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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PALO ALTO, CA – OCTOBER 06: Jaylon Johnson #1 of the Utah Utes returns an interception 100 yards for a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter of their NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on October 6, 2018, in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

26. Jaylon Johnson – Cornerback, Utah

It usually is Washington that you’d look at when it comes to defensive back prospects, but Jaylon Johnson could emerge as the big name from the Pac-12 in 2020. Coming out of high school Johnson was a top 100 player and despite being recruited by big-time programs like Oklahoma, Florida, Michigan, and USC he chose Kyle Whittingham and Utah Utes.

And it is hard to say he made the wrong choice. As a sophomore, Johnson was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection finishing the year 41 tackles and four interceptions. In an interview before Utah’s bowl game, coach Whittingham acknowledged that he knew Johnson was special the second he saw him

“He’s proven to be just that,” Whittingham said, via the Desert News. “And to be an All-Pac-12 first-team selection as a true sophomore, he’s pretty special.”

At 6’0″ and 190 pounds, he has the size to matchup with anyone along with tremendous overall athleticism. Johnson also excelled off the field earning first-team all-academic honors from the Pac-12, so he is everything you want in a prospect. If he continues to improve, he will no doubt hear his name called day one in either the 2020 or 2021 draft.

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