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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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Michigan State Spartans defensive end Kenny Willekes (48) lines up for the play during the college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Arizona State Sun Devils on Sep 8, 2018, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

31. Kenny Willekes- Defensive End, Michigan State

Michigan State was one of the more depressing teams to watch in 2018 due to their abysmal offense. However, their defense was one of the best in the country finishing second in defensive S&P+.

Sparty had playmakers all over their defense, but Kenny Willekes was among the best. Willekes won defensive lineman of the year which is impressive considering how many great defensive linemen play in the Big Ten which we’ll see later in this list. He could have come out this season, but a fibula injury in MSU’s bowl game led him back to school, and now he has the opportunity to solidify himself as a day draft pick in 2020.

Willekes was a zero star recruit coming out of high school, and you can see the chip on his shoulder when he plays. He has a nonstop motor to the quarterback and even though he didn’t have a crazy high sacks total (8.5) he still lived in the backfield racking up 20.5 tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the third-best 4-3 defensive end in college football in 2018, so his name is out there. If he can continue to work on his rush plan and hands, there is no reason to think he won’t be a productive NFL player.

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