Gridiron Heroics partners with Draft Scout to give each school’s Top 5 NFL Draft prospects in the SEC. Welcome to a list of the LSU Top 5 NFL Draft prospects, 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.
Our series will run beginning Oct. 31 and running for five consecutive days, with three schools running per day in alphabetical order. A master conference list of the SEC’s Top 20 NFL draft prospects will wrap things up on Friday, Nov. 4. Please check the team links below frequently so you can check out the other schools’ top prospects as the week progresses.
SEC TOP 25 NFL PROSPECTS FOR 2023: Overall SEC Top Prospect List
SEC EAST PROSPECTS FOR 2023: Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Mizzou | South Carolina | Tennessee | Vanderbilt
SEC WEST PROSPECTS FOR 2023: Alabama | Arkansas | Auburn | LSU | Mississippi State | Ole Miss | Texas A&M
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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 LSU’s Top 5 Draft Prospects, and how they project in the eyes of Draft Scout. For now, we’ll go strictly with seniors, as no underclassmen have been allowed to declare earlier yet, though when they do? We’ll update the lists below.
LSU TOP 5 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
NO. 1 PROSPECT
NAME: Ali Gaye (DE)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 3rd round
CAREER STATISTICS: Ali Gaye’s college career started out his college career at Garden City Community College before transferring to LSU before the 2020 season. During his freshman season, Gaye would be named as the No. 2 JUCO defensive end as he recorded 44 tackles on the season.
In the shorted 2020 season with the Tigers, Gaye would earn All-SEC honors. He would start all 10 games on the defensive line where he recorded 9.5 tackles for loss, 32 tackles and 2.0 sacks. Gaye would go on to lead the Tigers in pass breakups with six and quarterback hurries with five.
The 2021 season for his junior campaign would be shortened due to an injury he suffered against Kentucky. In four games, Gaye would record 19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. According to Draft Scouts, after his 2021 campaign, the star defensive end was projected closer to the first round.
THE TRUTH: According to Draft Scouts, the Lynwood, Washington native, is considered to be a Top Five Senior defensive end by 20+ NFL teams. Gaye going into the 2022 season was regarded as one of college football’s top defensive ends and pass rushers. He has the ability to be disruptive coming off of the edge and his long arms makes it difficult for quarterbacks to pass over him. Even with a quiet start to the 2022 season, Gaye is projected to land in the third round. His pure talent could vault him into the second round.
NO. 2 PROSPECT
NAME: Jay Ward (FS)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 4th or 5th round
CAREER STATISTICS: Jay Ward coming out of high school was looked as an athletic defensive back. Ward started his career in 2019 where he saw action in 13 games during LSU’s national championship run. He would record four tackles, broke up three passes and had a quarterback hurry.
Ward would see an uptick in playing time during the 2020 season where he would start in the Tigers three of the final four games during the shortened season. He would close out the season with 29 tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions.
Ward would be in for a breakout year in 2021 where he would finish third on the team with 71 tackles and lead the team in interceptions, with two on the year. For his career, Ward would have 104 tackles, 13 pass breakups and five interceptions.
THE TRUTH: According to Draft Scouts, Ward is listed as one of the Top 250 prospects going into the upcoming NFL Draft in 2023. The Moultrie, Georgia native is a veteran defensive back that can play any position in the secondary. He is viewed as a leader on the field by his teammates and coaches. Ward has a nose to the football and he has the ability of coming up with a big play. He also has shown his presence in the special teams department. Ward’s projection finds him in the fourth or fifth round, but his upside that he brings to the defense could spring him into the third round conversation.
NO. 3 PROSPECT
NAME: Jarrick Bernard-Converse (CB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 5th or 6th round
CAREER STATISTICS: Jarrick Bernard-Converse spent his first three seasons of his college career at Oklahoma State. Bernard-Converse would start off his freshman year with the Cowboys on a strong note by posting 59 tackles 3.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in 2018.
He would remain active on the defensive side recording 54 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.0 tackles for loss, an interception and five pass breakups during his 2019 campaign.
In 2020, Bernard-Converse would start all 11 games at cornerback. The star cornerback would record 32 tackles and seven pass breakups. He would continue that momentum during the 2021 campaign where he racked up 51 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 11 passes defended.
After his senior season, Bernard-Converse decided to use his grad transfer to play for his home state and don the purple and gold.
THE TRUTH: According to Draft Scouts, Bernard-Converse has received high praise from multiple scouts around the league. He was vaulted into fifth through seventh round discussion and sits as one of the Top 350 prospects heading into the upcoming NFL Draft. Bernard-Converse has shown his playmaking abilities both at Oklahoma State and LSU. Don’t be shocked if he is in the fourth round discussion come next year.
NO. 4 PROSPECT
NAME: John Emery Jr. (RB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 5th or 6th round
CAREER STATISTICS: John Emery Jr. was one of the most decorated running backs coming out of high school. Emery would see action in 10 games during the 2019 season where he would rush for 188 yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries.
Emery Jr. would see the field more during the 2020 season where he would start in three games. Emery Jr. ranked second on the team in rushing with 378 yards and three touchdowns. He would also lead all running backs in receiving with 14 receptions for 73 yards. Emery Jr. wouldn’t see the field in 2021.
THE TRUTH: According to Draft Scouts, over 20 NFL teams consider him a Top 10 Senior Running Back. The St. Rose, Louisiana native is regarded as one of the most talented and all-around gifted runners in college football. He has the ability to break away from defenders and once he gets into open space it is a long day for the defenders as he has the speed to breakaway. Emery Jr.’s pure talent could vault him into fourth round discussions.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
NAME: Jaray Jenkins (WR)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 6th or 7th round
CAREER STATISTICS: Jaray Jenkins was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. His time on the field as a freshman was limited during the 2018 season as he did not see any game action.
He would see game action in nine games during the 2019 season where he would haul in five passes for 67 yards. Jenkins would see an uptick in production during the 2020 campaign as he was fourth on the team in receptions with 23. He would pile on 397 yards and two touchdowns.
Jenkins would continue to produce for the Tiger offense in 2021 as he ranked second on the team in both receiving yards (502) and receiving touchdowns (6).
THE TRUTH: According to Draft Scouts, over 20 NFL teams consider him a Top 20 Senior Wide Receiver. Jenkins has been very reliable for the LSU’s offense and is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the nation. He is looked at as being both a leader on and off the field. Jenkins has all of the tools of being a solid route runner. It’s hard to get behind a sixth or seventh round rating where he has production of being an third round candidate or higher.
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