Best NFL Draft Prospects for Kennesaw State vs. FIU: Top Players to Watch Tonight
As Weekday CUSA kicks off Week 9 of the college football season, I'm looking at the best NFL draft prospects for Kennesaw State vs. FIU ahead of tonight's game at 7 p.m. ET from Pitbull Stadium (Miami, Fla.).
One player NFL scouts will surely have their eyes on is FIU running back Kejon Owens, who's coming off a 195-yard performance. We also break down this matchup in full in our Kennesaw State vs. FIU prediction.
🏈 Kennesaw State vs. FIU top prospects
Check out all of our best college football picks for this week's matchups.
| Player | NFL draft grade |
|---|---|
| Caleb Offord, CB | Late Day 3-UDFA |
| Kejon Owens, RB, FIU | Late Day 3-UDFA |
| Brian Blades II, CB, FIU | UDFA |
| Gabriel Benyard, WR | UDFA |
🦉 Kennesaw State players to watch
Offense: Gabriel Benyard, WR
A converted running back, it's not hard to see how dynamic Gabriel Benyard can be with the ball in his hands. Kennesaw State's best playmaker is top 10 in Conference USA in yards per route run (2.36), forced missed tackles on receptions (6), and first down catches (17). He's also used in the run game, and his path to the NFL is likely as a punt returner. Benyard has 565 all-purpose yards this season.
Defense: Caleb Offord, CB
Among the most interesting cornerback prospects in the Group of Six, Caleb Offord began his career at Notre Dame before becoming a starter at Buffalo, Alabama State, and now Kennesaw State. At 6-foot-2, his length is awfully intriguing, and he's having a breakout season, ranking third in Conference USA in forced incompletions (6) and fifth in coverage stops (8). If he closes out the season the way he's started it, his name will start to get more buzz. Offord didn't play in the Owls' last game but is expected back tonight.
🐾 FIU players to watch
Offense: Kejon Owens, RB
One of the best running backs in the Group of Six this season, Owens is having a breakout senior season under new head coach Willie Simmons. Between his burst and contact balance, Owens ranks top 30 nationally in rushing yards after contact (423) and forced missed tackles (27). If he keeps up this pace, he could earn an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl and play his way into a late selection in the NFL draft.
Defense: Brian Blades II, CB
The son of former Seattle Seahawks All-Pro wide receiver Brian Blades and nephew of former Detroit Lions All-Pro Bennie Blades, football is in Brian Blades II's blood. A multi-year starter at FIU, Blades came into the season as one of the top G6 cornerbacks and the only Panther on the East-West Shrine Bowl's watchlist. Injuries have impacted him thus far, but he returned to the field last week and played 60 snaps in FIU's upset win of Western Kentucky.
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