2021 NFL Draft: 5 Pac-12 prospects most affected by cancelled season

2. Jay Tufele, DT, USC

Some 2021 NFL Draft prospects have flashed a ton of potential when working through summer scouting, but need that extra season to refine their craft before they can become a top pick. USC defensive tackle Jay Tufele falls into that category.

The defensive tackle class has a lot of potential as we begin to look towards the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s headlined by players like Marvin Wilson and Jaylen Twyman, but Tufele had a chance to find his way up near the top.

Through two seasons of Pac-12 play, Tufele has registered 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 total sacks. Those numbers are encouraging, but teams would have wanted to see a jump in production in 2020. Unfortunately, the Pac-12 canceling their season puts Tufele in a bind.

His traits are very evident. Tufele has good get-off speed and is a very good athlete. Tufele wins with his strong hands and good balance to push the pocket, but he’s flashed an array of moves to win as a pass rusher. More consistent reps and wins on the interior are what he needed to get into round one discussion, and he won’t get that opportunity in 2020.