Fly War Eagle and 247Sports’ Nathan King were in agreement with several Auburn football prospects we both see being selected next year at the 2023 NFL Draft in our early projections following this year’s three-day event.
Of course, Tank Bigsby leads the class. The third-year RB will finally be in what is essentially a ‘contract year’ on the Plains, as he’ll be draft-eligible for the first time after his junior season.
Elsewhere, Derick Hall and Colby Wooden figure to be wanted along several NFL defensive lines next season. Ditto for Owen Pappoe in LB rooms. There was a discrepancy in kicking prospects, with punter Oscar Chapman being King’s projection, and FWE seeing Anders Carlson joining his brother Daniel at the pro level.
An interesting prospect we missed is John Samuel Shenker. Here’s what King said about his NFL Draft candidacy:
"As tight ends go, there’s not much Shenker doesn’t possess. He’s got size (6-foot-4 and 250 pounds), athleticism, experience (now entering his sixth season) and, after last season, highly impressive production. Shenker is Auburn’s top returning pass-catcher (33 receptions for 413 yards) after he set program records for single-season receiving numbers by a tight end. With a new face at quarterback, Shenker should be relied upon once again as a security blanket in the passing game. Assuming he’s at least a 300-yard receiver next year, it’d be hard to argue with Shenker’s ability in the passing game, and he should stand out enough among his tight-end peers in the draft class to be a solid selection."
Auburn football TE John Samuel Shenker only gets drafted with near repeat season
Before last season, no one was projecting the Class of 2017 TE to go pro. Luckily, his chemistry with Bo Nix was notable, and the Moultrie, GA product was the most successful TE in several decades on the Plains. His breakout was one of the most obvious features of Bryan Harsin’s offense.
Shenker caught five passes for 54 yards against Houston in the Birmingham Bowl and later hauled in a TD at A-Day. His chemistry with T.J. Finley/Zach Calzada/Robby Ashford, and whether or not it can come close to what he had with Nix during the season’s primetime matchups (102 REC yards vs. LSU, 62 vs. Penn State) will determine whether or not he will be in the NFL next year.