Path to the NFL Draft: Baylor Football Players Finish All-Star Games
The all-star showcases phase of the NFL Draft process crossed the finish line last weekend as the Reese's Senior Bowl concluded in Mobile, Alabama. With postseason games now wrapped, that leads us into the next chapter, with NFL Combine invites becoming public ahead of next month's event in Indianapolis.
Here's what's occurred and what's next for Baylor's 2023 pro prospects.
PATH TO THE DRAFT
ALL-STAR GAMES — COMPLETED
Upcoming Events:
- NFL COMBINE - FEBRUARY 28- MARCH 6
- PRO DAY - TBD
- NFL DRAFT - APRIL 27-29
As of now, the program has not announced dates for spring practices or Pro Day. Last year, spring drills started on March 22, Pro Day on March 30, and the Green & Gold game took place on April 23.
ALL-STAR GAMES REPORT
REESE'S SENIOR BOWL
February 4 (Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL)
NOSE TACKLE SIAKI 'APU' IKA: The Bears' lone invite to Mobile, Alabama, ended up not even participating in the premier event. The last time we saw Ika, he and the team were in Austin, finishing the regular season with a loss to Texas in late November. 'Apu' then skipped the Armed Forces Bowl to prepare for the Draft, which was disappointing but understandable given his high stock and the team's bowl slot. Nevertheless, he will most assuredly receive a Combine invitation, where we should finally see him dazzle or fizzle to varying degrees in front of an army of scouts in Indy.
Ika is widely projected as a late-first to early-second-round prospect. Either way, Baylor fans shouldn't wait too long before hearing the big man's name called in April. He is unquestionably the Bears' top prospect on the board and by a wide margin.
EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL
February 2 (Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV)
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN CONNOR GALVIN: Galvin and the offensive line got off to a rougher-than-expected start to the 2022 season, back when this kind of NFL Draft talk was premature and not a positive influence. Thankfully, he and the group buckled down and returned to business. The Houston-area native reportedly had a great week in Las Vegas at the Shrine Bowl, earning a nod on the All-West Shrine Bowl Practice team for his work throughout the week.
Per the Shrine Bowl's criteria for selection: "More than just football players, these hard-working all-stars were selected based on NFL feedback about their play on the field, player interviews, and how professional they were across the week of practice."
Siaki Ika is the only surefire NFL Combine invite, but Galvin is the next safest bet. The same goes for overall Draft potential.
Current Projection: Day 3 (Rounds 4-7)
NFLPA BOWL
January 28 (Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA)
TIGHT END BEN SIMS: Sims was a somewhat late addition to the NFLPA Bowl but caught two passes, one being a 35-yard touchdown and the other a 2-yard gain. He rang in at 6-foot-4, 254 pounds. Sims was one of the Bears' more effective weapons the past few seasons and one of the best at his position in the program's history. That includes the school record for touchdowns by a tight end. However, Draft talk has been quiet.
Current Projection: UDFA
LINEBACKER DILLON DOYLE: Doyle was set to appear in the NFLPA Bowl for the National Team but did not play after reportedly getting injured mid-week, with a lower leg/body injury. I don't have further details, but here's hoping there's nothing too severe going on.
During the week, he measured in at 6-foot-3 - 239 pounds.
Current Projection: UDFA
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN GRANT MILLER: Miller has been a busy man, parlaying a solid showing at the Hula Bowl in Orlando into another opportunity in the NFLPA Bowl out in California, where he reportedly worked at guard, then center, and eventually right tackle. The extra exposure was undoubtedly a positive, and he helped earn both his postseason outfits a couple of wins, repping the victorious Team Kai in the Hula Bowl and the American Team in the NFLPA game.
He measured in at 6-foot-3 ½, 306 pounds at the Hula festivities.
Current Projection: UDFA
CORNERBACK MARK MILTON: Milton measured in at 6-foot-1, 187 pounds but ultimately opted out of playing in the game. I have yet to see specific information on why, but he also opted out of the Armed Forces Bowl, so it's a bit curious. Nevertheless, Milton's noted track speed should be on display at Pro Day, where we'll likely see him next.
Current Projection: UDFA
TROPICAL BOWL
January 21 (Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JACOB GALL: Gall is equipped with lots of experience, starting with his four years under Lance Leipold at Buffalo and ending with the last two seasons in Waco under Eric Mateos and Jeff Grimes. There was little reporting from this game, but Gall's American Team defeated the National Team 48-10.
Current Projection: UDFA
HULA BOWL
January 14 (UCF FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL)
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN GRANT MILLER: Already mentioned above.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN KHALIL KEITH: Not much to report here from the Hula festivities. We're all aware of the potential, but injuries delayed Keith's 2022 season debut until late October, and maturity issues sometimes reared their ugly head. Look no further than being suspended from the Armed Forces Bowl to end his career.
Keith remains a compelling, diamond-in-the-rough type of athlete, but that guarantees nothing. The Alabama native measured in at 6-foot-4 and 1/8, 321 pounds.
Current Projection: UDFA
COLLEGE GRIDIRON SHOWCASE
January 7-11 (Fort Worth, TX)
SAFETY CHRISTIAN MORGAN: Morgan was first on the all-star circuit, participating in the CGS event last month, where he measured in at 5-foot-11 and 3/4, 203 pounds. Morgan is one of many names on this list who could benefit from the abundance of other pro leagues that have surfaced over the past couple of years.
Current Projection: UDFA