Five Big 12 Prospects To Watch Ahead of 2022 NFL Draft
We are just a day away from the first name being called in the 2022 NFL Draft. This year’s draft will be held in Las Vegas as fans will be eager to see who their team selects.
As we make our way through the crazy three days, we are going to see plenty of players get selected and of course, some of those players will be from the Big 12 Conference. Last year was a bit disappointing due to the fact that there wasn’t a single Big 12 player selected in the first round and while I am unsure if that will be the case once again this year, I wanted to share five Big 12 players to keep an eye on in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Iowa State RB Breece Hall
Over the last two years, Breece Hall has been one of if not the best running back in all of college football. He has rushed for over 3,000 yards in his last two seasons at Iowa State while scoring 46 touchdowns. Breece Hall is a special player in my book because he is also capable of catching the ball out of the backfield. When the football is in his hands, good things happen and to me he is the best running back in the entire draft. I am not sure if he will go in the first round due to him being a running back, but someone is going to get a great deal if he is still there after the first round.
Oklahoma DL Perrion Winfrey
I have been high on Perrion since last season and while he didn’t have the greatest 2021 season, the man showed exactly what he is capable of by earning the MVP award at the Senior Bowl. Winfrey flashes dominance at times and at 6’4 290 pounds, he is an interesting prospect, and I don’t think he will be on the board after the first two rounds are finished. Anytime a team can get their hands on a good defensive lineman they will get them, and I believe someone is going to get a day two steal with Perrion.
Baylor DB Jalen Pitre
The reigning Big 12 defensive player of the year has to be on this list, and he certainly belongs. Jalen is what I would call an old-school football player. He loves contact and seems to have a knack for finding the football. He doesn’t miss many tackles and is a very smart football player with good instincts and I know he is going to be one heck of a football player at the next level.
Oklahoma EDGE Nik Bonitto
People seem to have all sorts of mixed opinions when it comes to Nik Bonitto but all you need to know is that he can play. While his sack numbers were down in 2021, he still had the highest pass-rush grade in the Big 12 for the second year in a row according to Pro Football Focus. Nik is a speed rushed who can also drop back into coverage which is a plus. If there is one thing scouts and general managers love defensively it is guys who can get to the quarterback and Nik can be that guy.
Iowa State TE Charlie Kolar
Has the been a better tight end in college football over the last three years than Charlie Kolar? I would say no but maybe that is the Big 12 bias in me. Charlie has been productive every single year he has suited up for the Cyclones. He’s a solid athlete and has extremely reliable hands as a pass-catcher. Charlie is a smart man on and off the field and what you see is what you get with him: a great young man and a great football player. Kolar is going to be a guy who plays for a long time in the NFL.
