2023 NFL Draft update: 7 seniors who generated buzz among NFL scouts in Week 3
Each week during the season, On3’s Matt Zenitz teams up with Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy to identify some senior 2023 NFL Draft prospects generating buzz in the scouting world.
Here are seven who fall into that category for Nagy and the Senior Bowl staff based on their play in Week 3.
Shepherd (W.Va.) QB Tyson Bagent
Week 3 stats: 490 passing yards, three passing TDs, zero interceptions during a 26-23 overtime win over California (Pa.)
Nagy’s take: A rule of thumb for most NFL organizations is that scouts need to see quarterbacks with draftable grades play in a live game exposure, and that’s how we do it at the Senior Bowl as well. Our Mid-Atlantic scout, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brad Jackson, traveled to see Tyson Bagent on Saturday and he came away impressed with the reigning Harlon Hill Award [top player in Division II] winner’s arm strength, touch, toughness, and poise. Bagent made big throw after big throw in Shepherd’s win. We always look for a quarterback’s ability to make “gotta have it”-type throws in critical moments and Bagent had a bunch of those Saturday. It’s rare that quarterbacks from the D-II level get drafted, but we currently have a mid-round grade on Bagent and we know of a few NFL teams that have the same.
USC CB Mekhi Blackmon
Week 3 stats: Two tackles, one pass breakup during a 45-17 win over Fresno State
Nagy’s take: One portal transfer who seems to be taking to his new coaching staff is Mekhi Blackmon. The former Colorado player was on our radar last year before he opted to return for another year and head to Los Angeles. Blackmon has had a few ticky-tack interference calls on him so far this season, but he’s also looked sticky in man coverage and made some disruptive plays. The biggest things that stood out Saturday were his twitchy movements during pre-game warmups and his improved play strength in the game. One of our staff’s concerns off his junior tape was that Blackmon, who’s listed at only 175 pounds, got bounced around too much, but he looked sturdier in person at the Coliseum on Saturday night.
Pitt LB SirVocea Dennis
Week 3 stats: Three tackles, one sack during a 34-13 win over Western Michigan
Nagy’s take: It is not shaping up to be a deep linebacker class, so we were excited to get an up-close look at SirVocea Dennis at Western Michigan. Though he only finished with three tackles and a sack, Dennis was more active and disruptive than the modest stats suggest. The three-year starter is slightly undersized at just over 6 feet and 223 pounds, but he actually fits the current NFL mold at the position because teams are sacrificing size for range right now and Dennis can play sideline to sideline. At a minimum, we think he’ll be a core special teams player as a pro.
North Dakota State FB Hunter Luepke
Week 3 stats: 180 scrimmage yards (115 rushing, 65 receiving), three TDs during a 31-28 loss to Arizona
Nagy’s take: Our scout in Tucson felt like Hunter Luepke was the best player on the field for either team. There’s usually only one or two true fullbacks drafted each year and Luepke is a good bet to have his name called next April. Luepke has the type of versatility NFL teams are looking for and he is more than athletic enough to contribute on special teams, which usually determines whether fullbacks stick in the league. The best thing he showed us Saturday was the ability to track and catch the football down the field, as he did on his 31-yard TD catch in the second quarter.
SMU WR Rashee Rice
Week 3 stats: 11 catches, 193 yards during a 34-27 loss to Maryland
Nagy’s take: Rashee Rice didn’t reach the end zone in the Mustangs’ loss at Maryland, but we thought he was dominant nonetheless. Rice is a smooth and precise route runner, and he made contested catches at all three levels. He showed outstanding hands winning on 50-50 balls, and he transitions naturally from run to catch. Rice now has 28 catches for 491 yards and three touchdowns in three games this season, and his play so far has validated the big summer grade our staff had on him off junior tape. Rice could be the third Mustangs receiver in the past four years to compete in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, after James Proche (2020) and Danny Gray (2022).
Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith
Week 3 stats: Four catches, 74 yards during a 17-9 win over Miami
Nagy’s take: Ainias Smith might not be an NFL starter, but he certainly will have Swiss Army knife value at the next level. Smith is a light-footed athlete who can create space for himself both before and after the catch, and his playmaking with the ball is something every NFL team is looking to add. He fumbled a punt late in the game that could have been disastrous, but he scrambled and recovered it. Being a primary punt returner at the college level could help his roster chances next year, but only if he proves to be truly dependable fielding it.
Georgia OLB Nolan Smith
Week 3 stats: Three tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry during a 48-7 win over South Carolina
Nagy’s take: There’s a lot to like physically about Nolan Smith, a projected Day 1 or Day 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft; we came away from Saturday really liking his instincts as well. While he doesn’t have great production over his career [9.5 sacks], there were a few instances where Smith showed good awareness and natural defeat instincts when rushing the passer. There were a few Bulldogs, namely top overall pick Travon Walker, who were criticized last year for lack of sack production and the same could happen with Smith, which is why we think he could hugely benefit from just cutting it loose during Senior Bowl OL/DL one-on-one pass rush drills. It might not show up on paper, but we feel confident Smith can be an effective and versatile sub-downs player at the next level. [NOTE: Smith was the On3 Consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2019 class.]
The 2023 NFL Draft will be April 27-29 in Kansas City.
Jim Nagy has been the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier college all-star game, since 2018 after 18 years as an NFL scout. For interesting feedback and information on senior NFL draft prospects throughout the year, follow Jim on Twitter. For information on the Senior Bowl, follow both Jim and the Reese’s Senior Bowl main account.