2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch: Mid-American Conference

2021 NFL Draft prospect Jaret Paterson #26 of the Buffalo Bulls (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
2021 NFL Draft prospect Jaret Paterson #26 of the Buffalo Bulls (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Draft, Sterling Weatherford
2021 NFL Draft prospect Sterling Weatherford #21 of the Miami of Ohio Redhawks (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Miami OH – Sterling Weatherford, Defensive Back, Redshirt Junior

When evaluating defensive backs across college football there is an increasing amount of do-it-all defensive backs that have a knack for getting into the backfield as much as they do picking off a pass. One of the more under-the-radar players on that list is Sterling Weatherford at Miami.

Being just a redshirt junior, there is little pressure on Weatherford to commit to the 2021 NFL Draft, but given what he has accomplished in his short tenure, he might have enough to make a case for forgoing his senior season.

During the 2019 season, Weatherford finished second on the Redhawks team for tackles with 98. An impressive stat in itself, it was the rest of Weatherford’s stat line that sets him apart. He was also able to tally 5.5 tackles for loss as well as two sacks and two forced fumbles, but it didn’t stop there either. In the passing game, Weatherford snagged one interception while batting down 10 pass break-ups.

With such a full stat line that showcases an ability to contribute in multiple different ways, Weatherford should easily draw the attention of NFL scouts and work his way into the draft conversation whenever he decides to declare for the NFL draft.