NFL: UConn draft prospects Christian Haynes and Eric Watts invited to NFL scouting combine
As we inch closer to the highly-anticipated 2024 NFL Draft, two members who concluded their collegiate careers in Storrs this past fall prepare to have their names called by the commissioner this April. UConn’s Christian Haynes and Eric Watts were among the 321 players in the country to receive an invitation to the NFL scouting combine, set to take place Feb. 26 through March 4.
Haynes, a right guard from Bowie, Md., was the first Husky in the FBS era to garner multiple AP All-American team honors (2022, 2023). This season, Haynes was once again one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the country, allowing just one sack in 802 snaps taken. Listed at 6-foot-2, 318 pounds, Haynes played in the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3 and is considered to be a second or third-round draft selection according to many NFL Draft databases. His draft stock skyrocketed after a viral video showed him dominating and frustrating former LSU DL Jordan Jefferson in a drill.
Watts, who joined Haynes in the Senior Bowl, was one of the best edge rushers Connecticut has had in recent years. The 6-foot-6 defensive lineman from Sumter, S.C. finished his 2023 campaign with 34 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles while impressing scouts in the one-on-one drills in the Senior Bowl. Many draft boards have Watts going in the sixth or seventh round of the draft as nfldraftbuzz.com has him ranked as the 187th overall prospect.
The tandem of Haynes and Watts were key members of the Huskies’ run to the Myrtle Beach Bowl in 2022 and will now look to be the first NFL Draft selections in the Jim Mora era.
NBA: James Bouknight released by Charlotte Hornets
After being the first recruit from the Dan Hurley era to earn an NBA Draft selection, 2021 lottery pick James Bouknight was let go by the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 8, midway through his third season. The former UConn guard appeared in 79 games with the Hornets, averaging 4.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per contest. A meniscus surgery limited the former 11th-overall pick to just 14 games this season, appearing for only 5.8 minutes a night.
The 23-year-old from Crown Heights, N.Y. has had issues off the floor since college and into his professional years. However, the talent he’s displayed in flashes could make him an intriguing option for an organization to take a chance on, with the opportunity to capitalize on the upside of the young lottery pick.