Now that the 2021 NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror, we’re all focusing on the upcoming season. Several of LSU’s players have a real shot of being selected in the 2022 NFL Draft next year, after the 2021-22 college football season concludes.
LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is the popular name, and deservingly so. Stingley is widely regarded as the best college cornerback in the country and if he can have another solid or elite year, a top-five draft selection is most certainly on the table for Stingley.
Who are some other LSU names that NFL Draft fanatics should be focusing on this season?
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Ali Gaye is the player that stands out to me.
Gaye is an absolute force of an edge-defender at 6-feet-6-inches and 262 pounds. Gaye has quick feet and great speed off the line. Gaye has shown to be a strong edge rusher who also flourishes in the run game with an incredible nose for the football.
While he isn’t the most explosive edge rusher in the 2022 draft class, Gaye does an excellent job utilizing his fundamentals and football IQ to make winning plays for his team.
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The NFL values players of his size and even more so; teams value players of his intellect as smart positional football is widely regarded as an important trait to a winning defense.
Gaye looks to have all intangibles to be a dominant player at the next level. Gaye plays the position with toughness, smart technique, and does enough things well to be a sure-fire draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
#LSU EDGE Ali Gaye could have been picked up in the 2021 NFL Draft, but chose to stay another year.
His reasoning behind that?
Believing there is more on the horizon for both himself and the Tigers in 2021:https://t.co/pHVb1ax0uQ
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) March 28, 2021
If he can improve aspects of his game this coming season, a high draft selection, maybe even late first round, isn’t out of the question for Gaye.
Over the years, we’ve seen defenders of his size rise up draft boards as NFL GM’s and coaches try to find the next difference-maker for their defense.
With Gaye looking to have a breakout season for the Tigers this season, keep an eye on his draft stock.