[lawrence-newsletter]
ESPN’s draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., the man famously known for his back-and-forth with former Colts general manager Bill Tobin during the 1994 NFL Draft, released his top five prospects at each position for the 2021 draft and included one Badger on his list, and it’s not a name you would expect.
TheDraftNetwork.com has already released their full 2021 NFL Draft big board and likes the NFL prospects of linebacker Jack Sanborn, safety Eric Burrell, offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen and others.
The one name Kiper included when listing the top five prospects at each position heading into the 2020 season? Fullback Mason Stokke.
That’s right, fullback love for the old-school Wisconsin Badgers.
Stokke came to Madison in 2016 as a three-star recruit as a linebacker and running back. Before his first season of playing time in 2018 the Wisconsin native made the switch to fullback and, according to NFL analysts, has a real chance at playing at the next level.
The fullback position has made a recent return to prominence for some NFL teams with the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers using fullback Kyle Juszczyk as a blocker, as a rusher and also as a receiving threat coming out of the backfield.
Despite this, a fullback still hasn’t been taken earlier than the fifth round since former Alabama fullback Jalston Fowler was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round in 2015.
Still, Kiper listing Stokke as his No. 2 fullback prospect is good news for the Badger’s NFL chances even if he doesn’t hear his name called during the 2021 draft.
Oh, and the one guy Kiper listed ahead of Stokke in his rankings? Michigan fullback Ben Mason, the man famous for fumbling inside the five yard-line in Madison this past fall.
Stokke will look to join Derek Watt and Alec Ingold as former Badger fullbacks making a name for themselves in the NFL when draft season comes around next year.