2021 NFL draft: Pair of Pac-12 matchups should draw Chargers’ interest

Out on the west coast, will be a couple of matchups that present a handful of 2021 NFL draft prospects that could intrigue the Chargers.

The college football season is winding down, with bowl season now in hindsight. That also means that scout’s traveling to watch prospects at various programs across the nation is close to coming to an end.

Today, out on the west coast, will be a couple of matchups that present a handful of 2021 NFL draft prospects that could very well intrigue the Chargers.

The first one is the contest between California and Washington State, which is at 1:00 p.m. PT.

The Bears have a pair of defenders, cornerback Camryn Bynum and linebacker Kuony Deng, that would be solid additions to Los Angeles’ defense.

Bynum, the Bears’ four-year starter, is a sound corner with very good reactive athleticism and coverage ability, as he seeks contact and battles on the perimeter, while also being a tenacious, competitive nuisance to receivers.

Given the fact that the Chargers could be looking to add more bodies at the position since Casey Hayward and Chris Harris Jr. are both free agents after the 2021 season, the team could take a hard look at Bynum.

Deng has grown from a skinny basketball player to a legit NFL linebacker prospect. The 6-foot-5 and 225 pounder has range, blitzing versatility, and the length to knock down passes, projecting as a SAM backer.

Meanwhile, the Cougars have an offensive tackle in Abraham Lucas, who is arguably the top guy at his position with Oregon’s Penei Sewell opted out of the season.

Even though there’s a limited sample size in the run game due to their offense, Lucas has the frame, movement skills and anchor to neutralize quickness and control the point of attack in pass protection, projecting to start early at the next level.

Update: The matchup between Cal and Washington State has been cancelled.

A few hours later will be a rivalry battle between USC and UCLA, which is at 4:30 p.m. PT.

The Trojans have a few players on the offensive side of the ball that should garner the attention.

Alijah Vera-Tucker played guard last season but transitioned to left tackle after Austin Jackson left for the NFL. Vera-Tucker is quick-footed and moves smoothly in open space, playing alert and with tenacity every snap, constantly looking for extra blocks.

USC has one of the best pass-catching duos in the Pac-12, Tyler Vaughns and Amon-Ra St. Brown, both of whom could be solid additions to the Bolts’ wide receiver room.

Vaughns is a good-sized receiver that shows tracking ability, body control, and contested catch skills to be an effective receiving threat while St. Brown has the speed, quickness, and playmaking ability to be a solid receiver at the next level.

The Bruins have an edge defender that could be on the Chargers’ radar. Osa Odighizuwa, who has four sacks this season offers good strength and edge-setting at the point of attack with his length, as well as some pass rushing alignment versatility.