BOISE — At least one player from Boise State's football team has been drafted into the NFL since 2010. The program looks to continue that streak in this year's draft with several top prospects.
First, Ezra Cleveland. He posted one of the fastest sprint times among offensive linemen at the Combine and is also one of around 58 players asked to participate virtually in the draft. He's a projected first or second-round pick.
"With Ezra's combine performance and just his position, he's just so critical," said Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman's Boise State football beat writer. "If there's a most important position in football, it's quarterback. If there's a second most important position, it's that guy protecting the quarterback, and Ezra's just got that ability."
Defensive end, Curtis Weaver also has a good shot at getting drafted. He knows how to get to the quarterback, which is why he is ranked fifth in the country in sacks. Weaver is also the Mountain West career sack leader with 34 sacks, and number two-all time at Boise State.
"The NFL wants people who can make big plays. They want to pressure the quarterback, and that is what Curtis Weaver does," said Counts.
He projects him getting drafted by the third-round.
Next is wide receiver, John Hightower. He led the Broncos with 943 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches. Hightower also ran one of the fastest times with a 4.43 at the Combine. Counts projects him to go by the fifth round.
"I think he has a chance when you start talking four times in speed; those scouts love those fast guys, and they can never get enough of them," said Counts.
Lastly, keep an eye out for offensive guard John Molchon. He's a beast in pass protection and the run game. Counts thinks he will be a fifth to seventh-round pick.
"42 career starts, and he's got some positional versatility. He's played guard, he's played tackle, and he's been training at center," said Counts.
First-round picks start tonight at 6 p.m. on ABC with the Cincinnati Bengals starting it off.
