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Cure Bowl 2022: Top 3 2023 NFL draft prospects to watch

By Dante Pryor

Dec 2, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; UTSA Roadrunners head coach Jeff Traylor celebrates with Conference USA Most Valuable Player Frank Harris (0) after the game against the North Texas Mean Green at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; UTSA Roadrunners head coach Jeff Traylor celebrates with Conference USA Most Valuable Player Frank Harris (0) after the game against the North Texas Mean Green at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sept 17, 2022; Boone, North Carolina, USA; Troy Trojans offensive lineman Austin Stidham (79) blocks Appalachian State Mountaineers linebacker Jalen McLeod (35) during the second half at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sept 17, 2022; Boone, North Carolina, USA; Troy Trojans offensive lineman Austin Stidham (79) blocks Appalachian State Mountaineers linebacker Jalen McLeod (35) during the second half at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Austin Stidham, OT, Troy

The Trojans have not had a player drafted since 2017. Not only will Troy have a player drafted, but they will likely have multiple players drafted or find their way onto an NFL roster via free agency. This roster is loaded with defensive talent.

After Neil Brown led the Trojans to a 10-3 season in 2018, they had three consecutive losing seasons. Troy was reborn under first-year head coach John Sumrall, going 11-2 this season. Though many of the NFL prospects are on the defensive side of the ball (Carlton Martial and Will Choloh, for example), keep an eye on offensive tackle Austin Stidham.

Stidham is a two-time All-Sun Belt first-team and CoSIDA Academic All-American and finished third in the country among offensive tackles with a 77.1 pass-blocking grade in 2021. Stidham allowed just two sacks, one hit, eight hurries, and 11 pressures in 451 pass-blocking situations, and he was called for just one penalty in 742 total snaps.

Stidham will not overwhelm a defender with his size (6-foot-5, 292 pounds) or athleticism. However, he makes up for what he lacks in those areas by being one of the more technically sound, disciplined tackles in this upcoming draft. Stidham is not a high-ceiling prospect but is as polished as any tackle in the draft.

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