The 8-4 UTSA Roadrunners will play the 6-6 Marshall Thundering Herd in the 2023 Frisco Bowl. How many NFL Draft prospects will play in this game, and what are their projections at the next level?
Frisco Bowl Prospect Preview
In seven combined seasons with Charles Huff and Jeff Traylor at the helm, respectively, the Thundering Herd and the Roadrunners have been bowl-eligible a combined seven times.
Though neither Marshall nor UTSA made it to conference championship weekend this year, both college football programs can boast being one of the most consistent at the Group of Five level. Which team has the talent to help them earn the win this year?
UTSA NFL Draft Prospects
Frank Harris, QB
Frank Harris already dominates the UTSA record books, and the four-year starter will have an opportunity to close out his career with a bowl victory. Across his starting tenure, Harris has racked up 11,376 passing yards, 2,019 rushing yards, and 120 total touchdowns.
At around 6’0″, 200 pounds, the left-handed Harris won’t win over NFL teams with his arm talent or strength. But Harris has experience, athleticism, playmaking feel, and a degree of baseline accuracy and could stick around with a PFA opportunity.
Joshua Cephus, WR
When Zakhari Franklin hit the portal and De’Corian Clark missed time with an injury, Joshua Cephus emerged as a No. 1 WR in 2023, with 82 catches for 1,049 yards and nine touchdowns. But in truth, he’s been remarkably consistent since his breakout in 2020.
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At 6’3″, 190 pounds, Cephus doesn’t have overwhelming vertical speed or burst, but he’s a fluid and agile mover at his size, with stellar throttle control, route nuance, and reliable hands. And his durability across his career also can’t be overlooked.
Rashad Wisdom, S
If your NFL team needs experience and run support utility, Rashad Wisdom offers plenty of that.
At 5’9″, 210 pounds, he’s tough to get past in open space, and across five seasons at UTSA, he registered 311 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, five picks, 15 pass breakups, and four forced fumbles.
Marshall NFL Draft Prospects
Rasheen Ali, RB
Of this group, Rasheen Ali is the only 2024 NFL Draft prospect who’s currently slated to play in an all-star game. He recently accepted an invite to play at the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he’ll compete to make his presence known in front of NFL evaluators.
Ali missed most of the 2022 campaign due to a leg injury, but this year, he returned to 100 percent and amassed 203 carries for 1,043 yards and 14 touchdowns through the regular season. At around 6’0″, 209 pounds, Ali is dense, explosive, and efficient — and also a quality receiver.
Micah Abraham, CB
Micah Abraham is one of the more intriguing Group of Five sleepers at the CB position. He has good length at 6’2″, and over the past three seasons, he’s combined for 10 interceptions and 37 pass deflections. He doesn’t have elite vertical speed, but Abraham is a fluid and instinctive ball-hawk in coverage.
Owen Porter, EDGE
Owen Porter will get knocked for his lack of elite size and athleticism, but no one can deny the playmaking motor of Marshall’s 6’3″, 237-pound redshirt senior. Through 2022 and 2023, Porter accumulated 14.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss, making his money in pursuit.
