College Sports Journal Group of Five 2020 NFL College Draft Top 50 Player Rankings

With the COVID-19 shutting down the college and professional athletics world this spring of 2020, there is one sporting event upcoming that involves college football players moving on to the professional ranks that sports fans can look forward to. That one event is the NFL draft taking place April 23-25.

With college football spring practices being cut short and not being able to track even if a college football 2020 season will start on time, I thought I would give my Top 50 player rankings of players from the Group of Five teams going into the NFL.

Last year, there were 39 players from the Group of Five schools picked in the seven-round NFL draft. I think it will be around 35 players from the G5 schools this year and this is where I put the majority of my analysis on these players. But all fifty below have some highlights of their college days.

The top Group of Five (and only NFL First Round) pick in 2019 was a Top 10 pick in Houston’s DE Ed Oliver going to the Buffalo Bills. From most indications, the top G5 player this year will be Utah State QB Jordan Love. But another Houston player in OT Josh Jones has a very good chance of also having his named called on the opening night, where only the first round takes place on April 23.

To recap the NFL Draft this year, there are a total of 255 picks.  The first two rounds have just one pick for each NFL team (32 teams).  But the NFL gives supplemental picks in the remaining five rounds (10 extra picks in Round 3, 8 extra picks in Round 4, 2 extra picks in Round 5, 3 extra picks in Round 6, and 9 extra picks in Round 7). 

Below is a brief review of what I believe are the Top 50 NFL Draft prospects from the Group of Five and about where I believe each will land in the draft position:

1. Jordan Love, QB, Utah State (R-Jr, 6′ 4″, 224 pounds) (Projected Mid First Round)

Love looked like a future NFL starter while earning second-team All-Mountain West honors for the Aggies in 2018. Love ranked eighth in the FBS with 32 touchdown passes in 13 starts (267 of 417, 64.0 completion percentage, school single-season record 3,567 yards, six interceptions). His statistical production declined in 2019, garnering just honorable mention All-MWC honors as he threw an FBS-high 17 interceptions on the year (293 of 473, 62.0 completion percentage, 3,402 yards, 20 touchdowns; 81 carries, 175 yards, 2.2 ypc). Part of Love’s 2019 regression can be attributed to a coaching change and lack of talent in his supporting cast, but he pressed at times and often made ill-advised throws. Love has a Kansas City Chief Patrick Mahomes type of right arm to go along with very good scrambling skills to extend and make plays.

2. Josh Jones, OT, Houston (Sr, 6′ 5″, 319 pounds) (Projected Late First Round)

As a 45-game starter at Houston, Josh Jones was a two-time member of the All-American Athletic Conference’s teams. As a senior, Jones allowed one sack and four total pressures, a pressure rate of 1.2 percent that ranks No. 1 among this year’s draft prospects, according to Pro Football Focus. His biggest honor came at the Senior Bowl this past January. Jones faced the best of the best at the star-studded all-conference game. By the end of the week, he was voted the top offensive lineman by the defensive players.

3. Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State (R-Jr, 6′ 6″, 311 pounds) (Projected Mid-Second Round)

Cleveland redshirted in 2016, then stepped into the starting left tackle role for all 14 games in 2017 and garnering honorable mention All-Mountain West honors. As a sophomore, he earned first-team all-conference honors as a 13-game starter as a blind side tackle. He was a first-team All-MWC pick again as a junior, starting 13 games at his left tackle spot in his final season on campus.

4. Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State (R-Jr, 6′ 2″, 265 pounds) (Projected Late Second Round)

Weaver likely will be the second Boise State Bronco picked in this year’s draft. After redshirting his first season, Weaver was named a 2017 Freshman All-American after ranking sixth overall in the FBS with 11 sacks (33 total tackles, 13 for loss, one interception). He earned his second straight first-team All-Mountain West honor in 2018 after leading Boise State with 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks among his 43 total tackles in 13 starts. He was even more productive in his junior season; picking up second-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-Mountain West, MWC Defensive Player of the Year, Ted Hendricks Award finalist. Weaver led Boise State and finished among the national leaders with 18.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks (52 total tackles, one interception, three pass breakups) in his final Bronco season.

