Looking for the top Middle Tennessee NFL Draft prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City? Here are the Middle Tennessee scouting reports for the school’s top players hoping to find an opportunity in the NFL.
Middle Tennessee 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Izaiah Gathings, WR
Strengths: Nice-sized wideout coming off a career season. Settles into the open spot of the field, extends his hands, and snatches the ball away from his frame. Adjusts to the errant throw on crossing patterns, makes the reception in stride, and keeps the play in bounds after the catch. Displays soft, consistent hands. Tough to bring down in the open field.
Weaknesses: Displays limited quickness. Minimally effective after the catch despite his best efforts. Turned in just one year of significant production at Middle Tennessee after transferring from Gardner Webb.
Overall: Gathings possesses size, big hands and deceptive speed. He showed plenty of improvement in his game, and based off last year’s film, Gathings is worth keeping on a practice squad for future development.
Jordan Ferguson, EDGE
Strengths: Super-productive defensive end who displays ability standing over tackle or out of a three-point stance. Uses his hands to protect himself and is rarely off his feet. Stays with assignments, quickly locates ball handlers, and displays good movement skills.
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Easily changes direction, moves well down the line, and gives effort in pursuit. Shows ability in space on zone blitzes. Fires off the snap out of a three-point stance, plays with proper pad level, and gets leverage on opponents.
Weaknesses: Displays limited speed and poor size. Stiff. Struggles getting off blocks.
Overall: Ferguson made a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage at Middle Tennessee over the past two seasons, combining for 34.5 TFLs and 18 sacks. He’s a terrific football player, but he’s a marginal athlete with limited upside. Though rated low, Ferguson could make a next-level roster as a pass-rush specialist.