32 college football players destined to be future first round picks

32 college football players destined to be future first round NFL Draft picks

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scores a first quarter touchdown reception past Tanner Muse #19 of the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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DURHAM, NC – OCTOBER 01: Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts after an intercepting a pass against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 1, 2016, in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

12. Bryce Hall – Cornerback, Virginia

Bryce Hall coming back to school may have been the most shocking of all the decision to return considering the season he had and how underwhelming the 2019 corner class was. Hall would have had a strong case for the best corner in the draft and could have been a first-round pick.

I’m not sure what ACC offensive coordinators were watching on tape in 2018 because, despite Hall’s great play, teams for some reason continued to challenge him. Over 70 passes were thrown Hall’s way, and all he did was have 21 total pass deflections, allow less than 50 percent completions and a passer rating of 69. Perhaps teams will get the memo this year and ease up on testing Hall’s side of the field, but if they don’t expect similar poor results.

NFL defenses are always looking for defensive backs you can make plays on the ball and Hall can undoubtedly do that. He had an interception against Duke where he appeared to be coming on a blitz but quickly realized the quarterback was trying to throw over him and Hall snagged it out the air. It is one of the most instinctual plays I’ve seen a corner make.

There is not a more veteran corner in college football as Hall will be going into his third year as a start. A two-star recruit coming out of college, Hall is in a position where he could be the first corner to hear his name called in 2020 NFL draft.

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