5. Robert Hunt, OL, Louisiana (R-Sr, 6′ 5″, 323 pounds) (Projected Early Third Round)

Hunt was a four-year starter for the Ragin’ Cajuns and even started all 13 games at left guard as a redshirt freshman. He then split time between left guard (nine starts) and left tackle (two starts) the following season. Hunt moved to right tackle for all 14 games in 2018, and Sun Belt coaches voted him second-team all-conference. He only started the first seven games of his senior season due to a groin injury but still was named first-team All-SBC for his play at right tackle. He is projected in the NFL as a guard.

6. Matt Hennessy, OC, Temple (R-Jr, 6′ 4″, 307 pounds) (Projected Mid-Third Round)

The 2018 AAC Student Athlete of the Year is an accomplished student off the field, and that intelligence translates to his on-the-field style of play. Made first start at center on opening day at Notre Dame in his freshman and started all but one game that season. He was named third-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-American Athletic Conference, and a finalist for the Remington Trophy as the nation’s best pivot in 2019. Hennessy started 12 games in his final collegiate season, 11 in 2018, and 12 in 2017, missing four games due to injury over the three seasons. He mostly started at center but did also have four starts at guard.

7. Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State (R-Sr, 6′ 2″, 224 pounds) Projected Late Third Round)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uCO-lo5PIs

Davis-Gaither became a force for the Mountaineers in 2018 where he started all 13 games. He earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors that season and led the team with 105 tackles (10 for loss, 1.5 sacks), and tying for the team lead with seven pass breakups. He earned the SBC Defensive Player of the Year Award his senior campaign, starting all 14 games (104 tackles, team-high 14.5 for loss, five sacks, one interception, eight pass breakups, one blocked kick).

8. Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech (Jr, 5′ 8″, 187 pounds) (Projected Late Third Round)

Robertson was overlooked as a recruit due to his lack of size, but the Louisiana native became a start for the Bulldogs. He made plays right away in his true freshman season—starting all 13 games in 2017 to garner Freshman All-American and second-team All-Conference USA honors by collecting five interceptions to go along with 62 tackles, 7.5 for loss, two sacks and six pass breakups. He was a first-team all-conference selection the following year (61 tackles, 7.5 for loss, four interceptions, 12 pass breakups, two blocked kicks). And last year he also garned All-American second team honors after collecting 60 tackles, eight for loss, five interceptions, and tied for the national lead with 16 pass breakups. He also led Tech in interceptions all three of his seasons in Ruston, scoring on three of his 14 career pickoffs.

9. Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming (R-Sr, 6′ 2″, 241 pounds) (Projected Late Third Round)

Wilson was a three-time team captain as voted by his Cowboy teammates. He concluded his career with 421 career tackles, which ranks him No. 4 in Wyoming history and No. 4 in Mountain West history. He became only the fourth player in Wyoming history to record three 100-tackle seasons in a career (105 in 2019, 103 in 2018 and 119 in 2017). He was one of only six finalists for the 2019 Butkus Award, honoring the nation’s best linebacker. He was voted to the First Team All-Mountain West Conference Team, and was named to both the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List.

10. Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty (Sr, 6’4”,223 pounds) (Projected Early Fourth Round)

The Flames moved from the FCS level to the FBS in 2018, playing as an independent. He started 11 games in 2018 to lead the team with 71 receptions, 1,037 yards (14.6 per), and 10 touchdowns. Gandy-Golden lit up the Big South Conference the previous year, garnering a first-team nod (69 receptions, 1,066 yards, 15.4 average, 10 touchdowns). Even as a freshman he was a big part of the offense, making 21 grabs for 315 yards (15.0 per) and three scores. Gandy-Golden’s senior campaign cemented his status as a top-notch draft prospect, as he nabbed 79 passes for 1,396 yards (ranked in the top five nationally) with 10 trips to the end zone in 13 starts. His 17.7 yards per catch ranked in the top 10 in the FBS among receivers with 60 or more receptions.

