NEW ORLEANS – Below is a snapshot of what people are saying across media outlets and social media about Sun Belt Conference football in the 2020 NFL Draft:
The Sun Belt came away with seven draftees in the 2020 NFL Draft. In 2019 the conference only had one. – Underdog Dynasty (
2020 NFL Draft: Sun Belt Makes An Impact)
"These guys flip over every rock," Louisiana head coach Billy Napier said of the scouts. "It’s very analytical. Certainly the NFL rosters, the draft, the Pro Bowl are evidence that nowadays it doesn’t matter where you play or where you come from." – Lafayette Daily Advertiser (
Cajuns Coach Napier: NFL Scouts 'Flip Over Every Rock')
Miami picked up one of my favorite prospects in this class at No. 39, going with Louisiana guard Robert Hunt. He played guard and tackle for the Ragin' Cajuns -- and analyst Daniel Jeremiah mentioned Hunt could start out at tackle for the Dolphins -- but I see him as an instant starter at guard. I love this pick. – ESPN.com (
2020 NFL Draft Winners, Head-Scratching Picks from Rounds 2 and 3: Mel Kiper's Recap)
"We targeted guys who fit the Miami Dolphins criteria. Guys who are tough, smart, like to play and compete,” Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said. – South Florida Sun Sentinel (
Dolphins Select O-Lineman Robert Hunt, DT Raekwon Davis, and Safety Brandon Jones on Day 2 of NFL Draft)
Robert Hunt, whose pancake blocks were featured in the video profile on ESPN after his selection, played multiple positions in college and how he'll be used by the Dolphins will be interesting to watch. – Sports Illustrated (
Dolphins Select Robert Hunt: Instant Reaction)
"I’m super excited to get on the field with Tua (Tagovailoa)," Robert Hunt said. "It’s my job to protect him every day." – Palm Beach Post (
Miami Dolphins Select Guard/Tackle Robert Hunt in Second Round)
"You know, I’m blessed. This is a great opportunity," Robert Hunt said. "I’m super-excited to get down to Miami and get to work." – Lafayette Daily Advertiser (
Reaction to the Miami Dolphins Drafting UL's Robert Hunt)
But any team looking for the best value will find it in Darrynton Evans, who has a three-down skill set that will make an immediate impact at the next level. – The Tennessean (
Titans Draft Pick Darrynton Evans of Appalachian State)
The Titans found their lighting to Derrick Henry’s thunder by selecting Appalachian State speedster Darrynton Evans with the 93rd overall pick in NFL Draft. – WJHL-TV (
Titans Pick App State Running Back Darrynton Evans in Third Round)
Darrynton Evans will pair in the Titans backfield with Derrick Henry, the Titans' 6-foot-3 bruiser who ran for 1,540 yards last season. The New Smyrna Beach native was described by draft analysts as a change-of-pace back due to the 4.41 40-yard dash speed he displayed at the NFL Combine. – Winston-Salem Journal (
Tennessee Titans select App State's Darrynton Evans in the NFL Draft)
Day three of the 2020 NFL Draft kicked off the same as the past two days: With the Cincinnati Bengals upgrading a position of need. The Bengals made linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither the No. 107 overall pick. – NFL.com (
Day 3 Starts with Bengals Taking Akeem Davis-Gaither)
At 6-1, 221 pounds, Akeem Davis-Gaither is considered undersized by traditional metrics, but has great speed and can tackle well. He first entered college at 175 pounds, but worked his way up after playing two games his freshman season and redshirting. Scouts believe Davis-Gaither is a playmaker who showcases great instincts and toughness, traits that fit the modern era linebacker in the NFL. – Bengals.com (
5 Things To Know About Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither)
The Bengals coached Akeem Davis-Gaither at the Senior Bowl and clearly fell for him there. – Pro Football Talk on NBCSports.com (
Bengals Kick Off Fourth Round with Akeem Davis-Gaither)
Don't be surprised if (Akeem) Davis-Gaither significantly outperforms his draft status (pick No. 107), especially if he can stay healthy. He could lead the Bengals defense in tackles as a weak-side linebacker and become a star. – Bleacher Report (
NFL Draft 2020: Late-Round Picks Who Could Become Pro Bowlers)
