Liberty vs. New Mexico State Preview: Draft Prospects To Watch Include Kaidon Salter, CJ Daniels

Are there any 2024 NFL Draft prospects to note in the C-USA Championship matchup between the Liberty Flames and the New Mexico State Aggies? Here’s a look at some of the top talents set to do battle in this contest.

C-USA Championship Prospect Preview

The C-USA Championship game will pit the Flames against the Aggies. It’ll be played on Friday, Dec. 1, at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The Flames are 12-0 under the oversight of head coach Jamey Chadwell, but the Aggies are right on their heels at 10-3 and are heading into this game on an eight-game win streak.

The last time these teams played — all the way back in early September — Liberty won comfortably by a margin of 33-17. But this time around, the Aggies are on a roll, and both teams have the talent to compete.

Liberty Flames 2024 NFL Draft Prospects

Kaidon Salter, QB

It’s very unlikely that Kaidon Salter declares for the 2024 NFL Draft, but he’s a QB to have on the draft radar for the coming cycles. The redshirt sophomore amassed 40 total touchdowns in 2023, distinguishing himself as a Grade-A playmaker.

MORE: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades

At around 6’1″, 200 pounds, Salter is undersized, but he’s a dynamic athlete with a live arm, and he’s proven his ability as a central playmaking force for his offense in 2023.

CJ Daniels, WR

After missing most of the 2022 season, CJ Daniels has re-emerged as a senior in 2023, with 40 catches for 831 yards and nine scores. Daniels’ yards-per-catch average over 20 is representative of the 6’1″, 195-pound pass catcher’s big-play ability.

X’Zauvea Gadlin, G

The Flames have an offensive lineman who could potentially field PFA appeal in guard X’Zauvea Gadlin. What he lacks in athleticism, Gadlin makes up for it with his high-level strength, heavy hands, and natural leverage at 6’4″, 320 pounds.

New Mexico State Aggies 2024 NFL Draft Prospects

Diego Pavia, QB

Salter is the most productive QB in this high-flying matchup, but Diego Pavia also has a respectable track record on the other side, with over 3,500 yards from scrimmage and 28 total touchdowns.

Pavia might not declare this year, but he has a few qualities that could make him a coveted PFA prospect. He’s athletic, a skilled ball handler, flashes solid situational precision downfield, and has steely competitive toughness.

Izaiah Reed, DT

Originally a standout at Murray State, Izaiah Reed took his talents to New Mexico State, where he’s amassed eight sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss over two seasons. At 6’2″, 300 pounds, Reed fits the sawed-off disruptor mold and has proven production within that role.