Notable local underclassmen now in NFL Draft mix

Local college football talent who have either graduated or declared for the NFL draft are hard at work preparing for the Indianapolis NFL Combine and private team workouts. Many underclassmen have gotten right into the process of making draft dreams come true.

LSU cornerback Kevin Toliver II holds a 4th round grade while his ex-teammate Donte’ Jackson is expected to be a day two pick.

SLU’s Maea Teuhema, a transfer from LSU, is slotted as a day three choice.

LSU could produce two first round choices. Edge rusher Arden Key is almost assured to go in the first 15 picks while running back Derrius Guice could slip into the bottom of the opening round.

Former Barbe and LSU receiver Trey Quinn, who hit his college stride at SMU, is figuring to go in the middle rounds.

Dutchtown’s Justin Reid, brother former LSU All-American Eric Reid, recorded 99 tackles with five interceptions at Stanford. The safety could go as high as third round.

One prospect who surprised many by opting out of his senior season is former Tulane and Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee.

The 6-foot-4 Jesuit alum led the Blue Jays to a 30-8 mark as a starter while throwing for 3.984 yards, 39 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. The strong armed passer began his college career at Tulane where in 19 starts he accumulated 3,601 yards, 23 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. With the arrival of Willie Fritz and an offense ill-suited to the pocker passer Lee, he transferred to Nebraska where he threw for 3,143 yards, 23 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 12 starts this past season.

Is it a good choice by Lee to bolt for NFL? Yes, I think so. He turns 23 years old in February, so another year may not have helped his stock. With a new head coach for Cornhuskers in rising star Scott Frost, Lee may have done well but it would still have been a risk.

Scouts feel Lee possesses the intangibles and a strong enough arm while the perceived lack of overall success he experienced in college is not a deal breaker. NFL.com beat writer Matt Brown drew comparisons to Trevor Siemian of the Denver Broncos. Many feel Lee could be a serviceable NFL backup.

Finally, LSU cornerback Greedy Williams earned Freshman All American recognition in 2017. Also chosen as a freshman All American was Thibodaux product Amik Robertson, who received late interest from LSU in the 2017 recruiting process before signing with Louisiana Tech. For LSU, it came down to Plaquemine’s Todd Harris or Amik Robertson for one spot in the class.

Robertson had a stellar initial season for the Bulldogs with 62 tackles, 6 PBU and 6.5 tackles for loss, including a 10 tackle performance against Southern Miss. He took full advantage of early playing time to shine in Ruston.