2024 NFL Draft – Where Did the Hula Bowl Alumni Get Selected?

The 2024 NFL Draft has concluded, leaving 257 selections that shattered numerous records. Among these, we find a group of exceptional prospects- the Hula Bowl alumni. These individuals each have carved unique paths to the draft, and their potential impact on their new teams is of great intrigue. There were 17 selections among the group, and many more on each of the Team Aina and Kai rosters have been signed to UDFA contracts or Rookie Minicamp Tryouts.

Note: Hula Bowl Assistant Director of Scouting Jimmy Williams‘ Top 500 Big Board rankings are used throughout the article

Note: All RAS scores are courtesy of @MathBomb

1. Elijah Jones | CB | Boston College

Jones earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl after performing well at the Hula Bowl. He was made the highest-selected cornerback prospect in BC history with the 90th pick of the Arizona Cardinals. The former BC man scored an impressive 8.96 RAS on his way to garnering that third-round selection. Jimmy Williams ranked him as the 161st-best prospect in the class and the 19th overall corner in his top 500. He was ranked as CB12 on my cornerback big board compared to Sean Murphy-Bunting. He will compete for a starting role behind the man he’s compared to.

2. Tyrone Tracy, Jr | RB | Purdue

The speedster converted to a full-time running back in 2023 and had his best season statistically. He wowed at the Combine, posting an impressive 9.78 RAS during the offseason testing. Tracy transferred to Purdue from Big Ten rival Iowa, where he was a receiver. He has the potential to do it all as a dual-threat weapon like a Cordarelle Patterson once upon a time. The Giants’ fifth-round selection was the 166th overall pick. He expects to compete for a backup role behind free-agent signee Devin Singletary and second-string Eric Gray. The former Boilmaker should have a roster spot if he can continue making plays on special teams. He ranked as the 242nd-best prospect in the top 500.

3. Darius Muasau | LB | UCLA

Muasau was a monstrous tackling machine for Hawaii and UCLA, finishing 436 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, five interceptions, and 14 passes defended. He scored a pedestrian 5.73 RAS during the offseason. Aligned primarily as an inside linebacker, but he does have enough athleticism to deploy on the outside as well. Williams ranked him as the 207th-best prospect and the 16th linebacker in the top 500. He has a tough road to compete for a job with Micah McFadden, Bobby Okereke, and Isaiah Simmons ahead of him on the depth chart. Special teams and time on the practice squad may be his ticket to sticking on the roster.

4. Casey Washington | WR | Illinois

The Falcons’ sixth-round selection (187th overall) saved the best for his last season, posting 670 yards and four touchdowns on 49 receptions. For his reward, he gets to play for an offense powered by star quarterback Kirk Cousins among the litany of receivers like Drake London and Darnell Mooney. He does have some special teams potential, as it will be his ticket to the senior squad. The Falcons have a history of churning out bottom-of-the-depth chart guys like Olamide Zaccheaus, so there’s hope for him. He won’t displace the top three of Mooney, London, and Rondale Moore but can insert himself into the WR4 picture against KhaDarel Hodge and Ray-Ray McCloud. Washington was ranked as the 256th-highest prospect in the top 500.

5. Tehjuan Palmer | WR | UAB

The Cardinals took Palmer with the 191st selection in the sixth round. He becomes the second-ever Blazers receiver to be selected by the Cardinals in their history. The former Blazer boasts decent size and a 4.45 40, leading him to a RAS score of 9.57. According to the Top 500 board, he was ranked as the 343rd best prospect, with a receiver ranking of well into the 20s. Arizona’s path to playing time for him is murky, with a WR4 role being the ceiling. Palmer must contribute on special teams like most of his compatriots in the late draft rounds to make the final 53.

6. Khristian Boyd | IDL | Northern Iowa

The Saints drafted Northern Iowa’s dominant interior defensive lineman in the sixth round using Tom Brady’s selection. Boyd trended to be selected higher in the draft after a great Hula Bowl process, but the testing numbers could have been better. Still, he should breathe new life into a veteran defense that has been tailing off slightly. There is a pathway to making the final roster as he battles John Penisini and Jack Heflin for a backup role to Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd. Mr. Williams ranked him as the 235th-best prospect in the top 500. Saints tackle Trevor Penning brings some familiarity as they were teammates in college.

7. Patrick McMorris | DB | Cal

McMorris is a versatile safety who transferred to Cal from San Diego State. He was a productive three-year starter for the Golden Bears and Aztecs. The safety prospect had two seasons of 90 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five interceptions, and 17 passes defended. Miami drafted him in the sixth round as a versatile defensive back who could make the team as a big nickel type. He’s currently listed as the backup strong safety to veteran Jordan Poyer, who came over from the Bills. McMorris ranked as the 391st prospect in the top 500.

8. Travis Glover | OT | Georgia State

Glover started the offseason process at the Hula Bowl; then the Senior Bowl came calling at the last minute. Despite being late to the event, he held his own in Mobile, which bodes well for his pro future. He’s a powerful man with a great build and strength in his hands. The Packers drafted the former GSU tackle with the 202nd selection in the sixth round. Green Bay has room for him to make the roster with questions at both tackle spots. Glover will compete with veteran Andre Dillard and Rasheed Walker for a backup swing tackle role in camp. He ranked as the 245th-highest prospect in the top 500.

