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) /

4 of 33

CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 17: Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (77) warms up for the Big Ten Conference college football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 17, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

30. Alaric Jackson – Offensive tackle, Iowa

Pass protection is critical in today’s NFL so a player like Alaric Jackson will undoubtedly find himself high on NFL draft boards to start the 2019 season. Jackson and his teammate Tristan Wirfs who is also receiving some early draft buzz might form the best tackle duo in the nation and certainly the best in the Big Ten.

2019 will be Jackson’s third season as a starter, so he is well established and if he stays healthy will likely enter the draft this season. For a player of Jackson’s size (6’7″, 320 pounds) what scouts talk about the most is the quickness of his feet and hands which make him excellent his pass protection. PFF ranked Jackson as the number one pass blocker in the Big Ten for the 2018 season posting an 84.2 grade.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is one of the more respected college football among NFL circles, so Iowa players are all going to get a serious look from NFL scouts. Jackson and a few others on the roster have the talent to be worthy of a first-round pick so now they need to show it in 2019.

Home/College Football