In this most unusual upcoming draft year, nothing is for certain. Thanks to COVID-19 and a ruling by the NCAA, players can play in the spring and even opt to come back for another season (fall 2021), even though they’re actually in this current draft class. Nobody’s eligibility will be affected by this pandemic year.
So, our Top Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) prospect chart — in which we consult our subscription to DraftScout.com‘s database — could change quite a bit by the time the 2021 NFL Draft rolls around. But we are ranking a player based on his “class” as it stands now, along with any underclassmen who have expressed their desire to take an early shot at the draft.
You’ll notice a common theme with this FCS batch of hard-working OVC 2021-eligible prospects — they make for a versatile bunch, able to impress at more than one position.
RELATED: FCS’ Top 2021 NFL Prospects
EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the players listed below have entered the transfer portal, but unless they’ve already selected their next school, they’re listed with the FCS school they played for in 2019.
THE RANKING
NO. 1: Trae Barry, TE, Jacksonville State
PROJECTED ROUND: 6th-HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 400
THE SCOOP: At 6-foot-6, 245 pounds Barry is an intriguing FCS prospect at the tight end position. This fall, he caught four balls for 52 yards in the game against Florida State, where the Gamecocks hardly laid down against the Seminoles. In his career he’s caught 80 balls for 1,300-plus yards and turned heads. He tends to perform well against good competition. He hasn’t gone public with his plan, but he is eligible for 2021. If he doesn’t do it this spring, he may be an even bigger FCS target next cycle.
NO. 2: Zerrick Cooper, QB, Jacksonville State
PROJECTED ROUND: 6th-HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 508
THE SCOOP: Everybody who follows the FCS circuit knows the story about Clemson’s Dabo Swinney making the case to JSU coach John Grass that Cooper is outstanding, there’s just a logjam at the position with the Tigers. Cooper has put up the numbers since arriving at JSU in the 2018 season. Cooper has a great arm, and aside from NDSU’s Trey Lance? He seems to be the “next QB guy” from the FCS. He has thrown for nearly 8,000 yards in college and he could very well return in 2021 and do more.
NO. 3: Kordell Jackson, CB, Austin Peay
PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 574
THE SCOOP: Jackson is a playmaker, especially when the stakes are high. In the abbreviated fall version of FCS college football? He posted 7 tackles with 2 tackles for loss against Power Five Pittsburgh. He was a consensus all-american in 2019 and a HERO Sports Freshman All-American in 2017 when he started most of the year and made big plays against Cincinnati and Miami (Ohio) early in the year when the program was changing the climate on campus. Scouts label him a “tough little CB”.
NO. 4: Blake Mitchell, OC, Austin Peay
PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: Outside of
THE SCOOP: Mitchell made himself into an All Ohio Valley Conference performer in 2019 after coming over from Mississippi State. He started all 14 games for the Governors, mostly at center. The team also went on to post the top season finish in school history, dating back to the 1930s. Mitchell played in three fall games and is expected to participate in the spring. The scouting report mentions he can play center and guard effectively.
NO. 5: DeAngelo Wilson, WR-PR, Austin Peay
PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: Outside of
THE SCOOP: Wilson blew up nationally last fall when he caught 89 balls for 1,564 yards and 15 scores in 2019. He also has proven he can be an effective punt returner during his APSU career. He caught four balls for 44 yards against Cincinnati this past fall. He is listed as a priority free agent by some scouts, and the word “swift” is also used in describing Wilson.
NOTE- HPFA = High Priority Free Agent, which means they may not be projected to be drafted at this time in the cycle, but they’ll likely be signed within a few hours of the draft’s conclusion.
THE NEXT GROUP
| NAME | POS | FCS SCHOOL |
| Damion Barber | DT | Austin Peay |
| JaQuez Akins | FS | UT-Martin |
| Bydarrius Knighten | FS | SEMO |
| Anthony Koclanakis | ILB | Murray State |
| Aries Davis | OG | UT-Martin |
| Bryant Pirtle | OLB | SEMO |
| JaChai Baker | OT | SEMO |
| Mark Williams | CB | Eastern Illinois |
| Emmanuel Olenga | DE | Tennessee State |
| Dytarious Johnson | ILB | Eastern Illinois |
