2021 NFL Draft: Top SEC prospects to watch on opening weekend
Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith
Trey Smith is one of the most interesting offensive linemen in the 2021 NFL Draft class and I am extremely interested to see how he performs this season. Smith began his career as a left tackle at Tennessee and appeared to have a bright future at the position. A scary blood clot issue caused him to miss about half of the 2018 season, but he returned last year and got his football career back on track.
Smith played left guard for Tennessee last season and showed incredible natural power on the inside. He is an absolute mauler in the run game who can clear out lanes against most defenders with ease. Smith is not an elite athlete up front, but he is relatively quick off of the ball and can get out in space and attack the second level.
While he played well last season, there is reason to believe that he has another step to take. Was he really fully healthy? Health is a concern, but if he has recovered even more from the blood clot issue, it is easy to see how Smith could become an even more exciting prospect. One way or another, we will learn more about his long-term upside on Saturday night against South Carolina.
South Carolina cornerback Isreal Mukuamu
Israel Mukuamu is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound cornerback prospect who could quickly become one of the most interesting defenders in this draft class. Cornerbacks as big as Mukuamu simply do not come around often and his combination of size, length and toughness will catch the attention of NFL scouts.
Next. 2021 NFL mock draft. dark
He is a high-level run defender from the secondary, showing impressive tackling ability in space. Mukuamu is also impressive in press coverage and shows strong overall ball skills. However, he does lack ideal short-area quickness and hip fluidity on the outside.
If he can become more smooth in coverage, he undoubtedly has high upside at cornerback. However, a move back to safety may be in his future at the next level. Either way, he is a fun prospect who we should be keeping an eye on throughout the season.