One of the fastest-rising linebackers in the 2020 NFL Draft is Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay Jr. That tends to happen when a linebacker runs a 4.46 40-yard dash at 243 pounds. According to 3sigmaathlete.com, Gay tested in the 98th percentile among all linebackers, second in the class behind only Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons.
Not surprisingly, Gay’s game is based on his speed and explosion. There is no one in this class that can cover the amount of ground from sideline to sideline like Gay. He displays the ability to beat blockers by running around them or knifing through the smallest of holes to get a shot at the ball carrier.
Gay also has a pretty good feel for how to blitz, and his overall power for a player of his size is pretty special. When he has a free lane to attack the football, there aren’t many in the class that can arrive as quickly or with as much power as Gay:
Miss. State's Willie Gay Jr. is a lot of fun. Just so much speed and can even hit a little! pic.twitter.com/klOQfwIYPV
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 8, 2020
Gay certainly isn’t a perfect prospect on the field as he can be far too aggressive and needs a lot of work learning how to read what is happening in front of him. But if he can be given some time to develop and learn the finer points of playing linebacker, this is a player who has Pro Bowl potential due to his athleticism and upside.
Here’s the problem. Over the last two drafts, we’ve seen both Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden target high-character, team-captains who can be instant leaders on the roster. While it’s not fair to say that Gay couldn’t be that, he hasn’t been the most reliable teammate over the last few years. He was suspended in 2018 for eight due to an NCAA violation, and he reportedly punched another teammate before their bowl game.
Would the Raiders consider Gay late on Day 2 due to his insane athletic tools? Maybe. He is certainly a player with an incredible ceiling and speed to burn. It will be fascinating to see if the Raiders gamble on Gay and his athletic ability sometime in the third round.
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