George Karlaftis DE / Purdue
No big surprise here! Potential top 10 selection in next Aprilʼs Draft. Karlaftis has imposing size and power with a nonstop motor for wrecking game plans. His initial spring is good, and his second and third steps are very dynamic to accelerate with a hard redirection step on a shallow angle to potentially set him up to work back inside. He put the entire NFL on notice with his dominating freshman season in 2019. After a covid 2020, he showed an impressive 2021 campaign on film.
Austin Allen TE / Nebraska
First-Team All-Big Team, 6ʼ8” and 260 lbs, moves like a Gazelle! Allen was able to haul in 38 receptions for 602 yards in 2021, earning him the Kwalik-Clark Tight End of the Year Award, given annually to the best tight end in the Big Ten conference. But up solid numbers in spite of Nebraska’s inconsistent QB play. Allen was delegated to inline and pull blocking a lot. His height makes him difficult to cover for linebackers and defensive backs. His speed, agility, and jumping ability make covering Allen nearly impossible. With an already deep tight end draft class, it will be riveting to see how the entire process plays itself; and who becomes the first one off the board.
Drew Singleton LB / Rutgers
A former Michigan Wolverine Transfer after the 2018 season due to lack of playing time, Singleton spent the past three seasons at Rutgers steadily improving and showing scouts what he is capable of doing. He has proven to be a very instinctual player in the run game and a sure tackler. At 6ʼ2” and 235 lbs, he has enough explosiveness to rush the passer, but only racking up a sack in 3 years could hurt his perception in the NFLʼs eyes when it comes to his pass rush value. Singelton played in all 13 games with nine starts at linebacker and totaled 59 tackles with four for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery. He came on towards the second half of the season and strung together a host of good performances.
Tyler Goodson RB / Iowa
Yet another explosive back from the Big Ten declared himself eligible for the upcoming draft, and he brings along 1,151 yards & six touchdowns on the 2021 season. Goodson amassed 3,116 yds and 19 from scrimmage in just three seasons at Iowa. Standing at 5ʼ10” and 199 lbs with the frame to fill out and a second gear to break big plays that the NFL covets. This particular running back class has a unique vibe to it, and the deciding factor in how they all come off the board could be based more on scheme fit and complementary value over just sheer talent. Flashes initial burst and lateral quickness to sidestep defenders or bounce runs outside with good foot quickness.
