With SEC Football in full swing, there can be no doubt that the talent on show will be closely monitored by scouts right across the NFL. Southeastern College Football has produced some of the best players currently operating in pro-football and that pattern is set to continue with schools such as Alabama spending big money on their sports programs.
There are currently 27 former SEC stars in the NFL 'Top 100' rankings for 2019 and is perhaps only surprising in that there are not more. Of those 27, six players came from Alabama and another six from LSU. Of those players making the top 10, two came from the SEC. Todd Gurley, LA Rams running back, was ranked fifth while Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was ninth. But what of the quarterbacks to make the list? In fact, there was only one who made the top 100 - Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers.
The current crop of SEC talent will see at least one QB go as a first-round pick in the NFL draft and we take a close look at who else could be included too.
Tagovailoa had an incredible year last season and is a certain first-round pick. The Alabama quarterback put up some mind-blowing numbers for the Crimson Tide in 2018. He started all 15 games, completing 245 of 355 attempts for 3,966 yards, and he's continued that this season with his performance against Ole Miss being the pick of the bunch. It is likely that the 21-year-old will be in the hat as a first overall pick.
Tua Tagovailoa was responsible for 7 TD vs Ole Miss today, tying the @SEC all-time record. Other names on that list include Tim Tebow and Dak Prescott. pic.twitter.com/UaVYa7gGCK
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 28, 2019
The Miami Dolphins, who are currently +200000 in the NFL betting, are expected to land the Alabama QB but the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Washington Redskins are all potential rivals for the first pick as none of the teams have won yet this season. According to Chris Trapasso, the latest NFL mock draft put the Bengals in with a chance of landing Tagovailoa but they are expected to pick Justin Herbert, with Miami ultimately landing the Alabama quarterback with the third pick as the organization searches for their next franchise QB.
A good start to the season has put LSU quarterback Joe Burrow in the conversation as a possible first-rounder. He threw 2,894 yards in 2018 and has started 2019 in good form which could see the Louisiana State University star find a home further up the draft than many predicted only a short time ago.
Other SEC players projected to go in the first round are from various different positions with Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy a certainty.
The 20-year-old will be hoping to continue the excellent form he has shown in order to cement a first-round selection - earmarked for the Washington Redskins in the mock draft. Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas is also a name to watch out for as is LSU safety Grant Delpit. Completing those expected to go in the top 10 is Derrick Brown who plays defensive tackle at Auburn.
SEC football continues to produce some of the most exciting talents in the NFL and that will be shown again in the 2020 draft as the great footballing states feed pro football once again.
SEC Stars Headed for The 2020 Draft First-Round to SEC Football
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