Jeremy Harper Appalachian State, Arkansas State Athletics, Arkansas State University, Cajuns, Coastal Carolina, Football, Georgia Southern Eagles, Georgia State Panthers, James Madison University, Louisiana, Marshall, Old Dominion, Red Wolves, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Sun Belt, Texas State, Troy, ULM

Your Sun Belt 2024 NFL Draft Preview

Last year, the NFL selected nine Sun Belt athletes during its annual orgy draft. This year, it could be more, it could be less, or it could be the same amount. If it sounds like I’ve hedged my bets, it’s because I’m hedging my bets. I honestly never know who’s getting drafted out of the Sun Belt. I’m firing a shotgun into the sky and hoping to bag a blimp.

A Darn Good Chance They Hear Their Names

  • Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Mississippi
  • Javon Solomon, DL, Troy
  • Jalen Green, DL, JMU
  • Ethan Driskell, OL, Marshall
  • Nathan Thomas, OL, Louisiana

The Sun Belt enjoyed a golden age of running backs in 2023, and Gore (1,131 yards, 10 TDs) projects to be near certain draft pick – thanks mostly to his bruising runs after contact and partly because of his pedigree. Meanwhile, Green and Solomon were absolute bulldozers. Because the NFL loves the beef, you can expect to see Driskell and Thomas on stage, too.

Guys Who Should Be Glued to the TV for Three Long Days

  • Jontrey Hunter, LB, Georgia State
  • Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall
  • Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy

A couple additional Sun Belt running backs make an appearance; both Ali (1,135 yards, 15 TDs) and Vidal (1,661 yards, 14 TDs) piled up enough yards and touchdowns to merit serious consideration. Meanwhile, Hunter was one of the heaviest hitters in the SBC, and he sports the tangibles (6’2″, 240 pounds) that scouts like.

Dudes Who Have a Shot

  • Reggie Brown, WR, JMU
  • Owen Porter, LB, Marshall
  • La’Damian Webb, RB, South Alabama

Porter and Green may belong in the second tier because they’re pretty damn good. Reggie Brown (1,054 yards, nine TDs in 2023) might be a little undersized at the wide receiver position at 6’1″. Webb (1,007 yards, 16 TDs) could have plenty of appeal as a special teamer and a pass-catching back.

The Darkest of Dark Horses

  • Jeff Foreman, WR, Arkansas State
  • Carter Bradley, QB, South Alabama
  •  Jalen White, RB, Georgia Southern
  • Thurman Geathers, DL, Arkansas State

The 2024 NFL Draft starts April 25, Thursday evening in downtown Detroit, and then it’s drawn out for another two unnecessary days. Something to think about: if a player who spent most of his years in the Sun Belt, but is drafted from a team outside of the Sun Belt, can the Sun Belt still claim him?

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