There isn’t always a ton of NFL talent that makes it out of Conference USA and into the pros. It also doesn’t help that teams are constantly going in and out of the conference, making it hard to remember when teams were in the league at the time certain players were drafted.
The conference is like a middle-ground teams visit before bumping up to a bigger conference. Still, there are players that make names for themselves during their time there. Here are 10 guys that have done that, and the top draft prospects from C-USA in this year’s draft:
WR Grant DuBose, Charlotte
While there are a handful of Group of Five wide receivers that have been gaining more and more intrigue, Dubose was a guy that was talked a lot about earlier in the spring and more so after his showing during Senior Bowl week. He will probably be a late Day 3 selection, but whoever takes a chance will reap the rewards from this underrated prospect.
CB Myles Brooks, LA Tech
Brooks has the potential to be the most successful in the NFL from this list. His size and speed give him some upside that he needs if he wants to adapt to the next level. And with his move from the FCS to C-USA, he knows what it takes to do that.
TE Griffin Hebert, LA Tech
The guy you never heard of but wish that you had. Hebert started to gain some more attention after a great showing at his Pro Day and when he was graded a 10/10 on Kent Lee Platte’s Relative Athletic Score:
Hebert made the switch from wideout to tight end and will be prioritized in free agency if he’s not drafted.
DL Ikenna Enechukwu, Rice
Enechukwu has the frame needed to find success in the NFL, he’ll just need his play to continue to develop. He showcased some potential at the Combine, placing in the middle of the pack in every drill that he took part in. Enechukwu finished the season as the highest-rated defensive player on the roster by PFF (74.3).
RB DeWayne McBride, UAB
From this list, McBride will likely be the player selected the highest. McBride was selected as the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and led the nation in rushing with 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns. McBride should be off the board by the end of Day 2.
OL Kadeem Telfort, UAB
This First Team All-Conference selection would no doubt be much higher on draft boards if he didn’t get suspended for the entire 2017 season. The consequences of that hurt his development and his character also took a hit. I do believe he still gets selected late in Day 3, though, and hopefully can take advantage of the opportunity.
CB Starling Thomas V, UAB
Thomas was excellent for the Blazers in coverage last season and tallied 13 pass breakups, which helped him land him on the First Team All-Conference list. Thomas has the tools to move around in coverage and could be utilized in different ways, which could leapfrog him over other DBs. He’s projected to be a late Day 3 pick.
K Gavin Baechle, UTEP
Baechle was tabbed the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year after going 22 for 24 (91.7%) on field goals and 31 for 31 on PATs. He became the all-time leader in field goals made for UTEP and even knocked in a 27-yard game-winner in Week 7:
CB Kahlef Hailassie, WKU
Hailassie made the move to WKU from Oregon in 2021, and if he didn’t he might not be in the position to be drafted that he’s in right now. Hailassie is an aggressive, versatile defensive back that could land late in the draft and immediately compete for a special teams role while trying to carve out his place and develop on an NFL roster.
DT Brodric Martin, WKU
Martin has reportedly been drawing interest from a number of teams. He has the size to come in and make an impact on a defensive line. Martin had an excellent Shrine Bowl showing, which helped his stock as he’s now expected to be an early Day 3 pick.
