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Oregon Football: Top 8 early prospects for 2022 NFL Draft

By Connor Muldowney

EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 07: CJ Verdell #7 of the Oregon Ducks against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on November 07, 2020 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 07: CJ Verdell #7 of the Oregon Ducks against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on November 07, 2020 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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CORVALLIS, OREGON – NOVEMBER 27: Tight end Teagan Quitoriano #84 of the Oregon State Beavers avoids the tackle of linebacker Mase Funa #47 of the Oregon Ducks during the second half of the game at Reser Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Corvallis, Oregon. Oregon State won 41-38. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OREGON – NOVEMBER 27: Tight end Teagan Quitoriano #84 of the Oregon State Beavers avoids the tackle of linebacker Mase Funa #47 of the Oregon Ducks during the second half of the game at Reser Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Corvallis, Oregon. Oregon State won 41-38. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

From one talented linebacker to another, Mase Funa actually had some serious hype coming out of high school as a top-100 prospect from California.

Unlike Isaac Slade-Matautia, Funa had a disappointing 2020 season, seeing his numbers dip a bit and he didn’t make even an honorable mention All-Pac-12 team. There’s no denying his talent, however, he just needs to put it all together like he did as a freshman.

In fact, as a freshman, he was named to The Athletic‘s Freshman All-American second team and Pro Football Focus‘ All-Pac-12 third team. He finished with 26 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks in his first season but took a step back in 2020.

As a sophomore, he had just 35 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. His pass-rushing abilities weren’t showcased as he had zero sacks but he could come back better than ever in 2021 and prove to be the pro prospect everyone expected when he got to campus ahead of the 2019 season.

If he does that, he could be a mid-round selection. I could still see him coming back in 2022 for one final season, though.

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