NFL Draft: Five Day Three Guys You Should Know
It’s day three of the NFL Draft.
The crowds at Union Station in Kansas City on the site of the 2023 NFL Draft will be few and far between the droves of people on the first two nights. Hell, Commissioner Roger Goodell might be back at NFL headquarters at 345 Park Avenue in New York City. The teams aren’t in their expensive suits. It’s back to NFL apparel as day three begins.
That doesn’t mean there is a bounty of talented players still waiting to hear their names called on Saturday. Here are five guys that should exceed their draft status and also have a tiny chip on their shoulder, knowing their names went unannounced on the first two days of the NFL Draft.
Braeden Daniels, OL, Utah
Daniels appeared in almost 50 games (49) at Utah and started 43 contests for the Utes. His durability and versatility helped facilitate his growth at nearly every position along the offensive line.
“I love challenges,” Daniels said. “It’s something that I want to take pride in being able to play all five positions along the offensive line.”
The Carrollton, Texas native made 18 starts at left guard in the early years of his collegiate career. In 2021, he played three games at left guard before moving to right tackle over the next 11 games. He ended up being named All-Pac-12 second team upon his successful transition between positions.
“Guard is more of a wrestling match almost,” Daniels laughed. “Tackle is a chess match.
Kei’Trel Clark, DB, Louisville
It’s only fitting that Clark be hanging around at the onset of day three of the NFL Draft. He said at the NFL Combine,
“I’ve been the underdog since I came out of the womb; you feel me,” Clark said. “I’m really an underdog. I’m still an underdog till this day and even in this draft.”
C Beginning his college career at Liberty, where he appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2019, led Clark to transfer to Louisville in 2020—immediately, making his impact felt. Clark made second-team All-ACC during the Covid season.
This year, he played nickel back after playing cornerback exclusively at Louisville. The switch benefitted him magnificently. It led him to be invited to the East West Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine. Pretty remarkable to think about when he was getting offers from small schools like Howard or Marshall after leaving high school.
Israel Abanikanda
Israel Abanikanda entered this season as a relatively unknown commodity when comparing him to the top-flight running backs in college football.
“Yeah, Issy (nickname) has been the workhorse,” Head Coach Pat Narduzzi said after the win. “Izzy has done a nice job. When he pops through there, he can pop through there, as you can see.”
A thick 5-foot-10 at 217 pounds, Abanikanda posted a 4.43 forty at his pro day and a whopping 41-inch vertical jump. Garnering third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC honors after leading the Panthers with 1,431 rushing yards (239 carries, 6.0 per), tying for the FBS lead with 20 rushing touchdowns and ranking seventh with 1,805 all-purpose yards.
Kelee Ringo, DB, Georgia
Imagine if a defensive back existed that attended the University of Georgia. He was a two-time National Champion and ran a 4.3 forty. Oh yeah, let’s make him 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds. Does that sound too good to be true?
Ringo does exist, and he is currently available on day three. Since the time he set foot on campus, he has made an impact. In 2021, he earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors and started the final 12 games. In his two seasons starting at Georgia, he racked up 76 career tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and four interceptions.
Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
A two-year OSU Scholar-Athlete and Academic all-Big Ten Conference honoree, Wypler brings exceptional upside for teams on day three of the NFL draft. Wypler stands at only 6’3 at 303 pounds, but he possesses smarts and is very athletic. He was the eyes and ears of second-overall pick C.J. Stroud and helped anchor one of the best offenses in college football.
The Buckeyes are a football factory for the center position. Since 2017, Josh Myers (second round 2021), Michael Jordan (fourth round 2019), Billy Price (first round 2018), and Pat Elflein (third round 2017) are all former Ohio State centers who got drafted. The pedigree of the position at Ohio State should make Wypler an early pick on the third day of the 2023 NFL Draft.
