Here Are The Majors of 5 NFL Draft Prospects

Now that the 2023 college football season has ended, NFL coaches have their eyes peeled for prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. There is more to observe than their skills on the field, though. 

Given the caliber of these players’ skills, fans often forget that they are still student-athletes. Although it seems like their lives revolve around football, they also must take classes and prepare for exams. Therefore, it seems beneficial to take a look at what some of these players are studying.

Caleb Williams – Communications

It is no shock that USC quarterback (QB) Caleb Williams is interested in the Communications field. As of October, the 22-year-old was the fifth-highest Name Image, and Likeness (NIL) earner in all of college athletics. 

He is clearly comfortable when it comes to promoting brands and using his face for advertising. Therefore, a degree focused on mass communication, public relations, media, and journalism seems appropriate. 

Maybe fans will see Williams moving into sportscasting or another form of sports journalism after his football career. Who knows? 

Brock Bowers – Finance

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers is taking a different route than Williams as Georgia head coach Kirby Smart calls him the “quietest, hardest worker” he has ever met.  

“We all know about his phenomenal athleticism,” Smart said in the same article. “He’s got a 3.45 GPA in Finance. I remind him constantly that’s .05 right behind where I was as a finance major at Georgia. It’s the only thing I’ve been able to beat Brock at.“

In addition to this, Bowers was also voted to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-American First Team in 2022. Clearly, he is not one to neglect his studies.

Joe Alt – Mechanical Engineering

University of Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt is currently studying mechanical engineering. He was even named a Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete just a few months ago.

According to The Military Bowl, Alt has been interested in STEM-related studies since high school. There, he participated in his school’s engineering academic program. This activity is what pushed him to inevitably focus on mechanical engineering. 

“Joe is a pleasure to teach,” said Michael J. Seelinger, Ph.D., director of undergraduate studies in Notre Dame’s Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering in the same interview. 

“He cares deeply about mastering the material presented in his courses,” Seelinger continued, according to The Military Bowl. “He has the courage to ask and answer questions, even in a large classroom setting. During my help sessions for my Mechanics II course, Joe frequently volunteered to lead me through the solution to the problems we were working on as a class.”

Bo Nix – Public Relations

It is no secret that Oregon QB Bo Nix has a vested interest in academics as he was recently awarded the William V. Campbell Trophy, an annual accolade given to the player who is the “absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance, and exemplary community leadership.” 

In 2021, the 23-year-old graduated magna cum laude from Auburn. Now, he is finishing up his Master’s Degree in Public Relations at the University of Oregon. Nix currently holds an impressive 3.91 GPA, according to First Round Mock.

To add to his academic resume, he was also announced as the winner of the Pac-12 Football Scholar-Athlete just before the Pac-12 Championship game on December 1.

Olu Fashanu – Supply Chain Management

Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu clearly cares about how he does, not just on the field, but also in the classroom. 

In fact, this past March, he requested that his interview with Pro Football Focus be pushed back because he needed to study for an exam. Once he was interviewed, though, he stated what he would like to do after football.

“Ideally, I’d want to get into the pharmaceutical sector,” he stated. “Maybe I can work for a company like Johnson & Johnson.”

In the same interview, he also shared that he would like to continue attending Penn State so he can pursue a master’s degree, which he is currently working on.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by what kinds of activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.