Derek Stingley, Jr. and the 5 best LSU NFL Draft prospects to watch this year
Derek Stingley, Jr. could be a top-3 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and headlines the list of the five best LSU NFL Draft prospects to watch closely this fall.
Seven LSU football players were selected in the NFL Draft this year. So who’s next to hear their name called in the 2022 NFL Draft out of LSU?
The Tigers continue to recruit well, which means there is no shortage of NFL prospects who aspire to add to LSU’s all-time draft numbers in 2022.
Here are five draft-eligible LSU NFL Draft prospects to watch closely this season
5. Myles Brennan, quarterback
Three quarterbacks came off the board in 2021 before any other position got a mention. It’s a quarterback’s league. Myles Brennan has to prove he belongs. First, Brennan has to win the starting job back at LSU. He opened the 2020 season atop the depth chart, but his season was ended by injury, thrusting Max Johnson into the starting role. This spring, he’s competing with Johnson and true freshman Garrett Nussmeier for the job. Brennan looked strong in the three games he played as a junior, with 11 touchdowns and a passer rating of 154.75. If he stretches that across a full season he’ll make his case to be drafted.
4. John Emery, running back
In the class of 2019, John Emery Jr. was one of three five-star running backs, according to 247Sports. Barton Simmons projected him as a future first-rounder. Emery isn’t a sure thing coming into his junior season. He had a promising 2020 relative to LSU’s struggles, averaging 5.04 yards per carry while splitting reps with Tyrion Davis-Price. The two will once again compete for the lion’s share of carries in the backfield. That’ll set Emery up for a make-or-break season in 2021.
3. Ali Gaye, defensive end
Gaye came to LSU in 2020 as one of the top JUCO prospects at defensive end. He went on to lead the Tigers with 9.5 tackles for loss off the edge, adding an interception, six pass breakups, five quarterback hurries, two sacks and a forced fumble to his list of impact plays. Standing 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, there’s no question Gaye ticks the physical boxes for the NFL. He’s coming back in 2022 to prove his worth as a potential early-round selection.