For the first time in three years, a Kansas Jayhawks player was not selected in the NFL Draft. Lonnie Phelps did not hear his named called at the podium.
259 players were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, but Lonnie Phelps was not one of them. He was the fourth-best remaining player in the NFL.com big board and the top-ranked EDGE for multiple rounds.
Most viewed Phelps as a lock to hear his name today. Although he is not a premiere prospect, a team was expected to take a late-round flier on him.
A transfer from Miami (Ohio), Phelps recorded 7.0 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss as a redshirt junior. He led the Jayhawks in both of those categories and also forced a fumble. It was the highest sack total a Kansas player had recorded since Dorance Armstrong had 10.0 in 2016.
The most prominent criticism of his game is that he is a liability against the run. His lack of versatility was the biggest downfall to Phelps’ draft stock.
Despite possessing several NFL-caliber pass-rushing moves, Phelps is extremely undersized at the EDGE position. Standing at 6-foot-2-inches and 244 pounds, he will struggle to get around offensive tackles at the next level. Still, his 4.55 40-yard dash proves he is an elite athlete that could one day become a solid professional starter.
Earl Bostick Jr. was also a candidate to be drafted for the Jayhawks. He lied between the seventh round to the undrafted range. Phelps going undrafted is much more of a surprise than him.
In the previous three years, Kansas players had been selected in each NFL Draft — Kyron Johnson in 2022, Khalil Herbert in 2021, and Hakeem Adeniji in 2020. While it is unfortunate that Phelps and Bostick are undrafted, they will be one of the most highly coveted undrafted free agents. Both have an adequate chance to last in the NFL.