The following are reports on some of the top 2024 NFL Draft prospects who were neither drafted or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft. Every player below is eligible to be selected in the upcoming UFL College Draft and would be able to join their respective teams right away, as they are not currently under contract in the NFL or any other league.
QB Garrett Schrader, Syracuse/Mississippi State
Schrader navigated through multiple coaching changes and injuries throughout his five-year collegiate career. Most recently, he battled a shoulder injury that hindered him during the latter half of his fifth and final collegiate season. The same injury saw him miss the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl as he was forced to have surgery. Despite all the struggles, he created quite the legacy for himself at Syracuse; ranked top six in a lot of the program’s historical passing marks (yardage, competition percentage, efficiency, etc.).
At 6-4 225 lbs, Schrader has ideal size for a professional quarterback. Over three seasons at Syracuse, the dual-threat rushed for 1,703 yards and 31 touchdowns on 436 attempts, displaying his scrambling ability. He has solid athleticism and toughness for his position and even has some experience lining up at wide receiver during his college days. However, his arm talent is nothing special as he often struggled with getting enough zip under the ball. Any above average defense was all over his passes that he tried to fit into tight windows in college.
Schrader was 462-for-765 passing with 39 touchdowns and 17 interceptions thrown in 35 career games at Syracuse. He had previously been at Mississippi State, but transferred because he didn’t fit Mike Leach’s Air Raid system. During his final season with the Orange, he played under the third different offensive coordinator in as many years. In a simplified offense like much of what we see in the UFL—and a system that will utilize his scrambling ability—Schader could be successful
RB Miyan Williams, Ohio State
Just like a lot of these undrafted/unsigned rookies, if it wasn’t for his injury history, Williams would almost certainly be on an NFL roster for training camp. Unfortunately, he couldn’t build off his 2022 Third-Team All-Big 10 season as his senior campaign was plagued by injury. He went from 64 carries for 497 yards as a junior to just 19 carries for 73 yards in 2023, only appearing in six games. Williams also rushed for 501 yards on 71 carries in 2021. Clearly, the production is there when he’s healthy.
Williams doesn’t have great burst or top-end speed, but he certainly brings the hammer upon initial contact with tacklers in an effort to stay upright. He’s strong enough and has great size at 5-8 229 lbs to be a reliable goal-line/power back for any team that takes him. But there’s not much upside in terms of his value as a receiving back
RB Kavosiey Smoke, Colorado/Kentucky
Smoke was a highly touted transfer addition for Coach Prime and Colorado two winters ago, but things didn’t quite go to plan for Smoke. Outshadowed by the likes of Dylan Edwards at his position, Smoke only ended up receiving two carries throughout the 2023 season. Before that, he had been at Kentucky where he was a four-time letterwinner, appearing in 46 games for the Wildcats. He averaged 5.42 yards on 292 carries, ranking seventh all time in UK history in yards per attempt.
Smoke’s lack of playing time at Colorado last year undoubtedly hurt his stock. That also means there’s a lack of tape out there. But from the small amount I have seen, he has a good mix of toughness and shiftiness as a runner. He broke a good amount of tackles at the second level throughout his collegiate career. He’s not an ideal receiving back but can be used in slow screens. Oh, and he can block.
I know it was talked about a lot at the time, but I can never get over how excited Kavosiey Smoke was to make this block for Wan'Dale's touchdown. pic.twitter.com/bu34cHBbB2
Smoke had a solid showing at Colorado’s pro day, logging a 4.57 40 and a 7.26 three-cone drill—the best among his teammates at the showcase. He’s decently sized at 5-9 215 lbs.
WR Chris Autman-Bell, Minnesota
Autman-Bell spent seven years at Minnesota, including the COVID year and a shortened 2022 season due to a torn ACL. In total, he racked up 131 receptions for 2,058 yards and 14 touchdowns in 56 career collegiate games. After missing 10 games in 2022 due to a torn ACL, he continued to struggle with injury during his final collegiate season in 2023. In nine games, he totaled just six catches for 88 yards.
Overall, when healthy, Autman-Bell is a pretty well-rounded receiver. Minnesota moved him between the slot and outside during his time there. He’s pretty fast with a 4.50 40 and is a reliable ball-catcher with sticky hands. He made his fair share of diving and contested catches throughout college, showcasing his range and strength. He’s also a threat with his quickness and agility after the catch.
