WKU Football: 2022 NFL Draft Preview
Over a dozen WKU seniors took part in the four month collegiate draft process.
The upcoming 2022 NFL Draft has already drawn up some intrigue as the trajectory of all 32 teams will continue to build for the upcoming season. In less a week, the futures of several football players will change in a rewarding fashion.
This includes some of our Hilltoppers. The secret is out about some of the standouts of the polarizing 2021 season for WKU Football.
Bailey Zappe
Dare we say it again? Zappe had the dream season of a lifetime in 2021. Powering through the record books with his 62 touchdowns and 5,967 yards, it’s still being overlooked with an entrenched QB class.
Through it all, he’s making his presence known. Zappe joined DeAngelo Malone for their Senior Bowl game invites on February 6th. He made an appearance in the game by throwing a game-high 8 passes for 103 yards.
He was in attendance at the NFL Combine on March 3rd. His stats include posting a 4.8 on the 40-yard dash.
Zappe also participated in the WKU Pro Day on March 31st. He took part in weather-related situational drills in “freezing temperatures”. His performance has left scouts in attendance well impressed.
https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/.amp/nfl-draft/nfl-draft-sleeper-quarterback-shines-at-pro-day
Down the line, it’s been said that Zappe will be a late round selection. He’s been projected as a Diamond in the rough for this year’s QB class.
His strengths including having a excellent deep ball presence & pocket awareness. His weaknesses were more focused on the fact that he only played in an Air Raid offensive scheme, which is almost nonexistent in today’s NFL. Still, Zappe is ready to work given the quarterback situation on a roster. Especially if they’re near retirement or in the final year of their high contracts.
Jerreth Sterns
I will never understand how Sterns did not get an invite to the NFL Combine. After a season to remember with 150 receptions for 1902 yards & 17 touchdowns, that should’ve been enough to shake some mock draft circles.
Despite not having an invite to the combine, Sterns attended the WKU Pro Day on March 31st. He was efficient in his drips but a 40-inch vertical & a 4.49 time on his forty-yard dash was enough to raise some attennas.
Nonetheless, his draft stock still remains in low risk, high reward for a wide receiver depth hungry team. Most draft analysts are predicting Sterns to be a Day 3 selection between the 5th-7th rounds.
DeAngelo Malone
After setting career records at WKU while being a two time CUSA defensive player of the year, the ceiling is getting higher for Malone.
His productivity has approached draft analysts with the potential to be a defensive edge rusher in the NFL. Through the pre-draft process, Malone was pretty busy. He was selected to play in the Senior Bowl on February 5th. He finished the game with 6 tackles and half a sack. He was also chosen as the American Team MVP of the Senior Bowl for his defensive efforts.
Malone also attended the 2022 NFL Combine in Indianapolis on March 5th. His stats included 23 bench presses.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/deangelo-malone/32004d41-4c64-7494-8610-7b97b8dcaab5
After with some visits to several NFL teams, their scouts all prove the same thing, Malone can possibly be a late Day 2 option for teams who are hungry for future pass rush standout.
Antwon Kincade
Kincade has been making his presence known in some draft prospect talks. The former three year starter for the Tops did not receive an NFL Combine invite but took part in WKU Pro Day.
Just weeks before, Kincade was selected as a Hula Bowl participant on January 24th. He and John Haggerty were the only Tops selected to play in front of over 159 scouts among various leagues.
https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2021/12/antwon-kincade/
Kincade also took part in the WKU Pro Day. He posted a 4.6 time in the 40 yard dash drill, comparing himself to other defensive backs where the average grade was about 4.5. Scouts have already have him listed as an UDFA special teams ace with the occasional start in the secondary, given the team’s defensive scheme.
https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/stats/Antwon-Kincade-DB-WesternKentucky
John Haggerty III
This is very interesting. Could Haggerty be the 1st punter from WKU to make an NFL roster? Time will tell but he’s also been making his rounds to advance his prolific career. He’s also slated to be a UDFA with a projected training camp invite this summer.
Omari Alexander
Alexander also attended Pro Day. He ranked 4th overall combined to actual combine participants who were defensive backs in his shuttle times & bench presses.
https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2021/08/omari-alexander/
Adam Cofield
Cofield was already working in progress for the draft since 2020. The North Dakota State transfer notched a productive lone season at WKU. He averaged 4.6 yards a carry in his 81 attempts. At Pro Day, he put up some numbers on the bench press.
Boe Wilson, Jeremy Darvin, Ben Ratzlaff, Michael Pitts & Malik Staples were among other Hilltoppers who participated on WKU Pro Day.