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With the NFL draft scheduled for April 28-30, here we offer you Collegefootballfan.com’s top defensive prospects seen in action the past few years. These college players declared eligibility for the 2022 draft. Some you know. However, we provide some potential mid to low-round talent for draft considerations. These lower picks and even eventual free-agent signees make up the core of solid pro rosters over time.
Since 2019, (despite the 2020 Covid-19-impacted season limiting Collegefootballfan.com to only three games) , we watched many top prospects play against one another. Overall, we attended 48 gridiron clashes played among 69 different teams – 23 among Power Five programs and 23 among the Group of Five programs. We witnessed 14 FCS programs play as well. We even watched five D-2 and D-3 games among top-ranked programs compete. Sometimes, these lower schools truly offer some hidden top prospects for the NFL draft, but we didn’t see any players of note.
In the pictorials below, check out potential selections by position. We’ll see when and where our top prospects seen in action end up. After the three days of intense, team-building, draft strategies by the top level of professional football, we always enjoy being able to say, “Look at them now, we saw them when…”
Defensive linemen
Baylor DT Siaki Ika (62, 2nd white jersey from top) applies the pressure against Texas State here.At 6’4″ 350 lbs. can be a good run stuffer who attracts double teams, but did not display pass rushing capabilities. Could go late rounds or through free agency.
Defensive Ends
CU Bearcat DE Myjai Sanders (21) earned all AAC honors these past two seasons. His quickness off the snap garnered him 112 tackles, 24.5 for losses and 13.5 resulted in sacks. He should be called up on the third day of the draft.Kentucky DE Josh Pashcal (4), 6′ 3″, 278 lbs., in pursuit versus South Carolina could go as high as Round 3.DE Jeffrey Gunther (94) of Coastal Carolina contained against Appalachia State. He could be the highest defensive player ever selected from CCU.His versatility has him marked as a DE/OLB in the pros.Penn State DE Arnold Ebikete (17) gets taken down by Auburn OL Austin Troxell. Ebikete will go in the early rounds of the draft. Troxell elected to return to AU for his sixth season in 2022.DE DeAngelo Malone (10) of Western Kentucky seen here against Middle Tennessee looks to compete at the next level. A five-year player for the Hilltoppers, among his 150 tackles, he recorded 34 sacks and forced nine fumbles. He’s a potential play-maker.
Linebackers
Cincy LB Joel Dublanko (41) at left shoots the gap for a stop versus Central Florida in 2020.Cincy LB Darrian Beavers (0) signals Houston’ s final turnover on downs to punctuate the Bearcat victory and to start the night-long celebration! Look for him to go in middle rounds.Penn State DE Derrick Tangelo (54) and LB Jesse Luketa (40) are late round considerations for a few teams.
Corners and safeties
Cincy CB Ahmad Gardner (1) turns in Houston ball carrier here in AAC Championship. He looks to be a first round choice in this year’s draft.He totaled 99 stops the past three years. Two of his nine INTs went for TDs. He’ll be somebody’s shutdown CB in a pro secondary.Penn State CB Tariq Castro-Fields (5) comes up fast for run coverage versus Buffalo.Auburn CB Roger McCreary chases down Penn State’s Jahan Dotson in their 2021 matchup. This scene may be repeated at the next level.Baylor Safety Jalen Pitre picks off a Texas State pass, one of two INTs on the year. He racked up 75 stops for a tough Bear defense in 2021.Auburn S Smoke Monday (21) should go in the final rounds of 2022. He’s more effective as a run-stopper as opposed to a coverage guy. In 13 games for the Tigers last season, he had nine Tackles for losses among his 63 stops. He picked off one pass and broke up five pass attempts.
