2021 NFL Draft: Top SEC prospects to watch on opening weekend

LSU linebacker Jabril Cox

Jabril Cox had a strong three-year career at North Dakota State, capped off by a first-team All-America selection last season. Cox was the leader of the North Dakota State defense, but decided to take on a new challenge this season with a transfer to LSU.

Cox is an extremely athletic linebacker prospect who shows impressive range on the field. He is a long and explosive prospect who plays well in space and shows impressive natural coverage skills.

Make no mistake about it, this guy has an NFL skill-set. If he can prove that he can adapt to the speed of the SEC game, his 2021 NFL Draft stock will quickly soar. His first opportunity to prove that he belongs at the next level will come this weekend against Mississippi State and we all should be watching with a close eye.

Mississippi State quarterback K.J. Costello

K.J. Costello had an up-and-down career at Stanford, highlighted by a second-team All-Pac-12 season in 2018. After struggling with injuries last season, Costello transferred to Mississippi State and will now take over as the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs in their first season under the direction of head coach Mike Leach.

Costello shows fantastic pocket presence, moving around the pocket with ease to escape pressure. He also has a big arm, showing the ability to hit any throw on the field and fit the ball into tight spaces with velocity. Costello is not consistently accurate, but he could put up some massive numbers in Leach’s wide-open offensive attack.

Whether a big year at Mississippi State would lead to an inflated 2021 NFL Draft stock is yet to be determined, but it certainly would not hurt him to come out and have a big performance against this LSU defense on Saturday.