The AutoNation Cure Bowl between Western Kentucky and Georgia State is one of several bowl games to kick off the slate of post-season football Saturday, Dec. 16, and the game will feature a couple of players you might want to start paying attention to.
Both teams have players likely headed for an NFL future — WKU senior quarterback Mike White and GSU sophomore wide receiver Penny Hart.
[divider]COMPARE: Mike White vs. Sam Darnold | Penny Hart vs. Christian Kirk[divider]
Here's a look at the NFL Draft Prospects in the AutoNation Cure Bowl.
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Mike White, QB — Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky has had success in recent seasons getting offensive players to the next level. Tight end Tyler Higbee was a fourth-rounder in 2016 and 2017 saw guard Forrest Lamp go in the first round and wide receiver Taywan Taylor get selected in the third round.
Now it's quarterback Mike White's turn. Currently ranked the No. 12 quarterback among 2018 QB's (not including underclassmen — ranked by NFL Draft Scout), White is a fringe draft prospect at the moment, expected to be a 7th rounder or a free agent pickup.
He's heading into his last college game with 3,826 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions under his belt. He'll finish his college career with well over 10,000 passing yards and at least 72 touchdowns, and he's never thrown double digit interceptions in a season while attempting at least 175 passes each of his four seasons at WKU.
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Penny Hart, WR — Georgia State
While he's unlikely to come out for the draft this season, Penny Hart is quickly becoming a must-see player for Georgia State. At 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds he's a gadget-type slot receiver in the same mold as Tyreek Hill, albeit a bit smaller at this point.
He's a capable route runner for just a sophomore, and was dynamic in the Panthers' offensive attack, totaling 73 catches and 1,094 receiving yards (accounting for 37 percent of the team's receiving total) and scoring 8 of the teams 14 receiving touchdowns.
He's been incredibly consistent so far in his career, too. In his freshman year in 2015 he caught 71 passes for 1,099 yards and 8 TDs, basically duplicating those numbers this year despite missing the majority of last year with a broken foot. He's currently ranked the No. 37 wide receiver in the 2020 class by NFL Draft Scout.
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Other draft prospects
(Rating per NFL Draft Scout)
WKU DT Chris Johnson (No. 50 DT)
GSU FS Bryan Williams (No. 63 FS)
WKU WR Nacarius Fant (No. 66 WR)
GSU RB Glenn Smith (No. 73 RB)
WKU DE Derik Overstreet (No. 75 DE)
GSU CB Chandon Sullivan (No. 100 CB)
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NEXT: Top NFL Draft Prospects in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl
