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 New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
Lecitus Smith, OG/C
After redshirting in his first season on campus, Smith started to receive playing time as a redshirt freshman. He had four starts and played in 11 games. In 2019, he fully moved into the starting lineup, starting all 12 games. He kept the starting spot at left guard in 2020 and was All-ACC Honorable Mention. His play had him make the All-ACC Honorable Mention again in 2021.
For an interior lineman, Smith has decent size at 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds. He was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl because he already graduated. If he chooses to, he can return to school for another season, as he is only a redshirt junior. He is currently projected to be taken in the mid to late rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
Jermaine Waller, CB
Waller started as a sophomore, but missed all but two games due to injuries during the 2020 season. He has since been healthy for the 2021 season. In his career, he has 17 passes defended and seven interceptions. This season, he has posted four interceptions and five passes defended.
He has a solid frame at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, but will need to add some play strength to compete at the next level. His ball skills have been great in college, specifically this season. He could return to school for one more season to improve his draft stock. If he declares, he is a projected late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
*Edge rusher Amare Barno has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected mid-round pick.
*Wide receiver Tre Turner has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected mid to late-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: TE James Mitchell (UFA), S Chamarri Conner (UFA), CB Armani Chatman (UFA), RB Raheem Blackshear (UFA), DL Jordan Williams (UFA), WR Changa Hodge (UFA)
Tagovailoa started his college career at Alabama with his brother Tua before transferring to Maryland. He has passed for 4,706 yards, 32 touchdowns and 18 interceptions on 67.1 percent completion. This season he has 3,595 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 68.4 percent completion. He also has 81 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground in his career.
At 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, Tagovailoa is undersized for an NFL quarterback. He does have decent mobility, which will help his stock, but Tagovailoa can probably benefit from another year of development at the college level. If he decides to enter the draft, he is a projected undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Jaelyn Duncan, OT
Duncan redshirted his first year on campus, but then jumped into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman at left tackle. He started all five games in 2020 and was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Duncan resumed his role at left tackle in 2021 and was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention once again.
He stands at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, which is good for an NFL offensive tackle. Duncan has received plenty of experience at the collegiate level, but he may want to return to school to refine his craft. He is a projected undrafted free agent if he does declare.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
*Wide receiver Dontay Demus is out for this game with a knee injury. He has already announced his intention to return to school for another year, but would be a mid-round pick if he declared.
Other Draft Prospects: S Nick Cross (UFA), DL Sam Okuayinonu (UFA)
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