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Conference USA 2024 NFL Draft Recap

The weekend of the 2024 NFL Draft was a productive one for Confefence USA. In particular, it was something of a historic draft for the UTEP miners with not one, but two selections. Three total players from Conference USA schools heard their names called. With those three selections, CUSA has now seen 62 players chosen in the NFL Draft since 2016.

Here are the important things to know about the latest batch of Conference USA NFL talent.

Malachi Corley (Western Kentucky WR) - New York Jets, #65 Overall

Corley spent all four of his college seasons at Western Kentucky where he hauled 259 receptions for 3,035 yards and 29 touchdowns. Corley was also impressive in Senior Bowl practices, helping him land an opportunity in a Jets offense that needs help to reach rejuvenation.

Tyrice Knight (UTEP LB) - Seattle Seahawks, #118 Overall

Over the previous four seasons, nobody in Conference USA had more tackles than Tyrice Knight. He had 140 in 2023 alone. Knight was the first UTEP player to be drafted since 2018. He finished his college career with 32 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.

Elijah Klein (UTEP OL) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, #220 Overall

Klein started games at four different offensive line positions this season alone. He made a whopping 50 consecutive starts for the Miners over the last several seasons. With Klein's selection, 2024 marks the first time since 2008 that multiple UTEP players were selected in the NFL Draft.

30 Apr 24 Jimm Sallivan

Shedeur Sanders Takes Shot at Former Teammate Who Criticized Deion Sanders

Colorado's hire of coach Deion Sanders away from Jackson State in Dec. 2022 instantly transformed the Buffaloes into one of the most closely followed teams in college football. Their fanbase expanded overnight as they reeled in television audiences in sizes usually reserved for Alabama or Ohio State.

However, Sanders's methods alienated some—and not just people within the game itself. Many observers took issue with his wholesale turnover of Colorado's roster, which began with the most infamous video of Sanders's tenure.

On Tuesday, Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders responded dismissively to one such criticism of his father's methods. In The Athletic, now-UTEP (and former Austin Peay) defensive back Xavier Smith charged the elder Sanders "(destroyed) guys' confidence and belief in themselves)."

"Ion even remember him tbh. Bro had to be very mid at best," Sanders wrote on social media.

Ion even remember him tbh. Bro had to be very mid at best. https://t.co/qwK48Ys0Et
— Shedeur Sanders (@ShedeurSanders) April 30, 2024

The shrug-like tweet drew widespread condemnation, accruing almost three times as many quote-tweets as retweets in about an hour.

Sanders' on-field skills are obvious, but his tact may need some tinkering in 2024 as he presumably eyes the 2025 NFL draft.