Throughout the season, each Saturday, I will look at the best prospects from the FCS (or lower level) prospects I watched the weekend before. Or, I will look at the 2023 NFL Draft prospects from the Sun Belt schools I watched the prior weekend. During week five I saw one game involving Sun Belt teams and a few others with FCS prospects.
SUN BELT SATURDAY
SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS
After talking him up last week, 4th-year RB La’Damian Webb didn’t play against Southern Miss. No word on what the injury was.
Florida State transfer guard Dontae Lucas has been good in every USA game I have watched this season. I would consider him to be fringe-draftable at this point. Lucas opened a big hole on a huge run to start the Jaguars’ attack early.
SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES
I don’t have a vote for the Paul Hornung Award (best all-purpose player) but if I did, I would be casting that vote for Frank Gore Jr. The third-year prospect ran for 66 yards, caught two passes for 18 yards, and he completed a pass for 29 yards. Gore accounted for two TDs. I don’t think he declares for this draft. However, if he does, Gore will carry a draft-worthy grade from me.
The best Southern Miss prospect continues to be their wide receiver, Jason Brownlee. The 5th-year prospect is severely underrated in the draft evaluation business. Brownlee has strong hands and deep speed. He beat Jags corner Darrell Luter Jr on a double move for a surefire TD but the ball was overthrown. Against South Alabama, Brownlee caught seven balls for 109 yards (on 12 targets) with a touchdown. Brownlee will carry a 4th-5th round grade for me if he tests like I think he will.
I will be back with more Sun Belt Saturday next week.