The deadline for college football underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft was Monday. Yesterday's stars are moving on, but college football fans can rest assured that their replacements are coming. We've identified prospects from the 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes who could remind you of your favorite departing stars over the next three years.
Prospect: Bryan Bresee (No. 1 DE in the ESPN Jr 300)
NFL draft comparison: Rashan Gary (No. 2 DE on McShay's Top 32 Big Board)
Bresee and Gary draw comparisons because of their ability to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme or tackle in a 4-3. Both can line up as a 5-technique, 4- or 3-technique dependent on scheme. Coming out of high school, Gary possessed a terrific blend of size and athleticism at the defensive end position, and Bresee is similar, but with more mass on his frame at the same stage. Both players have strong hands, and both players can convert speed to power on pass rushes with excellent change-of-direction ability for their size.
Prospect: Oklahoma signee Jadon Haselwood (No. 1 WR in the ESPN 300)
Comp: N'Keal Harry (No. 2 WR on McShay's Top 32 Big Board)
There are lots of big, physical receivers who are possession-type guys, but there are very few who can run with explosiveness like Harry and Haselwood. The top receiver in the ESPN 300 is big and fast, and he has natural playmaking instincts to go along with the physical traits. He's also a gifted kick return man. There are a lot of very similar WRs in this class in terms of skill and measurables, but there is just something different about Haselwood. The same was said about Harry when he emerged out of the 2016 class. Both have a knack for making things look effortless, and both are really good in a crowd or working the middle of the field. These two can break tackles and win 50-50 balls and they are sneaky-fast, given their ideal height. Another receiver in this mold is A.J. Brown out of Ole Miss, but he is shorter and has a thicker frame. Haselwood's ability to make plays after the catch in similar to that of Brown.
Prospect: Michigan signee Daxton Hill (No. 1 S in the ESPN 300)
Comp: Deionte Thompson (No. 1 S on McShay's Top 32 Big Board)
Long, rangy and explosive. Both Thompson and Hill possess a head-hunting mentality but they are versatile enough to be a factor in pass coverage. They really flourish in run support and pass breakups, due to their instincts and ability to deliver a blow upon contact. These players cover a lot of ground in a hurry once they have diagnosed and reacted to what they see. Aside from Quinnen Williams, Thompson was the best player on Alabama's defense, and Hill has a chance to be the next great defender at Michigan, on the level of Devin Bush or Jabrill Peppers.
Prospect: Alabama signee Justin Eboigbe (No. 5 DE in the ESPN 300)
Comp: Jachai Polite (No. 3 OLB on McShay's Top 32 Big Board)
Much like Polite when he came out of high school, Eboigbe is a bit of a one-dimensional edge pass rusher who is mostly used isolated against offensive tackles. Polite is still developing as an every-down defensive end, eclipsing DPR (designated pass rusher) status, and Eboigbe is in the same mold. Both are so dangerous on obvious passing downs and pressure situations because they are so difficult to handle one-on-one in pass protection, but both Polite and Eboigbe still have room to develop in other areas of their game.
Prospect: Oregon signee Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 1 DE in the ESPN 300)
Comp: Clelin Ferrell (No. 3 DE on McShay's Top 32 Big Board)
When you watch both of these players come off the ball, you develop an appreciation for how much ground they gain on their first two steps. That a huge advantage for both Ferrell and Thibodeaux in pass-rush situations. They both are also capable playing the run, given their length and long arms. They can stack, shed and disengage because of their quickness, hands and arm length. Both players are known for their pass-rush skills, but they should get more credit for their ability against the run.
Prospect: Alabama signee Trey Sanders (No. 2 RB in the ESPN 300)
Comp: Benny Snell Jr. (RB, Kentucky)
These two are hard-nosed grinders who just churn out yards and provide chunk plays with their explosive burst. Not always overly flashy, they get north and south and always seem to fall forward. Snell and Sanders are downhill, one-cut runners who are decisive and like to initiate contact. Though they are not true burners in terms of speed, it's the consistent chunks of yardage and durability to handle a bulk of the workload that gives them an edge. Both prospects need to continue to develop an identity in the passing game to round out their game.
Prospect: LSU signee John Emery (No. 1 RB in the ESPN 300)
Comp: Josh Jacobs (RB, Alabama)
Jacobs and Emery possess a similar blend of initial quickness and burst, and both have compact frames that can carry their 220 pounds. They are able to make plays in space using quick cuts, and they can power through defenders to accrue tough yards between the tackles. Though Jacobs had to share carries with Damien Harris and Najee Harris in Tuscaloosa, Emery is a five-star prospect who carries extremely lofty expectations as he arrives at LSU. Emery has the ability to make an immediate impact after the graduation of 1,000-yard rusher Nick Brossette, who carried the ball 240 times last season.