The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2024 NFL Draft with scouts beginning to be sent out across the country in hopes of finding the next diamond in the rough.
The first major event leading up to the NFL Draft in April just wrapped up this week at the Hula Bowl in Orlando, Florida where scouts from the NFL, XFL, USFL, and CFL came together to keep tabs on some notable prospects in college football.
The Bears had a busy last few days after reportedly meeting with three notable players during the week down in Orlando. Here’s which players the Bears met with during the week.
Memphis RB Blake Watson
Blake Watson was a top name during the week at the Hula Bowl and kept the momentum going during the game with many top scouts in attendance. While there were no recorded stats from the game, Watson was named offensive MVP for Team Aina, coached by former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith.
Before the game, Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report reported that Watson met with the Eagles, Colts, Jaguars, Giants, Steelers, Jets, Patriots, Broncos Chargers, and others along with the Bears. He was a busy prospect during the week with many teams wanting to learn more about him.
Watson spent his last season the University of Memphis after transferring from Old Dominion University where he played from 2018 to 2022. Watson was able to really showcase his three down ability at Memphis, totaling 192 carries, 1,152 yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 53 receptions, 480 yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns in 2023.
Watson was selected as a first-team All-AAC player following his productive season and is now set to enter into the draft. The Bears will have another opportunity to meet with Watson at the East-West Shrine Bowl in February and perhaps Watson will be coached by Bears’ special teams coordinator Richard Hightower on the East team.
Texas Tech CB Rayshad Williams
Another player who received a lot of interest during the week in Orlando was Texas Tech cornerback Rayshad Williams. Williams recorded 37 combined tackles, 7 passes defensed, one interception, and a fumble recovery during 12 starts in 2023.
Williams is another transfer player who began is college career at UCLA before transferring to Texas Tech for his final three seasons. The 6-3, 215 pound corner has incredible size for the position and adding his ball skills makes him an intriguing prospect entering the draft.
Fowler also mentioned the 49ers, Packers, Chiefs, Dolphins, Seahawks, Cowboys and Colts as other teams who met with the cornerback throughout the week.
UTSA WR Joshua Cephus
The final prospect the Bears reportedly met with during the Hula Bowl was UTSA wide receiver Josh Cephus. The former roadrunner is the brother of former Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus.
Cephus was selected as a First-Team All-AAC selection in 2023 after racking up 89 receptions for a school-record 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was also named Offensive MVP in Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl after catching seven passes for 102 yards and a touchdown leading to UTSA’s first bowl win in school history,
Cephus had some off the field concerns at the end of 2023 but he still was a popular presence during the week. Fowler reported that Cephus also met with the Vikings, Jaguars, Commanders, Chargers, Saints, Chiefs and Broncos.
The next step in the scouting process will occur on February 1, 2024 at the East-West Shrine Bowl following by the Reese’s Senior Bowl on February 3, 2024.
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