University of Houston Athletics
NFL Draft: Pro Football Focus Breakdown
4/10/2023 9:17:00 AM | Football
Cougars earn high grades ahead of this month’s NFL Draft
HOUSTON – "Dell moves across the field like he's being controlled by a joystick."
Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell tops the Cougars' prospects on Pro Football Focuses' NFL Draft Board, earning high praise for his video game-like abilities – and numbers – ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft which takes place April 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo.
Dell is ranked No. 44 on PFF's Big Board after leading the nation in receiving yards (1,398) and receiving touchdowns (17) last season. The Daytona Beach, Fla., native paced the country with a receiving score in 11 different games and was second with 107.5 receiving yards per game.
"Everyone is looking for speed and separation ability nowadays, and Dell ticks those boxes," the PFF write-up noted. "His ability to stop-start and change directions with no wasted gather steps is what wins in the league. Dell is the receiver teams will be sending in motion at the snap with regularity to make opposing defenses account for his speed and dynamism."
Dell is one of four Cougars on PFF's Draft Board and is joined by quarterback Clayton Tune (No. 168), defensive back Gervarrius Owens (No. 222) and edge rusher Derek Parish (No. 252).
"Tune's 92.0 overall grade tied for the highest among FBS quarterbacks this past season, and his 30 big-time throws helped him earn that honor," PFF noted. "He is a talented and experienced quarterback who won a lot of games … Tune gets a lot of play out of his legs, whether it's as a runner (697 rushing yards in 2022) or creating plays in the passing game outside the pocket. Pair that with a big arm, and you have one gifted dude."
The publication touts Tune's "legitimate field-expanding arm talent" noting that the Carrollton, Texas, native, who set the American Athletic Conference's single-season record with 40 passing touchdowns, had the fastest throw of any quarterback at the Senior Bowl (76.8 mph).
Owens was recognized as All-American Athletic Conference in 2022 by PFF after grading out as The American's top safety (82.5). The Moore, Okla., native started 12 games at free safety, finishing second on the team in tackles (74) and pass breakups (8). He was the only Cougar to record 3+ pass breakups in multiple games (Sept. 10 at Texas Tech; Nov. 12 vs. Temple).
Parish dazzled at Houston's Pro Day on March 23, further cementing his versatility. The senior's 4.09 time in the 5-10-5 Shuttle was 0.21 seconds quicker than the fastest defensive end at 2023 NFL Combine and would have ranked fourth among all positions. The last defensive end or lineman to run a faster time at the NFL Combine was seven years ago (2016) by Florida's Alex McCalister (4.00). The Pearland, Texas, native is the only Houston player since 2000 with 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks in first four games, doing so a season ago.
In total, 188 Cougars have been selected in the NFL Draft all-time. Houston leads all programs in Texas with 14 defensive picks since 2016 and has had at least one player selected in seven straight drafts (2016-present) which is second behind only Texas A&M. Houston is among the top-three in the state in first round picks since 2013 (4) and top-two round picks since 2016 (5).
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets are on sale for Houston's inaugural Big 12 Conference season. Seven-game packages begin as low as $175 to see the Cougars host UTSA (Sept. 2), TCU (Sept. 16), Sam Houston (Sept. 23), West Virginia (Oct. 12), Texas (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Nov. 11) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 18) at TDECU Stadium. Houston's seven on-campus home games are its most since 2015.
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Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
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Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell tops the Cougars' prospects on Pro Football Focuses' NFL Draft Board, earning high praise for his video game-like abilities – and numbers – ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft which takes place April 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo.
Dell is ranked No. 44 on PFF's Big Board after leading the nation in receiving yards (1,398) and receiving touchdowns (17) last season. The Daytona Beach, Fla., native paced the country with a receiving score in 11 different games and was second with 107.5 receiving yards per game.
"Everyone is looking for speed and separation ability nowadays, and Dell ticks those boxes," the PFF write-up noted. "His ability to stop-start and change directions with no wasted gather steps is what wins in the league. Dell is the receiver teams will be sending in motion at the snap with regularity to make opposing defenses account for his speed and dynamism."
Dell is one of four Cougars on PFF's Draft Board and is joined by quarterback Clayton Tune (No. 168), defensive back Gervarrius Owens (No. 222) and edge rusher Derek Parish (No. 252).
"Tune's 92.0 overall grade tied for the highest among FBS quarterbacks this past season, and his 30 big-time throws helped him earn that honor," PFF noted. "He is a talented and experienced quarterback who won a lot of games … Tune gets a lot of play out of his legs, whether it's as a runner (697 rushing yards in 2022) or creating plays in the passing game outside the pocket. Pair that with a big arm, and you have one gifted dude."
The publication touts Tune's "legitimate field-expanding arm talent" noting that the Carrollton, Texas, native, who set the American Athletic Conference's single-season record with 40 passing touchdowns, had the fastest throw of any quarterback at the Senior Bowl (76.8 mph).
Owens was recognized as All-American Athletic Conference in 2022 by PFF after grading out as The American's top safety (82.5). The Moore, Okla., native started 12 games at free safety, finishing second on the team in tackles (74) and pass breakups (8). He was the only Cougar to record 3+ pass breakups in multiple games (Sept. 10 at Texas Tech; Nov. 12 vs. Temple).
FREAK. @ParishDerek's 4.09 20-yard shuttle was:
— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) March 29, 2023
- Faster than 18 of 19 WR's at the NFL Combine this year.
- Faster than all defensive lineman in the last 6️⃣ years at the NFL Combine.
- Faster than all but one linebacker in the last 4️⃣ years at the NFL Combine. pic.twitter.com/3b5wi3DjUP
Parish dazzled at Houston's Pro Day on March 23, further cementing his versatility. The senior's 4.09 time in the 5-10-5 Shuttle was 0.21 seconds quicker than the fastest defensive end at 2023 NFL Combine and would have ranked fourth among all positions. The last defensive end or lineman to run a faster time at the NFL Combine was seven years ago (2016) by Florida's Alex McCalister (4.00). The Pearland, Texas, native is the only Houston player since 2000 with 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks in first four games, doing so a season ago.
In total, 188 Cougars have been selected in the NFL Draft all-time. Houston leads all programs in Texas with 14 defensive picks since 2016 and has had at least one player selected in seven straight drafts (2016-present) which is second behind only Texas A&M. Houston is among the top-three in the state in first round picks since 2013 (4) and top-two round picks since 2016 (5).
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets are on sale for Houston's inaugural Big 12 Conference season. Seven-game packages begin as low as $175 to see the Cougars host UTSA (Sept. 2), TCU (Sept. 16), Sam Houston (Sept. 23), West Virginia (Oct. 12), Texas (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Nov. 11) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 18) at TDECU Stadium. Houston's seven on-campus home games are its most since 2015.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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DB
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DL/FB
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QB
/ FootballMedia Availability: Ashton Porter
Monday, April 20
Media Availability: Kentrell Webb
Monday, April 20
Media Availability: Keisean Henderson
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Media Availability: Conner Weigman
Sunday, April 19