#ProTops 2020 NFL Draft Preview
As the last full weekend of April approaches, the closest thing to Christmas for NFL fans arises. The 2020 NFL Draft will take place (virtually of course) from Las Vegas from Thursday, April 23rd-Saturday, April 25th. All 32 teams will virtually make their selections in seven rounds for who may be the next crop of future NFL superstars. WKU Football has three prospects that are looking to have their names called during the three-day event. All three appear to have late-round/undrafted free agent potential. Here’s a breakdown of each player and what they offer at the next level.
Dontavion “Lucky” Jackson- Wide Receiver
The Lexington native and Lafayette High School product arrived on The Hill as a redshirt freshman in 2015. After the departures of Taywan Taylor, Nacarius Fant, and Nicholas Norris, he adapted quickly as he was able to climb up on the depth chart during his four seasons at WKU. During the 2019 season, he had a record-setting year as he caught 94 passes for 1136 yards and four touchdowns. He was also named the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl MVP after the Tops beat Western Michigan.
Jackson leaves the Tops with a career of 209 receptions, 2680 yards, and thirteen touchdowns. He also was named to the First Team Conference USA for 2019. During the NFL Combine media days, there was an article that talked about Jackson and his dream of playing in the NFL:
Jackson was rated by NFL Draft scout Dane Brugler as the #111 receiver which would firmly put him in the undrafted range. His size, speed, and production could still have him sneaking into the late rounds and he will at least be invited to mini-camps to prove his worth.
Arriving at Bowling Green as a two-star recruit out of Suwanee, Georgia, Miles Pate’s career in a Hiltopper uniform took off as soon as he was called upon to play the game. He entered the starting lineup as a redshirt sophomore in 2017, starting the first seven games. As a junior in 2018, he led all offensive tackles in Conference USA in total efficiency. He posted a 21.8 overall cumulative rating by PFF College’s Signature Stats, which included +9.5 for pass blocking and +8.9 for run blocking.
In 2019, he was named to the Outland Trophy watchlist, an award dedicated to the best offensive tackle in the country. He ended up being named to the First Team Conference USA at guard after a successful season which includes the feat of playing 919 offensive snaps without a single penalty. His versatility will definitely help him at the next level.
Pate is projected to play guard at the next level and Brugler ranks him as the 65th best prospect at the position. Like Jackson that puts in him in the late-round/undrafted free agent range but he’ll definitely get several looks at the next level.
Ta’Corian “Coco” Darden- Defensive Back/Safety
The local product out of Russellville wasted no time at jumping at the chance to etch his name as a true Hilltopper football player. He walked on to the WKU roster in 2015 & redshirted his freshman season. In 2016, he was able to play in the five final games for the season. After receiving his scholarship in 2017, Darden quickly became a vital role in the Tops secondary. He posted 71 total tackles. In 2018, he recorded another 71 tackles, including having three interceptions. In 2019, as a third-year starter at the nickel corner position, recording 54 tackles. He became only the sixth Hilltopper in school history to reach over a career-high of 200 plus tackles. He finished his campaign with 200 total tackles and six interceptions. This also includes a forced fumble that he made on fellow draft hopeful Johnathan Taylor, the running back out of Wisconsin in 2018. In 2020, Darden was the first WKU player to be invited to the Hula Bowl All-Star Game in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Darden wasn’t rated on Brugler’s list but should get invited to rookie mini-camps if/when they happen.
Like I stated above, all three are late-round prospects so you really don’t need to look for them to be selected until Saturday. It only takes one team to fall in love with a player and decide to use a coveted draft pick on one of these guys. All three have proven production in college and have skills that could catch someone’s eye.
Even though all three athletes did not get invited to the 2020 NFL Combine, it doesn’t mean that their dreams are out of reach. Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle was undrafted in 2013. After being cut from the Tennessee Titans training camp, he was claimed by the Colts and went on to have a great start to his career. George Fant was also undrafted in 2016, leading him to be signed by the Seattle Seahawks. Over the next four seasons, Fant was able to move up on the depth chart, including on starting twenty games for the team. These are a lot of former WKU players who went the undrafted route and were able to have great careers. Bobby Rainey, Antonio Andrews, Deon Yelder, and Darrell Williams are other former Toppers that played in the NFL despite not being drafted.
I strongly believe that these three will have an opportunity for similar success. The clock starts ticking this weekend. Stay tuned for more developing coverage after the last pick of the draft. Should any of the three get drafted we’ll be providing analysis of how they fit their new destinations. Good luck to these former Hilltopper standouts.
