Back in May, when I previously updated my top 25 prospects for the 2021 NFL draft, I wrote that the "coronavirus pandemic could affect the college football season." Well, yeah.
Now that we know the Big Ten and Pac-12 postponed their seasons and that several stars have opted out of playing, it's certainly going to be a strange season. Twelve of the 25 prospects on my Big Board won't play this fall. Another one is going to play only one game. That's going to make for one of the most interesting drafts ever.
A few notes on my updated 2021 Big Board and position rankings, which you can find at the bottom:
There is projection involved here. I haven't yet put together detailed scouting reports, and several of these prospects have started only one season. I still have a lot of work to do before April.
My pal Todd McShay suggested tweaking the draft calendar to help NFL teams better evaluate prospects ahead of the draft, and that could be a good way to get complete pictures on some of the prospects who won't play this season. For now, I'm preparing as if the draft calendar will remain the same.
Height and weight for each prospect are based on what we have from schools. We don't get official numbers until the 2021 NFL scouting combine.
Jump to: Position rankings
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
HT: 6-6 | WT: 220 | Class: Junior
First game: at Wake Forest on Saturday, Sept. 12
Lawrence remains atop my Big Board, was picked as college football's best overall player by our experts, and landed at No. 1 to the Jaguars in McShay's early 2021 Mock Draft. There should be no questions about his status heading into the season. He wasn't perfect in 2019, though; I'd love to see him dominate from the jump, keep his interceptions down -- he threw five in Clemson's first three games last season -- and, most of all, stay healthy. As I wrote in my early Big Board, Lawrence has elite traits, and there aren't many 6-foot-6 quarterbacks who have his arm talent and ability.
2. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
HT: 6-6 | WT: 330 | Class: Junior
Status: The Pac-12 postponed its fall football season.
Even if Sewell doesn't play another college snap, he could be a top-five pick next year. His tape over 20 starts at Oregon is that good. He started from Day 1 as a true freshman as the blindside protector for Justin Herbert in 2018, though an ankle injury limited him to just seven games. He dominated last season, winning the Outland Trophy as the college football's best lineman. Sewell has everything NFL teams look for in a left tackle prospect.
3. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 223 | Class: Junior
Status: The Big Ten postponed its fall football season. In mid-August, Fields started a petition requesting the conference immediately reinstate the 2020 season.
NFL teams would love to see another season from Fields -- and I'm still hopeful the Big Ten will play at some point -- just to increase the sample size. The Georgia transfer has made only 14 college starts, even if he was tremendous in those games. He threw 41 touchdown passes with just three interceptions (and added 10 rushing TDs) for the Buckeyes last season, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting. If you're a general manager for an NFL team, what you crave is information on prospects, and watching only 14 starts from Fields increases the risk. (Mitchell Trubisky started only 13 college games.) Still, you can see Fields' talent and superstar potential, and I expect him to be a top-10 pick next April.
4. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Class: Junior
Status: Chase opted out of the season and will enter the 2021 NFL draft.
We won't see Chase this season, as he opted out and will train for the draft, but he has two full seasons of awesome film that NFL teams can study. Chase, who caught 84 passes last season, leading the FBS with 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns, makes everything look easy. He's stellar after the catch, breaking tackles and running away from defenders. As I mentioned in May, Chase dominated first-round pick A.J. Terrell in the national title game, catching nine passes for 221 yards and two TDs. He's a terrific prospect.
5. Micah Parsons, OLB, Penn State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 245 | Class: Junior
Status: The Big Ten postponed its fall football season, but Parsons had already opted out of playing and will enter the 2021 NFL draft.
Parsons was all over the field the past two seasons, racking up 191 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He has rare talent, though he has room to grow into the defense that picks him. He played linebacker for the Nittany Lions, but he played defensive end in high school and could end up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense at the next level. Parsons had five sacks last season, but he has a higher ceiling as a pass-rusher in the NFL. We won't see him in another live football game until August 2021.
6. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
HT: 6-2 | WT: 203 | Class: Junior
First game: at Missouri on Saturday, Sept. 26
Finally, another prospect we'll get to see soon. McShay pegged Surtain as the No. 2 overall pick in his 2021 Mock Draft. You probably recognize the name; Surtain's father, Patrick, picked off 37 passes and earned three Pro Bowl trips over 11 NFL seasons. He was a second-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 1998. Surtain II is a little bit bigger than his dad, but they have similar coverage traits. I'd like to see him come down with more picks, however. He had 15 pass breakups over the past two seasons. His frame reminds me a little bit of Marlon Humphrey, another Crimson Tide corner who went in Round 1 (2017).
7. Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
HT: 6-1 | WT: 194 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Status: The Big Ten postponed its fall football season.
On a defense that just had two first-round cornerbacks in Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette, Wade played mostly in the slot, but he popped when I studied the Buckeyes. The plan was for him to move outside in 2020 -- and we'll see if the Big Ten has games this season -- but Wade's versatility to move inside or outside is an asset as he transitions to the NFL. He had four interceptions over the past two seasons, and he also picked up two sacks in 2019.
Brock Purdy tries to scramble out of the pocket but Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah knocks the ball free and recovers the fumble for Notre Dame's second fumble recovery of the game.
8. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
HT: 6-7 | WT: 310 | Class: Fourth-year junior
First game: vs. UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 12
Did you know Texas hasn't had a first-round pick from the offensive side of the ball since quarterback Vince Young in 2006? Cosmi could break that streak. A starter at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2018 who then switched to left tackle last season, he is a phenomenal talent. Just watch this 12-yard touchdown reception from 2019. Cosmi has great feet and can also bowl over edge defenders in the run game. The Big 12 is wide open in 2020, but the Longhorns have the league's best offensive lineman and a really solid veteran quarterback in Sam Ehlinger.
9. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 224 | Class: Third-year sophomore
First (and only) game: vs. Central Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 3
Yes, North Dakota State is playing just one game this season, a showcase for its star quarterback in October. And you know I'll be glued to the TV. After redshirting in 2018 and sitting behind eventual fifth-round pick Easton Stick, Lance burst onto the scene with 42 total touchdowns (28 passing) and zero interceptions last season for the FCS champs. He threw for 2,786 yards -- completing 66.9% of his passes -- and ran for another 1,100. He has arm talent and makes good decisions, but as I wrote in May, he's a tough evaluation. In the FCS title game, for instance, he threw just 10 passes but ran 30 times for 166 yards and a TD. That won't happen in the NFL.
I never say that one game is the difference for prospects, but in this case, NFL teams will be watching his showcase game closely, even if it's against an FCS team. As I mentioned with Justin Fields, Lance won't have many college starts before he enters the draft, and those games are against inferior competition. He's going to be a polarizing prospect until the draft.
10. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
HT: 6-2 | WT: 210 | Class: Junior
Status: The Big Ten postponed its fall football season, but Bateman had already opted out of playing and will enter the 2021 NFL draft.
Bateman was a yards-after-catch dynamo last season, catching 60 balls for 1,219 yards (20.3 YPC) with 11 touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 with long arms, he has the length to go and get the ball in traffic. He tracks the ball well on deep throws. He has great hands. Check out the footwork on this TD catch. Unfortunately, we won't be able to see more of the Tanner Morgan-to-Bateman connection at Minnesota, and I was hoping to get a better feel for Bateman's straight-line speed. His 40-yard dash time will be important.
11. Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest
HT: 6-4 | WT: 274 | Class: Senior
First game: vs. Clemson on Saturday, Sept. 12
My top pass-rusher comes in outside of the top 10, but don't underestimate Basham. He could be a top-five pick if he has a good season. I wrote about him last October, picking him as a potential first-round sleeper for the 2020 draft. He finished the season with 11 sacks, 18 total tackles for loss and three forced fumbles, but he decided to stay in school and skip the draft. That decision could pay off in 2021. "Boogie" has a great motor, and he flies off the edge to take down quarterbacks. He's also good as a run defender. With his size and length, he has some versatility to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
12. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
HT: 5-10 | WT: 182 | Class: Junior
First game: at Missouri on Saturday, Sept. 26
Waddle was Alabama's No. 4 wide receiver last season, but he is super talented and will be a huge part of the Crimson Tide's new-look offense in 2020. He's electrifying with the ball in his hands and always appeared to be two or three yards open last season. (Here's an example.) He finished the season with 33 catches for 560 yards and six touchdowns. He also has three return TDs over the past two seasons (two punt, one kickoff) and could be an impact returner at the next level. I'm really excited to watch him and this next prospect this season.
13. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
HT: 6-1 | WT: 175 | Class: Senior
First game: at Missouri on Saturday, Sept. 26
I mentioned Waddle's production, but it was Smith, not top-15 picks Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs III, who led Alabama in receiving yards (1,256) and touchdowns (14) last season. He also had a five-TD game with receiving scores of 74, 25, 23, 33 and 27 yards. I picked out Smith as a potential first-round sleeper last October and then put him on my Big Board, but he decided to return to school for his senior year. He has an angular body and could put on more weight before the 2021 draft. I expect him to score on a few more big plays this season.
14. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
HT: 6-2 | WT: 207 | Class: Junior
Status: Farley opted out of the season and will enter the 2021 NFL draft.
I wrote about Farley last month when he announced his decision to skip the season, and I actually moved him up a spot in my cornerback rankings after watching more tape. I would have loved to see another full season of starts, just because 2019 was only his second year playing defensive back -- he played quarterback and wide receiver in high school. And that was after he tore his ACL in fall practice in 2017. But you can see Farley's tools on the Virginia Tech tape, even if he needs some refinement. How he tests at the combine next year will be crucial.
15. Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
HT: 6-4 | WT: 241 | Class: Senior
First game: vs. Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 26
There has been a lot of buzz about Cox over the past few months, as the former North Dakota State linebacker transferred to LSU after winning three FCS national titles and starting 38 games for the Bison. He had 258 total tackles, six interceptions and 14 sacks over three seasons, two of which he was named an FCS All-American. Now, Cox will join Ed Orgeron's defense, and I expect him to make an instant impact. He's a classic run-and-hit linebacker who tackles well in space and could play inside or outside. I want to see more of him in coverage against SEC offensive weapons, though. Cox is a fun defender to watch.
16. Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Class: Junior
Status: The Pac-12 postponed its fall football season.
Holland is the Antoine Winfield Jr. of the 2021 class, a defensive back who plays all over the field and is always around the ball. He had five interceptions as a freshman in 2018 and he had four more last season. Check out this pick-six in which he shows off some of his range. He can play deep safety or in the slot. He's a sound tackler. Holland is a perfect defender for today's NFL. He also has been used as a punt returner.
17. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame
HT: 6-2 | WT: 220 | Class: Senior
First game: vs. Duke on Saturday, Sept. 12
Owusu-Koramoah is more in the mold of Deion Jones, a fast and rangy inside linebacker who can burst through the line of scrimmage for negative gains. He rarely misses tackles, and I was impressed with his ability to read plays and react quickly. In his first season as the full-time starter, he had 80 tackles and 13 total tackles for loss last season. Because of his speed, he has a higher ceiling in coverage, and I wouldn't be surprised if he picked off a few passes in 2020.
Duke RB Deon Jackson's pass is intercepted at the goal line by Chazz Surratt, sealing North Carolina's 20-17 homecoming win.
18. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
HT: 6-7 | WT: 253 | Class: Third-year sophomore
Status: Rousseau opted out of the season and will enter the 2021 NFL draft.
As I wrote last month, I didn't see a top-10 pick on Rousseau's 2019 tape, and there are some mixed opinions about him from NFL teams. Rousseau has a massive frame, but I didn't see an explosive first step off the line of scrimmage. He was inconsistent from snap to snap. He had 15.5 sacks, but a few of those were coverage takedowns. The NFL draft, though, is all about potential and traits, and there's no doubt that Rousseau has both. I'm really interested in seeing his testing numbers at next year's NFL combine, which might be the next time we see him.
19. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
HT: 6-5 | WT: 259 | Class: Junior
Status: The Big Ten postponed its fall football season.
Freiermuth is a big, talented tight end who already has an NFL frame and is a decent blocker. As a receiver, he had 69 catches with 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He had a three-touchdown game against Michigan State in 2019. Freiermuth can do everything -- he has the ability to line up in the slot or out wide.
20. Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
HT: 6-4 | WT: 272 | Class: Senior
Status: The Big Ten postponed its fall football season.
Paye hasn't put up big numbers for the Wolverines -- he has 9.5 sacks and a forced fumble in three seasons -- but I don't think he has scratched the surface of his talent just yet. He is an extremely gifted defender with an impressive physical frame. I think he'll test really well at the NFL combine next year. On tape, he shows some scheme versatility, and he could even play some defensive tackle at the next level. I'm betting on Paye's upside here.
21. Chris Rumph II, OLB, Duke
HT: 6-3 | WT: 225 | Class: Fourth-year junior
First game: at Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 12
What I like about Rumph is his ability to put his hand in the dirt and beat offensive tackles or stand up, move around the defense and still get after passers. He plays defensive end for the Blue Devils, but I think he's more likely to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in the NFL. He has long arms and some quickness. He had 6.5 sacks and 13.5 total tackles for loss last season. I'll be watching closely against the Fighting Irish.
22. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
HT: 6-6 | WT: 239 | Class: Junior
First game: at Ole Miss on Saturday, Sept. 26
Pitts is the second tight end in my top 25 after we didn't see a single first-round TE in 2020. He had a really good 2019 season, catching 54 passes for 649 yards with five touchdowns. With quarterback Kyle Trask back, Pitts has a chance to ascend to being the top prospect at the position. He needs to improve as a blocker, but you can't deny his pass-catching potential. And in an NFL that loves big, movable tight ends, Pitts is the perfect fit.
23. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
HT: 5-10 | WT: 210 | Class: Senior
First game: at Wake Forest on Saturday, Sept. 12
Etienne could have been a top-40 pick in the 2020 draft, but he decided to return to school for another season. He doesn't have much to prove in my eyes. He has rushed for 3,707 yards and 51 touchdowns over three years. He showed some improvement in the passing game last season, catching 37 passes for 432 yards and five touchdowns. He's a complete back. Now, will he be a first-round pick? That's tough to predict. Only one back went in the first round in April -- Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the Chiefs at No. 32 -- and it's too early to know team needs. But Etienne can play on my team any day.
24. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
HT: 6-2 | WT: 208 | Class: Junior
First game: vs. SMU on Friday, Sept. 11
Moehrig was all over the field in 2019, intercepting four passes (here's one of them) and forcing two fumbles while racking up 76 tackles. His speed and playmaking ability jumped off the tape. Moehrig is tall and thin and could put on more weight, but he's already one of college football's best safeties.
25. Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU
HT: 6-3 | WT: 346 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Status: Shelvin opted out of the season and will enter the 2021 NFL draft.
Shelvin is a classic run-stuffing nose tackle in the vein of Haloti Ngata and Vita Vea. With a massive frame, he eats up blockers, allowing linebackers to get free and make tackles. He's not going to give you much as a pass-rusher, but he has a role in the NFL, even if it won't be for every team. Remember: Vea went No. 12 overall in 2018. It takes only one team to like you, and Shelvin is clearly the top nose tackle in the 2021 class.
Position rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
2. Justin Fields, Ohio State
3. Trey Lance, North Dakota State
4. Sam Ehlinger, Texas
5. Brock Purdy, Iowa State
Running backs
1. Travis Etienne, Clemson
2. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
3. Journey Brown, Penn State
4. Najee Harris, Alabama
5. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis
Fullbacks
1. Ben Mason, Michigan
2. Tory Carter, LSU
3. Mason Stokke, Wisconsin
4. Jamari Peacock, Virginia
5. Houston Heimuli, Stanford
Wide receivers
1. Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
2. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
3. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
4. DeVonta Smith, Alabama
5. Chris Olave, Ohio State
Tight ends
1. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
2. Kyle Pitts, Florida
3. Brevin Jordan, Miami (FL)
4. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
5. James Mitchell, Virginia Tech
Offensive tackles
1. Penei Sewell, Oregon
2. Samuel Cosmi, Texas
3. Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State
4. Jalen Mayfield, Michigan
5. Walker Little, Stanford
Guards
1. Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
2. Trey Smith, Tennessee
3. Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
4. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
5. Zion Johnson, Boston College
Centers
1. Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
2. Landon Dickerson, Alabama
3. Josh Myers, Ohio State
4. Jimmy Morrissey, Pitt
5. Michal Menet, Penn State
Defensive ends
1. Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest
2. Gregory Rousseau, Miami (FL)
3. Kwity Paye, Michigan
4. Patrick Jones II, Pitt
5. Joe Tryon, Washington
Defensive tackles
1. Tyler Shelvin, LSU
2. Marvin Wilson, Florida State
3. Jay Tufele, USC
4. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington
5. Jaylen Twyman, Pitt
Inside linebackers
1. Micah Parsons, Penn State
2. Dylan Moses, Alabama
3. Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
4. Baron Browning, Ohio State
5. Nick Bolton, Missouri
Outside linebackers
1. Jabril Cox, LSU
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
3. Chris Rumph II, Duke
4. Joseph Ossai, Texas
5. Hamilcar Rashed, Oregon State
Cornerbacks
1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
2. Shaun Wade, Ohio State
3. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
4. Elijah Molden, Washington
5. D.J. Daniel, Georgia
Safeties
1. Jevon Holland, Oregon
2. Trevon Moehrig, TCU
3. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State
4. Kary Vincent, LSU
5. Andre Cisco, Syracuse
Kickers and punters
1. Blake Haubeil, Ohio State (K)
2. Blake Hayes, Illinois (P)
3. Zach Von Rosenberg, LSU (P)
4. James McCourt, Illinois (K)
5. Oscar Bradburn, Virginia Tech (P)