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2021 NFL Draft: 7 Prospects who need a college football season

By Michael Johnson

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 30: Running back Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks for an opening against the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter on November 30, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OU won 34-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 30: Running back Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks for an opening against the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter on November 30, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OU won 34-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Big Ten, 2021 NFL Draft
Master Teague, Ohio football (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

These 2021 NFL Draft prospects need a college football season to help their stock.

There’s no denying, NFL Draft fanatics live for college football. Where else can we watch the future of the NFL? But what if they don’t play?

Things haven’t gotten back to normal since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and Big Ten football felt it. On Aug. 11, Big Ten school presidents decided to cancel the fall 2020 season with the possibility of playing in spring 2021. The Pac-12 followed in their footsteps, ripping away any opportunity for the prospects hoping to impress the NFL one last time.

Because of that and several other circumstances, the 2021 NFL Draft season scouting process will look different. Some top prospects decided not to play in the 2020 college football season. Who can blame them?

In some cases, the players who opted out didn’t need to play thanks to some excellent film in 2019. In fact, there are a few other prospects who should follow in their footsteps. On the flip side, there are plenty of prospects who need another college football season to further their 2021 NFL Draft stock. These are seven players who fit that bill.

7. Master Teague, RB, Ohio State

When a back jumps off the screen with a guy like J.K. Dobbins leading the way, you know he’s special. That’s Master Teague, a 5-11, 225-pound back with an elite skill set.

He averaged 6.0 yards a carry as a backup with a promise of the something more. The Ohio State back has excellent contact balance, lowe pad style, and power. Teague has a nasty stiff arm and the ability to get loose in the open field.

Things were looking great for Teague to take over as the lead back for the Buckeyes. However, there are some issues he must address. One of the issues is out of his control. When a running back has lower-body injuries, there will be questions and Teague is coming off such an injury.

With the Big Ten season being canceled and Teague’s offseason Achilles injury, there are more questions than answers. Teague needs a season to show he’s worth a pick on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft.

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