The first non-Combine invite has come off the board. The Steelers selected Louisiana offensive guard Kevin Dotson in the fourth round, making him the 135th overall selection. – Pro Football Talk on NBCSports.com (
Kevin Dotson Becomes First Non-Combine Invite Drafted)
Kevin Dotson kept telling himself that he only needed one NFL team to like him. That moment for the Plaquemine High product came Saturday when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the 6-4, 310-pound guard him with the No. 135 overall pick in the fourth round. – Acadiana Advocate (
UL Guard Kevin Dotson Picked in Fourth Round by Steelers)
"Watching him on tape he is a really big man with great lift," said Steelers offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett. "He is a very good athlete. What really shows up on his tape is he is a people mover. I really like that. This guy can move." – Steelers.com (
Steelers Select Dotson in the Fourth Round)
The Chicago Bears on Saturday selected Georgia Southern cornerback Kindle Vildor with the 163rdpick in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. – ChicagoBears.com (
Bears Select Cornerback Vildor in Fifth Round)
The Chicago Bears used their second fifth-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft on Georgia Southern cornerback, Kindle Vildor, who joins second-round selection Jaylon Johnson (Utah) as reinforcements for a secondary that desperately needed help. – NBCSports.com (
Twitter Reacts to Bears Selecting Kindle Vildor in the Fifth Round)
The Chicago Bears used their second fifth-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft on Georgia Southern cornerback, Kindle Vildor, who joins second-round selection Jaylon Johnson (Utah) as reinforcements for a secondary that desperately needed help. – NBCSports.com (
Twitter Reacts to Bears Selecting Kindle Vildor in the Fifth Round)
At pick 188, the Buffalo Bills selected Georgia Southern University kicker Tyler Bass. Bass may not have been the first kicker selected in this year’s draft, but he was the top kicker on many draft boards. – NewYorkUpstate.com (
3 Things to Know About K Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills’ No. 188 Pick)
According to ESPN Stats and Info, Bass was stellar from distance with 27 made field goals from 40-plus yards over the last three seasons, which was the most in the FBS. – WGR Radio (
Bills Take Kicker Tyler Bass with 188th Overall Pick in the 2020 NFL Draft)
"It is pretty cool to look back where I was five years ago until now," Bass told The State. "I didn’t get here alone, that is for sure. I had a lot of help along the way to get me where I am today." – The State (
'Crazy Leg' and Super Grandma: How Dutch Fork’s Tyler Bass Emerged as Top NFL Prospect)
With sports put on hold amid the coronavirus, football fans showed up for this year’s NFL draft. The opening night saw the highest numbers the draft has ever had, 15.6 million viewers tuned in. Football players across the country waited in their living rooms, hoping to see their names come across the TV screen. It happens for less than 300 players each year, but two in the 2020 draft came out of Georgia Southern. – WTOC-TV (
Two Georgia Southern Eagles Taken in 2020 NFL Draft)
The Bucs 2020 draft class is complete with the addition of running back and kick returner Raymond Calais from Louisiana. Tampa selected the speedster with the 245th pick, its last of the draft. – Bucaneers.com (
Bucs Round Out 2020 Draft with Louisiana RB Raymond Calais)
The second running back the team has selected in as many days, Calais adds speed and special teams ability to Tampa Bay’s roster. He should be an intriguing guy to watch whenever the Bucs can finally come back together and practice as a team for the first time in 2020. – BucsNation.com (
Three Things You Need to Know About New Buccaneers RB Raymond Calais)
The three Ragin' Cajuns selected also mark the most for a Sun Belt Conference program in 2020, leading Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, which both had two draft picks. – KATC-TV (
Dotson, Calais Selected in 2020 NFL Draft)
“(Raymond's) one of the players that we’re probably most proud of, kind of an unheralded guy coming in,” Louisiana head coach Billy Napier said. – Acadiana Advocate (
Raymond Calais Drafted in Seventh Round by Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 24, 2020