincide with Barber’s struggles. He has a great NFL body but is still a piece of clay. The third-year sophomore had 10 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in his first full season on the field.
Lawrence isn’t ready to be an NFL contributor yet. He’s strong, long, and projects well with his build, but his lack of moves and experience shows against quality blockers.
Tre’mon Morris-Brash, EDGE
A jitterbug presence as a standup edge defender, Tre’mon Morris-Brash brings energy and good speed. He’s able to threaten blockers with his ability to reach the apex corner of the pocket but doesn’t quite have the flexibility or strength to fight through contact if the blocker meets him there.
Morris-Brash is best suited for stunts and delays, which allow him to work around blockers instead of going through them with power or moves. He could become a late-round value for teams looking to scheme pressure more than rely on stars to create opportunities.
Jason Johnson, LB
Highly productive as an FCS All-American before joining UCF in 2022, Jason Johnson has impressive numbers. He’s a weakside linebacker on most fronts because he’s built more like a DB than a middle LB. Johnson’s lean frame leads to struggles taking blocks head-on, and he’s not an effective blitzer due to his lack of strength.
Johnson’s best value is as a tackler in space. He drops into zones and the flats and is a reliable finisher of plays. Johnson has a fringe draftable grade.