2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch from Independent schools
By Kyle Edmond
UMass – Chinedu Ogbonna, Linebacker, Senior
After being a 2019 All-Independent Second Team, according to Phil Steele, Chinedu Ogbonna is already being pegged as a 2020 All-Independent First Team for the preseason, also according to Steele. A seasoned vet, having played 12 games in all three of his years at UMass, Ogbonna is just a strong season away from being an NFL prospect.
A versatile player who can play on both the line and off the edge, Ogbonna made a solid impact during the 2019 season. On the year, Ogbonna totaled 30 tackles while adding nine tackles for loss, which led the team, and two sacks to his line. Beyond just that, he was also able to add an interception, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
Next. Ranking the last 20 No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks. dark
While the 2019 season was a strong one for Ogbonna, he’ll have to improve those stats to receive draft consideration. Being at UMass, it will be a bit harder to gain that attention than some of the other players we’ve looked at across this series. As of now, he should easily get a UDFA contract, but if he wants to be drafted those numbers will have to come up some in the upcoming season to really gain the attention of NFL front offices.