Arizona only Pac-12 team without 2020 NFL Draft pick

Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Arizona Wildcats’ inability to recruit and develop professional football players was reaffirmed on Saturday when the 2020 NFL Draft concluded and zero former UA players were picked.

It marked the first time since 2017—and fourth time since 2013—that Arizona failed to have at least one player drafted and the first draft that didn’t include a player coached by Kevin Sumlin since 2012.

The Wildcats were the only Pac-12 school without a selection and one of nine power conference schools without a draftee. The others were Duke, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas State, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss and Rutgers.

Schools that did produce NFL draft picks: Charlotte, Southern Illinois, Lenoir-Rhyne, Dayton, Appalachian State, Louisiana, James Madison, FIU, Georgia Southern, UMass, Ball State, Rhode Island, FAU, St. John’s (Minn.), Liberty and Washburn (Kan.).

Arizona’s 15 picks since 2010 are better than only Washington State (12) among Pac-12 schools. It hasn’t had multiple players selected since 2016, when safety Will Parks and linebacker Scooby Wright III were drafted, and it’s been six years since a former UA offensive player (running back Ka’Deem Carey in 2014) had his name called.

Running back J.J. Taylor, quarterback Khalil Tate and cornerback Jace Whittaker were considered the most likely Arizona alums to get drafted. Now they, along with defensive lineman Finton Connolly, will look to sign rookie free agent deals.

from Arizona Desert Swarm - All Posts https://ift.tt/3bBUfCo
via IFTTT