Ad Disclosure
Which top SEC players plan to leave early for the NFL Draft?
By John Brasier
Published:
To be eligible for the NFL Draft, the league requires players to be three years removed from high school. With that rule in place, college coaches rarely redshirt elite freshman and are often uncertain whether talented juniors will return for their senior year until after their junior season.
According to cbssports.com NFL Draft experts Rob Rang and Dane Brugler, as many as 12 SEC players will be taken in the first round of the 2016 draft, including nine players with at least one season of college eligibility remaining.
The three likely first-round seniors are LB Reggie Ragland and DT Jarran Reed of Alabama and DE Jonathan Bullard of Florida.
Here’s a list of the top SEC underclassmen projected as likely first-round NFL Draft picks:
OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss: The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Tunsil is listed in the top five picks by several scouts. The Florida native is widely considered a franchise left tackle, the latest “Blind Side” blocker from Ole Miss.
WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss: The 6-2, 210-pound receiver, capable of making spectacular catches and fearless making receptions in traffic. He came back strong after the horrifying injury last season against Auburn. Treadwell is strong enough to overpower defenders and a dangerous runner after the catch.
CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida: Another player widely projected to be picked in the top 10, the 5-11, 199-pound Hargreaves is excellent in coverage and exceptionally strong against the run and in open-field tackling.
DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss: Considered by some as the best player available and a middle first-rounder by others, the 6-3, 296-pound Nkemdiche didn’t post impressive stats this season, but was often double-teamed.
LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia: The 6-3, 232-pound junior had 68 tackles, including 10.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. Lean and quick, he’s expected to be a strong rusher from the edge.
DT A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama: The 6-3, 312-pound junior is strong enough to move the pocket and big enough to fill holes to stop the running game. An intelligent player with great physical ability, he’s expected to continue to improve.
OT Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M: The 6-5, 325-pound blocker, projected toward the bottom of the first round, uses his massive reach to keep blockers at bay and his thick build makes him tough to move and effective protecting lanes.
CB Tre’Davious White, LSU: The 5-11, 191-pound White is projected near the end of the first round. Quick and athletic, he has good coverage skills.
DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama: The 6-3, 283-pound Allen is a quick pass rusher with a powerful, first step. The junior is projected by many draft experts as a late first-round selection.
