NFL Draft: The G5 Prospects Mel Kiper Is High On

The 2024 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25–27 in Detroit, Michigan. While prospects from Power Five schools typically get the majority of the air time, the draft is when players from all walks of college football can get their chance to reach the next level.

Mell Kiper, ESPN's most notable Draft analyst, regularly updates his Big Board of the top prospects at each position. As of the end of November, these nine G5 prospects are the only ones included among his top available players.

Michael Pratt - Tulane

#9 Quarterback

Pratt was named AAC offensive player of the year earlier this week. He's also 21-2 in the last two years as Tulane's starting quarterback. Pratt is a a four-year starter with the Green Wave. In his college career, Pratt has 9,364 career yards and 89 touchdowns with 25 interceptions and has 27 career rushing touchdowns. He'll start again for Tulane in the AAC title game later this week.

Dallin Holker, Colorado State

#5 Fullback

Holker is a finalist for the 2023 John Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in FBS. This season, the Colorado State captain has caught 64 passes for 767 yards and caught six touchdowns. He also picked up a rushing touchdown at San Diego State. Holker has made several huge plays this season, including catching a game-winning Hail Mary against Boise State. 

Christian Haynes, Connecticut

#5 Guard

A 2022 All-American, a preseason 2023 All-American, and a midseason 2023 All-American. Haynes has also been invited to the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl. Haynes is completing his fourth year for the Huskies in which he started every single game. He measures up to 6'2" and 313 pounds.

Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State

#6 Defensive End

Kamara has 56 tackles on the season with 29 solo tackles. He also leads the Mountain West with 17 tackles for loss and 13 sacks on the season. The grad student was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year for 2023. In 2022, Kamara had 44 tackles with 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.

Tyrice Knight, UTEP

#9 Off-ball Linebacker

In 2023, Knight totaled 140 tackles, which leads CUSA. He also had 4.5 sacks with 15.5 tackles for loss. Knight is finishing his third season as the full-time starter for UTEP after transferring from Independence Community College. 

Javon Solomon, Troy

#10 Outside Linebacker

An impact player for the Trojans since 2020. Solomon has a career-best 14 sacks this season. He's up to 31 in college with 46 total tackles for loss. Solomon and the Trojans play App State in the Sun Belt title game this weekend. 

Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

#9 Cornerback

Mitchell was named a first-team All-MAC selection earlier this week. He leads the MAC in passes defended with 17 this year. Mitchell also had 25 passes defended last year, which also led the MAC. A 6'0", 196-pound junior, Mitchell is projected by NFLDraftBuzz.com as a second-round selection. He and Toledo play in the MAC championship game this weekend, looking for their second consecutive league title.

Jose Pizano, UNLV 

#8 Kicker/Punter

A finalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2023 for a reason, Pizano is having one of the strongest seasons for a kicker in the country. A transfer from Missouri State, Pizano basically has his own chapter in the UNLV football record books now. Pizano has connected on 23 field goals out of 25 attempts and made all 49 of his extra point attempts. 

John Hoyland, Wyoming

#9 Kicker/Punter

A junior who's 55 for 70 on field goal attempts in four years. Hoyland has also missed just one extra point in 122 attempts. 2022 was Hoyland's strongest college season connecting on 22 of 25 field goal attempts, hitting eight of ten field goals longer than 40 yards.