2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch: SEC
By Kyle Edmond
2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch in the SEC.
The 2020 NFL Draft was full of players from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), seeing the most players selected from any conference with 63. Although the number for the 2021 NFL Draft might not be that high, many are expecting somewhat of repeated success in the draft from the conference that puts out dominant team after dominant team.
It was obviously the LSU Tigers that paced the conference with an astounding 14 selections. Joe Burrow was the first name announced for the entire draft and was the first of 15 first-round selections out of the conference. On the first night of the draft it was also LSU that saw the most draftees with five Tigers going. Alabama was close behind with four.
Now, looking ahead to the 2021 NFL Draft, it will be a tough task for the SEC to replicate that success. Some teams have been depleted of their NFL-level talent, like Georgia, while others will still be impressive, but might find it hard to live up to the expectations, which could make the SEC one of the most sought after conferences this upcoming season.
Alabama is left without a clear answer at quarterback with the departure of not one, but two Tagovailoa’s, along with a load of talent across other positions. Luckily, that isn’t exactly unknown territory for the Tide. Meanwhile, LSU lost nearly every playmaker they had outside of Ja’Marr Chase. All while the Egg Bowl became one of the most appealing rivalries to watch for the next few years, pitting Lane Kiffin against Mike Leach.
The SEC could pan out much differently this season than in the past, but the main point at question shouldn’t change. The SEC will produce a ton of NFL talent, it just might be spread out among different schools than we’re used to typically.