2015 NFL Draft: Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong Stock Up
Oct 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jaelen Strong (21) celebrates with receiver Cameron Smith (6) after catching a 53-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Arizona State defeated USC 38-34. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona State Sun Devils redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong has 41 receptions for 614 yards and five touchdowns already this season, but it will be one reception for 46 yards and a touchdown that will define his entire collegiate career.
Despite being a Biletnikoff candidate and one of the most intriguing wide receiver prospects available in the 2015 class, Strong’s catch of a hail mary against USC to win the game for Arizona State will likely be the defining moment of his time as a Sun Devil and perhaps the most memorable moment of the college football season.
More from NFL Mocks
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal: Cardinals, Falcons tank for USC QB Caleb Williams
- Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
- Fantasy Football: 5 reasons Colts QB Anthony Richardson can be a top-end option
- Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023
- 2024 NFL Draft: Hunter Haas’ Top 50 Big Board
At 6’4″ 212 pounds, Strong’s got the eye of NFL scouts after a really strong start to his junior season after a sophomore campaign in which he caught 75 passes for 1,122 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 15 yards per catch.
Arizona State uses him in a variety of ways. They put him on the outside, in the slot, allow him to create plays after the catch, and throw him a pretty expanded route tree. Strong has really good size and moves fluidly for his height. He has the ability to break tackles and gain yardage after the catch and can work himself open across the field.
I really like his release off the line of scrimmage, and that will only get better as he progresses through in his football journey. I think this is a prospect that still has some areas in which he is green, but he looks really good right now and most importantly, an innate aggressiveness to snag the ball at its highest point might be his greatest attribute.
At this point, it wouldn’t shock me to see Strong get considered as a second round draft pick, perhaps higher as we progress along. He’s certainly got the attention of the rest of the nation after his performance against USC, and will be under a lot of pressure to perform as the season rolls along. Here’s hoping he answers the bell.