San Diego State
The draft class from this program probably won’t be nearly as prolific as this year’s, but don’t tell that to defensive tackle Jonah Tavai. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2021 with 14 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, posting a PFF overall grade above 80 for the second straight year. At 6-0 and 295 pounds, he has the power and balance to continue causing headaches in centers week after week.
Another scoreless Bronco drive after @Tavai_Tavai55 gets the sack pic.twitter.com/4XzmupXQ7Q
— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) November 26, 2021
In the mix: Keshawn Banks, DE; Caden McDonald, LB
San Jose State
He isn’t a former Defensive Player of the Year like one of his Spartans teammates, but defensive end Viliami Fehoko might be the best player on a defense that was better than you thought last fall. The 6-4, 263-pound junior led San Jose State with seven sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, flashing an arsenal of moves that puts him in the conversation as the Mountain West’s best edge defender heading into 2022.
#SJSU DL Viliami Fehoko has been on a tear this season, now up to 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles after this strip sack against #UtahState.
Swats the hands of the tackle, bends the corner and gets the strip sack. Been disruptive early in this one. pic.twitter.com/UQx1LdkIi9
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) November 14, 2021
In the mix: Cade Hall, DE; Kyle Harmon, LB; Tre Jenkins, S
UNLV
Injuries cut his 2021 season short, but linebacker Austin Ajiake is an intriguing dark horse candidate who did well with his first extended opportunity as a starter. In eight games, the 6-2, 220-pound Fremont native averaged 9.25 tackles per game and proved adept in coverage duties, earning a 75.0 grade from PFF that ranked fourth among qualifying Mountain West linebackers.
In the mix: Daniel Gutierrez, K; Philip Hill, S; Adam Plant Jr., DE/LB
Utah State
What do you do for an encore after a record-setting season? If you’re Aggies quarterback Logan Bonner, you run it back and remind NFL scouts of your arm strength and your toughness. Provided he stays healthy (which wasn’t always a given in 2021), he could solidify his draft standing and give Utah State a chance to defend its conference title.
One of my favorite plays of the MWC Championship game. Watch USU QB Logan Bonner make a big boy decision and throw. pic.twitter.com/QgVK1hqb9N
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) December 7, 2021
In the mix: Alfred Edwards III, OT; Justin McGriff, WR; Jacob South, OT; AJ Vongphachanh, LB
Wyoming
It surely stung Cowboys fans when Xazavian Vallday left the program through the transfer portal, but his running back peer, Titus Swen, had a 86.3 run grade from PFF in 2021 that not only bested Valladay but was the third-best figure in the Mountain West. He has a nice blend of power and speed that you know will get a lot of opportunities to shine in Craig Bohl’s offense, so while NFL running back prospects typically have to wait a little longer for a phone call on Draft Day these days, Swen could play himself into that situation with a big year.
In the mix: Eric Abojei, OL; Cole Godbout, DL
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