Gridiron Heroics partners with Draft Scout to give each school’s Top 5 NFL Draft prospects in the Pac 12. Welcome to a list of the Arizona Top 5 NFL Draft prospects for 2023, as seen by Draft Scout.
Each week brings us closer and closer to one of the most anticipated days on the sports calendar — the NFL Draft. This year’s draft will be held in Kansas City, Mo. from April 27-29. Starting today? We take a look at the PAC12 seniors, the class of 2023. Since we don’t know yet which underclassmen will declare, we’ll reconfigure the rankings when that it all official, so be sure to revisit us.
Our PAC12 Draft prospect series will run soon and will run for the next week, with three schools running per day in alphabetical order. A master conference list of the Big 12’s Top 20 NFL draft prospects will wrap things up afterwards. Please check the team links below frequently so you can check out the other schools’ top prospects as the week progresses.
PAC12 TOP 20 PROSPECTS: Overall PAC12 Top Prospect List
PAC12 PROSPECTS: Arizona | Arizona State | California | Colorado | | Oregon | Oregon State | Stanford | UCLA | USC | Utah | Washington | Washington State
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So, we all know that not every team in the country has five surefire draft picks on it. Some programs do, especially in some of the more elite conferences, but the vast majority don’t have that many top-flight prospects. But, we also know that the definition “top-flight” doesn’t always pan out, and at the same time that strong undrafted free agent everybody forgot? He ends up making an NFL and flourishing.
Below is a look at the Arizona Top 5 Draft Prospects, and how they project in the eyes of Draft Scout. Again, for now, we’ll go strictly with seniors (c/o 2023), as no underclassmen have been allowed to officially clear the declarition deadline yet, though when they do? We’ll update the lists below.
Arizona TOP 5 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
NO. 1 PROSPECT
NAME: Christian Young (OLB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: HPFA
CAREER STATISTICS: During his time at the University of Arizona, Young has recorded 182 total tackles with 102 of them being solo. He also has 11 passes defended, 0.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
THE TRUTH: A safety who has spent most of his time in the box, Young projects as a true big nickel in the NFL. Young is an instinctive and active run defender that has no issues playing close to the line of scrimmage. In coverage, he’s been tasked with aligning with opposing offenses’ tight ends, even split out in man coverage. However, Young lacks upside at any other safety position. He has tight hips, making it hard for him to flip his hips. His speed is also questionable when it comes to carrying routes vertically in man coverage.
NO. 2 PROSPECT
NAME: Paiton Fears (OT)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: HPFA
CAREER STATISTICS: He plays.
THE TRUTH: A big man at the tackle position, Fears measures in at 6’6 and weighs in at 320 pounds. Fears is a type of prospect you take in the later rounds and hope you can develop into a solid player. Quicker pass rushers can take advantage of his heavy feet, but Fears’ length and strength are suffocating. What he lacks as a pass protector he makes as a run blocker, as he’s and aggressive blocker who gets to the second level with ease.
NO. 3 PROSPECT
NAME: Hunter Echols (EDGE)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: HPFA
CAREER STATISTICS: Throughout his time at USC and Arizona, Echols has recorded 103 total tackles with 50 of them being solo. He also has five passes defended, six sacks, and two forced fumbles.
THE TRUTH: A USC transfer who intends to play his last season of college ball at Arizona, Echols has the desired size for an EDGE defender at 6’5, 245 pounds. He’s a strong tackler and run defender, but Echols’ pass-rushing skill set can be underwhelming. His lack of production is something NFL scouts won’t like, as he’s only recorded 3.5 sacks this season.
NO. 4 PROSPECT
NAME: Jalen Harris (DE)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: HPFA
CAREER STATISTICS: In his six seasons at Arizona, Harris has recorded 173 total tackles, with 100 of them being solo. He also has 10 passes defended, 14 sacks and three forced fumbles.
THE TRUTH: A rotational pass rusher for the Wildcats, Harris has been a productive player to say the least.. He utilizes his feet to set up blocks and smoothly transition from speed to power. Hand usage is subtle but quick when used on the outside track. For all his positives, Harris’ poor leverage and lack of strength make it hard for him to create leverage and manipulate blocks to his advantage. Poor hand usage leads to an inability to disengage from blocks properly after opponents establish their hand positioning. Harris doesn’t possess nor exude the bend, lower body flexion, and speed you want to be a threat on the outside.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
NAME: Josh Donovan (OG)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: HPFA
CAREER STATISTICS: He plays.
THE TRUTH: Arguably Arizona’s top pass protector last year, Donovan hasn’t allowed a sack in his last two seasons. Donovan owns the frame NFL scouts look for in a guard as he measures in at 6’6 and 325 pounds. Donovan will need to cut down on penalties (six last season) and develop as a run blocker in order to have a chance at the NFL.