IRVING, Texas – Ten American Athletic Conference players heard their names called in the 2023 NFL Draft, which concluded Saturday evening in Kansas City.
The American has had 48 players taken in the last three drafts, marking the second-best three-year stretch in the conference’s history. The American had 55 players taken between 2020-22. The American’s 10 draft selections in 2023 ranked sixth among all NCAA conferences.
Skill position players highlighted the American Athletic Conference's early selections in the draft as three wide receivers and a running back were among the five players from The American chosen in the first three rounds.
SMU wideout Rashee Rice, a first-team all-conference selection in 2022, was taken in the second round by the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The American had three skill players taken in the third round. Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell won't have to relocate as he was selected by the Houston Texans at No. 69 overall, while Tulane running back Tyjae Spears was selected by the Tennessee Titans at No. 81. Dell and Spears both joined Rice on The American’s all-conference first team.
The first defensive player off the board from The American was Tulane linebacker Dorian Williams, a first-team all-conference choice who went to the Buffalo Bills with the 91st overall pick.
Cincinnati wide receiver Tre Tucker was tabbed by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 100th overall pick to cap The American’s Day 2 selections. Tucker’s teammate, Tyler Scott, went to the Chicago Bears in the fourth round.
Houston quarterback Clayton Tune went to the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round, while Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle was selected by the Tennessee Titans.
A pair of Houston teammates capped The American’s draft entries as defensive end-turned-fullback Derek Parish went to the Jacksonville Jaguars, while safety Gervarrius Owens was tabbed by the New York Giants.
Houston led The American’s draft contingent with four players selected. Cincinnati had three picks, while Tulane had two and SMU one.
American Athletic Conference Players Chosen in the 2023 NFL Draft
| Round |
Overall |
Player |
Pos |
School |
NFL Team |
| 2 |
55 |
Rashee Rice |
WR |
SMU |
Kansas City |
| 3 |
69 |
Nathaniel Dell |
WR |
Houston |
Houston |
| 3 |
81 |
Tyjae Spears |
RB |
Tulane |
Tennessee |
| 3 |
91 |
Dorian Williams |
LB |
Tulane |
Buffalo |
| 3 |
100 |
Tre Tucker |
WR |
Cincinnati |
Las Vegas |
| 4 |
133 |
Tyler Scott |
WR |
Cincinnati |
Chicago |
| 5 |
139 |
Clayton Tune |
QB |
Houston |
Arizona |
| 5 |
147 |
Josh Whyle |
TE |
Cincinnati |
Tennessee |
| 7 |
240 |
Derek Parish |
FB |
Houston |
Jacksonville |
| 7 |
254 |
Gervarrius Owens |
S |
Houston |
New York Giants |