The college football bowl season has arrived! Seven games kick off on Saturday, and the first matchup begins at 11 a.m. ET. The Georgia Southern Eagles take on the Ohio Bobcats.
The 2024 NFL Draft is coming into focus as the bowl games begin. We’re looking at the top NFL prospects in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Will we see anyone drafted from this contest?
Top NFL Draft Prospects in Myrtle Beach Bowl
The Myrtle Beach Bowl has a few prospects to watch, but the transfer portal has impacted this game. According to College Football Network’s bowl game opt-out tracker, 13 players are slated to miss this game. That includes Ohio QB Kurtis Rourke and LB Keye Thompson, and Georgia Southern QB Beau Allen.
Georgia Southern Eagles Prospects
Jalen White, RB
No player on either team fits the physical profile of an NFL player more than Georgia Southern running back Jalen White. The 6’0″, 215-pounder has produced an impressive career, totaling 1,725 yards and 19 rushing scores over the last two seasons. He’s averaged 5.6 yards per carry and 7.5 yards per reception over his four seasons with the program.
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White plays to his size, showing off great durability and strength as he carried a heavy workload when the Eagles needed him the most. Able to carry the ball 20 or more times a game, White chips away at defenses with his power and inside rushing ability. His vision is solid, and he’s able to absorb direct hits without being stopped in his tracks.
He’s not an overly fast or dynamic playmaker in space, though. White is reliable inside the tackles and challenging to bring down for smaller defenders. He should earn late-round consideration or be a priority free agent.
Marques Watson-Trent, LB
One of the most productive players in the country, Marques Watson-Trent can’t be missed on the field. With 230 tackles over the last two years, Watson-Trent is no stranger to being in position and finishing plays. His impact took a major leap in 2023, though, as his tackles for loss jumped from 5.5 to 13, and he added 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
A fourth-year junior, Watson-Trent still has collegiate eligibility left. Although he’s a rangy player who looks comfortable in space and is an effective tackler, his 5’11”, 220-pound frame will limit his draft upside. It’s more likely he’ll return to school and look to continue developing.
TJ Smith, DB
TJ Smith began his career at Kansas State, playing three seasons in Manhattan before moving to Georgia Southern. The fourth-year junior had a down season in 2022, but his 2021 and 2023 campaigns have been good enough to warrant NFL consideration. The 5’9″, 190-pounder totaled 48 tackles and has five interceptions in his career.
Despite his smaller build, Smith is an effective safety who can provide run support. His interception total is encouraging, but he lacks pass breakups and other impact stats. We’d like to see him grow more as a playmaker in 2024 before taking the leap to the next level.
Ohio Bobcats Prospects
Sam Wiglusz, WR
The best overall player in the Myrtle Beach Bowl is Ohio WR Sam Wiglusz. The former Ohio State playmaker has been great at Ohio over the last two seasons. The 5’11”, 190-pounder is a slot specialist with 1,473 yards and 14 touchdowns in his last two seasons.
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Wiglusz won’t wow anyone in the gym, but he’s a good footballer. A quick-footed threat who seems to haul in anything that is around his smaller frame, he’d be an asset for an offense wanting a mismatch specialist on third downs and near the goal line. His lack of size and explosiveness will limit his upside in the draft, but it wouldn’t be surprising for him to make a final roster.
Bryce Houston, LB
Another smaller linebacker with great production in this game is Bryce Houston. The 5’11”, 230-pounder is a sixth-year senior entering the final game of his career. He’s racked up 309 tackles, 10 sacks, and 31.5 tackles for loss over the last three seasons alone.
Houston is an impressive downhill athlete. He closes quickly and plays with a frenetic style. He’s also shown some versatility in different roles, totaling 5.5 sacks in 2022 when attacking the QB more and logging three interceptions this season when playing in space more often.
Small linebackers are limited to Day 3 picks or UDFAs, and Houston’s lack of length won’t help his sales pitch to be a regular blitzer. But he does profile as someone who can be a special teams contributor and valuable backup because he knows how to impact games.
