NFL Draft: Who can be the next Zach Wilson for BYU Football?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Zach Wilson holds a jersey onstage after being drafted second by the New York Jets during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Zach Wilson holds a jersey onstage after being drafted second by the New York Jets during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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BOISE, ID – NOVEMBER 6: Running back Tyler Allgeier #25 of the BYU Cougars runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at Albertsons Stadium on November 6, 2020 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – NOVEMBER 6: Running back Tyler Allgeier #25 of the BYU Cougars runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at Albertsons Stadium on November 6, 2020 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)

Tyler Allgeier

This is the obvious first possibility. Allgeier is already considered an upper-tier running back coming into the 2021 season. Throw in a new quarterback and receivers that demand respect and double coverage and Allgeier could have the perfect recipe to have a Jamaal Williams kind of season.

Last season, Allgeier led the Cougars with 1,130 rushing yards and 174 receiving yards. He averaged 7.5 yards per carry! While these numbers can’t be expected this season against seven Power Five teams, if he can keep that average around 5.5 yards per carry and can increase his presence in the passing game, Allgeier could very well set himself up with a 1,000/500/15(rushing/receiving/TD) season. Players who do that tend to get drafted pretty high in the NFL Draft.

Maybe the most impressive part of Allgaiers game that could lead to NFL interest is his size. Small running backs just don’t make it in the NFL very often, regardless of how good they are in college. At 5-11, 220 pounds, Allgeier matches up with running backs Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, and yes, Jamaal Williams.

Schedule

Schedule