Jalen Collins, CB
Round: Second. College: LSU. Height: 6-1 1/2. Weight: 203. Hometown: Olive Branch, Miss. High school: Olive Branch, Miss. Age: 22.
Highlights: A big, physical cornerback with the size and tackling skills to perhaps play safety. He led the Tigers with nine pass breakups in 2014, despite starting only seven of 13 games as a fourth-year junior. Also had 38 tackles and an interception. After redshirting as a freshman in 2011, Collins started the first game the next season before transitioning to a reserve role. Said he has a 78 1/8-inch wingspan.
Tevin Coleman, RB
Round: Third. College: Indiana. Height: 5-11 3/8. Weight: 206 lbs. Hometown: Tinley Park, Ill. High school: Oak Forest. Age: 22 Highlights: Cranked up his game from the middle of his sophomore season through his junior campaign, averaging 142.6 rushing yards per game over the final 21 games of his college career. Owns the Indiana single-season rushing record with 2,036 yards last fall, and he set the mark while going for 228 yards against eventual national champion Ohio State. Also rushed for 307 against Rutgers. Was one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award and ranked second nationally in rushing in 2014 while averaging 169.7 yards per game. Also caught 25 passes as a junior. Rushed for 958 yards as a sophomore, missing three games with an ankle injury. As a freshman, he rushed for 225 yards, and led the team with a 23.6-yard average on kickoff returns, including one that went 96 yards for a touchdown.
Justin Hardy, WR
Round: Fourth. College: East Carolina. Height: 5-10 1/4. Weight: 192 lbs. Hometown: Vanceboro, N.C. High school: West Craven. Age: 23 Highlights: He set the record for most career receptions in FBS history last season. Hardy played in 63 games for the Pirates and finished his career with 387 catches for 4,541 yards and 35 touchdowns. He broke the record against Tulane last season in a 34-6 victory. He moved past the previous record of 349 set by Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles in 2011. Hardy had only a Division II scholarship offer in high school before ending up at East Carolina as a preferred walk-on. He signed with Fayetteville State, but was given a release to walk-on at ECU. He spent his first season on the scout team before earning a scholarship a year later and quickly earning a lead role in the pass-heavy offense.
Grady Jarrett, DT
Round: Fifth. College: Clemson. Height: 6-0 3/4. Weight: 304 lbs. Hometown: Conyers. High school: Rockdale County. Age: 22 Highlights: The son of former Falcons great Jessie Tuggle. He was a three-sport standout in high school and captured state titles in wrestling and the shot put. He was a team co-captain. He was named third-team All-American by Athlon and first-team All-ACC by the media and the coaches. He had 73 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 12 quarterback pressures, two caused fumbles and one recovered fumble in 530 snaps over 13 games (13 starts). Comes off the ball low and has natural leverage.
Jake Rodgers, OG
Round: Seventh. College: Eastern Washington. Height: 6-6. Weight: 315 lbs. Hometown: Spokane, Wash. High School: Shadle Park. Highlights: Rodgers is athletic and could fit in a as a big guard. He was 250 pounds coming out of high school and was recruited as a tight end. He was moved to the line at Washington State. He redshirted and played for them in 2011. He started 12 games for the Cougars in 2012 at four different positions, but decided to leave the program. He transferred and missed half of the 2013 season with a knee injury. He returned in 2014 and started every game at right tackle and played some at right guard.
Akeem King, DB
Round: Seventh. College: San Jose State. Height: 6-0 1/8. Weight: 208. Hometown: Nipomo, Calif. High School: Nipomo. Age: 22. Highlights: Was his team's fourth-leading tackler with 71 stops (tops among defensive backs) with two pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for lost yardage while starting all 12 games at safety. Was a reserve over his first three seasons. As a high schooler, he also lettered in basketball and track and field, setting the school record with a time of 10.74 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at his Pro Day. Team officials say they're going to look at King first as a cornerback.
About the Author
