The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers were an electric bunch in 2021. As quarterback Bailey Zappe set the new FBS record for passing yards and passing touchdowns in a single season, the Hilltoppers soared to new heights. Western Kentucky’s full 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports indicate just how strong this team was in 2021.
Western Kentucky 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
As mentioned, Zappe set new records for sustained success at the quarterback position. He broke Joe Burrow’s record for touchdowns in a season, doing so in one less game to boot. Zappe found his favorite target over the past four years — WR Jerreth Sterns — often.
Sterns himself had a great showing at the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl. He utilized a great set of body control and speed skills to put forth a solid outing. But WKU is not done there. Here are the full scouting reports from Western Kentucky with eyes on the 2022 NFL Draft.
Mason Brooks, OL
Positives: College tackle who projects to guard in the NFL. Fundamentally sound, explosive at the point, and keeps his feet and hands working throughout the action. Stays square, plays with strength, and seals defenders from the action. Effective with his hands, patient in pass protection, and stays with the action. Knocks pass rushers from their angles of attack with ease.
Negatives: Shows stiffness and lacks fluid footwork off the edge. Bends at the waist and overextends in pass protection.
Analysis: Brooks is a tough, hard-nosed blocker with adequate size and growth potential. He’s scheme-limited and would be best in a power gap offense, but he has enough ability to back up on an NFL roster.
Antwon Kincade, DB
Positives: Three-year starter who was very productive on the college level. Breaks down well, displays a good head for the game, and takes proper angles to the action. Fires up the field and gives effort defending screen passes and running plays. Works hard to make plays and flies around the action. Instinctive. Squares and wraps up tackling. Immediately picks up coverage assignments and remains disciplined.
Negatives: Cannot stay with opponents on crossing patterns and lacks the speed necessary to recover. Adequate size.
Analysis: Kincade is a terrific safety and a good football player, yet he’s an average athlete. His football intelligence and hard-working style give him a chance to make a roster as a fourth safety/special-teams player.
DeAngelo Malone, EDGE
Positives: Underrated linebacker who flashes a three-down game. Quick, very explosive, and moves well in any direction. Flexible, easily alters his angle of attack, and moves well laterally in pursuit of the action. Fluid when asked to twist or stunt. Relentless and rarely gets knocked off his feet. Feisty, resilient, and uses his hands to protect himself. Possesses a closing burst. Stood out as a pass rusher during Senior Bowl practice while also displaying ability playing in space.
Negatives: Controlled at the point by a single blocker. Driven off the line on running downs and easily out-positioned from plays.
Analysis: DeAngelo Malone is an athletic, explosive linebacker who surprised many by returning to school in 2021. Primarily lining up out of a three-point stance or as a pass-rushing linebacker, he has the size and athleticism to be used in space or in a 4-3 alignment. He must brush up his ability making plays in reverse, but Malone comes with terrific upside.
Cole Spencer, OL
Positives: Long-time starter who saw action at both left and right tackle but projects to guard in the NFL. Quick off the snap, blocks with solid fundamentals, and keeps his feet moving. Patient, stays square, and effectively uses his hands.
Negatives: Not quick or fluid pulling across the line of scrimmage. Struggles to adjust. Lacks a dominant base. Constantly on the ground.
Analysis: Spencer is a high-effort lineman who was productive and durable for Western Kentucky, but he lacks size as well as upside for the next level.
Jerreth Sterns, WR
Positives: Big-play receiver coming off a tremendous campaign. Sells routes, has a burst of speed that he turns on in a single step, and lays out for difficult receptions. Nicely makes catches on crossing patterns, extends his hands to offer the quarterback a target, and adjusts to errant throws. Tracks the pass in the air, shows outstanding focus as well as concentration, and makes difficult catches with defenders draped on him. Looks the ball into his hands and possesses soft hands.
Negatives: Not a big receiver and struggles in battles. Average skill after the catch.
Analysis: After three productive seasons at Houston Baptist, Sterns took his game to another level after transferring to Western Kentucky. He’s a nice receiver with solid playing speed. Yet, I fear he’s nothing more than a fourth or fifth receiver at the next level and was the beneficiary of the systems he’s played in.
Boe Wilson, OL
Positives: Tough, smart blocker who keeps his head on a swivel, works to bend his knees, and always looks for someone to hit. Quick, explosive, and works his hands throughout the action. Jolts defenders with terrific hand punch and consistently stays square.
Negatives: Limited size and growth potential. Marginal skill blocking in motion and cannot redirect to opponents or hit a moving target. Undersized and gets run over by opponents. Only effective in a small area.
Analysis: Wilson was a solid performer for both Nebraska and Western Kentucky but possesses marginal potential and upside for the next level.
Bailey Zappe, QB
With Zappe taking the nation by storm this past season, his full scouting report is much more talked about than most WKU players.
Curious about Zappe’s potential as a fantasy player in the NFL? Find his dynasty value, injury history, landing spots, and more here. Additionally, see where Zappe ranks on the consensus PFN Big Board.