The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2021 Military Bowl.
East Carolina Pirates Draft Prospects
D.J. Ford, S
Ford started his career at North Carolina before transferring to East Carolina. For his career, Ford has 104 total tackles, seven passes defended and one interception. Most of his production has come during his one season at ECU. He has 32 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and three passes defended in his one season as a Pirate.
He has is a bigger safety in at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds. His production isn’t the greatest so Ford will need to test well if he wants to get drafted. He is currently seen as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Seventh Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Jireh Wilson, S
Wilson is an interesting prospect because he had a bigger 2020 season than in 2021. In his entire career, Wilson has 140 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, seven passes defended and one interception. This season, he has 43 total tackles, four tackles for loss, four passes defended and one interception.
He too is a bigger safety at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds. With the NFL moving more defensive backs to linebacker, Wilson could be a candidate to move or play in sub-packages. He is expected to be drafted late in the draft or be an undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Seventh Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Other NFL Draft Prospects:Â QB Holton Ahlers (UFA)
Boston College Eagles Draft Prospects
Zion Johnson, OG/C
Johnson could have entered the 2021 NFL Draft, but elected to go back to school for another season. Before transferring to Boston College, Johnson played two seasons at Davidson. He made the All-ACC Second Team in 2019 and followed that up by making the All-ACC Third Team in 2020. This season, Johnnson was an All-ACC First Team selection.
He won’t be the biggest offensive lineman at 6-foot-3 and 316 pounds, but he has decent size. Johnson has shown good physicality and his good play over five full seasons of college football, should have him drafted decently early. He is currently projected to be a day two pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Fourth Round Pick
Zay Flowers, WR
For the last three seasons, Flowers has provided a jolt to the Boston College passing attack. In his career, he has 122 receptions for 1,979 yards and 17 touchdowns. This season, Flowers has hauled in 44 passes for 746 yards and five touchdowns. He has had to adjust to catching passes from two different quarterbacks due to injury this season.
Flowers is a little undersized for an outside receiver in the NFL at 5-foot-10 and 177 pounds. He will have to add some weight to his frame to matchup with NFL-caliber athletes. Flowers has been a good deep threat, but could return to school in an effort to improve his game and draft stock. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
*Quarterback Phil Jurkovec has announced he is returning to school for 2022. He is a projected future early pick in the NFL Draft.
Other Draft Prospects:Â OG/C Alec Lindstrom (3rd-5th), TE Trae Barry (5th-7th), CB Josh DeBerry (6th-UFA), OT Tyler Vrabel (UFA), Ben Petrula (UFA)
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