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

Georgia running back Zamir White

Zamir White takes over as the featured back for Georgia this season and has a chance to quickly become a top-tier running back prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft class. White is a former five-star prospect who 247Sports had listed as the ninth-best prospect in the 2018 class.

A torn ACL forced White out of action during the 2018 season, but he played well in a back-up role last season. He saved his best for last at the end of the year, piling up 92 yards and a touchdown in his first career start in the Sugar Bowl. Now, he is ready to expand on that success and get on the 2021 NFL Draft radar. Keep an eye on White on Saturday as he looks to showcase his impressive combination of speed and power in a big game against Arkansas.

Arkansas running back Rakeem Boyd

Former Last Chance U star Rakeem Boyd has been an important part of the Arkansas offense over the last two seasons, leading the team in rushing in both 2018 and 2019. Last season, Boyd took his game to the next level, carrying the ball 184 times for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns.

He shows impressive patience and ball-carrier vision at all times. Boyd does a great job of waiting for his offensive line to create a hole and then explodes through with great burst. He is also a smart and instinctive runner who works through traffic well and shows a solid combination of short-area quickness and power at the point of attack.

Simply put, Boyd is a talented player who undoubtedly has a future at the next level. It will not be easy for Boyd to put up big numbers against a tough Georgia defense, but if he does, his 2021 NFL Draft stock will undoubtedly rise.