Gridiron Heroics partners with Draft Scout to give each school’s Top 5 NFL Draft prospects in the Pac 12. Welcome to a list of the UCLA Top 5 NFL Draft prospects for 2023, as seen by Draft Scout.
Each week brings us closer and closer to one of the most anticipated days on the sports calendar — the NFL Draft. This year’s draft will be held in Kansas City, Mo. from April 27-29. Starting today? We take a look at the PAC12 seniors, the class of 2023. Since we don’t know yet which underclassmen will declare, we’ll reconfigure the rankings when that is all official. So be sure to revisit us.
Our PAC12 Draft prospect series will run soon and will run for the next week, with three schools running per day in alphabetical order. A master conference list of the Big 12’s Top 20 NFL draft prospects will wrap things up afterwards. Please check the team links below frequently so you can check out the other schools’ top prospects as the week progresses.
PAC12 TOP 20 PROSPECTS: Overall PAC12 Top Prospect List
PAC12 PROSPECTS: Arizona | Arizona State | California | Colorado | | Oregon | Oregon State | Stanford | UCLA | USC | Utah | Washington | Washington State
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So we all know that not every team in the country has five surefire draft picks on it. Some programs do, especially in some of the more elite conferences. But the vast majority don’t have that many top-flight prospects. But we also know that the definition “top-flight” doesn’t always pan out. And at the same time that strong undrafted free agent everybody forgot? He ends up making the NFL and flourishing.
Below is a look at the UCLA Top 5 Draft Prospects and how they project in the eyes of Draft Scout. Again, for now, we’ll go strictly with seniors (c/o 2023), as no underclassmen have been allowed to officially clear the declaration deadline yet. When they do, we’ll update the lists below.
UCLA TOP 5 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
NO. 1 PROSPECT
NAME: Zach Charbonnet (RB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 1st round
CAREER STATISTICS: In his 4 year college career at UCLA and Michigan, Zach rushed for 3,346 yards and 39 touchdowns. He had a long run of 70 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry. Charbonnet also had 75 catches for 589 yards; averaging 7.9 yards per catch.
THE TRUTH: Just watch the damn tape! He is either the number one or two running back in this class. Zach has unbelievable vision, speed, and athleticism while running the ball. Not only that, he catches passes out of the backfield and knows how to pick up a blitz on passing plays. He is an overall great running back that is very much worth a high first round pick. Charbonnet is a ball player. Honestly, just watch the damn tape. He is pretty damn awesome.
NO. 2 PROSPECT
NAME: Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 4th round
CAREER STATISTICS: The fifth year senior completed 844 passes for 10, 424 yards and 86 touchdowns. DTR’s completion percentage was 63.2 and he threw 33 career interceptions. He also carried the ball 465 times for 1,812 yards and 27 touchdowns.
THE TRUTH: He is a leader. That is the one word that would describe DTR. He does need to work on his accuracy and some decision making. The man loves the game and is an absolute play maker. He would be a great fit behind an established QB that is on their way out in a few years that he can learn behind. His ability to move in the pocket and take off is very valuable in the new trend in the NFL. I think he is a starter and pro bowler for a team in 3 years if he gets into the right system.
NO. 3 PROSPECT
NAME: Jake Bobo (TE)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 5th round
CAREER STATISTICS: In his 5 year college career at Duke and UCLA Bobo had 180 catches for 2,230 yards. He had 19 career touchdowns and averaged 12.4 yards per catch.
THE TRUTH: He needs to work on blocking if he wants to be an all-around tight end in the league. The upside is his hands and route running. He has great size, speed, and athleticism to start day one in the NFL. His production in college might seem low. That was due to the offenses and quarterbacks he played in. Bobo has the skills to be another great pro bowl caliber Tight End in the NFL. I think he will go higher than the fifth round if teams are paying attention. He is the third best tight end in this draft class, in my opinion.
NO. 4 PROSPECT
NAME: Darius Muasau (ILB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 6th round
CAREER STATISTICS: In his 4 year college career at Hawaii and UCLA Muasau had 347 tackles with 212 being solo. He also has 12.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions, 7 pass deflections and a defensive touchdown.
THE TRUTH: He plays with an unbelievable motor and is one of the most productive linebackers in college football. He does lack athleticism to go sideline to sideline and it shows more in man coverage. Muasau can stop any run down hill and will always finish a tackle. With his motor and his tape work he will be drafted and will be very valuable by a team and play special teams and has potential to be a backup linebacker in the league.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
NAME: John Gaines II (OG)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 6-7th round
CAREER STATISTICS: Has started every game in the last two years at UCLA and seven games the year before. He was an anchor of a UCLA line that had its first 1000-yard rusher in over 30 years.
THE TRUTH: He has great speed and explosiveness getting off the ball and that continues to be shown on tape in run blocking and pulling. Gaines does get beat by defensive players with strength and power moves; he needs to build more lower body stability. He will be drafted and make a roster most definitely late in the draft. Teams will be very intrigued by his athleticism and ability to move to other postions on the line.
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