WR Dee Wiggins, Cincinnati/Louisville/Miami (FL)
He’s not quite Tee Higgins of the Bengals, but Wiggins definitely showed flashes throughout his six-year collegiate career. Before the Bearcats, he spent 2022 with Louisville, where his season was limited to three games due to injury. He had previously been at Miami (FL) for four years, where his best collegiate season came in 2020 which saw him rack up 31 receptions and 358 yards.
Wiggins is a good all-around outside receiver. He’s a solid route runner in the short/intermediate areas with good physicality that allows him to make contested catches. He also made his fair share of deep grabs in college, flashing his ability as a vertical threat.
Dee Wiggins. Touchdown.
Not sure what the hell Marlon Character was looking for but it damn sure wasn’t there. pic.twitter.com/8KPadNBm0o
Wiggins has a wide catch radius with his 6-3 195 lbs frame, while he runs a 4.62 40. Cincinnati was able to move him around the outside between the flanker and split end. With his dynamic playmaking ability, he can be effective in the screen game. But drops on what-should-be routine catches were an issue in college, especially during his time with the ‘Canes.
TE Malcolm Epps, Pittsburgh/Southern California/Texas
Epps transferred twice throughout his collegiate career due to a lack of playing time. He never quite lived up to his potential, as his best season came in 2019 as a redshirt freshman where he recorded 20 catches for 232 yards and two touchdowns as a part-time starter. His most recent and lone season at Pitt saw him record only nine receptions and 115 yards.
Regardless of his collegiate struggles, it’s hard to believe that not a single NFL team has taken a chance on Epps due to his physical gifts alone. He is extremely athletic for his staggering 6-6 257 lbs frame. Not only was he a standout football player in high school, but he was a basketball and track star as well. He runs a 4.65 40.
Epps was able to play at the receiver position along with tight end in college thanks to his athleticism. He truly is a freak of nature and has potential to become the best red zone threat in the UFL if a team takes a chance on him.
OL Jalen Sundell, North Dakota State
Sundell was reported to have signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in May but things seemingly fell through, as he never officially signed with the organization.
Sundell has versatility with starting experience at both tackle and center from his college days. The three-time FCS national champion spent three years as a starter at center for North Dakota State before transitioning to starting left tackle for his final collegiate season in 2023. His super-senior season saw him earn First-Team All-MVFC honors with an 89.2 PFF pass-blocking grade, good for ninth-best among D-I offensive tackles. Overall, he allowed just two sacks over 2,400 snaps in college.
Sundell can be beneficial in gap-run schemes, as he has solid agility that will help him as a puller. He could definitely afford to put on some weight at 6-5 301 lbs, especially if he’s going to play on the interior against those beefy nose tackles. His arm length at 33 ⅛ “ is on the shorter side for tackles.
OL Aaron Frost, Arizona State/Nevada
After receiving back-to-back Second-Team All-MWC honors as a junior and senior at Nevada, Frost missed the entirety of the 2022 season after tearing his ACL during preseason. As a graduate transfer at Arizona State during his final year of collegiate eligibility in 2023, he only appeared in seven games (five starts). His PFF offensive and run-blocking grades in his final season were the worst since his sophomore campaign.
Frost clearly never fully recovered from his torn ACL, so there are definitely some what-ifs to be asked. While he may be a risky pick considering his production drop-off after injury, he proved to be a talented blocker with his physical and unrelenting style when fully healthy.
Frost is listed at 6-5 310 lbs. He has experience at both the tackle and guard positions from college.
OL Bradley Ashmore, Vanderbilt
Ashmore has solid strength that allowed him to fend off SEC defensive linemen and edge rushers throughout his years at Vanderbilt. While he has experience at both the guard and tackle positions from college, he’s suited more to play tackle. With his tall 6-6 303 lbs frame, it should be easier for him to gain leverage on outside edge rushers rather than interior defensive lineman.
Ashmore was a three-year full-time starter at Vanderbilt from 2021 to 2023 after spending his freshman year as a rotational piece on the offensive line. As a sophomore, he allowed just four sacks on 773 snaps at the right tackle position. Next year, he saw all his snaps at right guard and didn’t allow a single sack while being responsible for just three penalties. He was named a team captain for his senior season as a testament to his leadership ability. He went on to earn a PFF run-blocking grade of 77.4, good for sixth-best among SEC offensive linemen.
Overall, Ashmore allowed just 11 quarterback hits, including nine sacks, on 2,425 snaps across 35 collegiate games.
