AAC Preview: 2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch and team predictions

Josh Keatley takes a dive into the win totals and top prospects for each AAC team in 2020

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Tigers: Vegas Win Total- 10

This 10-win number is tight and I don’t have a lot of confidence either way, but this team did notch 12 wins last season and looks primed to do it again in 2020. The reigning AAC champions will be looking to repeat and the odds look good considering all of the talent returning on an explosive offense. The Tigers will be looking to go to their fourth straight AAC championship and second straight New Year’s Six Bowl. The defense is not the strongest in the conference, but I wouldn’t bet against this offense. Prediction: Over 10

Top Prospects:

T.J. Carter, CB, 5-11, 189 pounds, Sr.: An All-AAC selection and PFF darling, Carter will be looking to prove he is 100% healthy after missing the conference championship and Cotton Bowl due to injury last season. He is an absolute stud and although he doesn’t have a ton of interceptions, this is mostly due to teams outright avoiding him. PFF has Carter as a top-five draft-eligible corner and rightfully so. He simply never allows the big play.

Kenneth Gainwell. RB, 5-11, 191 pounds, So.: An All-American-level performer, Gainwell is just an overall athlete who looks impressive running the ball. The evidence is his 1,459 rushing yards, which led the nation’s freshman and catching the ball out of the backfield. He is a dark horse Doak Walker Award candidate and should be in the early round discussion for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Damonte Coxie, WR, 6-3, 197 pounds, Sr.: Coxie is an All-AAC selection, and like Gainwell is a pivotal anchor on this explosive offense. After accounting for 1,276 receiving yards on 76 receptions and scoring nine receiving touchdowns last season, Coxie will be looking for more in 2020.