The 7-5 Texas A&M Aggies will play the 9-4 Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2023 Texas Bowl. How many NFL Draft prospects will play in this game, and what are their projections at the next level?
Texas Bowl Prospect Preview
Under normal circumstances, the Texas A&M Aggies would perhaps be favored over Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl — even after the Cowboys made it to the Big 12 Championship game.
But the transfer portal and opt-outs have combined to obliterate the Aggies’ roster.
Texas A&M will rebuild under new HC Mike Elko in 2024. Top defenders LB Edgerrin Cooper and DL McKinnley Jackson have declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, along with veteran WR Ainias Smith and OL Layden Robinson.
Meanwhile, younger players, like DL Walter Nolen, DL Fadil Diggs, WR Evan Stewart, and DB Tyreek Chappell entered the transfer portal. There’s still NFL Draft talent to watch, but the Cowboys will be much closer to 100%.
Texas A&M NFL Draft Prospects
Edgerrin Cooper, LB
Cooper, the Aggies’ top 2024 NFL Draft prospect, has declared that he will opt out of the team’s bowl game. Cooper was Texas A&M’s best player in 2023 and tallied 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and two pass breakups in eight games.
At around 6’3″, 230 pounds, Cooper is an explosive, size-speed threat with incredible playmaking range heading downhill. He’s instinctive when approaching blocks, relentless in his pursuit of plays, and his hard-charging style has him flirting with a top-50 pick.
Demani Richardson, S
Demani Richardson might be the Aggies’ top 2024 NFL Draft prospect who plays. The five-year starter and team captain is the Aggies’ elder statesman, and over his five-year career, he amassed 304 tackles, 15 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, four picks, 14 pass breakups, and four forced fumbles.
Richardson might not be elite in any area, but he’s a solid, all-around safety at 6’1″, 215 pounds, with good coverage instincts and sturdiness against the run. He’s on track to play in the Hula Bowl this offseason, reflecting a degree of NFL interest.
Moose Muhammad III, WR
More likely than not, Moose Muhammad III — the son of former NFL wideout Muhsin Muhammad — will return to school. Still, he’s a name to watch in the Texas Bowl, since their WR Smith is opting out. At 6’1″, 205 pounds, Muhammad has a good RAC profile, but his most marketable skill is his ability to contort for high-difficulty throws and corral passes.
Oklahoma State NFL Draft Prospects
Ollie Gordon II, RB (2025)
All eyes will be on Ollie Gordon II for Oklahoma State. He initially entered the transfer portal at the start of the portal cycle, but he recently announced his decision to instead return to Oklahoma State for the 2024 season.
He could be the top RB prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Gordon won the Doak Walker Award in 2023 after running for 1,614 yards and 20 touchdowns on 258 carries. He also caught 37 passes for 326 yards and an additional score.
At 6’1″ and 210 pounds, Gordon has appealing athleticism in space. He’s also an incredibly flexible and twitched-up athlete on his cuts with the spatial awareness and instincts in congestion to set up big gains behind the line of scrimmage.
Anthony Goodlow, DL
Anthony Goodlow logged 12 sacks and 19.5 TFLs in his final three years at Tulsa before transferring to Oklahoma State, where he’d earn honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition in his lone season with the Cowboys.
At 6’4″, 283 pounds, Goodlow is an alignment-versatile, two-phase threat with excellent torque and pass-rushing nuance. He could be a late-round or a PFA steal.
Collin Oliver, EDGE
It’s unclear whether Collin Oliver will declare for the 2024 NFL Draft and opt out of the game, but he assuredly has a case to do so after putting up six sacks and 15.5 TFLs in 2023. At 6’2″, 235 pounds, Oliver has the explosiveness and bend to be a pursuit nightmare, and he’s also a venerable pass-rushing threat from outside alignments.
Joe Michalski, C
Redshirt senior Joe Michalski was anchoring the Oklahoma State rushing attack at the center of the line. At 6’4″, 303 pounds, Michalski is closer to average, both in terms of athleticism and power, but his experience as a reserve and starter could be appealing in the UDFA pool.