The 2022 NFL Draft will begin on April 28 in Paradise, Nevada. Each year, college football’s greatest talents make the leap to the National Football League, where their careers may blossom or fall apart. No matter how these future pros’ careers end up, they will always share one common trait: dominance at the high school football level. Using CBS analyst Pete Prisco’s NFL Mock Draft, we take a look at how the top 10 picks fared in their high school careers.
10. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
With the 10th overall pick, the Jets choose CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner from Cincinnati. Gardner was a lockdown cornerback with the Bearcats, but that defensive stiffness began in high school at King (MI), where he played both ways and was a First-Team All-State selection. A 3-star prospect, Gardner garnered offers from Iowa State, Kentucky, and Indiana before finally choosing Cincinnati.
9. Charles Cross
As part of the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks acquired the 9th overall pick, with which they select Charles Cross, an offensive lineman from Mississippi State. Cross was a standout prior to the college level, earning a 5-star rating while playing at Laurel (MS). Cross’s physicality allowed Laurel’s rushing attack to produce over 2,800 yards in his senior season. He also drew a first-round NFL Draft comparison that year, which has turned out to be completely accurate.
8. Kenny Pickett
It seems that Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett will head to Atlanta to play for the Falcons. Pickett started at Ocean Township in New Jersey, where he passed for over 4,600 yards and rushed for approximately 900 more to accompany 60 total touchdowns in his career. Despite this success, Pickett was only a three-star recruit, which originally led him to commit to Temple. He would later decommit and play for Pittsburgh, where his senior campaign might go down as one of the best in school history.
7. Jermaine Johnson II
With the 8th overall pick, the Giants select Jermaine Johnson II, an edge rusher from Florida State. Johnson isn’t a consensus top-10 pick, but the former 3-star recruit out of Eden Prairie (MN) was turning heads back in high school with his athleticism and quickness off the edge. Johnson played at Independence CC, which was featured on “Last Chance U,” before committing to Georgia and later transferring to the Seminoles.
6. Malik Willis
The Panthers are in desperate need for a quarterback, so they wisely pick Malik Willis from Liberty. Willis started his high school career at Westlake (GA), but transferred to Roswell soon after. He passed for 27 touchdowns and over 2,500 yards his senior year against some of the state’s best defenses. Willis committed to Auburn and transferred to Liberty after playing sparingly.
5. Ikem Ekwonu
NC State lineman Ikem Ekwonu is picked up by the Giants with their second top-10 pick. “Ickey,” as he’s affectionately known, attended Providence Day (NC), where he was a 3-star recruit. Ekwonu wasn’t a household name in high school, clocking in as the 26th-ranked prospect in the state and 36th at his position nationwide. He chose to stay close to home at NC State, and that decision seems to have paid off.
4. Kayvon Thibodeaux
With a plethora of options available along the defensive line, the Jets select Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. The hype around Thibodeaux coming out of Oaks Christian (CA) was almost unbelievable. However, unlike many other top prospects, Thibodeaux lived up to the hype in high school by racking up 18 sacks during his senior year and forcing eight career fumbles. USA Today recognized him as the nation’s best defensive player, and Kayvon committed to Oregon shortly after.
3. Travon Walker
After a jaw-dropping NFL Combine performance, Travon Walker of Georgia becomes the 3rd overall pick in the draft to the Texans. Walker was a high 5-star prospect out of Upson-Lee (GA), but his talents also showed on the basketball court. As a senior defensive end, he helped Upson-Lee reach the playoffs for only the fourth time since 2005. Walker was a key component on the Bulldogs’ stifling defense this past season.
2. Aidan Hutchinson
After a breakout senior season, Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson goes second to the Lions. Another hometown product, Hutchinson played at Divine Child in Dearborn. As a senior, he led the Falcons to a 11-win season behind a stingy defense that allowed only two opponents to score more than thrice. Hutchinson also notched two sacks in the Army All-American Game, making his presence felt before he officially enrolled at Michigan.
1. Evan Neal
With the first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jaguars select OL Evan Neal from Alabama. All eyes were on Neal in high school as he gained a 5-star ranking and started at the prestigious IMG Academy. Neal was invited to the Under Armour All-America Game and played solidly. It’s no surprise Neal chose to continue his career at a school like Alabama.
