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2022 NFL Draft: Week 0 prospects to watch around the country

By Andrew Fischer

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Hank Bachmeier #19 of the Boise State Broncos looks to pass under pressure from defensive lineman Cade Hall #92 of the San Jose State Spartans in the first half of the Mountain West Football Championship at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David J. Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Hank Bachmeier #19 of the Boise State Broncos looks to pass under pressure from defensive lineman Cade Hall #92 of the San Jose State Spartans in the first half of the Mountain West Football Championship at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David J. Becker/Getty Images) /
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Oct 24, 2020; Fresno, California, USA; Hawaii Rainbow Warriors running back Calvin Turner (7) celebrates with running back Miles Reed (4) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter in a game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiel Maddox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Fresno, California, USA; Hawaii Rainbow Warriors running back Calvin Turner (7) celebrates with running back Miles Reed (4) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter in a game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiel Maddox-USA TODAY Sports /

Hawaii at UCLA 3:30 PM ET ESPN

This game will be played in the Rose Bowl and the Bruins are 17.5-point favorites over the Rainbow Warriors, though this has the potential to be the best game of the day. While Hawaii has a few defensive 2022 NFL Draft prospects worth mentioning (namely LB Darius Muasau and DB Cortez Davis), this list will zoom in on three skill players that have a chance to play at the next level.

Hawaii RB/WR/KR/PR Calvin Turner Jr.

A versatile and explosive player, Hawaii had Calvin Turner doing everything from taking snaps out of the wildcat formation to returning kickoffs at a clip of 27 yards per return last year. He has a condensed frame (5’11” 195) and has a penchant for creating huge plays, flashing elite speed, and an instinctive knack for cutting back against the grain at just the right time.

Racking up 11 total touchdowns last year and securing the 2020 New Mexico Bowl MVP, Turner also gained 1,201 all-purpose yards in 9 games, averaging 9.4 yards per offensive touch. Be it as a running back, wide receiver, or return specialist, Calvin Turner should capture the attention of some NFL scouts ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.

UCLA WR/PR Kyle Philips

A 4-star recruit out of San Marcos, CA, Philips was offered by Arizona State, Arizona, Boise State, and Boston College, in addition to UCLA. Philips is a redshirt junior and was named to the preseason All-Pac-12 watch list for 2021.

He projects as more of a slot receiver at the next level due to his size (5’11” 191) and speed. He seems primed for a breakout, as the Pac-12’s 2020 season was disrupted by COVID, but his 2019 season had him trending upward. That year, Philips notched 681 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns while gaining 180 yards on 8 punt returns, including a 69-yard return for a touchdown.

Philips should see plenty of targets and could lead the Bruins in receptions for the third straight year in 2021, solidifying his status as a 2022 NFL Draft pick.

UCLA TE Greg Dulcich

A big target at 6’4” 250, Greg Dulcich had a breakout year in 2020. He led the Bruins in receiving yards (517 in 7 games) and was second in the country in yards per catch (19.9) for tight ends. Dulcich also was second in the nation in receiving yards per game (73.9) for tight ends.

He had monster games against both Colorado and USC in which he recorded over 125 receiving yards and a touchdown in each. He was awarded second-team All-Pac-12 honors last year and found himself on the preseason watch list for All-Pac-12 this season. His ability to get separation down the seam and make contested catches could lead to him being a late day two 2022 NFL Draft pick.

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