What Conference USA players will be lacing it up on Sunday? Here are 8 names
For many older college football players, the next few weeks will mark the start of their final season of football.
For all of them, it's an audition to keep playing in the future, and while Conference USA isn't the biggest hunting grounds for NFL talent, the league produces a number of players every year who get a shot at the next level.
Of this year's C-USA stars, who could be lacing up their shoes 52 weeks from now in NFL preseason games? There are eight names appearing on extended (seven-round) draft boards and here they are.
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky wide receiver
He appears on everyone's draft boards, usually in the top three rounds, as the junior mixes size (5-11, 210 pounds) with production (1,295 yards with 11 touchdowns last year). This is his junior year but there isn't much expectation he'll be playing in C-USA next year.
Last year, most of his yards came after the catch, as WKU just flipped the ball to him in the flat and let him run and use his playmaking skills (things that translate well in NFL special teams). If he can make more downfield catches his stock could rise even more.
More: NCAA college football schedule
Austin Reed, Western Kentucky quarterback
The player throwing those balls to Corley is the preseason C-USA offensive player of the year, who led the NCAA in passing last year with 4,744 yards. That was his first year at Western Kentucky, as Bailey Zappe, now a quarterback with the New England Patriots, was the WKU signal caller in 2021. Reed fits that mode.
Hank Bachmeier, La. Tech quarterback
The senior looks like an NFL quarterback and throws like one but will have to rediscover some of the magic he created at Boise State before it suddenly went away last year, including a forgettable (for him) night at the Sun Bowl.
X'Zauvea Gadlin, Liberty offensive tackle
He's played all five offensive line positions in his career, which has to be extremely attractive at the next level.
R.J. Roderick, Liberty safety
The fifth-year senior transferred from South Carolina after getting injured and losing his starting spot. He's healthy now and needs a big year to get on draft radars.
More: A look at the locals: El Pasoans hoping to crack UTEP football roster
Praise Amaewhule, UTEP defensive end
Amaewhule is becoming the rarest type of player in college football. He's in his sixth year with the same Group of Five school he started with despite every opportunity to transfer to a power five. His 72-inch wingspan is prototype for the NFL.
Avery Huff, Florida International linebacker
The first-year junior transfer from Miami has yet to be a big producer, but he has perfect size (6-2, 205) with 4.5 40-yard dash speed, and sometimes that counts for more than being a star on the field.
Tra Fluellen, Middle Tennessee safety
He's on some extended boards, not on others, but he has put up good numbers for a good team, has the right size (6-2, 205) and was voted a captain by his teammates.
Other UTEP prospects
The Miners have produced some undrafted free agents who have made it in recent history, most notably Miami Dolphin Nik Needham and Jacksonville Jaguar Roy Robertson-Harris. UTEP will likely have several players who get a training camp shot and could play their way into the draft with big years.
Tyrice Knight, linebacker
Dana Dimel calls him the best linebacker he's ever coached and he's certainly put up huge numbers in his time at UTEP while showing exceptional loyalty to the program. He might be on draft boards if he had jumped to a power five, which he certainly could have.
More: Who is UTEP's next Cal Wallerstedt? Here are three candidates
Keenan Stewart, defensive tackle
Another player who could have left but didn't, he's been productive every time he steps on the field. Stewart is an elite run stopper.
Gavin Hardison, quarterback
He has the size and the arm which usually means a training camp invitation will come. NFL scouts have him on their list when they come visit UTEP, as there is a feeling he could step in as a backup to an elite young starting quarterback (Cincinnati and Kansas City seem to like him). Hardison could help himself by improving his completion percentage.
2027 NFL draft
Atiq Muhammed, UTEP safety
The redshirt freshman is a year or more away from being a significant contributor for UTEP, but he's listed at 6-2 and looks taller than that. He also scored a point in the C-USA indoor track championships in the long jump despite not spending much time on the track. In several years he could be UTEP's best draft prospect since Will Hernandez, if his play on the field matches his frame and potential.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: C-USA players will be lacing it up on NFL Sundays?
