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 Valero Alamo Bowl.
Mykael Wright, CB
Wright is a redshirt sophomore who has played a lot during his time with the Ducks. He has 113 total tackles, two interceptions and 17 passes defended in his career. For the 2021 season, he has posted 65 total tackles, four passes defended and one interception.
He isn’t the biggest corner at 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds, so he’ll need to add weight to his frame. Wright has shown the ability to make plays on the football when it is thrown his way. He has eligibility left, so he could return to school, but if he enters the draft, he is a projected day two or early day three pick.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Fourth Round Pick
Verone McKinley, S
After playing corner early in his career, McKinley played safety for the last few seasons of his college career. He has 163 total tackles, 10 interceptions and 10 passes defended in his career. This season, he has 71 total tackles, five interceptions and six passes defended.
McKinley is a smaller safety at 5-foot-11 and 196 pounds. He has tremendous ball skills and can patrol the backend of the defense well. There is some eligibility left for McKinley, so he could return to school. If he does declare, he is a projected mid to late-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
*Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected top-five pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Other Draft Prospects: OG/C Alex Forsythe (6th-UFA), RB C.J. Verdell (6th-UFA), OT George Moore (UFA), OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (UFA), LB Isaac Slade-Matautia (UFA), LB Mase Fauna (UFA), WR Johnny Johnson (UFA)
Jeremiah Hall, TE
Hall has played both fullback and tight end at Oklahoma and figures to be an H-back at the NFL level. He has 743 receiving yards, 50 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns in his career. This season, he has played tight end and registered 30 catches for 320 yards and four touchdowns.
He doesn’t have the size of an NFL tight end at 6-foot-2 and 248 yards, which means he’ll likely move to H-back. His versatility could help build his stock. Hall has some eligibility left and could return to school. If he declares for the draft, he is a projected late-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fifth Round Pick-Seventh Round Pick
Marquis Hayes, OG/C
Hayes redshirted his first season on campus in 2017. In 2018, he was a reserve guard who received limited playing time. He stepped into the starting lineup at guard in the 2019 season and kept that position through the rest of his career. Hayes made the All-Big 12 Second Team in 2021.
At 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds, Hayes has good size for an NFL guard. His blocking has helped Oklahoma’s high-powered offense throughout his career. He has plenty experience under his belt as well. Currently, he is expected to be a late-round draft pick.
Projected Draft Range: Fifth Round Pick-Seventh Round Pick
*Edge rusher Nik Bonitto has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected day two pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
*Defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected mid-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
*Edge rusher Isaiah Thomas has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected mid-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
*Linebacker Brian Asamoah has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected late-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Other Draft Prospects: RB Kennedy Brooks (6th-UFA), RB Eric Gray (6th-UFA), K Gabe Brkic (UFA), S Delarrin Turner-Yell (UFA), OG/C Tyrese Robinson (UFA), OT Wanya Morris (UFA), P Michael Turk (UFA), LB DaShaun White (UFA), S Pat Fields (UFA), LB David Ugwoegbu (UFA), CB Woodi Washington (UFA), WR Michael Woods II (UFA)
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