Gridiron Heroics partners with Draft Scout to give each school’s Top 5 NFL Draft prospects in the Big 12. Welcome to a list of the West Virginia 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 Big 12zzzzzzz seniors, the class of 2023. Since we don’t know yet which underclassmen will declare? We’ll reconfigure the rankings when that happens, so be sure to revisit us.
Our Big 12 Draft prospect series will run beginning 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.
BIG 12 TOP 20 PROSPECTS: Overall Big 12 Top Prospect List
BIG 12 PROSPECTS: Baylor | BYU | Iowa St. | Kansas | Kansas State | TCU | Texas | Texas Tech | Oklahoma| Oklahoma St. | West Virginia
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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 West Virginia 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 declare earlier yet, though when they do? We’ll update the lists below.
West Virginia TOP 5 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
NO. 1 PROSPECT
NAME: Bryce Ford-Wheaton (WR)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: High Priority Free Agent
CAREER STATISTICS: Ford-Wheaton had 143 career receptions for 1,867 yards and 15 touchdowns. He averaged 13.1 yards a catch with a career long reception of 67 yards.
THE TRUTH: He is a perfect build physically for a great possession wide receiver at 6’3 224 lbs. The problem with inconsistent catching ability and the ability to separate could hinder him. I personally loved watching him play when he was on. He has the ability to out jump corners and run them over in the open field. Ford-Wheaton has that something about him when you watch that draws your eyes. He will definitely make a roster and impress whoever either drafts him or signs him after.
NO. 2 PROSPECT
NAME: J.T. Daniels (QB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: High Priority Free Agent
CAREER STATISTICS: JT bounced around in his college career playing at three schools. Daniels had 6,947 yards passing with 45 touchdowns and 25 interceptions with a 62.9% completion percentage.
THE TRUTH: He had an average type career as a “pro style” quarterback. He does not push the ball down the field very well. Daniels does have very high football IQ, and does throw wr open quite frequently reading the defenses. I think he will get a camp invite and the ability to compete for a backup slot somewhere.
NO. 3 PROSPECT
NAME: Taijh Alston (DE)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: High Priority Free Agent
CAREER STATISTICS: In his 4 years in Morgantown Alston has 56 tackles with 32 of them being solo. He also has 8 career sacks and 4 forced fumbles.
THE TRUTH: The production is just not there on film. The size and the skills are there, but they do not show in the stats or on the film consistently. He athleticism will get him a call for a tryout by a few teams, he will blow them away in shorts. Maybe he will turn it into plays when the pads come on. The talent is there, just have to see it.
NO. 4 PROSPECT
NAME: Sam James (WR)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: High Priority Free Agent
CAREER STATISTICS: In his 4 year as a Mountaineer James caught 190 balls for 2,229 yards and 15 touchdowns. He averaged 11.7 yards a catch with a career long of 71 yards.
THE TRUTH: PRODUCTION!!! All he did was produce on the field. He had three seasons over 500 yards and 4 years of over 40 catches and 2 touchdowns. He just makes the plays you need to make. Nothing unbelievably spectacular, he is just one hell of a football player. He will make a roster and start in the NFL next year, bet on it.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
NAME: Charles Woods (CB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: Free Agent Camp Invite
CAREER STATISTICS: In his career at both West Virginia and Illinois State Woods had 39 tackles with 30 being solo. He has 8 career interceptions, 4 pass defenses and a forced fumble.
THE TRUTH: Has all the talent, size and football IQ to be a starter in the NFL. Injuries are his downfall, if he can come into a camp at full health he will take someone’s job.
