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Kentucky Football: Top 5 prospects for 2021 NFL Draft

By Aaron Gershon

LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 26: Jamar Watson #31 and Calvin Taylor Jr. #91 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate after a defensive stop against the Missouri Tigers in the second quarter at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 26: Jamar Watson #31 and Calvin Taylor Jr. #91 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate after a defensive stop against the Missouri Tigers in the second quarter at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 29: Jamar Watson #31 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 29: Jamar Watson #31 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Jamar ‘Boogie’ Watson, EDGE

Many in Lexington compare Jamar ‘Boogie’ Watson to former Wildcat and 2019 top 10 draft pick Josh Allen.

Watson has a similar build as his former teammate at 6-foot-4, 242 pounds. He is extremely long and has the SEC speed that made Allen such a force during his time in Kentucky.

As a true freshman in 2017, Watson played in six games, recording two sacks and a forced fumble. In 2018, Watson served as Allen’s blitz partner, recording five sacks, forcing a fumble and defending three passes.

In 2019, Watson was expected to be Kentucky’s top pass-rusher. After a slow start to the season, Watson heated up late as he finished the year with 6.5 sacks, 11.5. tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery When looking at Allen, the numbers are a bit similar.

As a Junior, Allen recorded seven sacks with 10.5 tackles for loss. Watson was just half a sack behind while recording an extra tackle for loss. The question will be if Watson replicates Allen’s 17 sack senior season. If that’s the case, Watson would be a first round pick.

What’s more likely is that Watson records nine or so sacks in 2020 and finds himself as a mid-round pick given his length and ability to get to the quarterback in the SEC consistently.

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