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Redskins: Five 2020 draft prospects to watch in college football

By Ian Cummings

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs #74 of the Iowa Hawkeyes before the match-up against the Wyoming Cowboys, on September 2, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs #74 of the Iowa Hawkeyes before the match-up against the Wyoming Cowboys, on September 2, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his first quarter touchdown reception against the Clemson Tigers the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his first quarter touchdown reception against the Clemson Tigers the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

No. 3 – Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy (And everyone else)

I’ll just cut right to the chase. After all, it’s what defensive backs are always forced to do when they have to cover Jerry Jeudy.

You could make a case that Jerry Jeudy is one of the top five route runners in football. Notice, I didn’t say the SEC. I didn’t say college football. I said football.

It helps that Jeudy is a human joystick with insane lateral agility, balance, and change-of-direction speed, and he also attacks his routes with a keen understanding of how to get open. Check out this release by Jeudy, where he cultivates five yards of separation in mere seconds, by manipulating his leverage with the defensive back, displaying a combination of steady patience and sharp opportunistic awareness.

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Jeudy’s best work comes as a route runner, but that’s not to say he’s any less than spectacular during and after the catch. Jeudy employs laser-like focus at the catch point, and he has the body control to contort in midair and adjust to wherever the ball appears inside his catch radius. Once he has the ball, he’s as shifty as they come, and he has legitimate sub-4.4 long speed. His frame, standing at around 6-foot-1, 192, is a bit on the thin side, but it doesn’t sap his durability. More often than not, he avoids contact altogether.

The 2020 receiver class is set to be absolutely and completely stacked to the brim. Talents such as Laviska Shenault, Rondale Moore, Tee Higgins, CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Johnson, Justyn Ross, and Jaelen Reagor only begin to scratch the surface of the class’ extraordinary nature. Even Jeudy, on his own team, has another top three prospect in Henry Ruggs III, and two more high-potential players in Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith.

The 2020 wide receiver class has a chance to be legendary. That only makes it more impressive that Jeudy has managed to separate himself at the top. He’s an elite prospect in his current state, and with another award-winning season in 2019, he can cement himself as a top ten pick. The Redskins might not have a chance to select him, but even if they don’t, there will be plenty more talent to choose from.

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