Pro prospects to watch in R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

The R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl will not be short on players with pro potential when Western Kentucky faces South Alabama.

Quite a few from both sidelines will get looks in the upcoming ’23 NFL Draft. This may not be the final opportunity to witness them playing in the Caesars Superdome.

The 22nd edition of the R&L Carrier’s New Orleans Bowl features the following prospects:

Western Kentucky is led by senior QB Austin Reed, who took an interesting path before arriving in Hilltopper country.

The 6-2, 230-pounder originally signed with FCS Southern Illinois prior to making his way to West Florida where he led the Argonauts to the Division II National Championship in 2019, throwing for 4,089 yards and, 40 TD passes with six more scores as a runner. Reed succeeded Bailey Zappe, now a rookie with the New England Patriots, at Western Kentucky.

Reed was chosen CUSA Newcomer of the Year this season after tossing for 4,249 yards (2nd in country) and 36 touchdowns (4th in nation) with 10 interceptions, completing 64.5% of his tosses. He added 8 scores as a runner. Against Charlotte on Nov. 5, he aired it out for 409 yards and 6 touchdowns. Against Sun Belt champion Troy and a stout defense, Reed managed 406 yards with 5 scores and 1 pick.

A potential bargain as a third day draft pick, Reed doesn’t get rattled in the pocket. He can make all the throws necessary.

Reed’s favorite target is senior Daewood Davis (6-2, 295 with 4.49 speed), who spent three seasons at Oregon prior to his transfer to WKU. During his 25 game with the Hilltoppers, he has corralled 107 passes for 1,635 yards and 15 TD’s.

Davis, who has trimmed his body fat to 6.4%, has a 40″ vertical with a 10’4″ standing long jump. His enormous catching radius s paired with good route running. Davis takes pride in his blocking skills as well. He could get a long look as soon as Day 2 of the draft.

Jaylen Hall spent five seasons at Western Michigan before re-routing to WKU where he grabbed 59 passes for 731 yards and 5 TD’s this season. With eye-catching size (6-4, 185) and speed (4.4), he is a worthy candidate for an NFL roster. Hall gets separation in his routes and had reliable hands.

Strong safety Kaleb Oliver, a senior at WKU, spent four years at Georgia Tech where he accumulated three interceptions in 33 games with the Yellow Jackets. Very active in space, the 6-4, 215 pounder will rock you with the ball in your hands. Oliver shows good ball skills. This season, he had 62 tackles with 2.0 sacks.

Defensive tackle Broderic Martin (6-5, 330) is deserving of a look from the NFL scouts. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama native will show his skills in the upcoming East-West Shrine game. He played three seasons at North Alabama (25 games), totaling 81 tackles, 9.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks before transferring to Western Kentucky. He is a run stuffer, but with 5.3 speed, he could get a look at OG.

Defensive end Juwan Jones (6-3, 275) has spent five seasons at WKU, totaling 222 tackles, 34 TFL and 20 sacks. In 2021, he had 7 TFL and 4 sacks. He can handle his business against both the run and the pass.

Kahlef Hailassie (6-0, 190), a transfer from Oregon with 4.54 speed, will lay the wood to anyone in his area. The corrnerback is good in coverage and challenges against the run. Very instinctive, Hailassie shows good timing when the ball arrives. A very physical hitter, he had 62 stops, 8 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions and 10 PBU in 2022. The redshirt junior is a good blitzer off the edge for the Hilltoppers.

South Alabama has a few players who could hear their names called during the ’23 NFL Draft as well.

Darrell Luter (6-0, 180 with 4.48 speed and 37″ vertical) is headed for the Senior Bowl following the New Orleans Bowl. The Hattiesburg, Miss. native surrendered only 26% success in passes thrown in his area, among the best in college football. The cornerback recorded a pair of picks in 2021.

In his third season with the Jaguars after two seasons at Pearl River JUCO, Luter demonstrates skills in man-to-man and press coverage. A very patient defender, he has great instincts. Very aggressive, Luter always seems to be in correct spot. He is adept in change of direction. Pro Football Focus calls him one of the most underrated players for the upcoming draft.

Wide receiver Jalen Wayne (6-2, 207) is the nephew of NFL great Reggie Wayne. In six seasons at South Alabama, he hauled in 150 catches for 1,957 yards and 14 touchdowns. Also ticketed for the Senior Bowl, Wayneis physically tough with a high football IQ. He grabbed 56 passes for 794 yards and 9 scores in ’22.

With 4.55 speed, Wayne is fluid out of cuts. The Spanish Fort, Ala. product has an impressive catching radius and gets a quick release off the line. Wayne maintains his speed throughout his route, possesses good body control and shows to be a willing blocker. He assumed the role previously held by Jalen Tolbert, his predecessor at South Alabama who was the 2021 Sun Belt Player of the Year and selected in the third round last year by the Dallas Cowboys.

James Jackson (6-3, 320), a senior center out of Moss Point, Miss., began his career at Mississippi State before his transfer March 2021 to USA. A converted defensive tackle, he is a superb run blocker and pass protector. Jackson seems to show improvement each week.