2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch: PAC-12 Conference
By Kyle Edmond
Stanford – Paulson Adebo, Defensive Back, Senior
Preseason All-American. Preseason All-PAC-12 First Team. Chuck Bednarik Award watch list. Bronko Nagurski Award watch list. Jim Thorpe Award watch list. Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list. The 2020 season hasn’t even started yet and Paulson Adebo is already panning out to be a polarizing prospect.
Already a two-time All-PAC-12 selection, Adebo has already proved to be one of the better defensive backs to be eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft. During the 2019 season, he proved to be dominant in the pass defense, snatching four interceptions while also adding 10 pass break-ups to his stat line. Interestingly enough, it was a down year for Adebo from the 2018 season when he had 20 pass break-ups, leading the nation with 24 passes defended, and having another four interceptions.
A ballhawk, Adebo could be a huge difference-maker for whatever defense is lucky enough to add him at the NFL level. His tackle numbers leave room for growth, but you don’t have to tackle that often when you can bat balls away at the rate that he does.
Should the 2020 season be similar to Adebo’s first two years for Stanford, then his draft stock should continue to rise, being a shoo-in for a first-round selection and potentially in the mix for the top defensive back in the class.