9. Mike Jerrell | OT | Findlay

Jerrell starred at D-II Findlay before getting invited to the Hula Bowl, where he played well enough to attract the Seahawks’ attention. Seattle selected him with the 202nd pick in the sixth round, making him a part of a solid class. The Seahawks have a history of turning small school gems into reliable role players and beyond under John Schneider. Jerrell could be the latest in a long line of them. He tested very well during the offseason, scoring an impressive 9.29 RAS. He’ll have to compete for a backup job at right tackle with veteran George Fant. Williams ranked Jerrell 434th in the top 500 big board.

10. Jarrett Kingston | OL | USC

The local boy who made good gets to stay relatively close to home to begin his pro career. He’s a versatile lineman who could play multiple spots along the trenches in the Bay. Kingston is a phenomenal athlete who tested impressively during the offseason, scoring 9.92 on RAS, a top 15 all-time guard score. The 49ers drafted the former Trojan star in the sixth round with the 215th selection. He will compete for a backup spot with veterans Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch for the NFC champions. Kingston ranked as the 269th-best prospect on Mr. Williams’ top 500.

11. Daijahn Anthony | S | Ole Miss

Anthony was a transfer to Ole Miss from Liberty, where he played cornerback before converting to safety at Oxford. The 2023 season was the best in his career when he finalized a Hula Bowl invitation. He then parlayed the Hula Bowl invitation into being promoted to the East-West Shrine Game. His offseason merited a seventh-round selection by the Bengals. He was the 12th-best safety on my big board while ranking the 295th-highest prospect in the Williams 500. The road to a roster spot in Cincinnati will be challenging as the two-deep is locked in. The versatility will be his calling card as he attempts to make a veteran-laden defense.

12. Jaden Davis | DB | Miami

The former Sooners cornerback transferred to Miami for his final collegiate season and posted his best season. He had 42 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and four passes defended as a super senior for the Hurricanes. Davis faces a tougher challenge to make the final roster as he plays a position that features veteran talents and higher-drafted rookies, but if he can play special teams, he has a chance. He ranked as the 311th overall prospect in the 500.

13. Solomon Byrd | EDGE | USC

Byrd spent four years at Wyoming before transferring to USC for his final two collegiate seasons. His production was consistent at both institutions. In the 2023 season, he posted career highs in tackles, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles. His solid play for the Trojans earned him a Hula Bowl invitation. The rebuilt Houston Texans drafted him in the seventh round with the 238th selection. He must battle for a roster spot behind starters Will Anderson, Jr and Danielle Hunter. Dylan Horton and the aging warhorse Derek Barnett will be the main competition he will face in that battle. He ranked as the 264th overall prospect in the top 500.

14. Jowon Briggs | DL | Cincinnati

Briggs began his career with Virginia but transferred to Cincinnati before the 2021 season. Statistically, 2022 was his best season as a Bearcat. The 2023 season wasn’t as productive, but he provided a steadying force in the middle of the defense. He earned a Hula Bowl invitation and made some plays there to match his offseason testing numbers. The former Cincinnati lineman scored a solid 7.26 RAS, but he is undersized for a tackle that wins with power. He’s a serviceable athlete as well. Briggs will move a few hours to the northeast to begin his career with the Browns as a seventh-round selection. The defensive tackle two-deep looks imposing with veterans competing against him for a roster spot. He was ranked as the 304th-best prospect in the top 500.

15. Sanoussi Kane | DB | Purdue

Purdue had a two-year contributor in Kane, who averaged 75 tackles, five tackles for loss, and five passes defended the past two seasons. He tested very well during the offseason, earning an 8.18 RAS in the process. The Ravens selected him in the seventh round to fill a backup role for Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams. If he can stand out during camp and preseason, Kane has a good chance to make the final roster as he’s competing with fellow rookie Beau Brade and veteran Ardarius Washington. Baltimore is notorious for developing late-round gems at defensive back, so he went to the right program. He ranked as the 323rd prospect in the top 500.

16. Nick Garguilo | OL | South Carolina

Garguilo is an ultra-versatile lineman with snaps at tackle, guard, and center dotting his career. He stood out at Yale and South Carolina before receiving an invite to the Hula Bowl. The former Gamecock lineman was drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round after testing very well during the offseason. He scored an outstanding 9.45 RAS during the process. The new Broncos draft pick has all the physical traits and versatility to make the final roster as a backup over his new colleagues. It will be interesting to see which position Denver places him in. He ranked as the 290th prospect in the top 500.

17. Jaylen Key | S | Alabama

The Jets made the former Alabama defensive back Mr. Irrelevant. Key transferred to Alabama from UAB after spending four years in Birmingham. His last two collegiate seasons were productive, as he posted similar numbers for both the Blazers and Crimson Tide. He tested well during the offseason, scoring an 8.93 RAS. His physical traits will get him noticed, but the team’s safety room is loaded with talented veterans. The road to making the roster will be tough, but his versatility will give him a chance. Key ranked as the 307th prospect in the top 500.

We at NFL Draft Diamonds wish all the 2024 Hula Bowl Alumni the best of luck in the next journey of their careers!