With the NFL draft producing Georgia Tech’s first draft selection since 2017 in tight end Tyler Davis, the clock begins for the Yellow Jackets’ next group of potential draftees. Come the spring of 2021 – presuming the college season is completed by that point – Tech figures to have many more draft-eligible prospects than the four that it fielded this year.
A season still awaits for Tech players to prove themselves on the field as NFL material. But it won’t be a surprise if a couple of Jackets hear their names called in the draft, with more signing undrafted free-agent contracts.
In alphabetical order, these are likely Tech’s top draft hopefuls for 2021. (This includes only Jackets players who will complete their eligibility with the coming season.)
» Wide receiver Jalen Camp, who will be returning from season-ending surgery that limited him to four games in 2019, could be an atypical draft prospect at his position given his size (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) and strength. Camp's ball skills have been documented, as has his proficiency at blocking on the perimeter. But after playing four games in 2019 (and catching seven passes), a full senior season will bear out his draft candidacy.
» Safety Tariq Carpenter (6-4, 223) more than meets the size requirement for the position. He is a punishing tackler in the open field and can cover downfield, as attested by his five pass breakups last season, second most on the team. He isn't super fast, but his size and toughness help him play effectively near the line of scrimmage. He likely will complete his senior season as a three-year starter, giving him vast experience.
» Defensive end Antonneous Clayton (6-2, 265) fits the physical profile of the ends taken in the recent draft, if perhaps an inch or two shorter. Having played 17 games in a backup role at Florida, Clayton has a lot riding on this season. But, if he reveals himself as the sort of threat off the edge that he has shown in practice at Tech, where he has often been a dominant player, he could insert himself squarely into the draft conversation.
» Devin Cochran, a graduate transfer offensive tackle from Vanderbilt, has size and length at 6-7, 320. Cochran, a Greater Atlanta Christian grad from Norcross, uses his reach well in pass blocking on the edge, often swallowing up defensive ends trying to get to the quarterback. He can improve as a run blocker. He figures to complete his career as a four-year starter and should get a look.
» Linebacker David Curry doesn't have great size (6-2, 230) or length. But he'll get notice for his productivity, with a team-leading 97 tackles last season, so long as he adds a second such season as a senior. His motor and character will stand out, too. Curry can also prove his worth on special teams, which Nathan Cottrell (an undrafted free agent with Jacksonville) demonstrated can be an entryway into the NFL.
» Listed at 6-5 and 305, guard Jack DeFoor has decent size for the position and would be even better off with a little more strength and weight to give him more power. DeFoor gets movement off the ball and, as a pass blocker, is effective at locking on a defender and maintaining control. He also shows agility as a pulling guard.
» Punter Pressley Harvin was not quite as consistent in his ball-striking last season as he was as a sophomore, when he earned All-ACC honors, but he'll have a chance as a senior to put his best season together. Harvin has a huge leg and can kick directionally with exceptional accuracy. Punter jobs aren't easy to come by, but he clearly has the ability to play in the NFL.
» Like Clayton, defensive tackle Jahaziel Lee (6-2, 300) has a lot on the line this season. Lee played three seasons on the offensive line in former coach Paul Johnson's offense, and was to play the 2019 season as a two-way lineman, the first time he had played on defense since high school. However, a season-ending leg injury ended his season, which gave him the opportunity to return as a fifth-year senior. It appears that he'll be full-time on the defensive line, where he played in spring practice. He has a lot to learn in a short time, but he'll have every opportunity to show his value in his second senior season.
» Graduate transfer offensive lineman Ryan Johnson started 19 games at Tennessee and played in another 17. He has versatility, having played center, guard and tackle, and has the size (6-6, 310). He has agility, plays and with feistiness and was effective against SEC competition. He'll get a chance to continue his development with offensive-line coach Brent Key.
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