The Jacksonville Jaguars were extremely young within the secondary last season, and it showed. According to Pro Football Focus’ rankings, the unit ended up at the No. 30 spot when the regular season was over, with only the Las Vegas Raiders and Detroit Lions finishing below them.
Needless to say, the Jags will look to free agency to help the group and will also look to the draft for additions aS. If they land help through the draft, one player who could be on their radar is Central Florida cornerback Tay Gowan, who wouldn’t have to travel far from the city of Orlando, where he played collegiately.
Per Justin Melo of the Draft Network, he’s one of the prospects in the draft the Jags have shown interest in and plan to meet with (or has already met with) virtually.
I really enjoy watching UCF's secondary on tape. Lots of hype for Robinson & Grant, but a third player, Tay Gowan also impressed me on tape w/ his length on the outside.
Gowan has met/will meet virtually with #Eagles, #Falcons, #Titans, #Jaguars & #Rams to name a few.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 11, 2021
At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Gowan was a part of a loaded secondary that included notables Richie Grant and Aaron Robinson, both of whom are expected to be early-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Despite the talent around him, however, McGowan didn’t want to be outshined by his comrades while with the Knights and allowed just 25 yards or fewer in nine of the 12 games he played in per Pro Football Focus.
https://twitter.com/pff_college/status/1369389973691105285?s=21
Gowan didn’t take the field in 2020 with the coronavirus pandemic occurring, but was a force for the Knights in 2019. In 425 total coverage snaps, he only allowed two touchdowns and had seven pass breakups on the season.
https://twitter.com/pff_college/status/1369389973691105285?s=21
Gowan’s draft stock is widely sporadic. PFF’s Michael Renner has Gowan down as the 51st player on his big board. That would make him a second-round pick. Meanwhile, Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline has Gowan graded as an undrafted prospect. Maybe in the end he ends up going somewhere in between and becomes a Day 3 pick.