2022 NFL Draft Watchlist, Football Guys
A look at who the top "football guys" will be in next years draft.
In my previous article about the 2021 draft, I explained what a “Football Guy” is but, I’ll just go over it again. A Football Guy is a player that is tough as nails, is an absolute character, is usually a UNIT, and has a great story.
Now that you know what constitutes a football guy, here is my 2022 NFL Draft Watchlist, Football Guys.
Malik Willis, Liberty Quarterback: Willis is athletic, agile, and has a cannon of an arm but, that’s not why he made this list. Willis is the only, THE ONLY quarterback I have ever seen to rock an elbow brace. I realize that it isn’t for style but it looks pretty sick.
I think that Willis could be a top ten pick and while I hope his elbow heals up, I would love to see the gunslinger bring the elbow brace style into the NFL.
Evan Neal, Alabama Offensive Tackle: My Unit alarm is going off and it won’t stop. Neal is a 6’7, 360 pound tackle that plays with a whole lot of piss and vinegar. He is the ideal tackle and ideal football guy because of how mean he is on the field.
Neal may be the highest drafted player on this list because of his play style. He also brings some o-line drip to the table with a Nike visor, heavy taped gloves, and tiny knee pads to go with the knee braces.
John Chenal, Wisconsin Fullback: You can’t have a football guy list and not have any fullbacks. Chenal plays in a run first, second, third, and fourth offense so he is a major factor in the badgers success.
Also, Chenal is like Tory Carter who was on the 2021 list, he rocks number 44. I still believe that there isn’t a better number in all of football than doubles 4’s. Chenal is a unit of a fullback and has every right being on this watch list.
Austin Deculus, LSU Offensive Tackle: Deculus has all the attributes to be a football guy. He’s a big and physical offensive lineman, he rocks the elbow pads with heavy tape, and has elite level locks much like the next guy on this list.
There is two other things that set Deculus apart from other football guys. One is that after a dismal LSU season in 2021, he decided to stick around and will be a huge piece of the Tigers success next year. Two, he has a butterfly collar, the most badass neck pads any player can have.
Blaze Alldredge, Missouri Linebacker: I really shouldn’t have to explain this one. His name is BLAZE. That’s badass. But, if you need more reason for Alldredge to make this list, he has luscious gold locks.
Blaze also rocked a single digit when he was at Rice and I think that the hard hitter will bring that same energy to Missouri. Alldredge was also named the George Martin Most Valuable Player for the Rice Owls.
Michael Turk, Arizona State Punter: You may be wondering, why is a punter on this list? Well, Turk is more than a punter. He declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, wasn’t selected, and then got back his two years of eligibility but, that’s not what makes him a football guy.
To go with his cannon of a leg that set the NCAA record for average punt yards in a game with 63, he threw around 225 at the combine. He got it for 25 reps. That’s more than some offensive linemen, linebackers, and tight ends.
Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa Center: As a center, I do appreciate the position more than many other football fans and Linderbaum embodies what a center and football guy is. What I love about him is the fact that he wrestled in high school too, like many other elite offensive linemen.
Linderbaum has the “center” look. He rocks a heavy taped glove on his left hand and a wrist brace with no glove on his snapping hand and has a single elbow pad. One of my favorite players to watch in all of college football.
Derek Stingley Jr., LSU Cornerback: Cornerbacks don’t usually find themselves on the football guy list because they don’t traditionally have the same grit as other players but Stingley is a special case. He’s balled out through his whole college career and has entered an elite class at LSU.
Stingley will join the seven club which holds special meaning in Baton Rouge. He joins players like Fournette, Pat Pete, and the Honey Badger. Being picked for this makes you a football guy.
Drew Seers, Lindenwood Linebacker: I really do have a soft spot for small college guys that are projected to make the league. Look back to my 2021 Draft Football Guys and Zach Davidson, the Central Missouri tight end made the list.
Seers is a bit undersized but could play in the slot in a 4-2-5 but he hits like a truck. A big reason he makes this list is because of his answer when asked why he plays football, “And I get to hit people for fun so that kinda did it for me.” True small school, football guy attitude that real football fans love.
Tyler Vrabel, Boston College Offensive Tackle: Mike Vrabel is Tylers dad and Mike is the ultimate football guy. He said that he would cut off his one eyed worm to win a Super Bowl on the Bussin With the Boys podcast so I can only imagine that Vrabels kid is a football guy.
The 6’5, 305 pound Tyler has started at Boston College the past two years and honestly, the only reason he made this list is because Mike is his dad. It may seem like a minuscule reason but damn, it’s a good one.
Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame Safety: Look, I watched a shit ton of Irish football last season and Hamilton was probably the second best player on that loaded roster behind Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah. Hamilton hits like a mack truck and is a silent assassin.
Hamilton won’t talk trash but he’ll make you pay if you cross the deep middle of the field with a huge hit. Last season in the two matchups against Clemson he racked up 18 tackles and 1 interception and the interception came against Trevor Lawrence. The reason he’s a football guy is because of his lead by example demeanor. A shut up and ball out play style.