NFL Draft Notebook: Breaking down the New York Jets draft and more

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Henry To’o To’o joins Alabama (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft News and Notes

Alabama picked up one of the bigger transfers of the offseason last week when former Tennessee linebacker Henry To’o To’o announced he would be playing for the Crimson Tide next season. To’o To’o was an all-freshman SEC selection in 2019 and led the Volunteers in tackles last season. He is will definitely be an NFL prospect whenever he declares for the NFL Draft.

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder recently stated that he received a fourth- to sixth-round projection when he received his grade for the 2021 NFL Draft. With a strong season next year, he should easily be able to raise that grade and could possibly even be considered a late first-round prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Some interesting 2021 NFL Draft facts when it came to conference breakdowns is that the SEC had the most players drafted with 65 players being chosen. This is the most by a single conference in NFL Draft history. The leading conference from the FCS level was the Missouri Valley which had four players drafted. This is also the first time in history the Big 12 went without a first-round draft selection.

Nebraska linebacker Will Honas suffered a knee injury in the final practice of spring ball. This injury will likely keep him out of at least the first few games of the 2021 season. It also does not help his draft stock either as this adds to his long history of knee issues.

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson who missed the end of the 2020 season due to an ankle injury was able to take part in limited drills in spring ball. If Hutchinson can regain his form from before the injury, he should get first-round consideration.

A prominent defensive player who was not able to take part in spring ball was North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson. Wilson missed spring ball as he was recovering from offseason surgery on both of his shoulders. Last season, he finished fourth in the nation with 108 tackles and also had 11.5 tackles for loss.

Defensive end Justin Foster has decided to return to Clemson for his senior season. He announced his medical retirement in February due to asthma but changed his mind after his doctors told him he would be able to play college football again.

California linebacker Kuony Deng will move from inside linebacker to outside linebacker this coming season. This move should help Deng’s draft rating as the 6-foot-6, 245-pound prospect is projected to play outside linebacker in the NFL.

Former West Virginia DE Jeffrey Pooler transferred to Northwestern for his final season. Last season, Pooler accounted for 23 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble. He goes into the 2021 season with an undrafted free agent grade.

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An impressive stat for Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave via Pro Football Focus is that he generated at least one step or more of separation in over 87% of his targets since 2019, which is the highest mark in the country.

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