2022 NFL Draft notebook: Ohio State’s dynamic duo and more
By John Blair
- One of the best athletes in the 2022 NFL Draft class is Jalen Virgil of Appalachian State. Virgil has been named to The Athletic’s “Freaks List” three times and will likely make the list yet again this season. His top asset as an athlete is his speed having run a 10.29 100-meter dash at the 2018 Sun Belt Outdoor Championships. Some of his impressive testing numbers include a 40.5-inch vertical jump, 405-pound bench press, and 600-pound squat. On the field he has made the most impact on special teams averaging over 32 yards per kickoff return.
- Purdue’s David Bell has been one of the most productive receivers in the Big Ten over the past two seasons. In 2019, Bell was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after catching 86 passes for 1,035 yards and this past season he caught 53 passes for eight touchdowns in just six games. The trait that makes Bell an intriguing prospect is his ability to catch the ball in traffic. Over the past two seasons, he has made 30 contested catches which is more than any receiver in the Power Five. He is able to make these tough catches due to his strong hands, physical style of play and excellent body control.
- An underrated wide receiver in the Big Ten is Dontay Demus Jr. of Maryland. Demus has the production and measurables to receive a day two grade going into the season. Demus led Maryland in receptions, yards and touchdowns in 2019 and 2020 and has a career average of over 16 yards per reception. In terms of measurables, he comes in at 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds and shows impressive speed for someone his size. One area he does need to work on this season is his hands as he did drop several passes last season.
- A former five-star recruit who has yet to live up to the hype he received coming out of high school is Florida wide receiver Justin Shorter. Shorter spent his first two seasons at Penn State where he caught a total of 15 passes. He then transferred to Florida where he finished sixth on the team in receptions with 25. However, his production should improve now that Florida’s top three receivers from last season Kyle Pitts, Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes are playing in the NFL. If he can have a strong season this year, look for a team to take the 6-foot-5 225-pound wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- While Treylon Burks of Arkansas moves extremely well for someone 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds he is not as physical as you would like to see from a player his size. He has not shown the strength to consistently go win the jump ball and is a below-average blocker. Even though he is a threat with the ball in his hands he tends to win more with quickness and elusiveness in this area compared to pure power.
- One of the most versatile players in the 2022 NFL Draft is Ainias Smith of Texas A&M. Smith has been used in multiple ways at Texas A&M including as a slot receiver, running back, kick and punt returner and has done well in each role. His best position in the NFL though will likely be as a slot receiver since he lacks the size to play running back at the next level. As a receiver, he displays good speed and consistent hands. He is also a physical runner who can break tackles in the open field.
- A player Nebraska is going to be counting on this year is wide receiver Samori Toure who transferred from Montana this offseason. While at Montana Toure was one of the top receivers in the FCS catching 87 passes for 1,495 yards in 2019 and was named an FCS All-American. This coming season Toure will play slot receiver for the Huskers which is a bit of a surprise considering that he is 6-foot-3.