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2018 NFL Draft: Which USF Prospects Will Have Their Name Called?

A handful of Bulls could see their NFL Draft dreams turn into reality over the next few days.

NCAA Football: South Florida at Syracuse Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

After months of silly mock drafts and non-stop hype, the 2018 NFL Draft is finally upon us with round one festivities set to begin tonight at 8 p.m. live from Jerry World in Arlington, TX.

For USF, no players from the greatest senior class in program history are projected to be selected in the first round tonight, but a handful could be getting their names called into the professional ranks over the next few days.

Here’s a quick rundown of the Bulls prospects who could see their pro football dreams turn into reality this weekend:

Deadrin Senat, Defensive Tackle

  • Height: 6’0”
  • Weight: 314 lbs
  • Hometown: Immokalee, FL
  • Career Stats/Accomplishments: 179 tackles (23.5 TFLs), seven sacks, and two forced fumbles in 49 career games.

First Team All-AAC (2017), Second Team All-AAC (2016)

  • Combine 40-Yard Dash: 5.16 seconds
  • Combine Bench Press: 35 reps
  • Combine Vertical Jump: 26 inches
  • NFL.com Prospect Grade: 5.60 (chance to become a starter)
  • Draft Projection: Rounds 4-5

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Wide Receiver

  • Height: 6’4”
  • Weight: 206 lbs
  • Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Career Stats/Accomplishments: 1,832 yards on 119 receptions and 12 touchdowns in 39 games at USF and NC State.

Set USF’s single-season receiving record with 879 yards on on 53 receptions in 2017.

  • Combine 40-Yard Dash: 4.37 seconds (2nd fastest WR time behind LSU’s D.J. Chark)
  • Combine Bench Press: 15 reps
  • Combine Vertical Jump: 30.5 inches
  • NFL.com Prospect Grade: 5.20 (backup or special teams potential)
  • Draft Projection: Round 7

Quinton Flowers, Quarterback

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 214 lbs
  • Hometown: Miami, FL
  • Career Stats/Accomplishments: The GOAT.

Passing: 8,130 yards on 8.7 adjusted yards per attempt and a 57.7% career completion percentage. 71 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. 146.5 career passer rating.

Rushing: 3,672 yards on 6.1 yards per carry and 41 touchdowns.

42 school records. AAC all-time leader in total offense. AAC Offensive Player of the Year (2016), Second Team All-AAC (2017).

  • Combine 40-Yard Dash: 4.63 seconds
  • NFL.com Prospect Grade: 4.92 (should be in an NFL training camp)

Draft Projection: Round 7/Priority Free Agent

Deatrick Nichols, Cornerback

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 189 lbs
  • Hometown: Miami, FL
  • Career Stats/Accomplishments: 175 tackles (15 TFLs), 35 pass breakups, 11 interceptions, and three forced fumbles in 50 career games.

First Team All-AAC (2015, 2017), Second Team All-AAC (2016)

  • Pro Day 40-Yard Dash: 4.46 seconds
  • Pro Day Vertical Jump: 37 inches
  • NFL.com Prospect Grade: 5.17 (better than average chance to make NFL roster)

Draft Projection: Rounds 6-7

D’Ernest Johnson, Running Back

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 208 lbs
  • Hometown: Immokalee, FL
  • Career Stats/Accomplishments:

Rushing: 1,796 yards on 4.3 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns.

Receiving: 909 yards on 72 receptions and 12 touchdowns.

USF career all-purpose yards leader. Second Team All-AAC (2016)

  • Pro Day Bench Press: 20 reps
  • NFL.com Prospect Grade: 4.88 (should be in an NFL training camp)

Draft Projection: Undrafted free agent

Bruce Hector, Defensive Tackle

  • Height: 6’2”
  • Weight: 296 lbs
  • Hometown: Tampa, FL
  • Career Stats/Accomplishments: 90 tackles (28 TFLs), 18 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 43 career games.

Second Team All-AAC (2017)

  • Pro Day Bench Press: 26 reps
  • NFL.com Prospect Grade: 5.03 (better than average chance to make an NFL roster)

Draft Projection: Round 7/Priority Free Agent

Bruce Hector vs. The World

Mike Love, Defensive End

  • Height: 6’4”
  • Weight: 255 lbs
  • Hometown: Clearwater, FL
  • Career Stats/Accomplishments: 65 tackles (19.5 TFLs), and 9.5 sacks in 39 career games.
  • Pro Day Bench Press: 24 reps
  • Pro Day Broad Jump: 10’1”
  • NFL.com Prospect Grade: 5.15 (better than average chance to make an NFL roster)

Draft Projection: Round 7/Priority Free Agent

Darius Tice, Running Back

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 205 lbs
  • Hometown: Miami, FL
  • Career Stats/Accomplishments: 1,817 yards on 4.9 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns in 47 career games.
  • Pro Day 40-Yard Dash: 4.68 seconds
  • Pro Day Bench Press: 27 reps
  • Pro Day Broad Jump: 9’11”
  • Pro Day Vertical: 33 inches

Draft Projection: Undrafted free agent

Auggie Sanchez, Linebacker

  • Height: 6’2”
  • Weight: 233 lbs
  • Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Career Stats/Accomplishments: 388 tackles (29 TFLs), 8.5 sacks, four interceptions, and three fumble recoveries in 50 career starts.

USF Career Tackles Leader. First Team All-AAC (2017), Second Team All-AAC (2016, 2016)

  • Pro Day Vertical: 36 inches
  • Pro Day 40-Yard Dash: 5.02 seconds
  • NFL.com Prospect Grade: 4.80 (should be in an NFL training camp)

Draft Projection: Undrafted free agent

Other prospects: Devin Abraham, Tajee Fullwood, Jeremi Hall, Jonathan Hernandez, Emilio Nadelman, Cameron Ruff.