11. Netane Muti, OL, Fresno State (rSR, 6′ 3″, 315 pounds) (Projected Early Fourth Round)

Injuries have really limited his ability to put up a strong college resume, however. He redshirted the 2016 season with an Achilles injury, played just the first two games of 2018 at left tackle before rupturing an Achilles, and then started just three games at left guard before a Lisfranc (foot) injury ended his 2019 season. In his only healthy season, Muti started all 14 games at left guard, garnering honorable mention 2017 All-Mountain West Conference honors. Had these injuries not taken place, Muti may have been a first round selection but those questions will move him down towards the middle rounds.

12. Matt Peart, OL, Connecticut (Sr, 6’7”, 318 pounds) (Projected Mid-Fourth Round)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=optNFvTpOfE

Peart is originally from Jamaica and did not play high school football until his senior year. He moved to Massachusetts for high school and was little recruited. After redshirting and adding 40 pounds, he started every game of the 2016 season at left tackle. Peart played there again in 2017, and then moved to the right side for his junior year. He was a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection as a senior, again starting all 12 games at the right tackle spot.

13. Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic (Sr, 6’5”, 243 pounds) (Projected Mid-Fourth Round)

Bryant played in 12 games his first year at FAU, landing on the Conference USA All-Freshman team (6 receptions, 63 yards). Bryant increased his productivity as a sophomore, bringing in 32 passes for 408 yards and five scores in 11 games (10 starts) to earn second-team all-conference honors. His production increased again as a junior (45 receptions, 662 yards, 4 touchdowns), allowing him to become a first-team All-C-USA pick. Bryant not only repeated his first-team all-conference selection in 2019, he earned first-team Associated Press All-American honors and won the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. He led all tight ends nationally with 65 receptions for 1,004 yards (15.4 per) while scoring seven times in 12 starts.

14. Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF (Jr, 6’2”, 216 pounds) (Projected Late Fourth Round)

Davis was highly productive during his time at UCF, but it’s fair to note the impact that the Knights’ offensive system had on the talented wide receiver helped with those numbers. In 2019, he caught 72 passes for 1,241 yards and 12 touchdowns. Davis played a big role for the 13-0 UCF team as a true freshman in 2017, starting all 13 games (27 receptions, 391 yards, 14.5 average, four touchdowns). He was a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection as a sophomore, leading the team in receiving (53 receptions, 815 yards, 15.4 average, seven touchdowns, 12 starts in 13 games).

15. Alex Highsmith, DE, Charlotte (R-Sr, 6’3”, 248 pounds) (Projected Late Fourth Round)

Highsmith walked on at Charlotte, redshirting in 2015 before gaining playing time in his redshirt freshman season (17 tackles, two for losses, one start in 12 games). While he was still a reserve in 2017, Highsmith received a scholarship before the season. He made a huge impact on the field, recording 33 stops, five for losses, and two sacks as a pass rush specialist. He improved even further in 2018 garnering first-team All-C-USA accolades by posting 60 tackles, a school-record 17.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He repeated first-team All-C-USA honors and also was named a third-team All-American by the AP as a senior, finishing among the top five nationally with 21.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks (among his 75 total stops) in 13 starts.

16. Nevelle Clarke, CB, UCF, (R-Sr, 6’1”, 190 pounds) (Projected Late Fourth Round)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBkYcQzDw8c

Clarke redshirted in 2015 and played as a reserve in 11 games in 2016 (15 tackles, two pass breakups). Clarke was suspended for the first six games of his sophomore year after failing an NCAA drug test. He returned to start five of seven games played that year (25 tackles, two for loss, one interception, three pass breakups). AAC coaches named him first-team all-conference for his play in 2018, as he posted 46 tackles, four for losses, two interceptions and a team-high 13 pass breakups in 13 starts. Clarke received honorable mention all-conference notice as a senior by posting 22 tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a score), and a team-high 11 pass breakups in 11 starts. Following his junior season, he may have been a Top 2 round selection but with the dropoff and suspention on his record, he falls a little.

17. Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern (Sr, 5’10”, 191 pounds) (Projected Early Fifth Round)

Vildor was a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection in 2018, posting 42 stops, 4.5 for loss, a team-high four interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 13 starts. His follow-up performance was just as strong, as SBC coaches named him first-team all-conference again in 2019 despite missing time with an ankle injury (27 tackles, three for loss, two interceptions, six pass breakups in 11 games, 10 starts). Vildor became a part-time starter in 2017, beginning five of 12 contests played (21 tackles, 1.5 for loss, three interceptions, seven pass breakups).

18. John Hightower, WR, Boise State (Sr, 6’2”, 189 pounds) (Projected Early Fifth Round)

After starting in the JUCO ranks, Hightower made an immediate impact after transferring in 2018. He started four of 10 contests for the Broncos in his first season and posting 31 receptions for 504 yards (16.3 per) and six touchdowns. Hightower was a second-team All-Mountain West pick in 2019, leading his squad in receiving yards (51-953-18.5, eight TDs in 14 games, 13 starts) while also contributing to the run game on sweeps (16-154-9.6) and as the primary kick returner (26-639-24.6, one TD). He was also a track athlete and with his size, could become a big NFL target despite being projected in the later rounds.

19. Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Miss (R-Jr, 6’0”, 185 pounds) (Projected Mid-Fifth Round)

After redshirting and playing a reserve role in his freshman season, Watkins became a star in this sophomore and junior season for the Golden Eagles. He earned first-team All-Conference USA honors each of the past two seasons. In 2018, he started all 13 games and led the squad in receiving with 72 receptions for 889 yards and nine touchdowns. Watkins missed the first two games last year for an undisclosed reason but came back to rack up a team-high 1,024 yards and five touchdowns on 55 catches.

20. David Woodward, LB, Utah State (R-Jr, 6’2, 230 pounds) (Projected Mid-Fifth Round)

Woodward recorded 93 tackles, five for loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles and two pass breakups before an injury ended last season seven games into the 2019 campaign. Even so, he still earned first-team All-Mountain West honors for his efforts. He was a 2018 third-team AP All-American and second-team All-Mountain West selection as a 13-game starter, leading the conference with 134 stops (12.5 for loss, five sacks), intercepting two passes, breaking up three others and forcing two fumbles. Woodward started once in his redshirt freshman season, playing in 10 games overall (29 tackles, three for loss, one interception, three pass breakups).

21. Harrison Hand, CB, Temple (Jr, 5’11”, 197 pounds) (Projected Late-Fifth Round)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBufyKT06UY

Hand transferred to Temple following his sophomore season at Big 12 Baylor for family reasons (from Delaware and is close to Philadelphia) He was named a Big 12 honorable mention following his true freshman season but transferred following an injury ridden sophomore season. He started 12 games for the Owls in 2019 in what would be his only season with Temple (59 tackles, four for loss, a team-high three interceptions, five pass breakups).

22. Antonio Gibson, WR, Memphis (Sr, 6’0”, 228 pounds) (Mid-Sixth Round)

After starting his first two seasons at the JUCO ranks, Gibson came to Memphis and could not find the field much in his junior season. But in limited play he still had six receptions, 99 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games. He emerged big in his final collegiate season as he was used as the primarily Tiger wide receiver (38 receptions, 735 yards, 19.3 average, eight touchdowns) to begin the season but also earned midseason reps at running back (33 carries, 369 yards, four touchdowns). But where he may shine the most is as a kick returner (23 returns, 645 yards, 28.0 average, one touchdown) in 14 games. He earned second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors as a wideout as well as AAC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in 2019.

23. Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa (Sr, 6’1”, 205 pounds) (Mid-Sixth Round)

Robinson was a primary part in the Tulsa secondary since his redshirt freshman season in 2016, when he started seven of 13 games and recorded 37 tackles and seven pass breakups. He started 11 of 12 games in 2017, leading the team with nine pass breakups (38 total tackles, 2.5 for loss). An injury disrupted Robinson’s junior year, however, as he played just eight games (19 tackles, five pass breakups, four starts). Robinson bounced back for his senior campaign, garnering first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors after leading his squad with four interceptions and 13 pass breakups. He also posted 38 tackles, one for loss, and two fumble recoveries.

24. Trevis Gipson, DE, Tulsa (R-Sr, 6’3”, 261 pounds) (Late Sixth Round)

Another Golden Hurricane defensive player also looks to be a late round pick this year. Gipson did not see the field too often in his first two seasons in Tulsa– redshirt freshman season (eight tackles, one sack in 13 games) and sophomore season (11 tackles, one forced fumble). He stepped up his game in his last two seasons for the Golden Hurrican. He started all 12 games for the Golden Hurricanes as a junior, totaling 46 tackles, nine for loss, and four sacks while tying for second in the FBS with five forced fumbles. Gipson was even more productive as a senior, garnering first-team All-American Athletic Conference accolades by leading Tulsa with 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks among his 49 total stops.

25. LaDarius Hamilton, DE, North Texas (Sr, 6’2”, 252 pounds) (Late Sixth Round)

Hamilton was a key contributor for the Mean Green all four seasons in Denton. He was a Conference USA All-Freshman team member in 2016 (nine tackles, three for loss in 13 games) and started eight of 14 games played as a sophomore, posting 40 tackles, four for losses. He then really stepped up his performance in his final two seasons for UNT. He earned first-team All-Conference USA honors his junior season with 33 tackles, 11 for loss, and 7.5 sacks in 13 games (11 starts). He was just an honorable mention All-C-USA selection despite even better number and being a 12-game starter his senior campaign (39 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 8.5 sacks).

26. James Proche, WR, SMU (R-Sr, 5’11”, 193 pounds) (Late Sixth Round)

After redshirting his first season, he started eight of 12 games for the Mustangs (57 catches for 709 yards, 12.4 yards per catch and six TDs) and returned kicks (15 returns for 273 yards) in 2016. In his sophomore season, Proche startied nine of 13 games (40 catches for 816 yards, 20.4 yards per catch and six TDs). He rose to another level as a junior, being named first-team All-American Athletic Conference as SMU’s leading receiver, grabbing 93 passes for 1,199 yards and 12 scores. He again was the team’s primary kick returner in 2018 (12 returns for 276 yards and a 23.0-yard average on kickoffs; 20 returns for 165 yards and an 8.3-yard average on punts). Proche helped the Mustangs achieve a 10-win season in 2019, again earning first-team all-conference accolades after starting all 13 games, tying for the national lead with 111 receptions (1,225 yards, 11.0 yards per catch), ranking in the top five with 15 scores and returning punts.

27. Omar Bayless, WR, Arkansas State (Sr, 6’1”, 212 pounds) (Early Seventh Round)

Bayless became a star in the college football ranks in 2019, garnering third-team AP All-American and Sun Belt Player of the Year honors by finishing among the top receivers in the FBS with 93 receptions for 1,653 yards (17.8 per) and 17 touchdowns. He was an honorable mention All-SBC pick in 2017 (32-439-13.7, six TDs in 12 games as a reserve) and 2018 (39-566-14.5, two TDs in 12 games/10 starts). Bayless started four times as a redshirt freshman in 2016 (13-117-9.0, one TD in 11 games). His play will likely be in the slot in the NFL so he will have to make a transition from being the primary target for the Red Wolves.

28. Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State (R-Jr, 5’10”, 203 pounds) (Early Seventh Round)

Evans was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after ranking in the top 10 nationally in the FBS with 1,480 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 255 carries (5.8 per). He also caught 21 passes for 198 yards and five scores in 14 starts. He was named the MVP of the SBC Championship Game and New Orleans Bowl. Evans was a first-team all-conference pick as a sophomore, as well, starting eight of 13 games played and racking up 1,187 rushing yards (179 carries, 6.6 per, seven TDs; also 12-87-7.2, one TD receiving). He contributed on offense as a true freshman (48-217-4.5) but then had to redshirt the 2017 season due to a knee injury. Evans was also a strong kickoff returner during his career (56-1,439-25.7 in three years), housing one return for a touchdown each season. He could be a steal of a pick in the late rounds by whichever NFL team takes him. The prior knee injury may, however, scare a few NFL squads away.

29. James Morgan, QB, Florida International (R-Sr, 6’4”, 229 pounds) (Early Seventh Round)

Morgan grew up in title town, Green Bay, Wisconsin and stayed fairly close to home to start his collegiate career with the MAC’s Bowling Green. He rose following redshirting his first season to become a finding a seven-game starter. In 12 games overall, Morgan completed 56.1 percent of his passes (183 of 326) for 2,082 yards and 16 touchdowns, but he also threw 15 interceptions. He began the 2017 season as the Falcons’ starter but was replaced after three games but returned later in the season with three more starts ( 1,260 yards, nine touchdowns, seven interceptions). Morgan decided to transfer after that season to play at FIU and ended up the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year after completing 65.3 percent of his passes for 2,727 yards and a school-record 26 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. He was honorable mention All-C-USA again in 2019 (207 of 357, 58.0 completion percentage, 2,585 yards, 14 touchdowns, five interceptions in 12 starts). The interception trait went considerably down while with the Owls and could be a very good back-up and spot starter in his NFL career.

30. Danny Pinter, OL, Ball State (R-Sr, 6’4”, 306 pounds) (Mid-Seventh Round)

Pinter redshirted for the Cardinals in 2015 before starting five games the following year at tight end (three receptions, 10 yards). Pinter started six of seven games played at tight end as a sophomore (six receptions, 46 yards, one touchdown) but was injured and missed the rest of the year. He was moved away from the tight end spot to right tackle for 2018 and he played well enough to earn the team’s Dave McClain Leadership Award. Last year, he finished his collegiate career as a first-team All-MAC pick, the team Most Outstanding Player, and 12-game starter on the right side. With his athletic ability having played the tight end position previously, he could be a good NFL assist to start his career as a nice replacement option on the offensive line.

31. Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana (Sr, 5’8”, 195 pounds) (Mid-Seventh Round)

As a senior for the Ragin’ Cajuns, he ran for 886 yards and six touchdowns on 117 carries. And in his four-year college career, he returned 100 kickoffs for 2,493 yards and two touchdowns. He earned First Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors as a return specialist and Third Team All-Conference honors as a running back. In his junior season, he earned All-SBC Honorable Mention honors despite only ranking third on the team in rushing 754 yards. His first seasons for Louisiana, he was used primarily as a kick returner. With his size, he will be a change-of-pace kind of running back but could see time as a kick returner.

32. Patrick Taylor Jr., RB, Memphis (Sr, 6’2”, 217 pounds) (Mid-Seventh Round)

Taylor and 2019 third-round pick Darnell Henderson made an excellent duo for the Tigers in 2017 and 2018. While Taylor started only one game as a junior, he carried the ball 214 times for 1,122 yards (5.4 average) and 16 touchdowns. The previous season, he started twice in 13 games and was quite productive (157-866-5.5, 13 TDs rushing; 19-148-7.8, one TD receiving). Unfortunately last season, an ankle injury limited him to playing in just six games (two starts) (78-350-4.5, five TDs rushing; 8-52-6.5 receiving).

33. Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii (R-Jr, 6’3”, 215 pounds) (Late Seventh Round)

After redshirting in 2016 and playing in six games as a reserve the following year, McDonald won the starting spot in 2018. He was the team’s Offensive MVP and an honorable mention All-Mountain West pick after starting 12 of 13 games played as a sophomore and ranking in the top 10 in passing yards and touchdowns (285 of 484, 3,875 yards, 36 touchdowns, 10 interceptions). He kept similar statistics his game in his junior and final collegiate season, ranking third in the FBS with 4,135 passing yards and eighth with 33 touchdowns (326 of 511, 14 interceptions; 101 carries, 383 yards, 3.8 ypc, seven touchdowns) in 14 games (12 starts). He was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and a second-team all-conference selection for his 2019 efforts. The question marks for McDonald, however, will be how the run-and-shoot offense he ran for the Rainbow Warriors will translate into NFL play.

34. Mitchell Wilcox, TE, South Florida (R-Sr, 6’4”, 247 pounds) (Late Seventh Round)

Wilcox redshirted in 2015 and then earned a second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors his freshman year (12 receptions, 278 yards, 23.2 average, two touchdowns, started eight of 13 games played). In 2017, Wilcox started seven of 11 games and caught 17 passes for 158 yards (9.3 per) and two touchdowns. But his junior season he broke out. He was named to the the first-team All-AAC squad after he set school records for receptions (43) and receiving yards (540, 12.6 per) by a tight end while scoring twice. His productivity went down as the USF offense stumbled last year but still had 28 receptions, 350 yards, and, five touchdowns in 12 starts to earn All-AAC Honorable mention. Given the right NFL offense, he could be a very serviceable tight end and will be worth a late round selection.

35. Michael Warren II, RB, Cincinnati (Jr, 5’9”, 226 pounds) (Late Seventh Round)

Warren II was a back-up in his true freshman season (54 attempts for 324 yards, one TD rushing). He became the starter for the Bearcats in 2018, garnering second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors after accumulating 1,329 yards and 19 touchdowns on 244 carries and catching 25 passes for 232 yards and a score. Warren was also a second-team all-conference selection as Cincinnati’s leading rusher in 2019 (1,265 yards 14 TD rushing; 21 catches for 153 yards and two TD receiving in 14 starts). He is nicknamed “The Truck” for a very good reason as he is a good inside runner who can bounce off of contact from defenders as he seems to absorb their tackle attempts.  He is worth a late round pick despite not having the prototypical running back size.

PROJECTED NON-DRAFTED NEXT 15

Name School Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. (Projected NFL Pick-up)

36. Isaiah Wright Temple Sr WR 6-2 220 (Preferred Free Agent)

37. Cameron Clark Charlotte Sr OL 6-5 308 (Preferred Free Agent)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erCmYnOaPoA

38. Josiah Deguara Cincinnati Sr TE 6-2 242 (Preferred Free Agent)

39. LeVante Bellamy W. Michigan Sr RB 5-9 192 (Preferred Free Agent)

40. Mykal Walker Fresno St. Sr LB 6-3 230 (Preferred Free Agent)

41. Benny LeMay Charlotte Sr RB 5-8 221 (Preferred Free Agent)

42. Keith Ismael S. Diego St. Jr OL 6-3 309 (Preferred Free Agent)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpLdLf6WY8E

43. John Molchon Boise State R-Sr OL 6-5 318 (Free Agent)

44. Shaun Bradley Temple Sr LB 6-1, 230 (Free Agent)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwW-eHKh7AU

45. Chapelle Russell Temple R-Sr LB 6-1 230 (Free Agent)

46. Thakarius Keyes Tulane Sr CB 6-1 200 (Free Agent)

47. James Pierre FAU Jr CB 6-2 185 (Free Agent)

48. Malcolm Perry Navy Sr WR 5-9 190 (Free Agent)

49. Tyler Bass Ga Southern Sr PK 5-10 185 (Free Agent)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5rhb-CZV3U

50. Tipa Galeai Utah State Sr DE 6-4 235 (Free Agent)