Mel Kiper Jr. explains why he cannot figure out Bralen Trice as a prospect

Mel Kiper Jr. has seen as many draft prospects as any analyst that has covered the event. Even so, there are just some that he can’t put his finger on and, this season, one of those players is Washington’s Bralen Trice.

Kiper Jr. shared his confusion regarding Trice at the next level during ‘First Draft’ with Field Yates last week. Based on everything that he has seen from fifth-year edge, he just isn’t sure how he’s going to translate to the professional level on defense.

“Some we just can’t figure out – ‘I just can’t figure that guy out!'” said Kiper Jr. “I can’t figure out Bralen Trice. I cannot figure out what type of NFL sack-guy, pass rusher that he will be against the best tackles in the world.”

Trice appeared in 40 games for the Huskies over the past three seasons with over 25 starts in that time. In that time, he posted 102 tackles, 19 sacks, a pair of deflections, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

As a team captain in 2023, Trice had career-highs with 49 tackles, which was sixth-most on the defense. He also had a team-high of seven sacks that were double the amount of the next most from Zion Tupuola-Fetui. That earned him honors as an All-American and All Pac-12 Selection this fall.

Trice could very well pan out after being a high selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s just that, at the moment, Kiper Jr. just isn’t as sure about him in comparison to other experts like Yates.

“I see some things that I know you’re going to say that you like,” Kiper Jr. said. “You are more sold on Trice than I am.”

Kiper Jr. weighs NFL Draft grade of Michael Penix Jr.

NFL Draft stock often changes based on how players perform on the biggest stages. Following the national championship, Mel Kiper Jr. evaluated the grades of both starting quarterbacks, including Huskies QB Michael Penix Jr.

“Michael Penix Jr. has had those games. The Texas game? He looked like a top-five pick in the first-round. Last nigh? He looked like a fifth-round pick. So you can’t worry about one game. It’s the body of work,” Kiper explained. “At Indiana, he was 12-5 as a starter. Certainly what he did at Washington the last two years was extraordinary. He showed the last two years he could stay healthy, he needed to go back for this season. Two years, two full years healthy, after all those injuries over that four year career at Indiana.”

Penix is still ranked as Kiper’s No. 10 overall prospect and No. 4 quarterback for the 2024 NFL Draft.

“Michael Penix Jr., I still think, will be in the middle of the first round.”