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Reese’s Senior Bowl 2019: 10 NFL Draft prospects to watch

By John Mitchell

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State upset West Virginia 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State upset West Virginia 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

In terms of small-school production, there isn’t a player who produced more than Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson. Ferguson finished his career in Ruston as the NCAA’s all-time sacks champion (sacks weren’t an official stat until 2000.)

Ferguson finished his career with the Bulldogs with 45 career sacks, including a monster senior senior where he led the FBS in sacks with 17.5 and 26 tackles-for-loss.

Outside of the trio of Nick Bosa, Josh Allen, and Clelin Ferrell, this draft isn’t particularly flush with edge-rushing talent, which could open the door for an extremely productive player like Ferguson (or Ximines/Smith) to rise up draft boards. Ferguson is currently projected as a first round pick, but he still as the small-school stigma attached to him where some scouts and prognosticators believe his production was due to a lack of competition.

We should find out for sure this week in Mobile as the NCAA’s all-time sacks champion goes up against future NFL offensive linemen.

Ferguson is far from just a pass-rush specialist as he boasts elite edge-setting ability that should allow him to be an every down defender. Unlike Ximines and Smith, Ferguson boasts elite size to go along with his production; he’s a fit for any defensive scheme as a stand-up rusher or a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end.

In a league that is consistently more pass-happy with each given year, NFL teams are always on the lookout for difference-maker edge rushers. While the quality at the top is sound, there’s an opening for a player like Ferguson to hear his name called on day one because of the lack of depth at the position.

A big Senior Bowl could solidify his place in the first round.

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